

Proof of Coverage
Proof of Coverage
Home of the best crypto conversations
Hosted by Connor Lovely and EV3 Ventures | Built by Proof of Coverage
Hosted by Connor Lovely and EV3 Ventures | Built by Proof of Coverage
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 13, 2025 • 56min
DePIN Roundtable Ep.3 with Blockworks Research | Nick Carpinito
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageSantiago Santos, Jason Badeaux, Mahesh Ramakrishnan and Connor Lovely welcome Nick Carpinito from Blockworks Research to discuss Helium’s path toward deflation, decentralized energy grids, and the role of crypto and private equity in solving large-scale challenges. They touch on New York’s political climate and its potential impact on innovation, highlight Inversion’s talent-focused approach, and explore user-generated services like Daisy that enable real-time content monetization. Nick shares insights on Helium and Geodnet’s growth, tokenomics, and capital attraction, with the conversation underscoring the need for clear, aligned structures that prioritize community benefits over traditional shareholder gains.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:24 - New York Politics and Social Issues02:24 - New York vs. San Francisco03:16 - The Role of DePIN in Social Cohesion03:58 - Mamdani's Stance on Crypto04:17 - Inversion's Recent Developments05:34 - Hiring Trends and Talent in Crypto06:58 - Building in the Open vs. Secrecy08:53 - Insights on Hiring and Talent Acquisition09:54 - The Intersection of Crypto and Tradfi10:04 - Helium's Growth and MVNO Metrics12:09 - DePIN's Potential in Payments19:06 - The Concept of User-Generated Services22:19 - Introduction of Nick from Blockworks Research22:45 - Helium's Revenue Growth and Deflationary Potential25:03 - Tokenomics and Equity Conversion Discussions29:00 - The Importance of Clarity in Token Structures31:27 - Corporate Structures and Alignment in Crypto34:29 - Geodnet's Growth and Market Position39:29 - Revenue Dynamics in Geodnet and Helium41:42 - Earnings Dispersion Among DeployersDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jun 23, 2025 • 50min
Building a Global, Multi-Strat Crypto Fund with Hypersphere Ventures | Jack Platts + Mehdi Farooq
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor and Sal are joined by guests Jack Platts and Mehdi Farooq to explore the evolving landscape of crypto investment, venture capital, and deep tech. They discuss strategies for unlocking value in crypto assets, the critical role of NAV in investment decisions, and the rise of micro strategies in deal-making. The conversation also covers the resurgence of ICOs, the importance of disciplined evaluation of investment vehicles, and the global perspectives shaping today’s crypto markets. Jack and Mehdi share insights on how podcasting drives research and networking, while emphasizing the transformative impact of deep tech on robotics and AI. The episode wraps with a look at why community building remains essential for startup success in decentralized ecosystems.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:47 - The Value of Podcasting 03:12 - Podcasting as a Platform for Founders 04:11 - Jack's Perspective on Podcasting 05:47 - Micro Strategy and Investment Trends 06:18 - Understanding Capital Markets 07:56 - Evaluating Investment Vehicles 11:07 - Natural Buyers for Investment Vehicles 16:00 - Long-term NAV Multiples 20:50 - 21 Capital Investment Insights 24:02 - Expanding Beyond Bitcoin 30:53 - Global Investment Perspectives 34:09 - Lessons from Polkadot 40:06 - The ICO Meta and Community Building 46:04 - DePIN Investments and Future Outlook Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jun 16, 2025 • 49min
DePIN Roundtable Ep.2 with Helium | Amir Haleem, Santiago Santos, Jason Badeaux, Mahesh Ramakrishnan, Connor Lovely
Amir Haleem, co-founder and CEO of Helium, leads the discussion alongside venture capitalists Santiago Santos and Jason Badeaux. They explore Helium's impressive growth in revenue, driven by its mobile subscriber base. The conversation delves into sustainable business models beyond token sales, the convergence of crypto and traditional finance, and strategies for decentralized infrastructure projects. Insights into user engagement reveal Helium's shift towards prioritizing service delivery and the complexities of blending off-chain and on-chain revenues.

Jun 9, 2025 • 31min
DePIN Tokenomics 101 with Tom Trowbridge | Fluence
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor speaks with Tom Trowbridge, co-founder of Fluence Labs and host of the DePIN Day & DePINEd Podcast about the evolving world of decentralized compute platforms and the broader DePIN ecosystem. Tom explains how Fluence operates as a “cloudless” service—open, resilient, and more cost-effective than traditional cloud providers—and outlines its innovative tokenomics, including fixed-dollar payments to contributors and a capped token supply to build investor trust. The discussion explores how DePINs offer unique advantages over centralized models like Uber and Airbnb, particularly the ability for early participants to benefit from token appreciation. Tom also touches on governance, buy-and-burn mechanisms, and how the convergence of hardware, open-source technology, and crypto economics is driving the future of decentralized infrastructure.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:54 - The Benefits of Podcasting05:10 - Overview of Fluence and Its Mission07:54 - Tokenomics Insights and Security Considerations10:01 - DePIN as Sharing Economy 2.012:32 - Marketing Dynamics in DePIN vs. Traditional Models14:10 - Payment Structures: Stablecoins vs. Native Tokens16:55 - Staking Rewards and Their Implications18:18 - Token Supply: Capped vs. Uncapped20:49 - Token Value Accrual Methods25:09 - Best Practices in Revenue Generation and Tokenomics29:29 - Future Opportunities in the DePIN Sector31:00 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jun 2, 2025 • 31min
Onboarding the Next Billion Users with Galxe | Yumin Xia
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor speaks with Yumin, founder of Galxe, a crypto project focused on onboarding users through learning and earning rather than purchasing. They explore Yumin’s early experiences with technology in 2000s China, the evolving landscape for elite students, and the growing emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Yumin shares Galxe’s mission to make crypto more accessible through on-chain quests powered by zero-knowledge proofs, enhancing privacy and transparency. He also introduces Gravity Chain, Galxe’s high-performance blockchain designed to improve the multi-chain user experience, and discusses the Galxe Identity Protocol and Passport, which enable users to manage digital identities with privacy and control.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:09 - Yumin's Background in China's Tech Scene03:57 - Opportunities for Elite Students in Tech06:16 - Onboarding Users through Earning Crypto07:15 - Evolution of Quests: From Off-Chain to On-Chain09:24 - Implementing On-Chain Quests with zk Proofs12:36 - Introduction of Gravity Chain16:45 - Building a High-Performance Blockchain20:14 - Digital Identity in the Blockchain Space27:57 - Galxe's Revenue Model and Future Plans29:40 - Conclusion and Where to Find GalxeDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

May 29, 2025 • 40min
Building a DePIN-powered Shazam for Media with Rumi | Niko Cunningham and Mateusz Poreda
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor and Sal spoke with Mateusz Poreda and Niko Cunningham, co-founders of Rumi, a company reimagining media consumption through contextually aware AI agents that enhance viewer engagement. Niko shared how his upbringing in Detroit sparked his passion for technology, while Mateusz discussed how his background in consulting and tech helps navigate Rumi’s complex challenges. They announced Rumi’s $5 million pre-seed round, co-led by EV3 and A16Z CSX, and outlined their vision to turn passive media into interactive experiences. The conversation touched on Rumi’s contributor rewards model, potential for creators and advertisers, and concluded with advice for aspiring founders, encouraging listeners to explore Rumi and join the growing community.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:56 - What is Rumi?03:50 - Niko's Journey and Early Influences08:33 - Mateusz's Background and Career Path10:20 - The Importance of Diverse Experiences13:16 - Rumi's Supply Side and Community Contribution14:04 - Transforming Media Consumption18:01 - Privacy and Data Handling20:05 - Maximizing Points and Engagement22:04 - Exploring Demand for Rumi27:08 - Unlocking New User Experiences29:07 - Nielsen vs. Rumi: A New Era of Analytics34:39 - Advice for Founders on Fundraising38:26 - How to Get Involved with RumiDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

8 snips
May 21, 2025 • 41min
The World’s First Truly Private Messaging App with Session | Kee Jefferys + Chris McCabe
Chris McCabe and Kee Jefferys, co-founders of the decentralized messaging platform Session, unveil how their app champions user privacy and security. They explain the innovative features that eliminate the need for phone numbers and user data, employing onion routing for anonymity. The duo shares insights on organic user growth during global conflicts, the role of their Session token, and how they balance privacy with usability. Delve into their vision for a surveillance-free messaging future, where users can communicate freely without trusting centralized platforms.

May 16, 2025 • 50min
DePIN Roundtable Ep.1 | Santiago Santos, Jason Badeaux, Mahesh Ramakrishnan, Connor Lovely
Santiago Santos, an investor at Inversion Capital focusing on crypto transformation of traditional businesses, and Jason Badeaux from Daylight, advocating for energy subscriptions, join a roundtable discussion. They explore Bitcoin's role in decentralized physical infrastructure networks and the fundraising hurdles faced by fund managers. The conversation shifts to innovative energy models and the synergy between DeFi and real-world infrastructure. Insights spill over into the evolving token landscape and the challenges of aligning user needs with tokenomics, all with an optimistic eye on DePIN's future.

May 6, 2025 • 16min
Natix Partners with Grab l Alireza Ghods
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor welcomes back Alireza Ghods, co-founder of Natix, to discuss a major milestone for the company. Alireza announces a game-changing partnership with Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading super app—a strategic alliance that positions Grab as a key data customer for Natix’s VX360 product while granting Natix access to Grab’s advanced mapping technology. This marks a significant leap forward in Natix’s mission to build the world’s largest camera infrastructure without owning any cameras. Since December 2024, the company has grown rapidly, with nearly 250,000 registered drivers and over 170 million kilometers mapped across 171 countries. With VX360—an innovative 360-degree video plugin for Tesla vehicles—now shipping ahead of schedule, Alireza offers an inside look at how this partnership will unlock new revenue streams, accelerate autonomous mapmaking, and reshape the future of mobility.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:25 - Introduction to Natix and VX36001:35 - State of the Network: Growth and Updates02:12 - Shipping and User Experience of VX36003:41 - Announcement of Partnership with Grab04:58 - Details of the Partnership and Its Benefits08:04 - Economic Aspects of the Partnership10:22 - Focus on Data Collection and Monetization Strategy13:35 - Future Plans and Excitement for Autonomous Driving14:39 - Closing Remarks and Call to Action for Tesla DriversDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Apr 28, 2025 • 29min
Enabling AI Models to Drive Robots with the BitRobot Network | Michael Cho
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor and Sal spoke with Michael Cho about the future of robotics and AI, highlighting his projects FrodoBots and the new BitRobot network. Michael explained the challenges of testing embodied AI in the real world and introduced the idea of cross-embodiment—training models using data from diverse robots. He also shared how BitRobot uses crypto incentives to crowdsource data and how the meme coin SAM helps build community in a low-pressure way. The conversation offered a fun and thoughtful look into where robotics is headed.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:47 - Intersection of Robotics and AI02:50 - Real-World Evaluation vs. Digital AI06:00 - The Importance of Real-World Testing07:07 - Mapping and Navigation in Robotics08:12 - Value of Real-World Data for AI09:38 - Differences in Data Utility13:07 - Exploring Different Robotic Form Factors14:04 - Cross-Embodiment in Robotics16:35 - Introduction to BitRobot17:30 - Transition from Frotobots to BitRobot20:08 - Collaboration with Researchers and Competitions22:05 - Future Plans for BitRobot24:27 - The Role of Meme Coins in Community Building27:46 - Conclusion Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.