I sit down with João Simoes — a true builder, repeat founder, and one of the sharpest BD minds in Web3. We go deep on his journey from running Portugal’s first Bitcoin mining company to building and exiting a restaking startup and now co‑founding Hyperwave on Hyperliquid. We unpack why Hyperliquid is thriving, what real community‑driven growth looks like, and the problem Hyperwave is solving with standout DeFi vaults and future payment rails. We also dive into market trends, real‑world events shaping crypto, and practical advice for builders in 2026. Honest, real and full of insights.

🔑 Key Learnings & Time Stamps

• 00:00 – Intro & What to Expect
• 01:48 – João’s Origin Story: From Bitcoin Mining to Web3
• 07:20 – Why Hyperliquid Has Succeeded vs. Other Projects
• 12:51 – What Hyperwave Is Building & Why It Matters
• 16:12 – How Hyperwave Vaults Deliver High Stable Yields
• 18:39 – The Power of People, Networks & BD in Crypto
• 25:09 – The Web3 Event Landscape & Community Dynamics
• 31:45 – Vault Mechanics, Token Strategy & Integrations
• 34:38 – João’s 2026 Outlook on Markets & Crypto Trends
• 48:36 – Advice for Builders & Founders in DeFi
• 52:20 – What Hyperwave Is Looking For Now

https://discord.gg/hyperwave

⚠️ Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.

How do you build a crypto company that lasts 11 years—and survives three brutal bear markets?

In this episode, I chat with Georgy from Wirex, a pioneering Web3 payment platform that's been quietly shaping the future of crypto usability since before Ethereum even existed. From air-dropping supplies in Antarctica to building one of the first crypto cards accepted by Visa and Mastercard, Georgy’s story is as unique as it is inspiring.

We dive into:

• What it took to build Wirex

• The explosion of stablecoins

• How to build user trust in crypto

• The future of self-custody vs custodial products

• What’s next on Wirex’s roadmap for 2026

If you’re in crypto, Web3, fintech—or just want to know how to build something that lasts—this episode is for you.

⏱️ Key Learnings & Timestamps

• (01:51) Georgy's aviation background & entry into crypto

• (03:25) The problem Wirex set out to solve: making Bitcoin usable

• (05:23) What makes Wirex unique in a crowded stablecoin space

• (06:57) Why their crypto card remains the most loved feature

• (10:59) How Wirex offers up to 8% cashback and 16% on stablecoins

• (14:03) Custodial vs self-custodial: what users really want

• (16:50) Country restrictions & realistic global expansion strategy

• (20:03) The unstoppable rise of stablecoins

• (22:11) How Wirex chooses features and avoids building the wrong thing

• (24:45) Their scrappy early marketing tactics and building community trust

• (28:26) Why trust is the real product in fintech

• (29:24) Georgy’s pick for the next crypto killer app: stablecoin payments

• (32:54) What’s on Wirex's 2026 roadmap: B2B, banking-as-a-service & more

• (34:39) Wirex's ask: partnerships, private banking clients & infra adopters

Connect:

https://www.wirexapp.com/

https://x.com/wirexapp

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wirex-limited/

https://discord.com/invite/f8UGp4dH6g

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgysokolov/

📌 Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.

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 really makes a project stand out in Web3? It’s not the tech—it’s the story.

In this episode, I chat with Kim Than, founder of Genius PR (formerly PR Genius), who shares the untold truth about PR in crypto. From disrupting the shady old agency model to pioneering results-only PR, Kim breaks down exactly how they help Web3 startups grow through strategy, storytelling, and standout branding.

If you're launching a token, scaling a startup, or building in crypto, this episode is your playbook. Kim reveals the tactics behind viral campaigns, how to build trust with press and users, and why branding is now the only moat left.

🧠 KEY LEARNINGS + TIMESTAMPS

[01:55] – Kim’s journey: from investment banking to founding Genius PR

[03:00] – The Web3 PR gap: outdated playbooks and broken promises

[07:01] – Why they introduced a “results-only” model—and how it works

[08:15] – How to match PR strategy with actual business goals

[10:36] – The power of relationships with journalists and how they built them[12:49] – Why branding is your biggest moat in 2026

[14:13] – Timing your PR: why 6–8 months before TGE matters most

[17:52] – Case study: Growing the personal brand of IO.net's Chairman

[19:30] – Why short-form video is now core to PR in Web3

[21:55] – First step for any launch: clarify positioning and story

[25:38] – Who Kim looks to for inspiration in branding and content

[28:52] – What to do with a $10k PR budget if you're a Web3 startup

[35:19] – What’s next for Genius PR: events, content series, and the rebrand

Connect with Genius PR

https://www.theprgenius.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/theprgenius/

https://x.com/theprgenius

It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on ApplePodcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.

Be a guest on the podcast or contact us -⁠ https://www.web3pod.xyz/⁠

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.

In this episode, I sit down with Adam Liposky, founder of Canopy Network, to dive into the next evolution of Web3 infrastructure — application-specific blockchains. We explore how Canopy is turning complex, costly L1 development into something anyone can launch in minutes. Adam shares how AI is changing developer workflows, what real value capture looks like in Web3, and why the future belongs to fast-moving, focused builders. Whether you're a founder, dev, or investor, this conversation breaks down what’s really needed to scale Web3.

⏱️ Key Takeaways with Timestamps

• (00:00) - Intro to Adam Liposky and Canopy’s mission

• (02:48) - How Adam got into crypto via VC and gaming

• (05:23) - What Canopy solves: Fast, secure app chain deployment

• (07:18) - The real pain point: Complexity of building in Web3

• (09:56) - How AI and language agnostic design speed up dev

• (11:26) - Why games love Canopy’s flexible and upgradable chains

• (13:56) - Devs care about value capture, not just building

• (16:34) - Canopy’s win-win model using restaked security

• (18:11) - Fragmentation vs interoperability: Canopy’s solution

• (20:59) - Progressive decentralization: Start fast, grow safely

• (21:08) - What devs love most: Speed and iteration

• (23:07) - VC appetite for L1s is down, but utility is up

• (28:14) - Projects to watch: Why Canopy stays focused

• (30:23) - Adam’s advice: Focus on customers, not hype

• (31:10) - If he could restart: Get dev feedback earlier

• (33:17) - Go-to-market: Solo devs, indie hackers, launchpad

• (36:37) - Spending wisely: Team first, marketing second

• (39:50) - Biggest challenge: Finding and keeping great people

• (41:09) - Biggest ask: Join Canopy’s beta and launch your chain

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/

⚠️ Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research

🎙️Episode Description:

Crypto still feels clunky. UX is broken. But Joan from Openfort is on a mission to fix that.

In this episode, we dive into the wild world of wallet abstraction—how it can unlock mass adoption, the biggest mistakes dev teams make when integrating wallets, and why stablecoins and privacy are the future of fintech. Joan also shares the real story behind building Openfort, how AI is changing the dev workflow, and what their 2026 roadmap looks like.

Whether you're building a DeFi app, Web3 game, or a fintech tool, this episode is packed with real, actionable insights.

🧠 Key Learnings & Timestamps:

• [00:01:10] Joan’s journey: from VC to Web3 product builder

• [00:03:00] Why crypto UX is still broken

• [00:04:30] Wallet abstraction and why it matters

• [00:06:20] Real reason people will adopt crypto: Utility > UX

• [00:08:10] Common wallet integration mistakes devs make

• [00:10:00] How to avoid vendor lock-in and make smarter infra choices

• [00:11:30] Why developers are building faster with AI

• [00:12:30] What dev workflows will look like in 2026

• [00:14:00] Openfort’s growth playbook: 50+ B2B clients and counting

• [00:15:00] Open-source monetization model explained

• [00:17:00] The 2026 vision: From infra to fintech workflows

• [00:19:00] Lessons learned from 3 years of building Openfort

• [00:21:00] Why privacy is the next wallet meta

• [00:25:00] Building infra in a fast-changing space

• [00:28:00] Trends Joan sees dominating 2026: stablecoins + privacy

• [00:30:00] How Openfort spends its capital post-seed

• [00:34:00] Roadmap sneak peek: OTP onboarding + server wallets

• [00:35:00] Openfort is hiring and looking for privacy design partners

Connect with Openfort⁠

⁠Connect with Joan⁠ Alavedra

🛑 Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.

🙏 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 sit down with Daniel Marin, co‑founder of Nexus.xyz, the next‑generation Layer‑1 blockchain built for financial applications. We dig into why the future of blockchains may not be general purpose, but specialized and verifiable. Daniel breaks down how Nexus uses CK proofs, dual‑core architecture, and native APIs to bring Web‑2 finance experiences on‑chain. We talk about algorithmic trading, prediction markets, sustainable revenue models, ecosystem incentives, and what the market needs to scale in 2026 and beyond. If you’re curious about where blockchain infrastructure and financial products are headed, this is a must‑listen.

• 00:01:30 – Daniel’s path into crypto and Nexus’s origin.

• 00:02:45 – What verifiable finance really means for a Layer‑1.

• 00:04:00 – Why traditional Web3 chains fail at Web‑2‑like financial UX.

• 00:06:30 – The case for specialization over general purpose chains.

• 00:08:00 – Nexus’s dual‑core architecture: benefits & trade‑offs.

• 00:11:45 – Best‑suited applications: algorithmic trading & native APIs.

• 00:14:30 – How CK proofs enable scalability & verifiability.

• 00:16:30 – Revenue capture: why Nexus prioritizes business sustainability.

• 00:18:30 – Balancing developer incentives and protocol economics.

• 00:21:45 – Exciting innovations: tokenized prediction markets & composability.

• 00:23:30 – Other projects worth watching (Hyperliquid, Lighter, Tempo, stablecoin builders).

• 00:26:00 – Nexus’s 2026 roadmap: mainnet + perpetual exchange launch.

• 00:27:45 – Lessons learned: move fast, stay adaptive.

• 00:30:00 – Community ask: engage with the Nexus ecosystem.

Connect with Nexus and Daniel here

Disclaimer:- Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.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/

Forget speculation, what if DeFi could be the safest place to save?

In this episode, I chat with Manny and Jamie, the founders of Blend, a DeFi savings platform focused on long-term wealth preservation and capital protection. They bring serious credentials, having worked on major crypto infrastructure like UMA and Across—and now they’re building what they call the “global savings layer” for everyone, regardless of passport or currency.

We dive deep into why DeFi's next big leap isn't about trading or yield farming, but offering real, safe financial tools to a global user base. From personalized FX hedging to cookie-jar level account isolation, Blend is rethinking everything about on-chain finance—and making it accessible even to your non-crypto friends.

Whether you’re a DeFi power user or just getting started, this episode will expand your view of what’s possible in crypto today.
🧠 Key Learnings:

• [00:04:00] Jamie's entry into crypto via Bitcoin and building complex systems at Risk Labs.

• [00:06:00] Why Blend isn’t a yield platform—it’s a savings-first platform.

• [00:08:00] How Blend builds capital safety into every decision—from Gnosis Safes to FX hedging.

• [00:14:00] Live demo of Blend’s intuitive app: savings, swaps, and yield in one place.

• [00:17:00] Personalized FX protection explained—and why it's a game-changer for emerging markets.

• [00:22:00] Their bold North Star: 1 million users, $10,000 average deposit each.

• [00:30:00] The future of local stablecoins and how Blend plans to support them.

• [00:35:00] How they’re building trust in a low-trust industry (7 audits help too).

• [00:41:00] What’s next: localized experiences, mobile apps, and tokenized real-world assets.

  
  

  Connect with Blend

  Website: https://blend.money/

  Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kwAhFnFz

  X/Twitter: https://x.com/blend_money

  Disclaimer

  Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.

  Request

  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

  Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

🎙️ Episode Description

What happens when traditional finance meets cutting-edge crypto? In this episode, I chat with Sidrah Farik from Deribit and Augustine Fan from SignalPlus to explore how crypto options are evolving—and why institutional players are diving in headfirst.

We unpack the macro forces shaping the space, the slow but steady drop in volatility, and what that means for both retail and institutional traders. You'll also hear how education, infrastructure, and partnerships are creating the rails for the next wave of crypto adoption.

This is a deep dive into how options are no longer niche and why 2026 might be the breakout year for crypto derivatives.

⏱️ Key Learnings with Timestamps

• [00:01:30] Sidrah's journey from digital marketing to leading retail at Deribit

• [00:02:50] Augustine’s path from Goldman Sachs to building SignalPlus

• [00:05:00] Institutional adoption post-ETF and falling crypto volatility

• [00:08:00] Why crypto options are maturing and how traders are evolving

• [00:10:30] ROI from educational initiatives like podcasts and competitions

• [00:15:00] Importance of reliable infrastructure and trust in crypto platforms

• [00:18:00] Institutional barriers and how Deribit addresses them

• [00:22:00] Complex strategies: How hedge funds are using options

• [00:24:00] Regional trends: US hours dominate as macro correlation grows

• [00:29:30] Regulation as a growth unlock, especially in India and Europe

• [00:32:00] Deribit’s north star metrics: retention and meaningful trading volume

• [00:34:00] The macro trend to watch for 2026: interest rate cuts

• [00:36:00] The ask: partnerships, adoption, and education at scale

Connect

https://www.deribit.com/

https://www.signalplus.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidrahfariq/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustine-fan-9a4802141/

⚠️ Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.

🙏 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/