AWS, GCP, And Azure: The Tradeoffs Of Serverless Architectures QuantLayer podcast

27:12

QuantLayer Podcast

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AWS, GCP, and Azure: The Tradeoffs of Serverless Architectures 34:35

5 years ago34:35

34:35

QuantLayer Podcast

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Databases and NoSQL: MongoDB’s Approach to Companies with Scaling Data Requirements 38:10

5 years ago38:10

38:10

Relational databases versus NoSQL is of interest today given growing data requirements for businesses. Real-time, internet of things, storing geodata, financial data are examples where traditional relational databases don’t make the cut required for modern systems. We discuss the successes and failings of relational databases, and how MongoDB’s approach to NoSQL data structures allow them to serve specific customer problems with specialized solutions. We look at some customer case studies and finish up with their business model. Topics: What MongoDB is Their database Their overview What are the benefits Customer case studies On their solution Growth Strategy Links: Last 10K - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1441816/000144181619000067/mdb-013119x10k.htm Last 10Q - https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1441816/000144181619000187/mdb-073119x10q.htm Prospectus - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1441816/000104746917006446/a2233574z424b4.htm Ycharts financials - https://ycharts.com/financials/MDB/income_statement/quarterly MongoDB - https://www.mongodb.com/…

QuantLayer Podcast

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Cloud Computing at the Edge: An Overview of Fastly (FSLY) 39:33

5 years ago39:33

39:33

Edge computing is a topic that isn’t getting enough coverage. We’ve covered CDNs like CloudFlare before, but we wanted to look at Fastly, an edge computing player that went public early in 2019. On this episode, we cover edge computing topics like rapidly purged caching. We run through a few case studies of the value edge computing brings some of Fastly’s customers. We discuss major risks that the company might face and postulate on why we think they’re trading at a discount compared to other SaaS companies like CloudFlare ($NET) and Elastic ($ESTC). Topics: QuantLayer Mission Statement Analysis Case studies they mention in their prospectus On their section called, "Our Solution: The Developer's Edge" How they categorize their strenghts Who are their competitors and how to they sit there Major differences versus Cloudflare On their sections called, "Factors Affecting Our Performance" Faizaan's major concerns about Fastly Links: Prospectus - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517413/000119312519150526/d702138d424b4.htm Latest 10Q - https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1517413/000151741319000022/fsly-10qx93019.htm Fastly is An Under Appreciated Growth Story - https://www.cmlviz.com/2019/11/12/FSLY/fastly-nyse-fsly-is-an-under-appreciated-growth-story.html Fastly Blog - https://www.fastly.com/blog/build-on-fastly-with-code-blocks-and-tutorials…

QuantLayer Podcast

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Financial Services APIs and Silvergate Capital 34:12

6 years ago34:12

34:12

There has been a lot of interest around developer-first banking APIs recently. On this episode, we go over recent tech IPO Silvergate Capital (ticker $SI), which is a digital currency focused bank and settlement network. We discuss their business, particularly around digital currency initiatives and their Silvergate Exchange Network (or SEN). We get into the weeds of what it means to claim to be an API first financial services company. Enjoy the episode. Topics: On Silvergate Capital QuantLayer mission statement analysis Overview of Silvergate Capital Digital Currency Initiative Silvergate Exchange Network What their API offers Growth strategy Risk factors Links: Prospectus - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1312109/000119312519288512/d568616d424b4.htm Silvergate Capital - https://www.silvergatebank.com/ Banking APIs - Open Banking Platform by Silvergate Bank - https://www.silvergatebank.com/api/developer-tools.html Silvergate Sandbox API - https://silvergate.portal.azure-api.net/docs/services/5aec9e3121b53188f5be9853/operations/access-token…

QuantLayer Podcast

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Chips, Chips, Chips: Canaan Mining, NVIDIA, AMD, ASICs, GPUs, AI and ML chipmakers 41:01

6 years ago41:01

41:01

Recently, there has been a lot of recent interest in customized semiconductors. Bitcoin mining has highlighted the interest in ASICs, or application specific chips, and as we move up the customized application layer stack, discussion of AI and ML chips becomes necessary. On this episode, we look at Canaan Mining, a chinese Bitcoin mining chip manufacturer. And we look at them in the context of growing trends in AI and ML chips. We compare and contrast AMD and NVIDIA and discuss the new growth in startups in the traditionally capital intensive space. We finish up with what you should be on the lookout for when considering investing in chip manufacturers. Topics: Canaan F1 On their mission statement Quick overview on Canaan Industry overview Overview of bitcoin and blockchain mining economics AI and ML chips What CPU is What GPU is What ASIC is What TPU is On their risk factors Links: History and Corporate Structure - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1780652/000119312519276263/g773846g13c91.jpg Canaan.io - https://canaan.io/ IPO prospectus - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1780652/000119312519276263/d773846df1.htm#rom773846_1 Canaan Creative - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canaan_Creative SEC Form F-1 - https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sec-form-f-1.asp Specialized AI Chips Hold Both Promise and Peril for Developers - https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/semiconductors/processors/specialized-ai-chips-hold-both-promise-and-peril-for-developers NVIDIA Gross Profit Margin - https://ycharts.com/companies/NVDA/gross_profit_margin…

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Discussing a Parallel Financial System with Barney Mannerings from Vega Protocol 38:05

6 years ago38:05

38:05

On this episode, we speak with Barney Mannerings, founder of Vega Protocol, which is a blockchain product initially focused on derivatives markets. Barney understands this space really well, and it was a pleasure talking to him about what he’s building at Vega. Broadly, we discuss the DeFi, or Parallel Financial System, space, and Barney talks to us about why he thinks this space is important. He explains how Vega, in many ways, augments and replaces some exchanges, and how it serves as an integration layer with other protocols. We finish up with some areas of tech that Barney is excited about outside of crypto. Topics: Barney's background All about his company, Vega Parallel Financial System Why DeFi is important Thoughts on building ETH versus BTC Which derivatives does Vega support currently Types of derivatives users could create Market map How ETH moving to ETH 2.0 would affect DeFi business Upcoming product roadmap Links: Vega Protocol - https://vega.xyz/ Twitter - Vega Protocol - https://twitter.com/vegaprotocol Twitter - Barney - https://twitter.com/barnabee?lang=en…

QuantLayer Podcast

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Datadog: A Developer Friendly Monitoring and Analytics Product or Ecosystem? 37:17

6 years ago37:17

37:17

On this episode, we dig into Datadog’s (Ticker: DDOG) IPO prospectus. We discuss their approach to analytics and monitoring, and how companies can benefit from using them. We look at a few case studies of how companies derive value from their product, and one in particular, that can generate value from its use. We also run through their developer-friendly offering and how quickly the product can be incorporated into a system. We spend a little time with their financials and then discuss our view of thinking about them as a product versus an ecosystem. Topics: What Datadog is Anecdotes of personal use with Elixir On their IPO prospectus - Industry Background - Opportunity - Solution and Key Strengths - Key Benefits to Our Customers - Growth Strategies - Risk Factors Links Datadog - https://www.datadoghq.com/ IPO prospectus - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1561550/000119312519249577/d745413d424b4.htm Chart - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1561550/000119312519249577/g745413g15v58.gif #54: Content Delivery Networks, DDOS Protection and Bot Fighting: CloudFlare as a Web Performance and Security Company - https://quantlayer.libsyn.com/content-delivery-networks-ddos-protection-and-bot-fighting-cloudflare-as-a-web-performance-and-security-company #38: A Look at CrowdStrike’s IPO Prospectus and Their Approach to Endpoint Security - https://quantlayer.libsyn.com/a-look-at-crowdstrikes-ipo-prospectus-and-their-approach-to-endpoint-security #15: Open Source as Revenue Driver: How Elasticsearch Uses Open Source for Revenue Growth, Tech Investing and Crypto, a Cautionary Tale of Bad Crypto Trading Psychology and Flash Crashes - https://quantlayer.libsyn.com/15-open-source-as-revenue-driver-how-elasticsearch-uses-open-source-for-revenue-growth-tech-investing-and-crypto-a-cautionary-tale-of-bad-crypto-trading-psychology-and-flash-crashes…

QuantLayer Podcast

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Content Delivery Networks, DDOS Protection and Bot Fighting: CloudFlare as a Web Performance and Security Company 34:30

6 years ago34:30

34:30

We go over the CloudFlare IPO prospectus, which calls itself a “Web Performance and Security Company.” We discuss their mission statement, their stated competitive advantages, risks they may face and a quick overview of their financials. Topics: The Web Performance and Security Company Cloudflare's mission Companies putting mission statements int their prospectuses How would an early stage startup use Cloudflare versus a Fortune 500 On "Our Industry" section On "Why We Win" section Disruptive Business Model Ease of Use Efficient Go-to-Market Model Product Innovation and Velocity Integrated, Global Offering Trust and Neutrality On "Growth Strategy" section List of concerns that the company and the company's lawyers have Talking about the section title, "Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures Links: Cloudfare.com - https://www.cloudflare.com/ Cloudflare IPO Prospectus - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1477333/000119312519244325/d735023d424b4.htm Yogababble | No Mercy / No Malice - https://www.profgalloway.com/yogababble Google prospectus - https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1288776/000119312504143377/d424b4.htm…

QuantLayer Podcast

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How Ron Lichty Manages the Unmanageable: Topics on Software Management, Agile Processes, and Making Software Hum 37:57

6 years ago37:57

37:57

Software Consultant Ron Lichty joins us to talk about all things software management. Ron has a treasure trove of experience helping teams accelerate and amplify their software practices. We look at the history of waterfall-style projects transitioning to Agile projects. We talk about his time as a product manager at Apple and his work with Charles Schwab at the time they launched their electronic trading platform. Ron articulates his views on the different types of developers out there and how to motivate them. We finish up with a couple areas Ron is excited about: Blockchain and Virtual Reality. Topics: Ron's background History of waterfall-style projects transitioning to Agile projects Charles Schwab interactive tools Talking about Extreme Programming On Scrum Software development is a team sport Differences between this notion of "being agile" versus "doing agile" Case of estimating Talking about Brooke's law On being a good managers Motivators versus de-motivators Effective management at different stages of companies Some interesting technologies and trends that he's optimistic about Links: Ron Lichty's website - https://ronlichty.com/ Managing the Unmanageable: The Book - http://managingtheunmanageable.net/ Managing the Unmanageable: Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Unmanageable-Insights-Software-People-ebook/dp/B009CFV8BY Waterfall Software Development - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfall_model Agile Software Development - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development RUP - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_Unified_Process Harvard Business Review case study on motivating employees - https://hbr.org/2003/01/one-more-time-how-do-you-motivate-employees Drive by Daniel H. Pink - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P1JDJO/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1…

QuantLayer Podcast

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Interoperability in Cosmos’s IBC Protocol with Tendermint’s Zaki Manian 47:36

6 years ago47:36

47:36

On this episode, I speak to Zaki Manian from Tendermint. We get deep into the weeds of interoperability, his notions of interop between fast chains and fast and slow chains. We discuss the IBC protocol, which is a spec for adapters between different chains along with all the complexities when dealing with cross-chain communications. Moreover, we examine design and development principles when building product in this space, and the differences when building traditional software product. Zaki goes over some exciting projects that are building on Cosmos as well. Topics: Who Zaki is Talking about interoperability Two classes of blockchains What is Cosmos trying to do Main issues when getting different chains to talk to one another Main design principles when setting out to design the Cosmos network Interesting projects he see people building with Cosmos Talking about consensus system and incentive system Minimal Viable Ecosystem Acceleration talk Links: Cosmos Network - https://cosmos.network/ Twitter - Cosmos Network - https://twitter.com/cosmos Telegram - Cosmos Network - https://t.me/Cosmos_Network Zaki's Twitter - https://twitter.com/zmanian Minimal Viable Ecosystem Acceleration talk at MIT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqopwqXyURw Cosmos SDK Tutorial - https://github.com/cosmos/sdk-application-tutorial Cosmos Game of Stakes - https://blog.cosmos.network/game-of-stakes-closing-ceremonies-eddb71d3b114…

QuantLayer Podcast

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A Tour of Blockstack’s Decentralized Computing Network With Aaron Blankstein 44:42

6 years ago44:42

44:42

We chatted with Aaron Blankstein, Core Engineer from Blockstack. Blockstack is a decentralized computing network, which makes it simple for developers to build blockchain-based applications. We learn about Blockstack’s incentive system, and what will be changing from v1 to v2. We discuss a few use cases of Blockstack, like the Blockstack Naming Service, or BNS. We also go over Blockstack’s smart contract language Clarity, and the broad tooling that will exist for developers working on the platform. We finish up learning about Aaaron’s fascination with augmented Reality and adversarial machine learning. Topics: Who Aaron is How he describe Blockstack Centralized versus decentralized application architecture What is Blockstack's relationship with Bitcoin How does consensus work in Blockstack What is Blockstack naming system On Clarity smart contracts language Decentralized storage system called Gaia On authentication and how it works JavaScript tools Radiks Blockstack.js Links: Clarity - https://docs.blockstack.org/core/smart/overview.html Blockstack forums - https://forum.blockstack.org Blockstack - https://blockstack.org/ White Paper - https://blockstack.org/whitepaper.pdf Papers - Blockstack - https://blockstack.org/papers Blackstack Docs - https://docs.blockstack.org/ Aaron Blankstein Website - https://aaron.blankstein.com/ App.co - https://app.co/ The Blackstack Javascript - https://github.com/blockstack/blockstack.js/…

QuantLayer Podcast

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Building Scalable Derivatives Trading Platforms with Charles Phan of Interdax 31:21

6 years ago31:21

31:21

We chatted with Charles Phan, Chief Technology Officer from Interdax. Interdax is a next generation digital assets exchange with strong engineering roots in High Frequency Trading firms, traditional exchanges, hedge funds, investment banks, market data and liquidity providers. This episode was a lot of fun. We talked about Charles’ background in traditional finance and a prior life as a derivatives trader. We then compare and contrast traditional and crypto derivatives markets. We also talk technical details of perpetual swaps and how they differ from other derivative products. Finally, we discuss the engineering underpinnings of the interdax platform and UX and UI considerations when building the product. We finish up discussing technologies Charles is excited about. Hope you enjoy this one. Topics: Charles Phan's background On derivatives markets and trading Differences between derivatives markets in traditional finance versus crypto On Interdax What his role is at Interdax Building the Interdax Book: Dynamic Hedging by Nassim Taleb Links: Interdax - https://www.interdax.com/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/interdax…

QuantLayer Podcast

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A Tale of New Digital Primitives with Ben DiFrancesco 54:21

6 years ago54:21

54:21

Ben DiFrancesco, software consultant and founder of scopelift, joins us on this one. Two things we really respect about Ben are his ability to break down complex technical topics and also his ability to be honest about what crypto and blockchain offer us. He’s at heart, a technologist, and his passion for and dedication to crypto is palpable. This conversation contains a bit of philosophy around Bitcoin and Ethereum, particularly around how polarized the two spaces have become. We get into Bitcoin and Ethereum’s respective reasons for existing and how they can work together, how developers can use these new digital primitives to build applications, and business opportunities in the space. We also cover DeFi, and how smart contracts enable Maker and Dai. Always enjoy talking to Ben, and I hope you enjoy this one. Topics: Smart Contracts & use cases that excite him BTC + ETH working together DeFi movement Crypto Primitives Quality of Web Dev versus Crypto tooling ETH and “rich statefulness” and what that means Some techs outside of blockchain and crypto that he is excited about Links: Ben’s twitter: https://twitter.com/BenDiFrancesco Ben’s consultancy ScopeLift: https://www.scopelift.co/ Newsletter: https://www.buildblockchain.tech/newsletter Podcast #1: http://quantlayer.libsyn.com/4-a-discussion-with-software-consultant-ben-difrancesco-on-building-great-blockchain-software - https://medium.com/@QuantLayer/building-great-blockchain-software-smart-contract-scaling-and-elixir-ae94687e34dd - https://usedai.org - https://github.com/apbendi/use-dai Philly Blockchain Tech Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Philly-Blockchain-Tech/ Austin Griffith: https://twitter.com/austingriffith Mastering Bitcoin: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Bitcoin-Programming-Open-Blockchain/dp/1491954388/ Mastering Ethereum: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Ethereum-Building-Smart-Contracts/dp/1491971940…

QuantLayer Podcast

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A Recap of Blockchain Training Conference 2019 42:32

6 years ago42:32