Episodes
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What does it take to make financial tools truly accessible worldwide? Jackie Bona, CEO of Valora, joins The Index to share her inspiring journey from aspiring UN diplomat to a leader in the crypto space. In this episode, Jackie reveals how her Filipino-American heritage and time at Google shaped her mission to drive global impact through crypto.
Explore how she’s leading Valora to simplify complex technologies for a global audience, especially in emerging markets, and discover the power of stablecoins in regions with devaluing currencies like Nigeria and Argentina. Learn how Valora provides users with USD-denominated stablecoins, offering stability and growth opportunities through DEFI, while balancing user experience with security in self-custodial wallets.
Jackie also shares her approach to launching digital services in diverse markets and the importance of understanding local needs and regulatory conditions. Her journey underscores the potential of inclusive leadership and diverse voices to drive innovation and growth in the crypto space.
Learn more about Valora - https://valora.xyz
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What is the future of Solana Virtual Machines? In this episode of The Index, SOON Co-founder & CEO Joanna Zeng and Head of Developer Relations Nazreen M. share their entrepreneurial journey and their vision for Web3.
The Solana Optimistic Network (SOON) is revolutionizing blockchain and DeFi with a decentralized platform focused on scalability, security, and interoperability. By offering tools and infrastructure to build a decoupled SVM stack, SOON enhances transaction efficiency for Web3 applications.
Learn how SOON achieved rapid growth, opted for angel investors over traditional VC funding, and launched a DevNet within six months. Joanna and Nazreen also discuss their dedication to sustainable, impactful solutions and their partnership with ABK Labs to power the next wave of decentralized applications. This episode is rich with insights into vision, strategy, and the future of Web3. Tune in to learn more!
Learn more about Soon: https://soo.network/
X: https://x.com/soon_svmShow Links
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What does it take to build the future of decentralized technologies? In this special episode of Everything SVM on The Index, recorded live at Solana Breakpoint 2024, Alex Kehaya and Omar Zaki dive into the world of building on the Solana ecosystem. Joined by blockchain pioneers Vijay Chetty, CEO of Eclipse Labs, and Joanna Zeng, CEO of Soon, they discuss the transformative role of open-source software in shaping decentralized technologies.
This episode explores strategic integrations and innovations like SVM L2s and roll-up stacks that are redefining the blockchain landscape. Discover the ethos of open-source culture—rooted in transparency, community-driven progress, and the guiding principles set forth by the Solona co-founders.
Learn how production engineering and pioneering research work together to drive blockchain infrastructure toward a future of universal self-custody and scalability. The episode also examines horizontal vs. vertical scaling, the disruptive potential of the decoupled SVM model, and its impact on niche areas like decentralized AI and gaming.
Whether you’re a blockchain enthusiast or simply curious about decentralized systems, join this insightful discussion where community collaboration is the key to Web3’s future.
ABK Labs: https://abklabs.com/
Mantis: https://www.mantis.app/
Eclipse Labs: https://www.eclipse.xyz/
Soon: https://soo.network/Show Links
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What is the future of Web3 gaming? Join Alex Kehaya on The Index Podcast as he chats with Tyson Loney, COO of Helika, a leading Web3 gaming and NFT analytics platform.
In this episode, we explore Helika's role in Web3 gaming, providing analytics to help developers optimize player behavior and performance across blockchain games. Tyson shares how Helika's tools simplify multi-chain support, enabling studios to create data-driven experiences.
We also dive into standout titles like Proof of Play and Parallel, discussing how decentralized ownership is reshaping gaming by allowing players to own and monetize in-game assets. Tyson offers insights on the future of gaming, NFTs, and overcoming startup challenges.
Website: https://www.helika.io/Show Links
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What’s the future of real estate investment? This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya joins Darren Carvalho, co-CEO of MetaWealth, to explore how blockchain—specifically Solana—is reshaping the industry. With his background at Toronto Dominion Bank and Goldman Sachs, Darren shares how MetaWealth is using Solana’s fast, low-cost, and scalable blockchain to offer everyday investors fractional property ownership.
Discover how Solana’s high-performance blockchain enables lightning-fast transactions, minimal fees, and robust security, opening the door for global investors to access real estate markets previously out of reach. Learn how tokenization is transforming the industry by cutting out intermediaries, reducing costs, and making real estate investments more accessible. Plus, get the inside scoop on MetaWealth’s European expansion and the upcoming launch of the AUM token. Perfect for investors looking to diversify through cutting-edge, tokenized assets.
Learn about MetaWealth.
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What does it take to build a million-strong community with just a four-person team? In this special episode of The Index, featuring the recent live stream interview on Everything SVM, host Alex Kehaya joins Jack Levin, CEO of XEN, to explore the story behind XEN Crypto—a community-driven project designed to educate others about the power of economic freedom and the potential of the XEN token. Rooted in the first principles laid out by Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin Whitepaper, XEN aims to redefine self-custody, transparency, and decentralization.
Jack shares how X1 is revolutionizing blockchain technology by integrating a hybrid Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) model. We break down how this unique approach combines the best of both systems, offering unparalleled decentralization, security, and scalability, setting it apart from platforms like Solana, Ethereum, and Bitcoin. Learn about XEN’s mission to empower individuals to mint their tokens, contribute to a collaborative ecosystem, and participate in shaping a future where open-source innovation drives the blockchain industry forward.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation on building value from the ground up and the impact of community-led development on the crypto space.
Check out XEN: https://www.xencrypto.io/Show Links
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What does it take to build the next generation of DeFi on Solana? In this special episode of the Solana Startup Series, we sit down with Tristan Frizza, Founder of Zeta Markets, to explore the future of crypto trading. Tristan shares his journey from AI to blockchain, participating in Solana’s early hackathons, and the inspiration behind creating Zeta Markets—one of DeFi’s most compelling exchanges.
Tristan takes us through the ins and outs of perpetual futures trading and explains why these instruments are game-changers for traders seeking flexible, non-expiring positions. However, this flexibility comes with risks, especially with high leverage. Tristan provides insights into how volatility can be an advantage, maximizing exchange profitability and offering a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind crypto revenue models.
We also dive into the technical complexities of building on Solana, one of the fastest-growing ecosystems in crypto. Tristan discusses the necessity of Layer 2 solutions to address network congestion and cost management and breaks down advanced concepts like optimistic roll-ups and ZK bridges.
Tune in to learn how Zeta Markets plans to overcome these challenges and build a comprehensive, builder-friendly ecosystem for the next wave of DeFi innovation on Solana.
Zeta Markets: https://www.zeta.markets/
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What’s the future of Web3 gaming? Join us for a special episode of the Solana Startup Series on The Index. Today, we’re talking with Guido Pardini, CEO of Shaga, a revolutionary cloud gaming platform born from Solana Labs. Guido takes us on an inspiring journey from his teenage years in Italy, where he immersed himself in 3D printing and the maker movement, to his academic studies in computer science and electrical engineering in Milan. Discover how the 2009 financial crisis ignited his passion for decentralized technologies like Bitcoin, and how those early interests now fuel Shaga’s mission to revolutionize gaming by drastically reducing latency through decentralization.
We explore the key differences between centralized and decentralized gaming infrastructures and the innovative ways Shaga is solving the latency problem. Shaga’s DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) transforms individual gaming PCs into nodes, distributed near gamers. These nodes share their computing power to enhance the gaming experience, slashing latency and providing seamless, real-time gameplay. Guido also shares the ambitious plan to pilot a decentralized Xbox cloud gaming platform, offering lag-free experiences while giving small game studios access to free cloud infrastructure. Learn why Solana’s unique state-on-flight technology was the perfect foundation for this game-changing platform.
Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of gaming and the transformative potential of decentralized networks.
Website: https://www.shaga.xyz/
X Channel: https://x.com/playonshagaShow Links
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What does it take to build a successful startup in the blockchain space? Join us for a special episode of The Index podcast as part of the Solana Startup Series, featuring twin co-founders Tommy and Taylor Johnson. The two brothers share their startup journey in the crypto world, from Tommy’s early days in the blockchain scene in 2014 to their significant pivot to Solana in 2020. The Johnson brothers provide a detailed account of how they overcame initial hurdles, such as the lack of development frameworks and tools, and how their perseverance led to the innovative project, PsyOptions, which won a Solana hackathon in 2021. Their story is about technical achievements and the founders spirit and resilience required to adapt and thrive in a fast-growing industry.
The discussion delves into their new project, Armada, and their work on staking and tokenomics infrastructure within the Solana ecosystem. They provide insights into validating market demand, collaborating with teams like Hero and Bonk, and emphasize the importance of pattern recognition and perseverance in entrepreneurship. The twins also reflect on the unique challenges and advantages of working together as siblings. From navigating VC funding to balancing family life, this episode is packed with practical advice and serves as another inspiring Solana startup story.
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What is the future of global payment solutions? In this special episode of The Index for the Solana Startup Series, we join Anthony Emezu, CEO & Co-founder of Espresso Cash. Anthony shares his entrepreneurial journey from working at prestigious media companies like ViacomCBS and Showtime Networks to building a groundbreaking mobile finance app.
Learn how Espresso Cash, now available in the USA, Europe, and Nigeria, leverages crypto rails and stablecoins to deliver users a seamless, Venmo-like experience, especially in emerging markets with volatile currencies. Anthony also talks about the app’s rapid growth strategies, their exciting partnership with MoneyGram, and how they’re building network effects in the open-source crypto ecosystem.
Espresso Cash
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What if you could completely transform your investment strategy with real-time, curated on-chain data? This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya joins Alex Svanovic, co-founder and CEO of Nansen AI, to uncover how his innovative platform is reshaping the financial world by making blockchain data more transparent, efficient, and actionable.
Alex S. shares his vision for a future where blockchain technology outpaces traditional banking, creating a more inclusive and forward-thinking financial ecosystem. Together, we explore how Nansen overcomes the four key challenges of transforming raw blockchain data into practical insights for investors and preview the upcoming Nansen 2, featuring faster speeds, personalized insights, and integrated portfolio tracking, along with new support for Solana.
We also dive into Nansen’s acquisition of Stakewithus, which enhances staking capabilities and aligns with their broader strategy, plus a look at the unique advantages of building in Singapore, a hub for blockchain innovation. Don’t miss this deep dive into how Nansen.ai is revolutionizing the world of finance!
Learn more about Nansen.ai
X Channel: https://x.com/nansen_ai
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Nansen-aiShow Links
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What will the future of AI governance and decentralized training look like? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya is joined by Alexander Joseph Long, Founder of Pluralis AI, to explore this pressing question. With a PhD in non-parametric external memory in deep learning and extensive experience at Amazon working on multimodal foundation models, Alexander offers a deep dive into the cutting-edge developments shaping the AI landscape.
They unpack why decentralized training is more than just a technological trend—it’s an essential shift for ensuring control and ownership of AI models. As Ethereum transitions from proof of work to proof of stake, the repurposing of GPUs for AI opens exciting possibilities for decentralized AI systems. The conversation also covers the economic incentives and infrastructure driving this transformation, along with the latest research optimizing communication efficiency for decentralized training algorithms. These developments point to a future where decentralized AI could challenge the monopolistic control held by a few tech giants.
Tune in to discover how this evolving technology could reshape the balance of power in AI.
Learn more about https://pluralis.ai/Show Links
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How can you manage cryptographic keys without risking security? Enter Riad S. Wahby, Co-founder and CEO of Cubist, who’s on a mission to make key management seamless and secure.
In this episode of The Index, Riad shares his journey from working on zero-knowledge proofs and contributing to the Ethereum beacon chain to tackling one of the biggest challenges in crypto development. He introduces CubeSigner, a low-latency API designed to generate keys and sign transactions inside secure hardware, safeguarding against insider threats, app compromise, and costly mistakes without compromising performance.
Tune in for a deep dive into Cubist’s hardware-backed key management platform and learn how to keep your digital assets safe while streamlining your development process.
The Index Podcast
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Why are developers choosing to build on the Solana Virtual Machine? In this week's episode of The Index, we explore this question with an exclusive conversation from a recent livestream hosted by Alex Kehaya, Co-founder & CEO of ABK Labs, and Omar Zaki, Co-founder & CEO of Mantis. They're joined by Terry Chung, Head of Strategy at Eclipse, and Alejo Pinto, Co-founder at Pontem, to discuss the benefits and challenges of building on the SVM ecosystem.
Our expert panel explains why SVM chains are gaining traction among developers, focusing on their high throughput, scalability, and potential for interoperability with other blockchains. They also highlight the importance of creating a sustainable competitive advantage and ensuring a user-friendly experience to attract both developers and users to the SVM ecosystem.
Tune in to hear insightful conversations about the future of Layer 2 solutions, the evolving role of app chains, and innovative concepts like pre-confirmations and DeFi-specific environments within SVMs. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just curious about the Solana ecosystem, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss!
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What impact will AI have on business innovation? This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya interviews business futurist Ajay Malik, CEO of Secomind.Ai and author of Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Networking. Ajay shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including his pioneering work at Google and Qualcomm, and his efforts in shaping the future of AI in business.
Ajay explains the distinctions between classic AI and generative AI, highlighting how each addresses unique business challenges. He also discusses how cognitive AI mimics human learning through self-supervised techniques. Learn about real-world applications such as drone detection and Wi-Fi pattern recognition, powered by both proprietary and open-source models.
In this episode, you will learn how tools like GPT-4 simplify complex tasks and how AI-powered cameras enhance manufacturing monitoring. Gain insights into how AI boosts productivity and reduces costs across various industries, from manufacturing to vending machine management. Tune in to hear Ajay’s compelling examples and expert advice on integrating AI into your business strategies.
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What is the future of DeFi? This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya joins Josh Reyes from Local Solana for a deep dive into the world of decentralized peer-to-peer exchanges and his previous ventures with OpenPeer and Minke; learn how his new company, Local Solana, is poised to revolutionize the crypto trading landscape with gasless transactions, community-driven dispute resolution, and a user-friendly interface that simplifies crypto trading for everyone, from emerging markets to Western countries facing crypto purchase restrictions.
Josh discusses the innovative mechanisms behind Local Solana, highlighting its potential to deliver higher user returns through on-chain opportunities. He discusses the importance of composability, the impact of regulatory challenges, and how Local Solana’s global team is driving change in underserved markets. With recent seed funding and an international mission to enhance financial systems, Local Solana aims to be a game-changer in the DeFi space.
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Can AI-powered economic engines redefine the landscape of Web3 commerce? Find out on The Index as host Alex Kehaya joins Dr. John Ennis, CEO of NeoSwap, who takes us through his groundbreaking journey from mathematician to entrepreneur.
Learn how NeoSwap's innovative approach to simultaneous buying and selling transforms traditional trading methods by addressing liquidity issues and enhancing efficiency, especially in the complex world of NFTs. Plus, get an inside look at their upcoming product, SwapMeet, to revolutionize how users manage their NFT portfolios without hefty losses.Discover how AI, mainly through NeoSwap's chatbot interface Theo, streamlines these complex transactions, providing users with optimized trading recommendations by analyzing their wallets and predicting asset values.
John discusses the potential and limitations of large language models versus cognitive AI, exploring how decentralized platforms could redefine Web3 and NFT trading.
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What is the future of AI education? Host Alex Kehaya joins Maria Laws, VP of Learning & Development at Ahura AI, to explore how AI is revolutionizing corporate learning. Maria shares her journey from being a high school science and dance teacher to becoming a leader in AI-driven education.
Hear how Ahura AI is transforming corporate training and maintaining focus in an increasingly distracted world with its adaptive learning platform that is helping companies around the globe upskill their workforce.
Learn about the passion and dedication of Ahura AI's team, led by co-founders Bryan Talebi and Alex Tsado. Their commitment to equitable education drives the development of their innovative educational technology. Maria shares inspiring stories from Ahura AI's pilot programs with high school students in Los Angeles and innovative initiatives like empowering women farmers in Zimbabwe with AI tools.
Don't miss this insightful conversation on how GenAi can help your company stay ahead in the evolving workforce development landscape.Show Links
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Can zero-knowledge proofs revolutionize the blockchain industry? This week on The Index, Alex Kehaya joins Brendan Farmer, Co-founder of Polygon, to discuss how Ethereum's scalability will change forever. Brendan shares his insights on the challenges of creating seamless interoperability across various virtual machines, such as EVM and SVM, and how zero-knowledge technology offers potential solutions. Brendan explains why unified liquidity, asset fungibility, and low-latency interoperability are crucial for blockchain mass adoption.
Join Alex and Brendan for an in-depth conversation that touches on the cultural dynamics of Web3, the alignment of incentives through tokens, and the future of decentralized technology.Show Links
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How are blockchain companies evolving to meet the demands of a decentralized future? Join host Alex Kehaya on The Index as he talks with Yair Cleper, Co-founder & CEO of Lava Network. Yair shares his entrepreneurial journey into Web3 and discusses the vital role of the blockchain community in building decentralized protocols.
Tune in to learn how Lava is transforming the blockchain landscape by empowering developers to rapidly establish a robust network of infrastructure providers. With its focus on RPC and data access, Lava facilitates seamless access to over 30 diverse chains, including major players like Solana and Cosmos, thus streamlining development processes and enhancing connectivity across the decentralized ecosystem.
Tune in to learn more about Lava's innovative marketplace, recent investment funding, and the Magma Point system incentivizing participation.
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