Episoder
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Lucian from MultiversX (formerly Elrond) joins Sam Kamani to break down how they’re building one of the fastest L1 blockchains in the world. From sharding to Supernova, discover how MultiversX is tackling decentralization, scalability, and real-world adoption with a new wave of architecture, global partnerships, and government use cases. Lucian also shares what he’d do differently, how they're supporting builders, and the thinking behind their US expansion.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Lucian and today's focus on MultiversX and scalable L1 innovation.
[00:01:00] Web3 Origins: Lucian shares his early exposure to Bitcoin and the journey from NAM to founding Elrond
[00:04:00] Why Elrond Started: Gaps in scalability, early insights on sharding, and forming the founding team.
[00:06:00] Tech Architecture: The database analogy for blockchain – consensus, state, and disk.
[00:08:00] Understanding Sharding: Lucian explains adaptive state sharding using real-world computing concepts.
[00:11:00] Scaling Without Sacrifice: How MultiversX optimizes scalability without compromising decentralization.
[00:12:00] Current Use Cases: From DeFi and NFTs to real government integrations and national-level domain projects.
[00:14:00] Andromeda Upgrade: One-shot finality explained and how it transforms blockchain performance.
[00:15:30] Supernova Upgrade: Reducing block time to 600ms and beyond – toward real-time L1 performance.
[00:17:00] Tradeoffs and Vision: What Lucian’s team chose to optimize for and the engineering behind it.
[00:23:00] What He’d Do Differently: From launching in Europe to distribution lessons and US expansion.
[00:26:00] Bootstrapping Usage: Lucian discusses incentivizing real use over speculation.
[00:30:00] Scaling with Ecosystem: Stablecoins, gaming, payments, DeFi, and government adoption trends.
[00:34:00] Call to Action: Lucian invites builders, governments, and investors to collaborate.
[00:36:00] Roadmap Highlights: Why Andromeda and Supernova are game-changers for the L1 space.
[00:37:00] Grants and Investment: Supporting startups via Growth Games and launchpad ecosystem.
[00:38:00] Final Words: Sam wraps up with links and how to get involved with MultiversX.
Connect
https://multiversx.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/multiversx/
https://x.com/multiversx
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucianmincu/
https://x.com/lucianmincu
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
In this episode, I speak with Maksym, founder of Deobank, about his mission to create a fully decentralized alternative to traditional and neobanks. We dive into his origin story, the architecture of Deobank, how it abstracts complex DeFi systems for everyday users, and why millions of unbanked users are the real opportunity. Maksym also shares insights on banking regulations, token incentives, and why simplicity—not complexity—wins mass adoption.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces the episode featuring Maksym from Deobank.
[00:01:00] Origin Story: Maksym shares how he got into crypto in 2016 while building a real estate tech platform.
[00:02:00] Early Challenges: Why traditional banks were the biggest blockers for blockchain adoption.
[00:03:30] What Is Deobank?: The evolution from banks to neobanks to Deobank.
[00:04:30] Custodial vs. Non-Custodial: How Deobank bridges both models seamlessly.
[00:06:30] Regulatory Shift: Why banks are now more open to crypto partnerships.
[00:08:00] UX is Everything: The challenge of educating users and abstracting DeFi complexity.
[00:10:00] Who Can Use It?: Targeting the 1.4 billion unbanked people worldwide.
[00:11:00] Ferrari Giveaway: Maksym explains why community-first is core to Deobank’s vision.
[00:13:00] Visa Integration: How Deobank offers real-world spending with stablecoins.
[00:15:00] Instant Yield: Why users earn on idle stablecoins—even while spending.
[00:17:00] What’s Next: Launching DeFi-native credit products and scaling to 1M users.
[00:18:30] Final Ask: Maksym calls for community builders, not funding.
Connect
https://wefi.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefi-co/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maksym-sakharov/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Mangler du episoder?
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In this episode, Sam Kamani talks with Bundeep Singh Ranga, co-founder of Pi Protocol, about a new model for stablecoins. Bundeep shares how Pi separates principal and interest using tokenized US treasuries, empowering anyone to become a stablecoin minter and earn yield—without giving up liquidity. We explore why stablecoins are just getting started, what decentralization really means for finance, and how Pi Protocol plans to reach underserved markets around the globe.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Bundeep Singh and the stablecoin focus of this episode.
[00:01:00] Immigrant Mindset: How being an outsider inspired Bundeep’s entrepreneurial journey.
[00:03:00] Market Opportunity: Stablecoins vs. global fiat—why we’re at just 0.0002% of the addressable market
[00:04:30] Birth of Pi Protocol: Solving the limitations of centralized minting by decentralizing the yield.
[00:06:30] How Pi Works: Users mint stablecoins by bringing tokenized US treasuries and retain the yield.
[00:08:30] The Tether Comparison: How Pi gives users what centralized stablecoins keep for themselves.
[00:10:00] Breaking the Atom: Separating principal (stablecoin) from interest (yield) with smart contracts.
[00:13:00] Not a Security: How Pi avoids regulatory friction while offering real utility and upside.
[00:14:00] Get Involved: Testnet now live on Solana and Ethereum—how to access and contribute.
[00:15:00] Global South Focus: Why unbanked and remittance-heavy markets are ripe for stablecoin adoption.
[00:16:00] Closing Thoughts: Pi’s vision, open roles, and why now is the best time to join.
Connect
https://www.pi-protocol.io/#/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/piprotocol/
https://x.com/PiProtocol
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rangar/
https://x.com/bundeep
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Paul, co-founder of Somnia Protocol and former Improbable exec, joins Sam Kamani to unpack why we still need new Layer 1s—and how Somnia’s high-performance, EVM-compatible blockchain is designed for mass-scale gaming, AI agents, and prediction markets. From his time at Goldman Sachs to building billion-dollar startups, Paul shares deep technical insights on compression, consensus, and abstracting Web3 for everyday users.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces the episode featuring Paul from Somnia Protocol.
[00:01:00] Guest Intro: Paul shares his journey from Goldman Sachs to building billion-dollar gaming infrastructure.
[00:03:00] Discovering Ethereum: Why Ethereum sparked Paul’s imagination more than Bitcoin.
[00:04:00] Gaming & Interoperability: Building large-scale immersive events and early Metaverse experiments.
[00:07:00] Why Somnia?: The technical limitations that forced them to build a new L1.
[00:10:00] Compression Innovation: Solving blockchain bottlenecks with novel networking and compression.
[00:13:00] Who’s Building on Somnia: Projects in gaming, DeFi, AI, social, and entertainment.
[00:15:00] Blockchain Should Be Invisible: Why UX abstraction is the next big unlock for Web3.
[00:18:00] Mainnet Plans: What Somnia needs before mainnet—ecosystem readiness, tech, and community.
[00:20:00] Founder's Lessons: Why Paul wishes he invested in public storytelling and personal brand earlier.
[00:23:00] Gaming Favorites: From League of Legends to Zelda—how Paul still finds time to game.
[00:25:00] The Real Web3 Gaming Unlock: Prediction markets and financializing gameplay.
[00:27:00] Final Ask: Paul’s call to developers and consumers to explore Somnia Testnet.
Connect
https://somnia.network/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/somnianetwork/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-thomas-90042b36/
https://x.com/Somnia_Network
https://x.com/0xPaulThomas
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Eric from Polyhedra joins Sam Kamani to unpack how zero-knowledge proofs are redefining interoperability, AI verification, and developer tooling. They dive into the launch of ZK PyTorch, EXP Chain, and how verifiable AI could become the new standard for trusted machine learning. If you’re building with LLMs, exploring trustless infrastructure, or care about blockchain security—this episode is for you.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam welcomes Eric from Polyhedra and previews the conversation on ZK proofs, AI, and Web3.
[00:01:00] Polyhedra Origin: Eric shares how he met the team while working at LayerZero and why he joined the project.
[00:02:30] The Problem with Bridges: Why Polyhedra’s ZK-based approach makes interoperability more secure.
[00:04:00] What is Expander?: A fast, scalable ZK proof system designed for real-time verifiability.
[00:06:00] ZK PyTorch: Turning any PyTorch model into a verifiable model in minutes.
[00:08:00] Verifiable AI Use Cases: Why financial applications like agents handling payments need proof-backed AI.
[00:10:00] Developer Workflow: How easy it is to integrate ZK PyTorch into existing machine learning pipelines.
[00:13:30] ZKML Festival & Community: Polyhedra’s push to educate AI developers on trust-minimized systems.
[00:15:30] Marketing Advice: Eric’s background in content-driven growth, and why domain-specific content still wins.
[00:19:30] EXP Chain: Polyhedra’s new L1 for verifying ZK proofs cheaply and efficiently on-chain.
[00:23:30] The Future of Verifiable AI: The team’s goal to bring sub-second ZK proofs to large language models.
[00:25:00] Call to Action: How developers, users, and founders can get involved with Polyhedra’s ecosystem.
Connect
https://www.polyhedra.network/
https://x.com/PolyhedraZK
https://www.linkedin.com/company/polyhedrazk/
https://x.com/vreeland
https://www.linkedin.com/in/evreeland/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
How do you power the next generation of AI — without centralized data monopolies?
In this episode, I talk with Ben Noble, Marketing Director at Sapien, about how Sapien is building the world’s first decentralized data foundry — rewarding people for training AI and contributing real-world data.
We cover:
How Sapien is combining Web3 incentives with AI data collection
Why real human input still matters for AI training
Ben’s best advice for marketing Web3/AI startups
Storytelling strategies for founders
How to simplify complex ideas and drive viral messaging
If you’re building in AI, Web3, or growth marketing, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use immediately.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces the episode and previews key topics: AI, Web3, storytelling, and startup growth.
[00:01:00] Ben’s Journey: How Ben got started in AI, left for Web3, and came full circle.
[00:04:00] What Sapien Does: Decentralized data foundry explained — sourcing human expertise to train AI.
[00:06:00] How It Works: How users earn rewards by contributing data to Sapien’s platform.
[00:09:00] Customers and Use Cases: Sapien’s partnerships with enterprises like Alibaba, the UN, and others. [00:13:00] Safeguards: How Sapien prevents bots and fake data submissions. [00:15:00] Why Human Data Still Matters: The limits of AI and the need for human empathy and diversity. [00:19:00] Growth Strategies: Ben shares why partnerships and referrals outperform traditional marketing.
[00:22:00] Web3 vs Web2 Marketing: The importance of authenticity, speed, and viral one-liners.
[00:27:00] Future of AI: Will we see iterative improvements or major leaps? Ben’s perspective.
[00:30:00] Storytelling Lessons: Why contextualizing numbers is crucial for effective messaging.
[00:36:00] What’s Next for Sapien: Growing to 1M+ taskers and scaling the AI gig economy.
[00:39:00] How to Get Involved: Sapien is closing their Series A and looking for users to join their data platform.
Connect
https://game.sapien.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/playsapien/
https://x.com/playsapien
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmnoble/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
How do you grow a Web3 startup without falling into the same old traps — airdrops, bots, and unsustainable hype?
In this episode, I speak with Sandesh, founder of Bandit Network, who shares how they’re building growth infrastructure for Web3 — combining off-chain and on-chain data, enabling sustainable campaigns, and even launching their own rollup for deeper integrations.
We explore:
Why airdrops and point systems often fail
How meme launchpads are evolving into engagement tools
Mapping Twitter usernames to wallet addresses
Growth lessons from powering campaigns for Bonk, Brave, and Shardeum
If you care about Web3 user acquisition, retention, and real community-led engagement — this one's for you.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam sets up the episode and introduces Sandesh from Bandit Network. [00:01:00] Bandit Overview: Sandesh explains what Bandit does and how his journey from AI to Web3 began. [00:04:00] Early Web3 Involvement: Sandesh shares how his AI-powered creator startup was acquired and how that led to Bandit. [00:06:00] The Problem with Growth Tools: Why airdrop tools failed and how Bandit builds Lego-like infrastructure for campaigns. [00:09:00] Trends in Growth: Why meme launchpads are evolving into community engagement tools. [00:13:00] Meme Campaign Example: How one community uses roasts and meme voting as engagement loops. [00:15:00] Airdrops vs Bots: Sandesh explains how Bandit uses tools like Proof of Humanity and Bitcoin Passport to combat sybil attacks. [00:18:00] Challenges and Monetization: Bandit’s biggest challenge is staying trend-adaptable; revenue is SaaS + custom token deals. [00:21:00] What’s Next: Bandit is launching a rollup protocol for mapping Web2 identities to Web3 wallets. [00:24:00] The Bigger Vision: Building a decentralized growth protocol with support from QuickNode. [00:25:00] Fundraising: Bandit is raising $3–4M in their current seed round. [00:26:00] Closing Thoughts: Sam recaps why Bandit solves a real and pressing pain point in Web3 growth.
Connect
http://bandit.network/
https://x.com/OnBndit
https://www.linkedin.com/company/onbndit/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeshbsuvarna/
https://x.com/sandeshsuvarna
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
What happens when a meme coin gets rugged—and the community takes over?
In this episode, Sam chats with S from Neiro, the community takeover lead, to explore the real mechanics behind meme coin takeovers, the evolution of the Neiro project, and how it became the spiritual successor to Dogecoin.
From Vitalik-backed donations to exclusive IP licensing and thoughts on political meme coins like TrumpCoin and Milady, S shares what it takes to build a decentralized movement in a chaotic crypto market.
They also dive into the current state of macroeconomic uncertainty, how meme coins can bridge to real-world products, and why community contributors matter more than token holders.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces S from Neiro and sets the tone for a deep dive into community-led meme coins.
[00:01:00] Neiro Origins: S shares how he stumbled into Neiro after a developer rugged and the community took over.
[00:03:00] What Is a Community Takeover?: S explains how decentralized contributors rebuild abandoned tokens.
[00:07:00] Decentralization & Purpose: Why meme coins can create meaning and a sense of belonging.
[00:09:00] Charity & Vitalik's Donation: How Neiro caught Vitalik’s attention and began its mission-led narrative.
[00:11:00] IP Rights & Real-World Utility: S talks about exclusive Neiro licensing and monetization ideas like NFTs and pet food.
[00:15:00] Meme Coins vs Political Tokens: Thoughts on TrumpCoin, Millennia, and the extractive nature of some meme trends.
[00:20:00] Timing in Crypto: Why meme coin success (or failure) often depends on timing.
[00:27:00] DeFi x Meme Coins: Can meme tokens integrate into lending, staking, and other financial products?
[00:31:00] Dealing with Volatility: S shares mindset tips for surviving crypto market swings as a leader.
[00:35:00] The Global Market Chaos: Thoughts on current macro uncertainty and political influence on the markets.
[00:39:00] Final Ask: S encourages contributors to join Neiro’s mission—not just as investors, but as builders.
Connect
https://x.com/neiro
https://www.neiroeth.io/
https://t.me/ETHNEIROCTO
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Frank Cheng, founder of Apeiron and DoodiPals, joins Sam to unpack four years of building in Web3 gaming. From raising three funding rounds to building an entire gaming franchise, Frank shares practical lessons on tokenomics, community building, and how to retain real players. Learn why most Web3 games fail and how to fix them, what role AI will play, and why "fun" is the best utility of all.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Frank Cheng from Apeiron and DoodiPals.
[00:01:00] Frank’s Background: From private equity to gaming founder.
[00:03:00] Fundraising Journey: Raising 3 rounds and migrating to Ronin.
[00:05:00] Web3 vs. eSports: Monetization struggles and similarities.
[00:09:00] Tokenomics: Apeiron’s dual-token model and real utility.
[00:11:00] Mobile Strategy: Expansion across SEA and Latin America.
[00:13:00] Retention: DAU strategies, off-season drops, and incentives.
[00:15:00] Community: How Frank built lasting connections on Discord.
[00:18:00] Duty Pals: The IP and content strategy behind the Apeiron universe.
[00:20:00] Future Trends: Web3 onboarding friction and AI’s potential.
[00:23:00] Generative AI: Challenges, copyright, and training game agents.
[00:28:00] Roadmap 2025: Memes with fundamentals, new token layers.
[00:30:00] Inspirations: What Axie Infinity and Big Time get right.
[00:32:00] Evolving Tokenomics: Why vesting by usage beats time-based unlocks.
[00:35:00] Founder Reflections: What Frank would do differently.
[00:38:00] Final Ask: Looking for investors, talent, and community partners.
Connect
https://apeironnft.com/
https://x.com/ApeironNFT
https://www.doodipals.com/
https://x.com/DoodiPals
https://x.com/FrankTCheng
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franktcheng/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Yang Tang, co-founder of Memetica, joins Sam to dive deep into the world of AI agents — what they are, how they’re trained, and how they’re already generating value across Web2 and Web3. From his background in institutional finance and machine learning to launching BSD and Liam, Yang walks us through building intelligent, monetizable agents and why the future of AI is vertical-specific and application-first.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam welcomes Yang Tang and introduces the topic of AI agents.
[00:01:00] Yang’s Background: From Wall Street to machine learning to Web3.
[00:03:00] Evolution of Trading: How everything became algorithmic post-2008.
[00:05:00] Why AI Agents Now: LLMs aren't applications — agents are.
[00:06:00] Core Features: Memetica’s pillars — memory, RL, and utility.
[00:08:00] Competing with Giants: Why focus beats AGI and big capital.
[00:10:00] Data Strategy: Why private data is useless without context.
[00:12:00] Use Cases: Real-world agent examples like Liam and BSD.
[00:14:00] Reinforcement Learning: How Liam evolved to boost impressions.
[00:16:00] Tokens and Agents: The rise of BSD and market cap milestones.
[00:18:00] Pricing and Ownership: Who owns the agent’s IP and revenue?
[00:20:00] SME and Enterprise Use: From sports betting to social media ops.
[00:23:00] Institutional AI Demand: Why application matters more than research.
[00:25:00] Distribution Challenges: Why even strong products struggle to scale.
[00:28:00] Time vs. Decision Value: Where AI agents can win right now.
[00:30:00] Agent vs. Human: Running A/B tests with agents on social.
[00:34:00] AI Misuse: The Trump chart story and hallucination risks.
[00:36:00] Launching Tokens: What it takes to create tokenized agents.
[00:38:00] Utility vs. Distraction: The token paradox for founders.
[00:41:00] Building for SMEs: Future plans to support long-tail businesses.
[00:44:00] Hiring and Scaling: What Memetica needs to grow.
[00:46:00] Accuracy & Safeguards: How Memetica agents reach 95%+ accuracy.
[00:47:00] Final Ask: Yang is raising, hiring, and looking to onboard more creators and partners.
Connect
https://memetica.ai/
https://x.com/memeticaAI
https://www.linkedin.com/company/qstarlabs/
https://x.com/yangtang
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yangtang/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Kevin from Layer 1X joins Sam Kamani to discuss how they’re building a quantum-resistant, bridgeless blockchain that enables secure cross-chain swaps, multi-chain token issuance, and zero-gas fee transactions.
Kevin also shares insights from his PhD in blockchain and quantum computing, and why he believes most of Web3 is unprepared for the quantum era. If you're building in DeFi, infrastructure, or cross-chain protocols, this one's a must-listen.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Kevin and the episode’s focus on Layer 1X, quantum computing, interoperability, and cross-chain infrastructure.
[00:01:00] Kevin’s Background: Kevin shares how he entered Web3 in 2019, built a rewards platform, and began exploring quantum and blockchain through a PhD.
[00:03:00] What Layer 1X Does: Layer 1X aims to enable bridgeless interoperability, empower developers, and offer quantum-resistant infrastructure.
[00:05:00] Quantum Threats to Blockchain: Kevin explains quantum threats to cryptography and how error correction in quantum computing could make current blockchains vulnerable.
[00:07:00] Blockchain Upgrades for Quantum Safety: Can Bitcoin or Ethereum become quantum-resistant? Kevin shares thoughts on protocol-level upgrades.
[00:11:00] Why Build a New L1?: Kevin explains why Layer 1X had to be its own L1 — to control cross-chain validation, optimize gas, and integrate quantum resistance from the start.
[00:15:00] Beyond the Chain: Multi-Chain Rollups and Use Cases: A look at how Layer 1X enables multi-chain rollups, composability, and better use of underutilized chains.
[00:17:30] Use Case - Gaming & Identity: Kevin shares examples of how game assets and user tokens can function across multiple chains with Layer 1X.
[00:20:00] Liquidity Abstraction & DeFi Fragmentation: How Layer 1X is solving one of DeFi’s biggest problems — fragmented liquidity across chains.
[00:24:00] Growth & Campaigns: Kevin discusses their successful “Swapathon” and upcoming campaign making cross-chain swaps gasless and free.
[00:27:00] Revenue Model & Incentives: How Layer 1X is already generating revenue through cross-chain fees, NFTs, and tokenomics innovation.
[00:30:00] Release Pool Model: An anti-dump mechanism allowing token distribution based on market demand and long-term health.
[00:32:00] Web3 Blindspots: Kevin argues Web3 projects are too focused on token price and not enough on sustainable revenue or infrastructure.
[00:35:00] Trends for 2025: More projects will go multichain, off-chain services will go on-chain, and awareness of quantum resistance will grow.
[00:37:00] Funding & Next Steps: Layer 1X is raising $25M to scale adoption and expand its quantum-resilient protocol stack.
[00:38:30] Closing: Sam recaps the value Layer 1X brings to the Web3 space and thanks Kevin for sharing his journey.
Connect
https://l1xapp.com/
https://l1xapp.com/l1x-foundation
https://www.linkedin.com/company/layer-one-x/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekevincoutinho/
https://x.com/LayerOneX
https://x.com/thekevcoutinho
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Can encryption make Ethereum more fair?
In this episode, I speak with Loring Harkness, the ecosystem lead at Shutter Network, about a crucial — and often ignored — issue: malicious MEV. Loring explains how MEV bots extract value from unsuspecting users through front-running and sandwich attacks — and how Shutter uses threshold encryption to stop it.
We talk about encrypted mempools, the recent whitepaper proposing encrypted mempools for Ethereum, and how commit-and-reveal encryption is already protecting DAOs, auctions, and bounties via Shutter’s API.
Loring also shares his journey from building financial inclusion tools in Myanmar to becoming a passionate advocate for privacy and credible neutrality in Web3.
Whether you're building a dApp, trading onchain, or want a fairer Ethereum — this episode is for you.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Intro: Sam introduces Loring Harkness and the mission behind Shutter Network
[00:01:00] Origin Story: How a coup in Myanmar inspired Loring’s pivot from TradFi to Web3
[00:04:00] What is Shutter?: Commit-reveal threshold encryption explained
[00:06:00] Understanding MEV: How front-running and sandwich attacks work
[00:08:00] Shielded Trading: How Shutter encrypts transactions to blind MEV bots
[00:10:00] Integrations: Shielded trading on Gnosis and plans for Ethereum mainnet
[00:11:00] The Cost of MEV: Over $1.3B lost to MEV since 2020
[00:12:00] Ethereum Whitepaper: How Shutter’s proposal was received
[00:14:00] The Shutter API: Making commit-reveal encryption accessible to dApps
[00:16:00] Game Theory: Loring’s live demo using rock-paper-scissors
[00:20:00] Scaling Up: How Shutter supports many use cases and transactions
[00:23:00] Real-World Adoption: Shielded voting on Snapshot and Paddle Battle auctions
[00:25:00] The Real Threat: Why Ethereum must align with its own values
[00:27:00] Community Ask: Why users and developers must demand fairness
[00:29:00] Wrap-up: Links and next steps for integrating Shutter Network
Connect
https://www.shutter.network/
https://x.com/ShutterNetwork
https://x.com/LoringHarkness
https://www.linkedin.com/in/loringharkness/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
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How do you prove someone is human in the AI era?
In this episode, Sam Kamani speaks with Terence Kwok, the founder of Humanity Protocol — a decentralized identity blockchain now valued at over $1B. Terence shares how Humanity Protocol uses palm biometrics, ZK proofs, and partnerships with validators to establish proof of personhood, enable on-chain reputation, and prevent identity fraud.
We explore use cases ranging from education credentials and credit scoring to gaming identities and undercollateralized lending — plus how AI is blurring the lines between human and machine online. Terence also shares the story of how he went from building a travel tech unicorn to launching a global identity protocol out of Hong Kong.
If you're building in identity, AI, or Web3, this is one not to miss.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Intro: Sam introduces Terence Kwok and Humanity Protocol's billion-dollar vision.
[00:02:00] Background: Terence shares how he pivoted from travel tech to Web3 identity.
[00:04:00] What is Humanity Protocol?: A blockchain for proof of personhood and credentials.
[00:07:00] Why Now?: The urgency of verifiable human identity in an AI-powered world.
[00:09:00] Privacy & Sovereignty: How Humanity Protocol keeps biometric data safe.
[00:13:00] Who Issues Credentials?: The role of validators and verifiers in the network.
[00:16:00] Business Model: How staking, revenue-sharing, and token incentives work.
[00:18:00] Beyond Network Effects: Use cases that work even with a small user base.
[00:23:00] zkTLS Innovation: Zero-knowledge proofs for Web2 credentials.
[00:26:00] On-Chain Credit: Proof of income and net worth for lending protocols.
[00:28:00] Human Signals: Uber ratings, Airbnb history, and anti-bot credentials.
[00:31:00] TPS vs Humanity: Why identity matters more than just scaling blockchains.
[00:34:00] The Path Forward: Permissioned transactions and smarter chains.
[00:36:00] Roadmap: App, mainnet, zkTLS, and biometric scanner rollouts.
[00:37:00] Final Ask: Bringing on more dApps, developers, and potential investors.
Connect
https://www.humanity.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanityprot/
https://x.com/Humanityprot/
https://t.me/HumanityProt
https://x.com/tk_humanity
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
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In this episode of Web3 with Sam Kamani, Sam is joined by co-host Amanda Whitcroft to interview Hoansoo Lee, co-founder of Exabits.ai. With a PhD from Harvard and deep expertise in edge computing, Hoansoo shares how Exabits is decentralizing the GPU cloud for AI by combining high-performance chips like the H100 and Blackwell with tokenized infrastructure on Web3 rails.
They explore why AI compute is the "new energy," how Exabits differentiates from competitors like CoreWeave, and the opportunities for DeFi and structured finance in this emerging landscape. Hoansoo also discusses the limitations of decentralized compute, the challenges around AI experimentation, and how data, compute, and causality intersect in building next-gen AI.
Whether you're a founder building in AI, a researcher, or a curious investor, this episode is packed with deep insights into the future of decentralized compute and what’s next in the AI x Web3 convergence.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces co-host Amanda and guest Hoansoo Lee from Exabits.ai.
[00:01:00] What is Exabits?: Hoansoo explains Exabits in one sentence—high-quality GPU compute for AI.
[00:02:00] Who Uses It: Discussing their customer base across Web2 and Web3.[00:03:00] Hardware Stack: Exabits runs 60,000+ GPUs including H100s and Blackwells.[00:04:00] Competitive Landscape: Why Exabits is different from other Web3 dePIN projects.
[00:05:00] Founding Story: How a background in edge computing led to building Exabits.
[00:06:00] Go-to-Market: Customer acquisition through partnerships, referrals, and conferences.
[00:07:00] Growth Opportunity: Why structured finance and GPU financialization is the next big thing.
[00:08:00] AI Efficiency vs. Demand: DeepSeek, scaling laws, and the compute boom.
[00:10:00] Energy + Compute: AI’s demand for energy and its parallels to historical tech trends.
[00:11:00] Decentralized Compute: Limitations of latency-sensitive decentralized AI infrastructure.
[00:13:00] AI = Bitcoin Mining 2.0: The evolution from minting Bitcoin to minting intelligence.
[00:14:00] Pillars of AI: From compute/data/models to experimentation and causal inference.
[00:17:00] AI Limits: Why synthetic data can't replace real-world experimentation.
[00:18:00] Scarcity & Innovation: How chip scarcity could spark further innovation.
[00:20:00] In-House Servers: Why building H200 racks in-house is a differentiator.
[00:21:00] How It Works: A user’s experience on Exabits from login to compute access.
[00:23:00] Founder Advice: Hoansoo’s take on building something with real customers and solid fundamentals
[00:24:00] Roadmap: Data center expansion, orchestration features, and governance via staking.
[00:25:00] TGE Ahead: Exabits’ upcoming token generation event and next steps.
Connect
https://www.exabits.ai/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/exabitsai/
https://x.com/exa_bits
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoansoo-lee-21586b9/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-whitcroft-324879164/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
In this episode, Brayden Doig from Abyss joins Sam Kamani to discuss his innovative trading card game powered by AI. He shares how Abyss is merging AI with storytelling to create unique, one-of-one NFTs that evolve through user choices. Brayden also dives into his involvement with the Taste Foundation and how AI can transform the entertainment landscape.
He talks about his artistic journey and how artists should embrace AI technology while preserving their craft. Plus, he gives valuable advice for Web3 gaming founders navigating the post-2022 downturn. If you're interested in gaming, art, NFTs, and AI, this episode is a must-listen!
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Brayden and previews the topics of AI, art, NFTs, and gaming.
[00:02:00] Abyss Overview: Brayden explains how Abyss is a one-of-one AI-powered trading card game.
[00:03:30] How It Works: Soul-bound NFTs, player choices, and AI-generated cards.
[00:06:00] Art Style: How Brayden trained AI on his own digital artwork for Abyss.
[00:08:30] AI + Artists: Brayden discusses how artists can use AI without losing ownership or identity.
[00:10:00] Protecting Artists: Smart contracts, zk proofs, and Taste’s focus on ethical AI.
[00:12:00] AI as a Creative Partner: How AI enhances creativity instead of replacing it.
[00:15:00] Embracing Change: What past tech shifts can teach us about adopting AI today.
[00:16:30] Abyss Roadmap: Phases, data collection, and long-term gameplay powered by AI.
[00:20:30] White-Labelling the Platform: The broader vision for creative industries.
[00:21:00] AI Agents in Gaming: Will autonomous agents soon play alongside human characters?
[00:24:00] Collecting Metadata: Why choices matter in building future gameplay.
[00:27:30] Advice to Web3 Creators: Tenacity, creativity, and finding the right people.
[00:30:00] Enemies Mean Progress: What gaming teaches us about startup adversity.
[00:32:00] The Ask: Taste Foundation is closing their seed round and seeking artists & IP holders.
Connect
https://abyss.cards/
https://x.com/abysscards
https://x.com/froyd_art
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brayden-doig/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
In this episode, I speak with Arpan Gautam from Noon Capital — a self-funded project building what they call the most intelligent and fair yield-bearing stablecoin. We dive into how their stablecoin (USN/sUSN) delivers through-cycle returns by allocating capital across delta-neutral strategies, and why they’re committed to distributing 90%+ of returns and up to 80% of governance tokens back to users.
We also discuss how Noon Capital avoids the pitfalls of treasury-only stablecoins, why they’ve rejected VC funding, and Arpan’s advice for founders on staying focused and aligned as a team.
Whether you're a DeFi builder, an investor in yield-bearing assets, or just curious about the next generation of stablecoins — this is a must-listen.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces the episode with Arpan from Noon Capital and outlines the focus on stablecoins and DeFi.
[00:01:00] What is Noon Capital?: Arpan explains their mission to build a fair and intelligent yield-bearing stablecoin.
[00:03:00] Yield Intelligence: How Noon adapts across market cycles using delta-neutral strategies.
[00:05:00] Fairness via Governance: Noon distributes up to 80% of governance tokens to users — no VC involvement.
[00:06:30] Arpan’s Background: From McKinsey and Goldman to crypto trading and stablecoin design.
[00:09:00] The Origin Story: How Noon spun out from prop trading into product.
[00:11:00] Performance: Past returns and how Noon balances between T-bills and funding rate arbitrage. [00:13:30] Users & Growth: Why institutional LPs are first movers and how retail follows.
[00:16:00] Market Indicators: What data Noon tracks to stay ahead — from Fed signals to Bitcoin open interest.
[00:17:30] USN vs SUSN: The difference between Noon’s staked and unstaked stablecoins.
[00:19:00] Scaling Challenges: Growing TVL and building composability in DeFi and beyond.
[00:21:00] Founder Advice: Arpan shares a simple but powerful rule — one North Star goal for the entire team.
[00:23:00] Ask: Noon is looking to connect with liquid funds, whales, and builders — but remains proudly self-funded.
Connect
https://www.noon.capital/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nooncapital/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arpan-gautam/
https://x.com/noon_capital
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
Chris Duggan is the Senior Marketing Manager at ChainGPT and former content lead at BNB Chain (Binance). In this episode, recorded live in New York, Chris dives deep into how ChainGPT is building an expansive AI ecosystem for Web3—from smart contract generation and NFT creation to incubating new AI-native projects.
We talk about ChainGPT's explosive social growth (1M+ followers), his personal journey through the metaverse, and why co-marketing, creativity, and cultural relevance are everything in Web3 marketing today. He also shares actionable advice for founders, builders, and content creators looking to grow their presence and leverage AI effectively.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces the episode and guest Chris Duggan from ChainGPT.
[00:01:00] What is ChainGPT: Chris explains how ChainGPT builds AI infrastructure for Web3, including smart contract tools, NFT generators, and launchpads.
[00:03:30] Smart Contract Generator & Auditor: How developers can create, audit, and deploy contracts with zero coding knowledge.
[00:05:00] Chris's Journey: From writing and the metaverse to Binance and now ChainGPT.
[00:08:00] Marketing DNA: Why ChainGPT’s branding and visuals are key to its rapid growth.
[00:10:00] Differentiators: How ChainGPT goes beyond the usual with tools, launchpads, SDKs, and an upcoming blockchain (AIVM).
[00:12:30] Content Strategy: Chris breaks down how to think in benefits (not features), and why fun and variety win.
[00:16:00] Meme Culture: How ChainGPT uses humor, memes, and a mascot to go viral.
[00:19:00] AI Agents: How ChainGPT is building autonomous agents for market news, trading, and dev tools.
[00:24:00] Future of AI x Web3: What’s coming with AIVM and the decentralized AI agent economy.
[00:28:00] AI Content Fatigue: Why authenticity and human-created content still matter.
[00:30:00] What Founders Should Do: Co-marketing, cross-promotion, and collaborating with similar projects.
[00:33:00] Final Ask: ChainGPT invites devs, founders, and creatives to try their tools, apply for incubation, and build with them.
Disclaimer
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Connect
https://www.chaingpt.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/chaingpt/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-duggan-43865a65/
https://x.com/Chain_GPT
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In this episode of Web3 with Sam Kamani, recorded live at Digital Asset Summit in New York, I sit down with Paul Talbert from ATV Fund to discuss how they’re transforming fixed-income investing through tokenization.
Paul explains how mortgage-backed securities (MBS), a traditionally illiquid asset class, are now being made accessible, efficient, and transparent through blockchain. We talk about how this tokenized product compares to stable coins, why it appeals to global investors, and the challenges of scaling a compliant, yield-bearing Web3 fund.
We also dive into the convergence of AI, DeFi, and traditional finance, the growing acceptance of tokenized RWAs, and how ATV is positioning itself to serve institutions, family offices, and—soon—retail.
If you’re curious about tokenized treasuries, on-chain income, or how crypto can bridge the TradFi gap, this episode is for you.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Paul Delbert from ATV Fund, recorded live at DAS NYC.[00:01:00] What is ATV Fund: Paul explains their focus on tokenized mortgage-backed securities.[00:02:00] Why Tokenization: How ATV is building the ETF equivalent for real-world assets.[00:04:00] Tax Efficiency & Yield: Why tokenized MBS offer advantages over ETFs and stablecoins.[00:06:00] Access & Participation: How accredited investors can buy into ATV’s two tokenized products.[00:08:00] Sovereign Wealth & Institutional Appetite: Paul explains their go-to-market focus.[00:09:00] Industry Trends: How growing government support is reshaping crypto finance.[00:11:00] Benefits of MBS: Exposure to USD, low risk, and global investor appeal.[00:13:00] Stablecoins vs Tokenized Assets: Why ATV offers a better alternative for yield-seeking investors.[00:15:00] Wallet Recovery & KYC: How ATV balances self-custody with investor safety.[00:16:00] Main Challenges: Scaling the fund and educating the market.[00:17:00] What Keeps Him Up: Navigating fast-moving AI and DeFi integrations.[00:19:00] The Big Ask: Paul shares ATV’s upcoming raise and what they're looking for.
Connect
https://atvfund.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/atvfund/
https://x.com/ATVFund/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-talbert-85732a333/
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
In this live-recorded episode from Digital Asset Summit in New York, Sam chats with Pedro, the founder of WalletConnect. Together, they unpack what it takes to make crypto more usable for everyday users and developers. Pedro dives into the journey of WalletConnect—from solving MetaMask's dominance to powering over 600 wallets and working with Stripe for seamless crypto payments.
We talk about decentralization, account abstraction, stablecoins, interoperability across blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, and Sui, and how WalletConnect’s upcoming token launch fits into the mission of making Web3 feel more like Web2.
If you're a developer, founder, or builder trying to simplify crypto UX—this one's a must-listen.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam sets the stage for a live episode from DAS NYC with Pedro from WalletConnect. [00:01:00] What is WalletConnect?: Pedro explains how it bridges wallets and apps across chains. [00:02:00] Backstory: Pedro’s journey from building Ethereum wallets to creating WalletConnect. [00:04:00] Web3 vs Web2 UX: Comparing crypto integrations to Stripe and how WalletConnect is closing the gap. [00:05:00] Stablecoins & Payments: How stablecoins enable predictable fundraising and payroll. [00:07:00] Developer Stack: SDKs, Privy, Thirdweb—how to integrate wallets + payments. [00:09:00] Identity Layer: Wallets solve auth and payments in one; building token-gated flows. [00:10:00] Institutional Adoption: Stripe, AWS, node operators—why institutions are finally onboard. [00:11:00] Focus Shift: Why payments and identity are the key value props of Web3 now. [00:13:00] Challenges: Fragmentation, tribalism, and why interoperability must win. [00:15:00] Missteps of the Past: Web3 messaging hype vs real impact of account abstraction. [00:17:00] Ethereum’s Tradeoffs: The need to be more pragmatic and less idealistic. [00:19:00] Biggest Challenge Now: Fighting tribalism and building a truly neutral platform. [00:21:00] Chain Landscape: What Ethereum, Solana, and Sui can learn from each other. [00:25:00] Smartphone Analogy: Why blockchains will become as boring—and stable—as iOS vs Android. [00:26:00] The Ask: Get involved, stake, govern, and participate in the WalletConnect ecosystem.
Connect
https://walletconnect.network/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/walletconnect-foundation/
https://x.com/WalletConnect
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedrouid/
https://x.com/pedrouid
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ -
In this episode, recorded live from New York during the Digital Asset Summit, Sam sits down with Matt Wright — founder of Gaia and partner at EVM Capital.
Matt has been building at the frontier of developer ecosystems, decentralized tech, and now AI agents. He walks us through his journey from organizing global hackathons to JP Morgan and ConsenSys, and finally to Gaia — a decentralized inference network for AI agents.
We discuss how AI agents are about to become the dominant users of the internet, why the current stack is overly reliant on centralized providers like OpenAI, and how Gaia empowers developers to run their own sovereign LLMs with zero data leakage. Matt also breaks down Gaia’s unique domain system, monetizing knowledge bases, and how Web3 primitives (like tokens, wallets, and identity) make agent coordination actually work.
If you're curious about the intersection of AI and blockchain, and what the future of work might look like in an agent-native world, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Key Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces the episode, live from New York at the Digital Asset Summit, featuring Matt Wright from Gaia.
[00:01:00] Matt’s Background: From AngelHack to JP Morgan to ConsenSys, Matt shares how his journey led to building Gaia.
[00:02:00] Developer Culture: Matt contrasts how developers in Asia and the West ship products—and how Gaia merges both.
[00:05:00] Enter Gaia: The idea behind Gaia, born at the intersection of decentralized AI and blockchain.
[00:08:00] AI Agents: Why the future of apps is agentic, and what most people don’t yet understand about AI agents
[00:11:00] Gaia Nodes: How Gaia enables anyone to own, host, and serve AI models without relying on centralized APIs.
[00:14:00] Enterprise Data: Why 80% of the world’s useful data lives off-chain—and how Gaia helps unlock it.
[00:17:00] Current Use Cases: Matt shares examples from DeFi, Fitch Ratings, and other niche knowledge bases powered by Gaia.
[00:20:00] Monetizing Knowledge: Gaia’s domain system and how developers can turn knowledge into APIs for agents to query.
[00:22:00] Challenges with Agents: The three major problems—hallucination, agentic complexity, and trust—and how Web3 solves them.
[00:25:00] Web3 + AI Synergy: Why reputation, wallets, and governance unlock a new kind of agent-native internet.
[00:28:00] Future of Agents: Speculating on where agent economies are heading—citizenship, sovereignty, and governance.
[00:31:00] Day 1 of the AI Internet: Why agents will dominate the internet before they ever walk like humans.
[00:34:00] Gaia’s Ask: Gaia is live and open-source. Matt shares how developers can deploy nodes, build on top, and collaborate.
[00:36:00] Wrap-Up: Sam closes the conversation and shares where listeners can connect and get involved with Gaia.
Connect
https://www.gaianet.ai/
https://x.com/Gaianet_AI
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdavidwright/
https://x.com/mateo_ventures
DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ - Se mer
