Proof of Coverage

Proof of Coverage
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Feb 10, 2025 • 1h 56min

Travis Kling: How Faith Made Him a Better Trader, Surviving FTX & Finding Your Ikigai

Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor sits down with Travis Kling, a prominent crypto hedge fund trader, about the intersection of faith, culture, and cryptocurrency. They discuss the recent surge in Bible sales, which Travis attributes to global instability driving a renewed interest in faith, as well as the decline of religious affiliation in America amid the rise of the internet and challenges like Christian nationalism. Travis shares his views on societal trends, including a potential spiritual resurgence, and explores the concept of spiritual warfare in the context of the 2024 election, linking cultural issues like gender identity and abortion to broader moral struggles. He reflects on his personal faith journey, recounting how challenges and a move to New York City deepened his spirituality. The conversation concludes with Travis’s thoughts on the future of cryptocurrency, including the potential for a strategic Bitcoin reserve under a new administration and its implications for the financial landscape.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:04 - Exploring the Decline of Faith in Modern America06:51 - Faith and Science11:31 - Reevaluating New Atheism 16:26 - Political Polarization24:02 - Future of Bitcoin in U.S. Politics 35:26 - Finding Faith and Purpose56:16 - Journey of Faith: Deconstruction and Reconstruction01:24:48 - Exploring Tokenomics and AI Agents in Emerging Technologies01:30:10 - Hybrid Intelligence - The Intersection of Human Oversight and AI01:37:16 - Exploring the Impact of Religion on Human Advancement01:43:37 - Christianity and Human AdvancementDisclaimer: 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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Feb 5, 2025 • 36min

Transforming Livestreaming Audiences into Paid Contributors with Rilla Network | Hal Smith Stevens

Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_Coverage Connor speaks with Hal Smith Stevens, CEO of Rilla Network, about their mission to revolutionize live streaming with peer-to-peer technology. Hal shares insights from Rilla's recent $3.5 million seed round and his experiences as a third-time founder, highlighting the importance of building strong networks and finding the right investors. They discuss Rilla's decentralized content delivery network, which leverages unused upstream bandwidth from viewers to reduce costs for broadcasters and transform passive audiences into active contributors. Hal explains how this approach enhances engagement and reduces expenses, offering examples like cost savings for sports broadcasters. The conversation also touches on Rilla’s plans for a token to distribute value within their ecosystem, showcasing the potential of blockchain and peer-to-peer technology to shape the future of live streaming. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:35 - Seed Round Experience 01:58 - Advice for First-Time Founders 05:41 - The Importance of Networking 07:24 - Understanding Real Networks 07:36 - Decentralized CDN Concept 08:00 - Core Technology Overview 09:05 - Live Streaming Use Case 12:55 - Transforming Passive Audiences 14:03 - Explaining the Peer-to-Peer Model 19:41 - Concrete Example of Live Streaming 20:59 - Value Attribution and Redistribution 26:25 - Supply Side and Hardware Requirements 29:43 - Blockchain Choice Discussion 30:58 - Future Use Cases Beyond Sports 32:01 - Building a Protocol vs. Application 33:38 - Token Design and Future Plans 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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Feb 3, 2025 • 20min

Building a DePIN for Cloud Gaming with YOM | Jeff Outlaw

Join Jeff Outlaw from YOM, a pioneer in transforming idle GPU cycles into revenue for gamers, as he dives into the booming world of cloud gaming. He discusses how YOM addresses high latency and costs, enabling seamless gaming without dedicated consoles. Learn about the use of blockchain for a deflationary token model that enhances crypto gaming.
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Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 29min

Nic Carter: Trump’s Impact on Crypto, Building a $500M+ Venture Firm, Battling the Bitcoin Maxis

In the first episode of our new podcast, Connor and Nic Carter explore the implications of the upcoming Trump presidency and recent political shifts on the crypto industry. Nic shares insights from his recent trip to Washington, where he met with key members of Congress to discuss their legislative priorities with respect to crypto and technology broadly. The episode explores the implications of ending "Chokepoint 2.0," the potential for a stablecoin bill, and the need for crypto-friendly legislation. Nic also touches on challenges with the SEC, the Strategic National Bitcoin Reserve, and the future of Bitcoin and the broader crypto market. They discuss the role of corporate investments, the evolution of CoinMetrics, the founding of Castle Island Venture along with Nic’s personal journey in faith and combat sports. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 05:43 - Key Priorities for Crypto Regulation and Banking Access 08:52 - Critique of the Hagerty Bill and Discussion on Financial Thresholds 13:57 - Assessing Bitcoin's Future Amid Political Discourse 16:14 - Future of Crypto Regulation and Priorities 18:27 - Shifting Sentiments in Crypto Regulations 20:13 - Tax Incentives and Global Bitcoin Mining Dynamics 23:07 - Bitcoin Mining and Sovereign Nations' Strategies 24:53 - Startups, Bitcoin, and Market Dynamics: Insights on Crypto Trends 34:28 - Building Crypto Infrastructure: The Genesis of Castle Island 38:48 - Startups and Wiffio Moments 39:45 - Evolution of Coinmetrics: From Small Funds to Institutional Focus 41:36 - Finding Purpose Through Bitcoin and Venture Capital 43:15 - Maintaining Focus with a Small Team in VC 46:39 - Supporting Founders: The Evolving Role of Venture Capitalists 50:58 - Building a Career Through Media and Writing 53:18 - Finding Your Voice in the Digital Age: The Power of Content Creation 55:42 - Specialization and Evolution in Crypto Investing 01:00:06 - Impact of Real-Time Payments on Stablecoin Adoption 01:16:10 - From Fanboy Moments to Faith and Future Ventures 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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Jan 29, 2025 • 34min

How Mawari Is Building the Future of AR and VR with Luis Ramirez

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod Connor and Sal sit down with Luis Ramirez, founder of Mawari, to explore the future of augmented and virtual reality. Luis shares how Mawari is shaping AR as a tool for immersive, social experiences rather than dystopian futures, emphasizing the importance of presence in AR interactions. They discuss advancements like Meta's Orion AR glasses, Mawari's focus on content delivery over hardware, and the integration of AR and VR into multifunctional devices. Luis also shares insights on distributed computing networks for immersive experiences and Mawari’s shift into Web3, leveraging underutilized hardware for decentralized 3D rendering. The conversation dives into challenges, opportunities, and monetization paths for developers, offering a compelling look at how Mawari is paving the way for the 3D internet. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:34 - Online Presence 01:43 - Meta's Orion AR Glasses 02:46 - The Future of AR and VR Hardware 03:43 - Haptic Feedback Suits: A Niche Technology 06:30 - Power of Vision in Immersive Experiences 09:04 - Opportunities in XR Development 10:30 - Compute Needs for XR Experiences 12:51 - The Role of Edge Computing in XR 15:11 - Content Creation in XR 16:37 - Transitioning from Web2 to Web3 18:43 - Building a Decentralized Network 21:22 - AR/VR and AI Cloud Architectures 23:32 - Go-to-Market Strategy 25:50 - Utilizing Existing Hardware for XR 27:14 - Current Revenue Model 32:47 - Call to Action 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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Jan 27, 2025 • 45min

Sandeep Nailwal: Building Polygon, the AggLayer, and the Future of DePIN and AI

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod 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.
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Jan 22, 2025 • 42min

Building Financial Services for Crypto-Natives with Collar Protocol | J. Paul Meyer

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod 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.
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Jan 15, 2025 • 28min

Introducing Gekko: An AI Agent for Trading

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod 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.
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Jan 13, 2025 • 27min

Powering Data Collection at the Edge with 375ai | Harry Dewhirst

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod 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.
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Jan 8, 2025 • 31min

Building a DePIN for Flight Tracking with Wingbits | Robin Wingardh

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod 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.

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