
Proof of Coverage
Home of the best crypto conversations
Hosted by Connor Lovely and EV3 Ventures | Built by Proof of Coverage
Latest episodes

Jan 27, 2025 • 45min
Sandeep Nailwal: Building Polygon, the AggLayer, and the Future of DePIN and AI
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Connor and Sal sit down with Sandeep Nailwal of Polygon. Sandeep reflects on challenges faced by founders, including tough decisions around layoffs, project management, and preserving company culture during rapid growth, emphasizing the importance of character-building in difficult times. The conversation explores the Polygon ecosystem's evolution, addressing regulatory hurdles, market shifts, and the critical role of the AggLayer in enabling a trustless internet with up to a million interconnected chains. Sandeep also shares insights on the potential of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and their place within Polygon’s strategy, expressing optimism about their future despite industry challenges. This episode offers an in-depth look at blockchain’s dynamic landscape, adaptability in leadership, and Polygon’s vision for a decentralized future.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Reflections on Building Character Through Adversity
01:45 - The Impact of Regulatory Changes on the Crypto Ecosystem
03:40 - Polygon's Journey and Internal Challenges
05:46 - Leadership Transition: Finding the Right CEO
12:13 - Focusing on Growth: The Role of the Chairman
13:44 - The Evolution of Polygon's Product Strategy
19:09 - Understanding Polygon's Core Products
29:29 - The Vision for a Trustless Internet
36:37 - Competition Landscape: Who is Polygon Up Against?
41:24 - The Future of DePIN and Its Importance to Polygon
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jan 22, 2025 • 42min
Building Financial Services for Crypto-Natives with Collar Protocol | J. Paul Meyer
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Mahesh and John Wu, President of Ava Labs, are joined by J. Paul Meyer, founder of Collar Network, to explore innovative solutions in decentralized finance (DeFi). J. Paul shares how Collar Network, a smart contract-based lending protocol, helps crypto investors borrow against their holdings in a hedged, non-liquidatable manner—addressing challenges like tax implications and liquidity. Drawing from his Goldman Sachs background, J. Paul discusses the need for financial services tailored to crypto's emerging wealthy class and the risks of replicating traditional finance's mistakes. They also touch on regulation, market behavior, and the future of Bitcoin, AI in finance, and Web3 value capture.
Check out Collar's beta platform at beta.collarprotocol.xyz
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:16 - The Role of ETFs in Tokenization
03:10 - Discussion on Goldman Sachs and Its Relevance
06:35 - The Impact of Technology on Financial Services
08:51 - The Consolidation of the Banking Sector
10:19 - Competing with Large Financial Institutions
13:27 - Weaknesses of Large Financial Institutions
17:02 - Overview of Collar Networks and Its Mission
20:32 - Comparison with Traditional Margin-Based Borrowing
22:44 - User Experience in Financial Products
24:51 - Future Product Development at Collar
26:20 - Finding Liquidity in DeFi Markets
28:10 - Working with Major Financial Institutions
30:57 - Concerns About Repeating Past Financial Mistakes
33:02 - Future Strategies for Collar Network
36:54 - Political and Regulatory Considerations
38:27 - Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions
41:02 - Closing Remarks
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jan 15, 2025 • 28min
Introducing Gekko: An AI Agent for Trading
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Mahesh welcomed back Ash Ahmed, founder of Axal, to discuss exciting developments at his company and the broader implications of AI agents in crypto. Ash highlighted Axal’s rapid growth, the launch of their new product, Gekko—a virtual agent for trading—and its integration with the Autopilot platform to simplify crypto portfolio management. He emphasized the importance of a "fair launch" for the Gekko token, with no team allocation, to build trust and align value with functionality. The conversation also explored AI agents as a new asset class, the role of community engagement in Axal's growth, and Ash’s advice for founders to act boldly and prioritize transparency.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:11 - Overview of Axal's Vision and Team Growth
02:49 - Diverse Team and Guerrilla Marketing Strategies
03:41 - Podcasting and Content Creation Efforts
05:25 - Introduction of Gecko and Its Purpose
08:34 - Understanding the Value of Agents
09:22 - Fair Launch Concept Explained
10:16 - Community Engagement and Investor Reactions
12:15 - Utility and Future Plans for Gecko
14:21 - The Future of Agent Tokens in the Market
17:06 - Launching Gekko: Technical Insights
20:28 - Advice for Founders Considering Token Launches
22:46 - Navigating Investor Relations and Legalities
25:50 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jan 13, 2025 • 27min
Powering Data Collection at the Edge with 375ai | Harry Dewhirst
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Connor spoke with Harry Dewhirst, CEO and co-founder of 375ai, formerly known as Zeppelin, about his journey from founding a data company sold to Singtel to leading 375ai’s efforts in building decentralized networks for data collection. Harry shared insights into the company’s ambitious goal of identifying over 10 million vehicles daily through their AI-powered hardware, the 375 Edge, and their partnership with Outfront Media. They also discussed the launch of 375ai’s incentivized testnet, allowing users to earn tokens through the 375Go app by contributing passive data. Harry explained the significance of the company’s name, linked to Nevada’s extraterrestrial highway, and how the data could be used by hedge funds for market analysis. Additionally, they explored 375ai’s decision to build on the Solana blockchain and their tokenomics.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Harry's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey
02:40 - Transition from Zeppelin to 375ai
04:20 - Zeppelin's Initial Mission and Partnerships
06:30 - Deployment Strategies and Learning Experiences
08:40 - Significance of the Name 375ai
09:50 - Testnet and Community Engagement
12:00 - 375 Edge Devices and Their Functionality
15:00 - Future Plans for 375 Street Devices
17:00 - Real-World Applications of Collected Data
19:00 - Building on the Solana Ecosystem
21:00 - Tokenomics and Incentive Structures
24:00 - Quality Control and Data Demand Strategies
25:30 - Call to Action and Community Engagement
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jan 8, 2025 • 31min
Building a DePIN for Flight Tracking with Wingbits | Robin Wingardh
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Connor and Sal spoke with Robin from Wingbits, a company revolutionizing the aviation and drone industries with advanced flight data solutions. Robin discussed the $22 billion ADS-B market, Wingbits' innovative hardware for tracking flights and drones, and plans for a token-incentivized model to enhance data quality. With 2,000 live stations globally and an upcoming mainnet launch, the conversation also highlighted their partnership with Geodnet to improve location data and their vision of integrating Web3 principles into a sustainable business model.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - Exploring Productivity with Wearable Tech
02:28 - Winter Sports Brand and VC Discussions
04:54 - Understanding Wingbits Impact on Aviation Data
07:40 - Advanced Flight Data Technologies
11:09 - Incentivizing Flight Data Contributions
15:40 - Targeting the Web3 Community in Flight Tracking
21:47 - Future of ADS-B Technology in Aviation
26:00 - The Wingbits Network Expansion
27:12 - Update on Wingbits Network and Upcoming Launch
Disclaimer:
The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jan 6, 2025 • 47min
The Future of Blockchain Interoperability with Omni | Austin King
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Mahesh and guest host John Wu sit down with Austin King, CEO of Omni Labs, to explore the future of cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi). Austin shares his journey from Harvard College to building and selling his first company to Ripple, reflecting on the lessons from the 2017 crypto boom that shaped his vision for blockchain interoperability. He discusses innovative design trends like "intents and solvers," which simplify cross-chain transactions for users, and Omni Labs’ mission to abstract blockchain complexities, enabling seamless participation in the on-chain economy. Austin also opens up about leadership challenges, including pivoting after significant fundraising, and emphasizes the value of transparency, collaboration, and a strong support network. The conversation concludes with insights into the evolving crypto landscape and Austin's vision for a neutral and open economic system.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - Introduction to Omni and Solvernet
01:30 - Austin King's Journey from Harvard to Crypto
03:02 - Identifying the Need for Interoperability
05:20 - The Ripple Acquisition Story
06:43 - Understanding the XRP Community
10:19 - Misunderstandings About XRP and Ripple
14:24 - Cults and Communities in Crypto
16:21 - Building Omni and Its Vision
20:56 - The Importance of Interoperability
23:24 - Pivoting After Fundraising
28:01 - Support Networks for Founders
30:33 - Conviction in Decision-Making
33:37 - Overview of the Omni Token and Network
39:04 - Defining Success in the Crypto Space
41:34 - Long-Term Vision for Crypto Development
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Jan 2, 2025 • 22min
Redefining IOT Meets Blockchain with Staex | Dr. Alexandra Mikityuk
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Sal sits down with Alexandra from Staex, a company redefining IoT through a trusted, decentralized network. They discuss the inefficiencies of traditional network protocols for modern IoT and how Staex’s approach re-architects infrastructure to reduce overhead and enhance security. Alexandra highlights Staex’s impact, including saving a U.S. client with 2,000 charging stations $100,000 annually by optimizing data transmission. She also shares use cases like anchoring battery data on-chain for regulatory compliance and using drones to measure electromagnetic fields. The conversation reveals Staex’s shift from a decentralization-first pitch to a focus on efficiency and cost savings, and Alexandra invites builders to join the evolution of DePIN and the machine economy. This episode offers a compelling look at how IoT, blockchain, and regulatory compliance are converging to reshape industries.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Overview of Staex and IoT Challenges
01:40 - Alexandra's Background in IoT Networking
05:26 - The Monolithic Approach of Staex
08:09 - Evolving the Pitch to Enterprises
10:33 - Understanding Cost Savings in IoT
12:12 - Industrial Use Cases for Staex
15:19 - Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities
17:19 - Current Stage and Future Plans for Staex
20:16 - Alexandra's Aspirations Beyond Staex
21:47 - Call to Action for Builders and Collaborators
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

13 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 27min
$TAO as the King of Crypto x AI
Sami, the former co-host of the Building in Public podcast and an expert on Bittensor, dives deep into the revolutionary decentralized AI platform. They explore how Bittensor challenges traditional models like OpenAI with its unique approach and subnets. Sami emphasizes the power of open-source innovation and the necessity of financial incentives for contributors. He also discusses the community's commitment to improving Bittensor and its optimistic future prospects, alongside challenges related to emission distribution.

Dec 23, 2024 • 47min
Nils Pihl: Machine Perception, AR/VR’s Future, and DePIN’s Role in Capitalism
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Sal sits down with Nils, founder and CEO of Auki Labs, to explore the future of spatial intelligence, machine perception, and augmented reality. Nils shares how his journey began with a vision for AR overlays in tabletop games like Warhammer, ultimately leading to breakthroughs in spatial computing. They discuss the potential of DePIN to make AI more accessible, drawing parallels between AR's evolution and human language. Nils addresses the limitations of current AR tech, such as battery life and processing power, and proposes new types of wearable devices as a solution. The conversation also delves into Auki's token system, which incentivizes contributions to a decentralized machine perception network. This episode offers a compelling look at the future of AR, robotics, and human-machine interaction.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:37 - Sponsor Message: Polygon
01:00 - Introduction to Nils and Auki Labs
02:02 - Inspiration Behind Auki and Spatial Computing
05:36 - DePIN: AI and Its Resources
06:52 - Terence McKenna and the Evolution of Language
09:58 - Augmented Reality as Humanity's Oldest Project
10:50 - The Future of Robotics and Human Language
14:32 - Decentralized Mapping and Positioning
15:57 - The Inevitable Global Movement of DePIN
16:27 - Memetic Engineering: A Career Overview
20:27 - The Concept of Memes and Their Impact
25:41 - Auki's Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy
27:30 - AR Notes and Communication in Retail
30:53 - AI's Role in Retail Efficiency
33:44 - Form Factors for Spatial Computing
40:03 - Decentralized Collaborative Spatial Computing
41:51 - Auki's Token and Crypto Strategy
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Dec 19, 2024 • 26min
Building a PC-Powered Compute DePIN with Koii | Al Morris
Sal talks to Al, the founder of Koii, about their platform that lets users run decentralized apps on personal computers. They discuss Koii’s new feature allowing token staking and rewards, creating an open marketplace for developers and users. Al shares his journey from blockchain education to building Koii, driven by a passion for technology’s impact, particularly in medicine. The conversation highlights how Koii simplifies decentralization, making it accessible even to those with little technical knowledge. Al emphasizes Koii's mission to lower barriers for developers and promote community-driven projects.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:15 - Background and Journey to Koii
06:07 - User Experience and Node Installation
08:55 - Financial Incentives vs. Community Engagement
12:57 - Developer Token Integration and Ecosystem
13:36 - Comparison with Other Crypto Projects
18:57 - Decentralization and Node Sales Discussion
24:52 - Closing Thoughts and Future of Decentralized Products
Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.
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