TikTok ban looms as crypto megarounds return | IE Ep. 63
Release Date: 01/19/2025
How Valuable Are Your Memories? (feat. RAC) | Internet Explorers Ep. 77
Internet Explorers
$ZORA is here, memecoins are changing, CT is mad—but what does it all mean? This episode unpacks Zora's recent token launch, explores the burdens of governance, and dives deep into how "just-for-fun" tokens might be redefining crypto markets, if not the very concept of "value." Later, special guest RAC (André Allen Anjos) joins to discuss Memory Protocol, the ambitious new identity and data-sharing layer he’s co-founded, which promises to revolutionize how we manage and monetize our digital identities—starting with the music industry. This episode unpacks: $ZORA token launch and...
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This Founder's App Was Going Nowhere. Now It's #1 | Internet Explorers Ep. 76
Internet Explorers
Nick Confrey’s first app was all promise, no traction—until one bold pivot changed everything. This week on Internet Explorers, the crew starts with the messy fallout from Base’s content coin launch—an experiment in onchain media that spiraled into backlash, infighting, and meme coin chaos. But the real story comes in the second half, when Nick joins the show to share how he turned a floundering generalized social platform into Tome—a viral BookTok hit that hit #1 in the App Store’s books category. Nick walks us through his journey from building for “everyone” to focusing on...
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The Harsh Reality of Onchain Games | Internet Explorers Ep. 75
Internet Explorers
What if a game you built today could still be played a thousand years from now? Onchain gaming is one of the hardest bets in crypto — and Kamigotchi is taking a radically different path to survive. Lethe joins to break down why most projects fail, and how building the simplest possible game could create a world that lasts for centuries. Later, Jaimin from Beans joins to share how they’re turning Internet speculation into a daily game of discovery. Plus: the future of three-person unicorns, AI-native teams, tokenized subforums, and how Plastic Labs could reshape memory and personalization...
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Most Startups Misunderstand Incentives feat. Joseph Al-Chami | Internet Explorers Ep. 74
Internet Explorers
The future of crypto might not be bots, bulls**t, and broken incentives — but first, we have some serious receipts to go through. This week we are joined by researcher Joseph Al-Chami for a wide-ranging dive into the biggest consumer crypto stories of the week — and an honest reckoning with how points systems, appcoins, agentic investors, and open social graphs are actually playing out. From Circle’s IPO drama to AI SEO strategies, we’re connecting the dots on what’s really happening across consumer crypto, AI, and internet culture. We kick off with a quickfire rundown of Appcoins,...
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The Internet Loves Ghibli... But Not Enough to Pay? | Internet Explorers Ep. 73
Internet Explorers
Ghibli memes took over the internet. But the studio captured none of the value. In this week’s Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh break down how OpenAI’s viral Ghibli-style image launch became a masterclass in attention-hijacking — and why crypto, NFTs, and tokens still fail to help artists and IP holders capture their fair share. From meme coin spikes to the role of protocol design, they unpack how this moment exposed crypto’s biggest cultural opportunity (and blind spot). Later, Priyanka from Tribute Labs joins to debut ADIN, their new AI-native investment DAO. The crew explores...
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How to Solve Crypto’s Real Problem | Internet Explorers Ep. 72
Internet Explorers
The crypto industry got a serious vibe check this week—and it feels like we’re hitting an inflection point. Solana’s latest ad campaign sparked a massive backlash, raising questions about the values shaping the space. Was it just a misfire, or does it signal a deeper cultural shift? At the same time, outdated token models are finally being called out as the industry moves past high-FDV, low-float launches that leave investors holding the bag. We also dive into the rise of stablecoins in fintech, how Privy is making crypto onboarding seamless, and why crypto’s UX problem is...
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Win $150,000 Playing Crypto's Squid Game | Internet Explorers Ep. 71
Internet Explorers
What happens when you combine Survivor, Squid Game, and Hunger Games…onchain? Uncover the secrets behind Crypto: The Game's explosive success and its acquisition by Uniswap Labs. Dylan Abruscato, the game's creator, shares insights on building a viral onchain experience that's captivating cryptotwitter with a $150,000 (72 ETH) prize pool. Learn how CTG evolved from a bootstrapped side project to a cornerstone of Uniswap's marketing strategy, and explore the challenges of balancing innovation with sustainability in the ever-evolving Web3 landscape. This episode also dives into the...
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The Gameshow that Pays to Play | Internet Explorers Ep. 70
Internet Explorers
Can a gameshow make crypto fun and profitable at the same time? This week on Internet Explorers, we sit down with Krish Jagirdar, co-founder of Rek Tech, the crypto game show where players compete for high-stakes prizes like Rolexes and rare NFTs. Krish shares how Internet Game evolved into Rek Tech and why experiential crypto products are capturing attention. We also dive into Zora’s memecoin experiment—is this the cleanest way to launch a token? Plus, Lore founder Thomas Scaria unveils a new on-chain hedge fund platform, aiming to bring trust and transparency to crypto investing. With...
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This AI Predicts Startup Success | Internet Explorers Ep. 69
Internet Explorers
What happens when AI replaces venture capitalists? Tribute Labs’ new project, ADIN, introduces an AI-driven investment DAO that evaluates deals, votes on funding, and predicts startup valuations—all without human bias. But can an algorithm really spot the next unicorn? This episode unpacks: AI vs. VCs – Can machine learning replace investor intuition? Blackbird’s Flynet launch – A blockchain-based restaurant loyalty network taking on Visa’s 3% transaction tax. Zora’s bold pivot – Every post is now a liquid token. A game-changer for creators or just speculation? Pump.fun’s...
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Ship a Crypto App in Seconds with AI | Internet Explorers Ep. 68
Internet Explorers
What if anyone could build a crypto app—without writing a single line of code? In this episode of Internet Explorers, Jess Sloss and Josh Cornelius sit down with Brexton Pham, co-founder of Ohara, to explore how AI is revolutionizing app development and why software is becoming the next form of content. Brexton lays out his bold vision: a world where non-technical creators generate crypto-native apps in seconds, memecoins replace traditional business models, and attention is the only currency that matters. But if software is free to create, what happens next? Ohara’s answer might change...
info_outlineWhat happens when founders no longer feel afraid to experiment? In Episode 63 of Internet Explorers, co-hosts Jess Sloss and Josh Cornelius dive into the growing tensions around a potential TikTok ban and what it reveals about platform centralization. Joined by Dan Sargent (Mintstars), then Matthew Fox (Clankermon), the conversation unpacks the return of crypto mega funding rounds, lessons from navigating creator economies, and the future of distributed app ecosystems.
This episode covers:
- TikTok Ban Looms: Why it could redefine online media power structures.
- Crypto’s Comeback: Is 2025 the start of a new funding cycle?
- Creators and Crypto Rails: How Mintstars leverages crypto to challenge traditional platforms.
- On-Chain Entertainment: Clankermon’s vision for mini-apps and the post-AGI world.
- The UX Barrier: Why adoption hinges on user-centric crypto interfaces.
From creator-first platforms to the latest innovations in crypto, this episode explores the key challenges and opportunities for builders shaping the next phase of the consumer internet.
Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer Internet experiences.
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