Episodes

  • 350: Reimagining Blockchain Dev: How Canopy Simplifies Building L1s with Guest Speaker Adam Liposky from Canopy Network
    Jan 18 2026

    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










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    43 mins
  • 349: Inside Openfort: Fixing Wallets, Crypto UX and Privacy, and the Road to 2026 with Guest Speaker Joan Alavedra
    Jan 14 2026

    🎙️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 ushttps://www.web3pod.xyz/

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    36 mins
  • 348: Rebuilding Finance Onchain: How Nexus is Powering the Machine Trading Era
    Jan 12 2026

    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/

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    33 mins
  • 347: How Blend.money is Building the Global Savings Layer for DeFi with guest speakers Manny and Jamie
    Jan 9 2026

    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/

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    47 mins
  • 346: Deribit x SignalPlus: Building the Future of Crypto Trading with guest speakers Sidrah Fariq and Augustine Fan
    Jan 7 2026

    🎙️ 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/

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    43 mins
  • 345: Ethereum as Digital Oil: Inside Republic Tech’s Vision with Daniel Liu
    Jan 6 2026

    What happens when a former energy financier decides to reshape the future of finance? In this episode, I chat with Daniel Liu, CEO of Republic Tech, on how his journey from solar and wind farms to crypto trading led him to build one of the most ambitious infrastructure plays in Web3.

    Daniel shares why Ethereum is central to their strategy, how they’re accumulating and deploying ETH, and why now is the moment for institutions to get involved. From synthetic mining to validator services, we unpack Republic Tech’s unique two-pillar model and what’s next for digital asset treasuries. This is a must-listen if you're curious about the future of Ethereum, institutional crypto, or where Web3 infrastructure is really heading.

    ⏱️ Key Learnings with Timestamps

    • [00:01:00] Daniel’s shift from energy finance to crypto in 2018

    • [00:03:00] Founding RelayX and pioneering zero-confirmation deposits

    • [00:05:00] Republic Tech’s two-pillar strategy: ETH accumulation and validator services

    • [00:07:00] Why Ethereum is "digital oil" and central to their vision

    • [00:08:00] How synthetic mining boosts ETH yield (80–120% APY)

    • [00:12:00] The power of long-term holding over short-term trading

    • [00:15:00] Why each crypto cycle brings a new cohort of adopters

    • [00:20:00] How Republic Tech runs lean with a high-impact team

    • [00:21:00] Daniel’s contrarian take: the 4-year crypto cycle isn’t over

    • [00:26:00] The next liquidity wave? Nation-states and sovereign wealth funds

    • [00:32:00] Ethereum-based tokenization beyond finance—passports, car keys, and more

    • [00:34:00] Why users shouldn’t need to “learn” crypto to benefit from it

    • [00:38:00] Prediction for 2026: Stablecoin apps will go mainstream

    • [00:40:00] Ethereum will become as essential as the US dollar in corporate treasuries

    • [00:41:00] Republic Tech’s focus for 2026: growth, safety, and ETH preservation

    🔗 Connect

    Website: ⁠https://republictech.io/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/republictechio/

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


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

    ❤️ 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.

    📢 Disclaimer

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

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    43 mins
  • 344: Web3 gaming that doesn’t suck: Kam Punia from Pixion Games shares his blueprint for success
    Jan 5 2026

    Is it possible to build a Web3 game that’s actually fun—and not just hype? Kam Punia, founder and CEO of Pixion Games, joins us to break down exactly how he's doing it with Fableborne. In a world full of bots, overfunded flops, and quick token grabs, Kam shares the gritty reality of building something that lasts.

    From killing 5 games before getting to one that truly clicks, to building a 400,000-strong player community without spending a cent, Kam reveals how Pixion is changing the rules of Web3 gaming. We talk community building, real KPIs, what VCs got wrong, and how his team is turning power (literally) into progress.

    If you're into gaming, Web3, or just love stories of underdogs doing things the right way, this episode is a must-listen.

    ⏱️ Key Learnings with Timestamps

    • [00:02:00] Kam’s background and entry into the gaming industry.

    • [00:03:00] The vision behind Pixion Games and Fableborne.

    • [00:05:00] The three-stage playtesting process and why five games were killed.

    • [00:06:00] How Fableborne mixes base building and ARPG mechanics.

    • [00:09:00] Why most Web3 games failed: chasing tokens, not gameplay.

    • [00:11:00] Misaligned incentives between VCs and builders in 2021–2022.

    • [00:16:00] Lessons from launching Yu-Gi-Oh! in Europe: community-first strategies.

    • [00:19:00] Building real community: no NFTs, no token talk for 2 years.

    • [00:22:00] What makes the Power token different in Fableborne’s ecosystem.

    • [00:27:00] The #1 mistake Web3 game studios make.

    • [00:30:00] When we’ll see a “Silksong” level hit in Web3—and why it’s close.

    • [00:33:00] Fableborne’s 2026 global launch plan and broader ecosystem goals.

    • [00:35:00] What Kam would do differently if starting again.

    • [00:36:00] Key metrics and roadmap for Pixion in 2026.

    • [00:37:00] Kam’s final ask: builders, partners, and talent—get in touch.

    🔗 Connect

    Website:https://fableborne.com/

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

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karmveerpunia/

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

    🎤 Be a guest speaker

    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.

    ♥️ 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.

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    39 mins
  • 343: Code Less, Create More: Building Apps with Friends and AI on Nullshot with guest speaker Coop (Joseph Cooper)
    Jan 2 2026

    What if you could build a full-stack app just by chatting with friends? In this episode, I talk to Coop, founder of Nullshot, a groundbreaking platform merging AI, Web3, and social collaboration. From his early days buying Bitcoin in 2012 to building a multi-million dollar Web3 game studio, Coop shares how he's now creating the future of app development—faster, cheaper, and more collaborative than ever. We dive into how Nullshot lets strangers build apps together, remix each other’s work, and even co-own projects through a DAO.

    We also get real about the current state of AI agents, the shift from individual to community innovation, and why memes and video shorts might just be the next frontier in AI-driven creativity.

    🧠 Key Learnings & Timestamps

    [00:02:00] – Coop’s origin story: From buying Bitcoin in 2012 to building Web3 games.

    [00:03:30] – What Nullshot solves: AI-powered app building in social chat rooms.

    [00:05:00] – The magic of collaborative building: Wake up to strangers improving your project.

    [00:07:30] – What people are building today: Calorie trackers, Navy study tools, and more.

    [00:09:30] – How Nullshot runs cheap infrastructure with Cloudflare, not AWS.

    [00:12:00] – Real talk on AI costs and why it's getting cheaper fast.

    [00:14:00] – Using internal tools to auto-generate marketing from code commits.

    [00:16:00] – Why AI agents haven’t gone mainstream yet—and how they might.

    [00:18:30] – Trust and AI agents: Why full automation still needs time.

    [00:22:00] – Nullshot’s wild go-to-market plan: Social video shorts built with AI and memes.

    [00:24:30] – Advice for indie builders: Talk to users while you build.

    [00:27:00] – The roadmap: Games, agents, co-ownership, and a permissionless launchpad.

    [00:29:00] – Coop’s ask: Builders to test Nullshot and give feedback.

    Connect with Nullshot and Coop:

    Website: https://nullshot.ai/

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

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

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codingcoop/

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

    Finally, 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.

    Disclaimer

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

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    31 mins