The Crypto Conversation

Brave New Coin’s Crypto Conversation talks to the key people creating the Bitcoin, blockchain, and cryptocurrency future. Hosted by Andy Pickering, learn how this rapidly evolving industry is reshaping the world as we move towards decentralized finance, NFTs and Web3.

Kairon Labs - The Crypto Market Maker 03/27/2025

Astria - The Sequencing Layer 03/26/2025

Seek Protocol - AR On Solana 03/26/2025

Seek Protocol - AR On Solana Seek Protocol is a cutting-edge ecosystem on Solana at the intersection of AI, augmented reality (AR), geolocation, and GameFi. Why you should listen Don Reijke is the Founder and CTO of Seek Protocol, and Lukas Novotny is COO of Seek Protocol. Seek Protocol is a technology initiative dedicated to blending cutting-edge innovation with human experience. At the crossroads of Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Web3, Seek Protocol is revolutionizing how people interact with the digital and physical worlds. Seek Protocol is building an ecosystem where creativity, ownership, and exploration converge. Seek Protocol is committed to creating dynamic and immersive experiences that empower users to engage with digital ecosystems in transformative ways. From gamified experiences (GameFi) to personalized AI-driven interactions and AR-enhanced interactions, Seek Protocol strives to blur the lines between reality and imagination. The mission is clear: to redefine how people interact, innovate, and connect on a global scale. Seek Protocol is the first project on Solana to integrate augmented reality, geofencing technology, AI agents, and the Solana L1 blockchain. Seek Panel in combination with SeekAR function as the ultimate user acquisition platform, enabling creators and projects to distribute their tokenized assets to users on-chain in a gamified and engaging way. SeekAI, on the other hand, ensures that end users enjoy a dynamic and engaging experience through an ever-evolving treasure hunt, offering infinite replayability mixed with a continuous stream of new rewards. This enables meme token creators and communities to add utility to their tokens, helps web3 games attract players, and allows other Solana-based projects to introduce their token to new audiences in an innovative way. With SeekAR’s crypto-native user base, comprising individuals passionate about cutting-edge technologies and GameFi, the platform becomes an ideal gateway for new projects entering the Solana ecosystem. Integrating assets into the app drives demand for its native token, $SEEK, which is essential for launching campaigns within the SeekAR app, creating a positive buying pressure, and fostering ecosystem growth. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35862935

Scenario Protocol - Signal from Noise 03/24/2025

Scenario Protocol - Signal from Noise Steve Merry is the co-founder of Scenario Protocol, a game-changing alerts platform that empowers users with control over the information that matters. Why you should listen Scenario Protocol is a decentralized platform designed to deliver user-specific notifications by achieving on-chain consensus for topics of interest, encompassing both Web3 events and real-world occurrences. Users specify the information they wish to monitor and Scenario ensures they receive timely alerts when those events transpire, streamlining the process of staying informed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The platform is currently in its early access phase, inviting users to participate in shaping its development. Early adopters have the opportunity to build their reputation scores from the outset, contributing feedback that influences Scenario's evolution. The roadmap includes a transition to testnet, where initial applications will go live followed by a mainnet launch on the Base network. This progression will embed tokenomics into Scenario's consensus and security mechanisms, enhancing the platform's robustness and reliability. Scenario Protocol operates as a decentralized platform that facilitates user-requested notifications and oracle-style data outputs by achieving on-chain consensus about a wide range of user-defined, real-world occurrences and scenarios. This process enables the creation of data triggers that not only meet the immediate need for bespoke notifications but also hold potential for valuable oracle-style applications in the future. The protocol serves as an on-chain marketplace connecting two primary user groups: individuals willing to pay a fee to be notified when specific events occur, and those incentivized to confirm the occurrence of these scenarios accurately and promptly. Users within the Scenario ecosystem assume distinct roles to maintain the protocol's functionality and integrity. 'Askers' are users seeking notifications about specific events; they can either create new scenarios ('asker-makers') or join existing ones ('asker-joiners'). 'Confirmers' are responsible for verifying that a scenario's conditions have been met, with roles divided into 'confirmer-makers' (those first to state a scenario has occurred) and 'confirmer-joiners' (those who subsequently verify this claim). In cases of disputes, 'Arbiters' step in to resolve conflicts, ensuring the protocol's reliability and trustworthiness. To support the arbitration process, Scenario Protocol establishes an Arbiter Fund, allocating 3% of all funds from resolved pools to ensure arbiters are compensated fairly, regardless of their decisions. This mechanism maintains impartiality and encourages honest participation. The protocol's rollout follows a staged approach, initially limiting testing to whitelisted addresses from engaged, knowledgeable communities. During these early phases, an off-chain reputation scoring system is employed to reward or penalize participants, fostering desirable user behavior and laying the groundwork for a robust, decentralized notification and data verification system. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35843595

Galxe / Gravity - Onboarding the World to Web3 03/23/2025

Galxe / Gravity - Onboarding the World to Web3 Patrick Young is head of ecosystem for Galxe / Gravity. Galxe is onboarding the world to Web3 by enabling seamless web3 experiences through a suite of AI, digital identity, and blockchain solutions. Why you should listen Galxe is a decentralized super app and the largest on-chain distribution platform in Web3, offering a suite of AI, digital identity, and blockchain solutions to enhance user experiences and community engagement. Central to its ecosystem is the Galxe Identity Protocol, a permissionless, self-sovereign identity infrastructure powered by zero-knowledge proof technology. This protocol enables users to securely own, manage, and share verifiable credentials, fostering trust and privacy across various applications. Complementing this is the Galxe Passport, which securely stores users' identity information, allowing seamless integration across platforms without compromising privacy. To facilitate community growth, Galxe offers Galxe Quest, a leading platform that connects projects with millions of users through reward-based loyalty programs. This no-code solution has seen over 1.1 billion quests completed, demonstrating its effectiveness in driving user engagement. Additionally, Galxe Compass serves as a hub for exploring airdrop campaigns across Web3, leveraging AI to curate detailed watchlists of opportunities, making it invaluable for both newcomers and seasoned users. In its commitment to advancing Web3 infrastructure, Galxe introduced Gravity, an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible Layer 1 blockchain designed for mass adoption and an omnichain future. Gravity aims to streamline and enhance cross-chain interactions, offering efficient, scalable, and secure mechanisms for managing complex transactions. To support development on this network, Galxe unveiled a $50 million ecosystem fund, encouraging developers to build user-focused applications that leverage Galxe's extensive user base and infrastructure Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35829900

Titan - The Solana Dex Aggregator 03/21/2025

Treehouse Finance - The Decentralized Fixed Income Layer 03/19/2025

IronWeave - Own, Control & Share Data Privately 03/18/2025

IronWeave - Own, Control & Share Data Privately David Iseminger is CEO of IronWeave, a public blockchain with unscannable privacy. IronWeave is redefining blockchain, data storage, AI, and payments with its patented multi-blockchain fabric platform, which surpasses existing solutions in scalability (over 1 million TPS), privacy, security, and cost-efficiency. Why you should listen IronWeave is redefining blockchain infrastructure with its patented multi-blockchain fabric platform, a revolutionary approach that shatters the limitations of traditional public blockchains. Unlike conventional networks that store transactions on a single, linear ledger, IronWeave introduces a Shared-Block Architecture, where each data interaction is private, encrypted, and isolated, ensuring unscannable privacy. This allows businesses, individuals, and AI systems to store, share, and transact data securely, without exposing sensitive information to unauthorized third parties. With a scalability breakthrough of over 1 million transactions per second (TPS) and on-chain micro-payments, IronWeave is poised to become the backbone of decentralized, high-speed digital economies. What truly sets IronWeave apart is its cost efficiency and enterprise-grade capabilities. With 80% lower per-byte data costs than Solana, it delivers an unparalleled value proposition for organizations seeking affordable yet high-security blockchain solutions. Unlike traditional blockchains, where every transaction is public and visible, IronWeave’s compartmentalized blocks ensure that only authorized participants can access specific data, making it the most privacy-centric yet compliant L1 blockchain available. This design not only mitigates data breaches and security risks but also allows seamless AI-driven automation, real-time processing, and enhanced digital ownership without the inefficiencies of centralized cloud storage. Currently raising $15 million to reach mainnet launch and a token offering later this year, IronWeave is offering early investors a highly attractive entry point. With 16.7% equity in the company, token warrants for 10% of the token generation market cap, and exclusive staking benefits, early backers stand to gain significantly from its rapid adoption. Already securing patents and strategic LOIs with major players—including a partnership with a stablecoin issuer serving 170+ countries—IronWeave is targeting a $1 billion+ run-rate profitability within a year of commercial launch. As AI, Web3, and decentralized finance (DeFi) demand scalable, secure, and private data solutions, IronWeave stands at the forefront, ready to redefine the digital infrastructure of tomorrow. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35768270

Sophon - Simple, Seamless On-Chain Culture 03/17/2025

Sophon - Simple, Seamless On-Chain Culture Sebastien is the CEO and co-founder of Sophon - building amazing onchain experiences focused on entertainment and lifestyle applications. Why you should listen Sophon is reimagining the future of blockchain by making it invisible to the end user, focusing on delivering seamless entertainment experiences that feel natural to mainstream consumers. Unlike most crypto projects that emphasize technical innovation within a niche audience, Sophon is breaking out of the echo chamber by embedding blockchain's advantages—ownership, engagement loops, and decentralized infrastructure—into products people already use. Backed by Binance Labs, Maven11, and a successful $60 million node sale involving 200,000 participants, Sophon is led by former ZKSync executives who understand that mass adoption won’t come from convincing people to use crypto, but rather from offering better internet products powered by onchain technology. To achieve this, Sophon is prioritizing high-impact sectors such as gaming, social platforms, AI, and prediction markets—where users are already engaged—while stripping away the complexity that has traditionally hindered crypto adoption. Features like seamless logins, gasless transactions, and intuitive interfaces remove friction, making blockchain’s benefits accessible without requiring technical knowledge. Beyond just financial speculation, Sophon is enabling the financialization of culture through sustainable, value-driven ecosystems, moving past the short-term hype of meme coins. Their curation model ensures that only high-quality applications with strong user retention make it onto the platform, differentiating Sophon from previous blockchain iterations that flooded the market with low-value projects. Additionally, Sophon’s network is designed to align incentives through a node-based participation model, turning retail investors into active contributors rather than passive speculators. This approach fosters a more engaged and decentralized ecosystem, reinforcing its long-term viability. By partnering with industry leaders like Beam (gaming), Aethir (decentralized compute), and OPEN (ticketing), Sophon is proving that blockchain’s future lies in enhancing real-world applications, not just creating financial instruments. The shift toward an onchain-powered internet is already underway, and Sophon is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35735215

Pocket Network - Unstoppable Open-Source Infrastructure 03/11/2025

Pocket Network - Unstoppable Open-Source Infrastructure Pocket Network's mission is to provide the world with unstoppable open-source infrastructure. They aim to empower developers with access to reliable, performant, and cost-effective data access. Pocket Network's vision is a future where the world's most important digital infrastructure is owned and governed by its users. Why you should listen In this episode, Jinx, Head of Operations at Pocket Network, dives deep into the importance of decentralized infrastructure and open data in the blockchain ecosystem. He breaks down why centralized providers create single points of failure and how Pocket Network is building a more resilient and censorship-resistant alternative. Jinx explains how Pocket Network’s decentralized RPC services enable developers to access blockchain data without relying on Web2 intermediaries, ensuring high availability, security, and cost efficiency. The conversation also explores the upcoming Shannon upgrade, a major evolution designed to enhance scalability, reduce friction for developers, and make participation in the network more accessible. Beyond infrastructure, Jinx highlights why uninterrupted, permissionless access to data is critical—not just for blockchain applications, but for AI agents, financial systems, and emerging digital economies. He shares his vision of a future where decentralized networks uphold free speech, empower innovation, and redefine digital collaboration. The discussion also delves into the role of the Pocket token (POKT) in incentivizing node operators and securing the network, as well as the vibrant community that powers its growth. Whether you're a developer, an investor, or just someone who believes in the decentralized future, this episode offers key insights into the infrastructure that will shape the next era of the internet. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35644890

Umoja Labs - Next Generation Yield With Lower Risk 03/11/2025

Spree Finance - Building the Future of Commerce & Credit 02/27/2025

Spree Finance - Building the Future of Commerce & Credit Carter Razink is co-founder at Spree Finance, the Blockchain-native Commerce and Credit Infrastructure layer empowering decentralized payments, rewards, settlement, & credit for 2M+ top brands and merchants. Why you should listen Spree Finance is pioneering a blockchain-native commerce infrastructure designed to revolutionize traditional payment systems. By integrating decentralized payments, rewards, settlement, and credit, Spree aims to provide a seamless experience for both consumers and merchants. Set to launch in February 2025, the platform boasts a network of over 2 million premium merchants, enabling users to effortlessly exchange cryptocurrencies for travel, luxury products, and exclusive experiences. One of Spree's standout features is its ability to significantly reduce transaction fees. Traditional payment networks often impose fees exceeding 3% per transaction, with funds taking days or even weeks to reach merchants. In contrast, Spree's decentralized system cuts these fees to near-zero and ensures near-instant settlement. This efficiency is achieved through a peer-to-peer network that facilitates rapid merchant funding, addressing longstanding challenges in the payment processing industry. The platform introduces two native tokens: SPREE and Spree Points (SP). SPREE serves as the governance token, allowing holders to run validators, stake for rewards, and influence the ecosystem's direction. Spree Points, on the other hand, are stablecoin-backed tokens redeemable across the extensive merchant network. Consumers can pay directly with cryptocurrencies from self-custody wallets, converting their crypto into Spree Points for seamless transactions. Merchants can then redeem these points into USD through licensed network partners, ensuring flexibility and trust in the system. Beyond payments, Spree Finance offers a decentralized credit marketplace. Qualified participants can access crypto-backed credit lines for purchases, while merchants have the option to tokenize unpaid credit card receivables, selling them to network participants for quicker access to funds. This peer-to-peer credit market not only provides liquidity but also offers stakers the opportunity to earn yields from network fees upon repayment. By bridging the gap between cryptocurrency and mainstream commerce, Spree Finance is set to reshape the future of payments and credit. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35443430

Metis - AI-native Web3 02/25/2025

Metis - AI-native Web3 Tom Ngo is the CEO of Metis, a permissionless Layer 2 network powering the next generation of decentralized applications and AI data systems. Why you should listen Metis is redefining the Ethereum Layer 2 landscape with its ambitious ReGenesis initiative, a transformative step toward integrating AI with blockchain technology. Metis is introducing infrastructure tailored for AI-driven applications. Central to this vision is LazAI, a decentralized AI framework designed to solve the fundamental issue of data alignment in artificial intelligence. Unlike conventional AI models, which rely on centralized, opaque datasets, LazAI leverages blockchain’s transparency and composability to democratize AI data, ensuring bias-resistant, context-aware, and verifiable AI models. This innovation positions Metis as a key player in shaping an AI-native Web3, where intelligent agents and decentralized AI economies thrive. ReGenesis represents more than just a technical upgrade; it’s a fundamental restructuring of the blockchain ecosystem to support high-performance AI computation. The initiative introduces Andromeda’s dual-chain architecture, combining AI’s need for high throughput with the deterministic security of Web3 transactions. Through innovations like Decentralized AI Assetization (DAT) and Verified Computing, Metis ensures that AI-generated data and models are treated as on-chain assets, allowing their value to be transparently assessed and traded within the Web3 economy. By integrating AI governance mechanisms such as iDAOs (individual decentralized autonomous organizations), Metis is laying the groundwork for a decentralized AI economy, where users, rather than centralized corporations, dictate the direction of AI innovation. Beyond infrastructure, Metis is actively fostering AI-native applications through its Alith AI agent framework, enabling intelligent, on-chain automation. This positions Web3 as not just a decentralized financial system but as the foundational layer for AI’s next evolutionary leap. By creating a high-throughput blockchain network purpose-built for AI, incubating decentralized AI projects like LazAI, and establishing mechanisms for AI asset verification, Metis is spearheading the convergence of AI and Web3. In doing so, the project ensures that AI does not remain monopolized by tech giants but instead becomes a shared, transparent, and community-driven force, shaping a future where blockchain and AI coalesce into a self-sustaining digital ecosystem. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/35428690

Antix - Building Hyper-realistic AI Digital Humans 01/19/2025

The Post Web Thesis - From Attention to Intention 01/13/2025

The Post Web Thesis - From Attention to Intention Jasper De Maere is Head of Research at Outlier Ventures, the world’s leading Web3 accelerator and most active Web3 investor. Their new thesis, called the Post Web Thesis explores the intersection of Web3 and AI. Why you should listen The "Post Web Thesis" is a new body of work from Outlier Ventures. Chapter 1, titled "The Web is Disappearing," argues that we're moving beyond Web3 into an era where AI-driven agents act on our behalf, making traditional web interfaces less relevant. This shift transitions us from an attention-based economy to an intention-based one, where users delegate tasks to autonomous systems. The chapter critiques the slow adoption of Web3 and sets the stage for a future where AI and blockchain converge to create agent-first networks. The second chapter is called, Turning the Web3 Tech Stack into the Post Web Stack. The journey from Web3 to The Post Web is not just an evolution; it’s a transformation of the internet’s core principles and architecture. At the heart of this transformation lies The Post Web Technology Stack — the foundational framework of Chapter Two in the four-part Post Web thesis. This chapter builds upon the Web3 foundation they’ve collectively constructed, and optimizes it for a new primary user: AI agents. The thesis is structured into four chapters: The Why: Examines the limitations of Web3 and introduces intent-based architectures. The How: Explores the technology stack powering the Post Web, including wallets and decentralized AI. The What: Identifies the defining traits of the Post Web, such as being intent-based, verifiable, and hyper-contextual. The Endgame: Presents the ultimate vision of a fully verifiable and data-driven economic model, termed the Computable Economy. This progression suggests a future where the internet becomes an extension of our agency, with machines transacting and collaborating autonomously. The "Post Web" concept is both ambitious and thought-provoking and provides a detailed roadmap for the next decade. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34843790

Aztec - A Privacy-first L2 on Ethereum 12/21/2024

Aztec - A Privacy-first L2 on Ethereum Zac Williamson is the co-founder and CEO of Aztec, a privacy-first Layer 2 solution on Ethereum. Why you should listen Aztec Network is a privacy-centric Layer 2 (L2) solution built on Ethereum, aiming to enhance user confidentiality and transaction scalability within the blockchain ecosystem. By leveraging zero-knowledge proofs, specifically zk-SNARKs (Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge), Aztec enables encrypted transactions that maintain the transparency and security inherent to Ethereum. Traditional blockchains like Ethereum operate with full transparency, where all transaction details are publicly accessible. While this openness ensures trustlessness and verifiability, it compromises user privacy, exposing sensitive financial data and potentially deterring broader adoption. Aztec addresses this issue by introducing a privacy layer that conceals transaction details without sacrificing the integrity of the blockchain. A key component of Aztec's technology is its zkRollup architecture, which aggregates multiple transactions into a single proof, thereby enhancing scalability and reducing gas fees. This batching process allows Aztec to offer up to 100 times cost savings compared to standard Ethereum transactions, making private transactions more economically viable. Aztec Connect is a platform that integrates privacy features into existing Ethereum DeFi protocols such as Lido, Curve, and Element Finance. This integration allows users to engage in private staking, lending, and other DeFi activities without exposing their financial data. Developers can utilize Aztec's SDK and bridge contracts to seamlessly incorporate privacy features into their applications, promoting a more secure and user-friendly DeFi ecosystem. Aztec's commitment to privacy extends to its development of Noir, a universal language for zero-knowledge proofs. Noir simplifies the creation of private smart contracts by abstracting complex cryptographic concepts, enabling developers to write code without deep expertise in zero-knowledge technology. This initiative broadens the accessibility of privacy-preserving applications within the blockchain space. The network's vision for a trustless, scalable, and decentralized L2 solution has garnered significant attention and investment. Aztec secured $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), underscoring the industry's recognition of the importance of privacy in blockchain technology. By integrating privacy features directly into Ethereum's infrastructure, Aztec Network empowers users with enhanced security and confidentiality, paving the way for broader adoption of decentralized applications. Its innovative approach ensures that users can transact and interact within the Ethereum ecosystem without compromising their personal data, marking a significant advancement in the evolution of blockchain technology. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34563345

Axelar - The Web3 Interoperability Platform 12/19/2024

Axelar - The Web3 Interoperability Platform Georgios Vlachos is the co-founder of Axelar Protocol and director at Axelar Foundation. He received his BSc and MS Eng. in computer science at MIT. After graduation, he became part of the Algorand founding team. Axelar is a Web3 interoperability platform, delivering the shortest path to scale: an open stack to connect all blockchains. Why you should listen Axelar is a decentralized network designed to seamlessly connect various blockchain ecosystems, enabling secure cross-chain communication for Web3 applications. By acting as an overlay network, Axelar allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) that can interact with assets and functionalities across multiple blockchains, simplifying user experiences and broadening access to decentralized economies. In 2024, Axelar introduced the Mobius Development Stack (MDS), comprising: Interchain Amplifier: A tool that allows for the permissionless connection of new blockchains to the Axelar network, enhancing scalability and flexibility. Interchain Token Service (ITS): Enables the minting and management of tokens across multiple blockchains, maintaining their fungibility and custom functionalities. Axelar Virtual Machine (AVM): Provides a programmable layer for cross-chain logic, allowing developers to deploy smart contracts that operate across different blockchain ecosystems. These innovations aim to establish new interoperability standards, facilitating the development of dApps that can seamlessly operate across various blockchain networks. The native utility token of the Axelar network, AXL, plays a crucial role in maintaining network security through staking, enabling governance participation, and serving as a medium for transaction fees. This tokenomics model incentivizes active participation and ensures the network's robustness and scalability. By providing a comprehensive solution for cross-chain communication, Axelar is contributing to the unification of blockchain ecosystems, promoting greater accessibility, and driving the adoption of decentralized applications across the Web3 landscape. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34535195

Nirvana - A New Vision for DeFi 12/18/2024

Nirvana - A New Vision for DeFi Sid, Co-founder of Nirvana Finance, shares insights into the evolution of the Nirvana DeFi protocol, and the resilience demonstrated after a significant hack in 2022. He discusses the innovative features of the just launched Nirvana Version 2, including enhanced security measures and the introduction of the Market Driven Mint, which aims to stabilize liquidity and pricing. Sid emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in DeFi governance, highlighting how Nirvana's approach sets a new standard in the industry. Why you should listen Nirvana Finance has relaunched as Nirvana V2. In July 2022, the protocol was targeted in a high-profile hack, resulting in the loss of customer funds. Following legal action, Nirvana achieved a historic victory with the conviction of the hacker—the first U.S. legal case involving DeFi hacking. Nirvana V2 is a revitalized platform, celebrating not only its restitution efforts but also advancements in security, governance, and tokenomics. Setting a new precedent in the DeFi space, Nirvana V2 has reimbursed all funds stolen during the 2022 hack. This achievement underscores the protocol’s community-first ethos, further exemplified by the introduction of a perpetual recovery model. Through an innovative revenue-sharing mechanism, all protocol-generated revenue will be distributed continuously to hack victims. To address vulnerabilities exposed during the hack, Nirvana V2 introduces a single-collateral reserve system designed to enhance the protocol’s security and stability. This isolated approach eliminates the risk of cascading failures and provides robust protection against external shocks. With these measures, Nirvana V2 positions itself as a safer and more resilient platform for users navigating the dynamic DeFi landscape. Governance in Nirvana V2 takes a step forward with its Automated Token-Managed Adjustments (ATMA) system. Unlike traditional governance structures, ATMA relies on token-based voting to enable continuous, incremental adjustments to protocol parameters. Importantly, governance tokens are earned solely through organic protocol use, with no insider allocations, ensuring fairness and aligning participants’ interests with the protocol’s long-term success. These tokens also serve as revenue-sharing assets, directly linking governance activity to the protocol's financial performance. Central to Nirvana V2’s value proposition is the Market-Driven Mint (MDM), an advanced framework for token price stability. The MDM ensures that all liquidity remains protocol-owned, fostering durability, predictability, and fairness in tokenomics. The ANA token, Nirvana’s flagship asset, features a reserve-backed rising floor price mechanism that adjusts automatically with demand. This ensures a minimum exit value, limiting downside risk while offering unlimited upside potential, making ANA a highly reliable collateral asset within the ecosystem. Nirvana Finance was established to challenge systemic flaws in traditional DeFi protocols, including insider allocations, opaque operations, and unstable liquidity solutions. Nirvana V2’s combination of decentralized governance, robust security, and pioneering tokenomics aims to set a new standard for fairness, transparency, and resilience in DeFi. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34509505

Mesh Connect - Crypto Connectivity Reimagined 12/05/2024

Mesh Connect - Crypto Connectivity Reimagined Bam Azizi is the CEO & Co-Founder of Mesh Connect, Mesh securely enables safer and easier crypto deposits, payments, and on-ramping from 300+ leading exchanges and wallets, all without leaving your platform. Why you should listen In this conversation, Bam Azizi, CEO and co-founder of MeshConnect, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the crypto space, particularly focusing on user experience and the importance of stablecoins. He explains how MeshConnect aims to bridge the gap between complex crypto transactions and everyday usability, enabling businesses to offer seamless crypto payment solutions. The discussion also touches on market trends, the future of tokenization, and the need for clearer regulations in the crypto industry. Mesh, founded in 2020 by CEO Bam Azizi and COO Adam Israel, is revolutionizing the financial technology landscape by simplifying cryptocurrency transactions. Their platform enables seamless crypto deposits, payments, and on-ramping from over 300 leading exchanges and wallets, all within a single, unified API. The company's suite of products includes Mesh Deposit, Mesh Pay, and Mesh Ramp, each designed to enhance user experience and security. By eliminating the need for API keys and manual address entries, Mesh allows users to connect their preferred exchanges or wallets directly to a platform, facilitating direct wallet-to-wallet transfers without leaving the host application. Security is a cornerstone of Mesh's offerings. The platform employs a zero-trust architecture and is SOC 2 Type II certified, ensuring that no personally identifiable information or user credentials are stored at rest. This commitment to security not only protects users but also streamlines the integration process for businesses, with most integrations completed in under a week using Mesh's developer-friendly APIs and SDKs. Mesh's innovative approach has attracted significant investment, including a $22 million Series A funding round in September 2023. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34295525

Fluence - The Cloudless Revolution 12/04/2024

Fluence - The Cloudless Revolution Tom Trowbridge is an advocate for decentralized systems. Tom is a co-founder of Fluence Labs, and Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR) where he was President from Inception. He co-founded Fluence Labs in 2019 to revolutionize cloud computing by offering decentralized, serverless solutions that reduce reliance on traditional providers like AWS. Why you should listen Fluence Network is an open, decentralized platform designed to revolutionize how applications and services operate on the internet. It provides a peer-to-peer network that enables developers to build, deploy, and scale decentralized applications (dApps) without the need for centralized infrastructure. Unlike traditional cloud-based solutions, Fluence leverages a network of independent nodes to provide computation and storage, making it highly resilient, secure, and censorship-resistant. At its core, Fluence is built on Aqua, a unique programming language tailored for distributed systems. Aqua allows developers to write composable, modular workflows that seamlessly interact with multiple services across the network. This design enables the creation of sophisticated dApps that can interact with various APIs, blockchain protocols, and traditional systems. Aqua’s ability to orchestrate services on decentralized infrastructure removes reliance on centralized servers, making applications more robust and transparent. The network itself is powered by a decentralized marketplace of computing resources. Node operators provide storage and computational power to the network and are compensated through Fluence’s native economic model. This incentivizes participants to maintain the network’s efficiency and reliability. Developers, in turn, benefit from flexible pricing and the ability to scale their applications as demand grows without locking themselves into proprietary ecosystems or platforms. Fluence distinguishes itself through its emphasis on composability and collaboration. The platform enables developers to share and reuse application components, fostering a community-driven ecosystem of reusable modules and services. This not only accelerates development but also reduces duplication of effort, making the network an efficient environment for innovation. The open-source nature of Fluence further aligns with its goal of democratizing access to decentralized computing resources. A significant application of Fluence is in Web3, where it acts as a critical infrastructure layer for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and other blockchain-powered services. By integrating seamlessly with blockchain networks, Fluence can provide scalable, off-chain computation that complements the strengths of on-chain operations. This hybrid approach opens up new possibilities for complex dApps that require high-performance computing alongside blockchain security and transparency. Fluence Network represents a shift toward a more open and decentralized internet. It empowers developers to build applications that prioritize user autonomy, data privacy, and resistance to censorship. With its innovative technology and community-first ethos, Fluence is poised to become a foundational layer for the next generation of the internet. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34275430

Chain4Travel - Reinventing Travel with Web3 12/01/2024

Chain4Travel - Reinventing Travel with Web3 Pablo Castillo is CEO and CTO of Chain4Travel. Chain4Travel is the lab building the Camino Network, a Layer 1 blockchain designed for the needs of the travel industry. It provides travel-related businesses with web3 technology. The ecosystem has unified data standards for seamless communication, decentralized payments/settlements infrastructure, KYC/KYB for security. The CAM token powers it. Why you should listen Chain4Travel aims to revolutionize the travel industry by integrating blockchain technology to create a more efficient, secure, and interconnected ecosystem. At the heart of this transformation is the Camino Network, a blockchain platform tailored specifically for the travel sector. Today's travel industry is hindered by outdated systems and fragmented supply chains, with some standards and protocols exceeding 40 years in age. This antiquated infrastructure results in sluggish product development and technical enhancements, impeding innovation and efficiency. Chain4Travel envisions a decentralized and collaborative travel ecosystem. By leveraging blockchain, the Camino Network facilitates seamless connections across a distributed network, enabling rapid transactions and significantly reducing costs. This approach fosters collaboration among travel technology systems, establishing a single source of truth and paving the way for new business models, including B2C2B and C2C interactions. The Camino Network is a blockchain platform designed for the global travel industry, promoting seamless integration of travel offerings. It incorporates Know Your Business (KYB) and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, self-custodial wallets, and supports a variety of use cases. Complementing the Camino Network is Camino Messenger, a decentralized network that connects travel suppliers and distributors for efficient trade. By mapping existing systems to Camino Messenger, businesses can easily access new partners, such as hotels, airlines, and car rentals. This tool streamlines API management, standardizes communication, and unlocks innovative monetization opportunities. Founded by industry veterans Ralf Usbeck, Thomas Stirnimann, and Pablo Castillo, Chain4Travel leverages decades of experience in travel technology. Their vision is to build a collaborative network that enables digital innovation for the global travel industry, positioning Chain4Travel as a pioneer in this transformative journey. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34219650

Warden Protocol - Bringing AI to Web3 11/27/2024

Warden Protocol - Bringing AI to Web3 David Pinger is the co-founder of Warden Protocol. Warden brings AI to web3, enabling any application, protocol or smart contract to integrate trustworthy AI. Why you should listen Warden Protocol is a blockchain platform designed to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into the Web3 world. It allows developers to easily add AI capabilities to their applications, smart contracts, and protocols. By combining blockchain and AI, Warden Protocol ensures that AI predictions are trustworthy and secure. At the heart of Warden Protocol is the AI Blockchain Interface (AIBI). This tool helps integrate AI into blockchain systems by verifying that AI models are producing accurate results. The verification process uses a unique method involving cryptographic proofs and blockchain consensus to ensure reliability. Warden Protocol has two main layers. The Verification Layer ensures that AI outputs are accurate and secure using cryptographic validation. The Execution Layer helps developers integrate AI into apps and smart contracts across different blockchains, automating processes efficiently. One of the standout features of Warden Protocol is its user-friendly design. Developers can integrate AI easily, without needing to understand complex cryptographic systems. It also enables smooth interactions across blockchains by aggregating multiple accounts, making it easier to sign transactions on different networks. Developers can use Warden Protocol for several purposes. They can build applications with embedded AI for enhanced functionality. The platform also supports creating Omnichain Applications (OApps), which work across multiple blockchains. Additionally, Warden introduces Keychains, which handle secure key storage and transaction signing, simplifying cross-chain coordination. Warden Protocol supports running validator nodes. These nodes help secure the network and allow participants to earn rewards. This feature ensures the stability and security of the blockchain ecosystem. Comprehensive documentation is available to help developers get started. The guides cover everything from basic information about the protocol to instructions for creating applications, managing Keychains, and running validator nodes. Warden Protocol also provides details about its tokens, WARD and WARP. Warden Protocol is a cutting-edge solution for integrating AI into blockchain systems. It simplifies AI adoption for developers and creates opportunities for innovative Web3 applications. With its secure, flexible, and user-friendly design, it is set to play a significant role in the future of decentralized AI. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34182735

Proof of Play - Play Games From the Future 11/25/2024

Proof of Play - Play Games From the Future Amitt Mahajan is the Co-Founder of Proof of Play. Proof of Play’s mission is to create fun, accessible onchain games and, in the process, develop novel technology that makes onchain game development easier for everyone. Why you should listen Founded by leaders from Epic Games, Zynga, EA, Riot Games, Activision, Google, Facebook, Disney, and Warner Brothers, Proof of Play’s mission is to create fun, accessible onchain games and, in the process, develop novel technology that makes onchain game development easier for everyone. The company’s flagship game, Pirate Nation, is a fully onchain RPG where players battle monsters, build their pirate crew, and compete to become number one on the captain leaderboard. The team has raised $33M in funding and is supported by a16z, Greenoaks, and other investors. Pirate Nation is a fully onchain free-to-play pirate-themed roleplaying game (RPG). Pirate Nation is live on Proof of Play’s Apex chain. Pirate Nation is a fully onchain game. This is a new type of game that's only possible using blockchain technology. The game and all of its functionality is running on the blockchain using hundreds of smart contracts. Onchain games have a lot of unique characteristics that distinguish them from traditional, centralized games: All player items, actions, and achievements are publicly viewable and auditable. Onchain games are "forever games" and will continue to operate as long as the blockchain they are running on exists. It is possible for onchain games to be able to be remixed. Meaning players can add their own features or even create fully derivative works from the game. Onchain games are more secure and transparent. They are enforced with the same security that protects other assets on blockchains. The Proof of Play engine, which powers Pirate Nation, isn’t just another gaming chain—it’s a cutting-edge onchain game engine designed to enable developers to build games onchain faster than offchain. They are developing a powerful, decentralized foundation for the next generation of onchain games, starting with Pirate Nation. On November 14th, Proof of Play launched Pirate Nation Season 3, adding a refreshed crafting system, two new leaderboards, and an enhanced staking experience, deepening player engagement. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34147700

dYdX Unlimited - Reimagining DeFi + Derivatives 11/23/2024

SphereX - The Meme-Centric Ultimate Perpetual DEX 11/20/2024

SphereX - The Meme-Centric Ultimate Perpetual DEX Mihai Alexandru Radu is Head of Investor Relations at SphereX, a pioneering perpetual decentralized exchange (DEX) in the decentralized finance sector, aiming to redefine digital asset trading with unmatched freedom and innovation. Why you should listen SphereX is a decentralized exchange (DEX) aiming to democratize finance by making trading accessible to everyone. Drawing inspiration from Robin Hood, SphereX emphasizes fairness, accessibility, and empowerment within the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. The platform combines the efficiency of centralized exchanges (CEXs) with the security and transparency of DeFi, offering an order book mode and a user-friendly interface reminiscent of traditional CEXs. SphereX enables seamless cross-chain and cross-asset trading, ensuring high liquidity and minimal slippage. It also leverages Layer 2 Zero-Knowledge Rollup (L2 ZK Rollup) technology to enhance transaction speed, reduce costs, and address scalability challenges while maintaining robust security and risk controls. SphereX is governed through the TraderDAO Round Table, an exclusive decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) for professional traders. This invite-only group plays a pivotal role in shaping the platform's governance and future developments, including decisions on trading pairs, ecosystem deployment, and new DeFi features. By introducing this governance model, SphereX addresses fragmentation and centralization concerns within the DeFi space and ensures that its community remains at the heart of decision-making. To foster user engagement, SphereX offers several incentives and rewards. These include trading fee deductions, commission sharing, and competition jackpots, which encourage active participation on the platform. Additionally, staking and validator rewards incentivize users to contribute to the governance process. SphereX also builds community engagement through referral bonuses, copy trading rewards, and social trading initiatives, creating a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for traders. SphereX is redefining the DeFi trading experience by combining user-friendly interfaces, advanced security measures, and community-driven governance. Its focus on empowering individual financial freedom, paired with a transparent and innovative approach, positions SphereX as a transformative force within DeFi. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34054016

Kontos - Seamless Interoperability For Web3 11/19/2024

Kontos - Seamless Interoperability For Web3 Tharaka is Head of Partnerships at Kontos, a zk-powered omnichain abstraction layer. Kontos aims to break down barriers in Web3 by providing solutions that simplify cross-chain interactions through a user-friendly interface. Why you should listen Kontos is a blockchain platform that simplifies cross-chain transactions by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and chain abstraction technologies. This approach allows users to interact with multiple blockchains without needing an in-depth understanding of the underlying complexities. The platform's AI Agent, powered by a large language model, identifies users' transaction intents and automates complex cross-chain operations, enhancing efficiency and user experience. Launched on June 30, 2023, by Zecrey Labs, Kontos aims to break down barriers in the Web3 space by providing solutions that simplify cross-chain interactions through a user-friendly interface. The platform offers a unified interface for interacting with blockchains, abstracting accounts, assets, behaviors, and gas fees. This design enables users to focus on their intentions without worrying about the complexities of gas fees, cross-chain bridges, network switching, or account management. Kontos also provides a Web App and a Telegram Bot, offering users multiple avenues to access its services. The Web App serves as a gateway to the Kontos protocol, providing secure and intuitive management of digital assets in decentralized finance. The Telegram Bot allows users to interact with Kontos' AI Agent directly through the messaging platform, facilitating seamless transactions and market analysis. By integrating AI and chain abstraction, Kontos lowers the barrier to using Web3 technologies, promoting the widespread adoption of blockchain and attracting more users and developers to the ecosystem. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/34019382

Blockcast - The Future of Content Delivery 11/13/2024

Blockcast - The Future of Content Delivery Omar Ramadan, CEO and co-founder of BlockCast, discusses the challenges of content delivery in the current internet landscape, particularly the monopolistic control over media distribution and the resulting internet capacity crunch. He explains how BlockCast aims to decentralize content delivery using blockchain technology, allowing individuals and organizations to participate in a more efficient and equitable media distribution system. The discussion also covers the marketplace dynamics for CDNs, the product roadmap for BlockCast, and Omar's vision for the future of internet broadcasting. Why you should listen Blockcast is a cutting-edge content delivery network (CDN) that utilizes multicast technology to revolutionize internet content distribution. Unlike traditional centralized CDNs, Blockcast operates through a decentralized caching architecture. This approach aggregates capacity from a global network of nodes, enabling content providers, such as streaming platforms and gaming companies, to deliver high-quality experiences more efficiently. By leveraging this decentralized framework, Blockcast reduces delivery costs and extends its reach to even the most remote areas. At the core of Blockcast’s offering is its Multicast Adaptive HTTP Proxy technology. This enables one-to-many content delivery, optimizing bandwidth usage and alleviating network congestion. Blockcast is creating a Capacity Marketplace where content providers can purchase delivery capacity from a diverse range of network operators, including ISPs, over-the-air broadcasters (ATSC, 5G, DVB, and satellite), and individual users hosting caching nodes. This system not only maximizes resource utilization but also opens up new revenue streams for participants. Blockcast’s decentralized caching nodes play a vital role in enhancing content delivery speed and reliability. Individuals and organizations are incentivized to host these nodes through Web3 token rewards, encouraging widespread participation and bolstering the network’s robustness. The benefits of this setup extend across various stakeholders. Content providers can cut delivery expenses while maintaining high-quality service and expanding into underserved regions. The multicast capabilities further allow for the efficient delivery of high-resolution content like 4K streaming without additional cost burdens. Broadcasters, including ATSC 3.0 television stations, cellular carriers, and satellite operators, can capitalize on their existing infrastructure by contributing data channel capacity to Blockcast. This not only helps them generate new revenue streams but also allows them to participate actively in the evolving digital content ecosystem. Similarly, CDNs and ISPs gain an opportunity to extend their capacity and reach, especially in geographies where deploying traditional infrastructure may not be economically feasible. In April 2024, Blockcast joined the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) to support the development of ATSC 3.0 technologies. This collaboration underscores Blockcast’s dedication to mitigating network congestion and inefficiencies tied to unicast content delivery. By integrating over-the-air digital technologies, Blockcast is positioned at the forefront of content distribution innovation. Blockcast’s decentralized approach addresses key challenges in the content delivery space, including high costs, network congestion, and infrastructure limitations. Its scalable solution is well-suited for the increasing demands of today’s digital content consumers, providing an efficient, cost-effective alternative to traditional CDNs. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/33921797

CrossFi - The Next Generation Digital Ecosystem 11/12/2024

CrossFi - The Next Generation Digital Ecosystem Phillip Alexaeev, is the Chief Growth Officer of CrossFi, Cross Finance is a next generation digital ecosystem offering cutting-edge payment solutions. Phillip shares insights into his journey in growth marketing, the importance of building during bear markets, and the innovative ecosystem of CrossFi. He discusses user acquisition strategies, the significance of user confidence, and the future trends in the crypto space, including real-world assets and interoperability. Why you should listen CrossFi is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that blends traditional financial services with blockchain technology, operating on its proprietary Layer 1 blockchain, CrossFi Chain. This infrastructure aims to provide secure, transparent, and efficient financial solutions. The CrossFi Chain features a modular architecture comprising two key components: a Cosmos-based component for handling consensus, block production, and transaction creation, and an EVM-based component for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, enabling seamless interaction with smart contracts. Within this ecosystem, CrossFi leverages a dual-token model. The Mint Power (MPX) token represents the computing power required for mining XFI coins through staking, while the CrossFi (XFI) token functions as a utility token, granting access to services, decentralized applications (dApps), and products. CrossFi offers a suite of DeFi services, including liquidity provision, staking, and borrowing of algorithmic stablecoins such as xUSD, designed to harness multi-chain benefits and provide users with diverse financial tools. To foster innovation, the CrossFi Foundation supports ecosystem development through grant programs targeting users, developers, creators, and validators. Initiatives like the CrossFi Evolution Hackathon aim to drive innovation and expand the platform’s capabilities. Additionally, the platform plans to launch the xAssets decentralized platform, allowing users to mint, trade, and swap synthetic tokens representing real-world assets such as commodities, stocks, and currencies. This feature will offer financial products like margin and options trading, typically available only in traditional markets. Complementing these innovations, CrossFi is developing a crypto banking app and a CrossFi Card, which will provide a full suite of banking services with Web3 security. By integrating traditional financial instruments with cutting-edge blockchain technology, CrossFi seeks to redefine the financial landscape, delivering decentralized, transparent, and user-centric financial solutions. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/33891717

Exponential.fi - Safe, Easy DeFi Yield 11/08/2024

Exponential.fi - Safe, Easy DeFi Yield Mehdi and Driss are the founders of Exponential, an investment platform that makes it easy to discover, assess, and invest in decentralized finance (DeFi) yield opportunities. Why you should listen DeFi enables anyone to become a lender or market maker. When individuals have the power to grow their wealth exponentially, financial freedom is within reach for everyone. The problem is that investing in DeFi is complex and risky. Exponential is intended to help investors assess the risk of DeFi yield opportunities so they can invest with confidence. Exponential.fi is battle-tested and ready to grow your crypto. After a year of rigorous beta testing, Exponential emerged as a proven and reliable decentralized finance (DeFi) investment platform for investors of all levels — from newbies to degens. Now, crypto holders across 90 countries can access DeFi investment opportunities on a compliant platform designed to grow their crypto safely, easily, and gas-free. Exponential offers users: Vetted investment opportunities – their team of experts curates the top 5% of DeFi pools, all backed by comprehensive risk assessment and research. Institutional-grade fund safety — all funds are held 1:1 and protected by multiple layers of security. Seamless DeFi investing, no gas fees — one-click trading, streamlined performance tracking, and simplified tax reporting, all with a flat trading fee of .2% They start with risk analysis and empower DeFi investors with the tools to assess the risk of DeFi investments. That’s why they built the first advanced risk assessment system in DeFi, which distills thousands of risk vectors into a simple rating, from lowest risk to high risk. Rate My Wallet, our ground-breaking risk assessment product, has enabled crypto holders to assess the risk of $23B in asset value, to date. Supporting links If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using. /episode/index/show/thecryptoconversation/id/33843967

QUEX: Intelligent Data Oracles 11/04/2024

The Crypto Conversation

TOPICS