Ethereum's Next Moves: Insights from Tomasz Stańczak and the Ethereum Foundation

The Defiant - DeFi Podcast

#Camila Russo #Cryptocurrency #Business #S L I #Tech

28:02

Learn when a refi saves money and how target-date funds work, including fees and when to pick a later fund year. What exactly is a target-date fund, and when should you move your date? How do you know if now is a good time to refinance a house? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgage refinancing and target-date funds to help you understand how to quantify savings on a refi and how to set (and adjust) an age-appropriate retirement glide path. To kick off the episode, NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins with mortgages and student loans writer Kate Wood and mortgage reporter Holden Lewis to break down why refis are spiking even without fresh Federal Reserve cuts, who’s most likely to benefit right now, and how markets (not just the Fed) drive daily mortgage rate moves. They begin with a discussion of rate-and-term vs. cash-out refinancing, with tips and tricks on calculating your breakeven point, using the ~0.75 percentage-point rule-of-thumb for potential savings, and factoring in 2% to 6% closing costs and how long you’ll stay put. Then, investing Nerd June Sham joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss target-date funds. They discuss how glide paths work (to vs. through retirement), when to push your target year if you’ll work longer, and how fees compare with index funds/ETFs, plus contribution frameworks (10% to 15% of income vs. the “80% replacement” rule) and why many hands-off investors value auto-rebalancing despite higher expense ratios. A listener case study (age 35, 2055 fund) highlights how to revisit your target date in the decade before retirement, how to read a fund’s glide path, and why staying invested and consistent often matters more than chasing perfect timing. Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In this episode, the Nerds discuss: mortgage refinance, refinance calculator, mortgage rates today, breakeven point refinance, cash-out refinance, HELOC vs cash-out, refinance closing costs, when to refinance, refinance vs home equity loan, bond market and mortgage rates, Federal Reserve and mortgage rates, target-date fund, best target-date funds, target-date fund glide path, to vs through glide path, 401k target-date fund, change target-date fund year, 2055 target-date fund, target-date fund fees, expense ratio comparison, ETF vs mutual fund, index funds S&P 500, retirement contribution 10 to 15 percent, 80 percent income replacement rule, taxable brokerage vs 401k, annuity vs staying invested, debt consolidation with home equity, credit card APR vs mortgage rate, divorce refinance requirements, stay-or-sell breakeven analysis, and refinance eligibility 2025. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com . Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

about a year ago 57:28

MP3•Episode home

In this conversation, Camila Russo interviews Tomasz Stanczak, Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation, discussing the evolution of Ethereum, addressing criticisms, and the foundation's strategic initiatives. They explore the importance of communication, the restructuring of the foundation, and the focus on scaling Ethereum through L1 and L2 dynamics.

Tomasz shares insights on the vision for Ethereum as a global economy, balancing user needs with core values, and the foundation's treasury management and DeFi strategies. The conversation concludes with a look at future developments and milestones for Ethereum.

Takeaways:

Ethereum has evolved significantly since its inception, focusing on scaling and communication.
The Ethereum Foundation has faced criticism regarding its communication strategies.
Restructuring within the foundation aims to enhance protocol development and management.
Funding and support for developers are crucial for the ecosystem's growth.
The relationship between L1 and L2 is vital for Ethereum's scaling strategy.
Ethereum aims to position itself as a global economy hub.
User needs and core values must be balanced for long-term success.
Treasury management strategies are evolving to include DeFi protocols.
The foundation is committed to transparency and community engagement.
Future milestones include significant scaling and security improvements.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:07 Episode Teaser

01:24 Hero Quote

01:35 Introduction to Tomasz Stańczak, Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation

03:18 Community Criticism and Foundation Response

06:45 Strategic Actions by the Ethereum Foundation

09:39 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Developers

13:50 The strengths of Ethereum as a Network

17:17 Scaling Ethereum: L1 and L2 Dynamics

20:55 The One Trillion Security Initiative

23:00 Specific Milestones in the Short Term

25:53 Navigating the Tension: World Computer vs. Store of Value

29:15 Ethereum as a Global Economy

30:43 Will Solana Become An Ethereum L2?

32:43 User Priorities: Decentralization vs. Usability

37:02 Treasury Management and ETH Sales

36:55 The Role of Stablecoins in Ethereum's Future

39:55 The Impact of Ethereum Foundation's DeFi Allocations

42:00 Guiding DeFi Protocols Towards Security and Decentralization

51:10 The Future of Ethereum: Use Cases and Community Expectations

54:50 Upcoming Milestones for Ethereum

56:50 Closing Remarks

296 episodes

Ethereum's Next Moves: Insights from Tomasz Stańczak and the Ethereum Foundation

The Defiant - DeFi Podcast

208 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Takeaways:

Ethereum has evolved significantly since its inception, focusing on scaling and communication.
The Ethereum Foundation has faced criticism regarding its communication strategies.
Restructuring within the foundation aims to enhance protocol development and management.
Funding and support for developers are crucial for the ecosystem's growth.
The relationship between L1 and L2 is vital for Ethereum's scaling strategy.
Ethereum aims to position itself as a global economy hub.
User needs and core values must be balanced for long-term success.
Treasury management strategies are evolving to include DeFi protocols.
The foundation is committed to transparency and community engagement.
Future milestones include significant scaling and security improvements.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:07 Episode Teaser

01:24 Hero Quote

01:35 Introduction to Tomasz Stańczak, Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation

03:18 Community Criticism and Foundation Response

06:45 Strategic Actions by the Ethereum Foundation

09:39 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Developers

13:50 The strengths of Ethereum as a Network

17:17 Scaling Ethereum: L1 and L2 Dynamics

20:55 The One Trillion Security Initiative

23:00 Specific Milestones in the Short Term

25:53 Navigating the Tension: World Computer vs. Store of Value

29:15 Ethereum as a Global Economy

30:43 Will Solana Become An Ethereum L2?

32:43 User Priorities: Decentralization vs. Usability

37:02 Treasury Management and ETH Sales

36:55 The Role of Stablecoins in Ethereum's Future

39:55 The Impact of Ethereum Foundation's DeFi Allocations

42:00 Guiding DeFi Protocols Towards Security and Decentralization

51:10 The Future of Ethereum: Use Cases and Community Expectations

54:50 Upcoming Milestones for Ethereum

56:50 Closing Remarks

296 episodes

#Camila Russo #Cryptocurrency #Business #S L I #Tech

All episodes

1
Plasma’s Plan to Dethrone Tron | Paul Faecks 45:02

2 days ago45:02

45:02

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , Paul Faecks, CEO of Plasma Chain, discusses the platform’s approach to stablecoin payments and its potential to reshape global financial infrastructure. From gasless USD transfers to a $2 billion liquidity launch, Paul explains how Plasma Chain plans to compete with established players like Tron and Ethereum while focusing on emerging markets and decentralization. The conversation also touches on regulatory challenges, partnerships with Tether and Binance, and the broader future of stablecoins. Chapters: 00:00 – The role of DeFi in stablecoin chains 00:30 – Why subsidizing gasless transfers makes sense 00:58 – Meet Paul Faecks and Plasma Chain 01:26 – From poker to crypto: Paul’s journey 02:28 – The vision behind Plasma and Tether’s involvement 03:00 – Stablecoins as a $1 trillion market opportunity 05:21 – Plasma’s technical innovations: Gasless USD transfers 07:19 – Why USDt is prioritized on Plasma 09:22 – Building a sustainable DeFi ecosystem 12:31 – $2 billion in stablecoin liquidity at launch 15:22 – Navigating regulations and the Genius Act 19:22 – The future of stablecoin payments globally 21:02 – Emerging markets as the biggest opportunity 26:23 – Plasma’s path to decentralization 39:02 – Launch timeline and ecosystem readiness…

1
J.P. Morgan’s Nightmare: How Stablecoins Let You Be Your Own Bank | Reeve Collins 41:33

6 days ago41:33

41:33

Stablecoins are no longer just a buzzword—they’re transforming the way the world moves money. In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , we sit down with Reeve Collins, co-founder of Tether, co-founder of WeFi, and chairman at STBL, to explore the groundbreaking evolution of stablecoins. From their early days as a simple payment solution to their role in reshaping global finance, Reeve shares insider insights on how stablecoins are building trust, driving financial inclusion, and securing the future of money. We’ll dive into: ✅ The origins of stablecoins and their $246 billion impact ✅ How stablecoins are revolutionizing cross-border payments and DeFi ✅ The rise of Stablecoins 2.0 and what it means for users ✅ Why major players like Visa and JPMorgan are entering the space Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Stablecoins and their impact 00:51 - Meet Reeve Collins: A Web3 trailblazer 01:34 - The origin of stablecoins: Tokenizing the US dollar 02:58 - Stablecoins today: A $246 billion industry 05:17 - The rise of Stablecoins 2.0 07:45 - Yield-bearing stablecoins: User benefits explained 10:01 - Tokenized assets in 401(k)s and traditional finance 12:28 - Major players entering the stablecoin space 14:04 - How stablecoins are transforming banking 17:10 - Blockchain’s promise: Removing the middleman 19:06 - Financial inclusion through decentralized banking 22:55 - Mobile-first, wallet-native financial solutions 25:27 - Building trust in underserved communities 28:16 - Stablecoins 2.0: Transparency and compliance 38:13 - Mass adoption: Public companies and crypto treasuries 40:27 - Closing thoughts: The future of blockchain 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the world of Web3, blockchain, and decentralized finance!…

1
Solana’s Rise as a Treasury Powerhouse: DeFi Development Corp’s Bold Strategy 1:09:35

9 days ago1:09:35

1:09:35

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , we sit down with Joseph Onorati, CEO of DeFi Development Corp, the second-largest Solana treasury company. Joseph shares the journey of transforming DeFi Development Corp into a Solana-focused treasury powerhouse, their innovative yield strategies, and why Solana's volatility and native yield make it a compelling treasury asset. We also dive into the broader case for crypto treasury companies, the risks and rewards of staking strategies, and the future of Solana in the blockchain ecosystem. Plus, Joseph shares his bold prediction: Solana flipping Ethereum by market cap. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of DeFi, treasury management, and the Solana ecosystem. Chapters 00:00:00 Why Solana as a Treasury Asset? 00:00:41 Volatility, Convertible Debt, and Cost of Capital 00:01:20 Introducing Joseph and DeFi Development Corp 00:02:10 The Evolution of DeFi Development Corp 00:03:56 Staking, Validators, and Yield Strategies 00:05:40 Breaking Down Solana Yield Strategies 00:10:10 Risks in Staking and Looping Strategies 00:12:03 The Case for Crypto Treasury Companies 00:15:03 Solana Per Share Growth and Fundraising Flywheels 00:20:02 Challenges with NAV Premium Compression 00:27:16 Solana’s Market Share in Treasury Companies 00:30:00 ETFs and Their Impact on Crypto Treasuries 00:36:01 The Future of Public Market Crypto Instruments 00:46:14 Risks and Controversies in Crypto Treasuries 00:54:16 Locked Solana and OTC Markets 01:06:15 DeFi Development Corp’s Treasury Accelerator Program 01:08:09 Bull Case for Solana and Price Predictions…

1
Bitcoin Mining’s Golden Age or Final Battle? Insights From Fakhul Miah 45:17

13 days ago45:17

45:17

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , we sit down with Fakhul Miah, Managing Director of GoMining Institutional and former Morgan Stanley executive, to explore the rapidly evolving world of Bitcoin mining in 2025. From the rise of AI hyperscalers competing for energy resources to the financial engineering transforming miners into sophisticated operators, this conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. Key topics covered: Why AI is Bitcoin mining’s most aggressive new competitor How miners are evolving with BTC-backed loans and convertible notes The shifting geopolitics of mining: U.S. vs. Latin America and Africa What $100B in Bitcoin ETFs and sovereign reserves mean for adoption The big picture: Bitcoin mining’s transformation into a global infrastructure industry Whether you’re a crypto enthusiast, investor, or just curious about the intersection of technology, energy, and finance, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Bitcoin Mining Faces a New Kind of Competition 00:45 GoMining’s Role in Tokenized Bitcoin Mining 02:43 The Rise of AI Hyperscalers and Energy Market Disruption 03:15 Bitcoin Mining’s Flexibility vs. AI’s Energy Demands 06:15 Why AI Is a Formidable Competitor for Miners 08:09 The Power Struggle: Bitcoin Mining’s Future Amid AI Growth 09:02 Financial Engineering: How Miners Are Avoiding Liquidation 12:11 The Evolution of Bitcoin Mining into a Balance Sheet Business 16:57 Shifting Geopolitics: Latin America and Africa’s Mining Rise 20:36 U.S. Mining Dominance: Can It Adapt to Stay on Top? 24:50 Institutional Adoption: $100B in ETFs and Sovereign Reserves 28:40 Bitcoin’s Next Phase: Stability, Risks, and Financialization 31:10 Bitcoin as Digital Gold vs. Everyday Currency 34:51 The Role of Institutions and Whales in Bitcoin’s Future 37:00 The Big Picture: Bitcoin Mining’s Transformation by 2030 39:29 What Miners, Investors, and Policymakers Should Focus On 42:35 Closing Thoughts: GoMining’s Vision and What’s Next 📖 Learn more: Explore GoMining’s H1 2025 Bitcoin Mining Market Review: [ https://institutional.gomining.com/ ]…

1
The Future of Finance is Tokenized: Ondo’s Vision for RWAs 46:53

16 days ago46:53

46:53

Ondo Finance is at the forefront of the real-world asset (RWA) revolution, bringing traditional financial products like U.S. treasuries, stocks, and ETFs onto blockchain rails. In this episode of the Defiant Podcast, Ian De Bode, Chief Strategy Officer at Ondo Finance, dives into democratizing access to financial markets for a global audience. By tokenizing assets, Ondo enables 24/7 mobility, seamless DeFi integration, and enhanced investor protections, all while addressing the inefficiencies of traditional finance. Ian also shares insights into Ondo's upcoming tokenized equities launch, their innovative approach to liquidity and pricing, and the broader implications of regulatory clarity for the RWA space. With a mission to create open, global financial rails, Ondo is not just building products but laying the foundation for the future of finance. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the DefiantPodcast01:30 - Welcoming Ian, Chief Strategy Officer at Ondo Finance01:55 - What is Ondo Finance?02:22 - Tokenizing Treasuries, Stocks, and ETFs03:12 - Solving Accessibility and Mobility in Finance04:50 - The Evolution of Ondo’s Tokenized Assets: OUSD and USDY07:04 - Comparing Ondo’s Products to Competitors Like BlackRock12:26 - Growth of Tokenized Treasuries and Regulatory Milestones20:26 - Ondo’s Plans for Tokenized Equities28:24 - Challenges and Opportunities in Tokenized Stocks33:02 - Ondo’s Layer 1 Blockchain and DeFi Integration38:52 - The Future of Real-World Assets on Chain44:13 - Ondo’s Long-Term Vision for Global Finance…

1
Bridging the Gaps: Prabal Banerjee on Scalability, Interoperability, and the Future of DeFi 45:28

20 days ago45:28

45:28

What if blockchain technology could be as seamless as swiping a credit card or streaming your favorite show? In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , we sit down with Prabal Banerjee, co-founder of Avail and Former Research Lead at Polygon, to explore how he’s working to make that vision a reality. Prabal shares his insights on tackling some of the biggest challenges in the blockchain space, from data availability and scalability to fragmentation and user experience. His mission? To make blockchain invisible to the end user. We also dive into the multichain future and why interoperability is the key to mass adoption. Prabal explains how Avail is building the infrastructure to unify the fragmented blockchain ecosystem and shares exciting news about Avail’s acquisition of Arcana, a move that could redefine how developers and users experience Web3. Chapters: 00:00 Imagine a seamless blockchain world: Introducing Prabal Banerjee and today’s themes 02:18 What is Avail? Tackling scalability and fragmentation in a multichain world 03:55 Why fragmentation matters: The case for interoperability over single-chain dominance 08:11 Making blockchain invisible: Lessons from Web2 and the user experience problem 10:04 Bridging pain points: Why blockchain meta-interoperability is the future 16:16 The role of wallets and abstracting complexity for mass adoption 25:08 Interoperability between rollups and sovereign chains: Unlocking new possibilities 36:02 Beyond 8 billion users: The rise of agents and verifiable internet interactions 40:48 Avail’s acquisition of Arcana: What it means for developers and users 50:02 Lightning round: Blockchain problems, overhyped trends, and Prabal’s favorite chain…

1
The $10 Trillion Question: Crypto's Biggest Cycle Yet with Ellio Trades 45:53

24 days ago45:53

45:53

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , we sit down with Ellio Trades, Co-Founder of BlackHole, the fastest-growing decentralized exchange on Avalanche. Ellio shares his insights on the current state of the crypto market, including whether we're entering a new altcoin season or witnessing a slower, more sustainable growth cycle. He dives deep into the maturation of the crypto space, the role of institutional investors, and why this cycle could be the most significant in crypto history. Ellio also unpacks the innovative mechanics behind BlackHole, from its V3.3 DEX model to its focus on creating deep liquidity and sustainable revenue. He explains how BlackHole is reshaping the DeFi landscape and why Avalanche was the perfect ecosystem for its launch. Watch now to gain valuable insights on the future of blockchain, decentralized finance, and the next wave of crypto adoption. Chapters 00:00 The $10 Trillion Question: Is Altcoin Season Here? 00:04 Traditional Cycles vs. A New Crypto Paradigm 00:42 The Maturation of DeFi and Institutional Adoption 01:30 Introducing Ellio Trades and BlackHole 02:33 Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the Shift to Regulated Markets 03:45 Why Ethereum's Value Proposition is Finally Clicking 05:18 The Role of Wall Street in Crypto's Next Big Cycle 07:32 Balancing Supercycle Narratives with Traditional Cycles 10:33 DeFi's Undervalued Potential and Institutional Interest 12:23 Stablecoins and the Future of Blockchain Applications 16:04 Why BlackHole Chose Avalanche for Its Launch 18:42 BlackHole's Explosive Growth and Unique Features 23:03 How BlackHole's V3.3 Model Creates Deep Liquidity 30:28 Lessons from Past Projects and BlackHole's Innovations 35:02 The Long-Term Vision for BlackHole and DeFi…

1
Interoperability and Innovation: How Decentraland is Shaping the Future of Virtual Worlds | Kim Currier 49:59

27 days ago49:59

49:59

Step into the evolving world of virtual environments, where Decentraland is at the forefront of innovation. In this episode, we explore how interoperability is transforming the metaverse, enabling seamless integration across platforms and unlocking creative possibilities for users and developers alike. From NFTs and digital wearables to virtual real estate, we discuss how these advancements are reshaping the metaverse and fostering meaningful connections in a polarized digital age. Join us as Kim Currier, Head of Partnerships and Marketing at Decentraland, shares insights on the resurgence of NFTs, the role of brands in creating immersive experiences, and the tools empowering creators to thrive. Whether you're a collector, a brand strategist, or simply curious about the metaverse, this episode offers a deep dive into the future of digital interaction and the cultural capital being built in virtual worlds. Chapters: 00:00 The Rise and Fall of NFTs: From hype to utility 00:23 Driving Innovation in the Metaverse 00:33 Meet Kim Currier, Decentraland’s Head of Partnerships and Marketing 01:09 The Metaverse as a Social Hub: Immersive experiences for brands and users 01:30 Opportunities for Collectors and Brands 02:53 Cultural Shifts in NFTs: What’s fueling the 2025 resurgence? 04:45 Decentraland’s Unique Offerings in music, art, and social connection 08:03 Utility-Driven NFTs: Wearables, emotes, and smart wearables in Decentraland 13:17 No-code tools and community-driven innovation for creators 20:15 Virtual Spaces for Remote Teams: Offsites and community gatherings 27:33 Innovative builds in Decentraland 35:11 Brand Partnerships in the Metaverse 43:02 Onboarding the Masses: Decentraland as a gateway to Web3 47:10 Long-Term Vision: Building cultural capital and meaningful connections…

1
Filecoin’s Role in Decentralized AI and Data Sovereignty | Marta Belcher 45:32

4 weeks ago45:32

45:32

In this episode, we’re joined by Marta Belcher, President and Chair of the Filecoin Foundation, to dive deep into the transformative potential of decentralized storage and its role in shaping the future of technology. Marta shares her insights on how Filecoin is enabling decentralized AI, preserving humanity’s most important data, and creating alternatives to big tech. We explore the incentives and economics behind Filecoin, its critical use cases in journalism and human rights, and how it’s helping to build censorship-resistant systems. Marta also discusses the challenges and opportunities of governance in decentralized systems, the evolving regulatory landscape for crypto in the U.S., and the pivotal role of the market structure bill. Chapters 00:00: The Decentralized AI Revolution 00:28: Filecoin’s Role in Decentralized AI 01:29: What is Filecoin? 02:14: The Importance of Decentralized Storage 03:29: Incentives and Economics of Filecoin 06:10: Filecoin for Journalism and Human Rights 08:25: Decentralized AI and Filecoin’s Infrastructure 13:10: Governance in Decentralized Systems 22:13: Regulation and Crypto’s Future in the US 29:02: Filecoin’s Growth and Use Cases 37:05: Filecoin’s Long-Term Vision…

1
Intention, Privacy, and Trust: Adrian Brink’s Vision for Resilient Communities 49:39

5 weeks ago49:39

49:39

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , we sit down with Adrian Brink, Co-Founder of Anoma and Namada, to explore the intersection of privacy, sovereignty, and resilience in Web3. Adrian shares his journey from the early days of building Cosmos to building intent-based systems that empower communities and protect dignity at scale. We dive into the challenges of designing for a fragmented world, the promise of cryptography, and the importance of local-first infrastructure. Adrian also discusses the Tornado Cash case, the role of intent-based systems in addressing regulatory concerns, and how cryptography can help communities defend against external threats. From the evolution of Web3 to the future of AI-driven coordination, this conversation is packed with insights on building networks that bend toward freedom without breaking under the weight of reality. Chapters 00:00: Setting the stage: intention, privacy, and protecting dignity in a digital world 03:39: Sovereign infrastructure: community defense and resilience against external threats 05:23: Reimagining privacy: moving beyond Band-Aid solutions to foundational change 07:24: The state of Web3: challenges, stagnation, and the need for meaningful innovation 10:02: Intent-based systems: reshaping privacy and sovereignty for individuals and communities 12:03: Flexibility and security: building adaptable systems for diverse global needs 15:13: Tornado Cash and regulatory challenges: intent systems as a potential solution 20:13: Navigating high-risk environments: sanctions, blackouts, and global regulations 25:20: The next 100 million users: making crypto accessible and practical for everyday life 30:05: Financial literacy and coordination: unlocking new possibilities for global commerce 35:00: Cryptography and trust: scaling trust systems for local and global communities 40:00: Societal transformation: blockchain’s role in reshaping politics, economics, and governance 45:00: AI and intents: the future of coordination in the age of artificial intelligence 48:12: Staying grounded: Adrian’s advice for navigating innovation and building for the right reasons 49:19: Closing thoughts: where to find Adrian and what’s next for Namada…

1
DeFi’s Dance with Fintech: Choreographing Tomorrow’s Finance with Paul Frambot 46:51

5 weeks ago46:51

46:51

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Paul Frambot, Co-Founder of Morpho, details how DeFi is transforming the financial industry by intersecting with fintech, shifting value to network users, and reshaping how lending protocols work. He outlines the evolution from early peer-to-peer lending to today's permissionless, immutable infrastructure, highlighting Morpho's product design, its approach to risk management, and specific use cases in institutional finance and global wallet integration. Discussions cover the role of risk managers, transparency benefits, the emergence of DeFi as backbone infrastructure for fintechs, and how platforms like Coinbase now use Morpho behind the scenes. Paul reflects on how Morpho enables global liquidity, allows businesses and individuals to create custom lending markets, and how DeFi’s open competition leads to better rates and more efficient markets. The conversation wraps with thoughts on unsecured lending, the path to real-world financial product integration, and Morpho's long-term vision to become the foundational protocol for global financing. Chapters: 00:00 Fintech disruption, DeFi’s impact on infrastructure 01:21 Founding Morpho: backstory and protocol design 03:04 Pushing for permissionless, immutable protocol infrastructure 04:16 Institutional adoption, wallet integrations, and B2B use cases 07:01 Managing risk and collateral in open protocols 10:32 Shift in institutional engagement and business adoption 15:20 Native on-chain fund issuance, regulations, and international frameworks 17:04 Equity and securities as next steps for on-chain finance 19:03 Real-world example: Coinbase leveraging Morpho for global lending liquidity 20:28 End-to-end DeFi integrations: wallet abstraction and feature parity 22:26 Four core benefits when fintechs use DeFi as backend 24:07 Transparency, self-custody, and proof of reserves in DeFi 25:06 Institutional desire for infrastructure ownership—not just distribution 26:29 Competitive rates: DeFi vs. traditional finance lending 27:51 Barriers for banks: regulation, compliance, privacy, and operational hurdles 30:00 Privacy on-chain: transaction anonymity vs. amount privacy 32:29 How DeFi lending markets evolved: competition and network effects 34:00 Differing visions: Morpho as infrastructure vs. Aave as integrated bank 37:12 Market size: overcollateralized and undercollateralized lending potential 38:04 How DeFi could unlock unsecured credit 41:24 Under-collateralized lending, trust, and on-chain identity primitives 44:28 Morpho’s long-term vision and the future of DeFi/fintech convergence…

1
Bridging DeFi and TradFi: Niklas Kunkel on Chronicle Labs and the Future of Finance 36:54

6 weeks ago36:54

36:54

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast , we sit down with Nicholas Kunkel, Founder of Chronicle Labs and a pioneer in the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). From his early days at MakerDAO, where he helped build the first oracles and decentralized exchanges, to launching Chronicle Labs, Nicholas shares his journey of innovation and problem-solving in the crypto space. We dive into the challenges of building efficient oracles, the rise of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and the convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) with DeFi. Nicholas also discusses the technical and strategic differences between Chronicle Labs and other oracle providers, the role of tokenized assets in reshaping finance, and his ambitious vision for a future where decentralized and traditional finance merge seamlessly. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Niklas Kunkel, Founder of Chronicle 00:22 From MakerDAO to Chronicle Labs: Building the first oracles and decentralized exchanges. 01:23 The Birth of Oracles 05:27 Chronicle Labs vs. Competitors 10:11 Exploring the role of tokenized treasuries, private credit, and other RWAs in DeFi. 13:07 Challenges of RWA Integration: Data requirements, liquidity concerns, and the complexities of tokenizing real-world assets. 21:30 Convergence of DeFi and TradFi 25:33 Chronicle’s Business Model 30:24 Scaling tokenized assets to surpass crypto-native assets in total value secured. 34:19 Long-Term Vision 35:44 Closing Thoughts…

1
Unlocking Bitcoin's Potential: Bitlayer's Vision for DeFi and Beyond 57:48

6 weeks ago57:48

57:48

On this episode of the Defiant Podcast, Charlie Hu, co-founder of Bit Layer, discusses the evolution of Bitcoin beyond its role as a store of value. The conversation addresses trends in Bitcoin programmability, the development of layer two networks, liquidity in DeFi, and adoption by institutions. Cami and Charlie discuss technical distinctions among Bitcoin scaling solutions and the integration of Bitcoin with other blockchain ecosystems. Then, they conclude by exploring practical considerations for developers and users interested in these changes.NOTE: At the time of publishing (Aug. 4) BitLayer TVL was at $400M, higher than at the time of recording which was at $300M, mentioned in the podcast intro. Chapters:00:00 Introduction; Bitcoin’s binary narrative debated 00:17 Potential impacts of low network activity 00:37 Bitlayer overview and recent platform developments 00:59 Bitcoin’s price rally and changing role 01:26 Guest background: early experiences in Web3 02:09 Lessons from Ethereum and cross-chain growth 03:15 Founding Bitlayer; motivations and industry context 06:06 Network sustainability and security considerations 09:59 Bit Layer’s technology focus and design choices 16:00 Bitcoin Virtual Machines and cross-ecosystem cooperation 30:08 Unlocking Bitcoin liquidity; DeFi adoption and risks 45:00 Institutional involvement and new use cases 52:00 Onboarding, governance, and next steps for the ecosystem…

1
From Meme to Movement: Dogecoin's Next Chapter with Jordan Jefferson 56:35

7 weeks ago56:35

56:35

Dogecoin started as a joke, but could it become the foundation of a thriving app ecosystem? In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Jordan Jefferson, CEO of MyDoge and DogeOS, to explore why building infrastructure on Dogecoin is an exciting opportunity. We discuss the unique culture of the Doge community, the challenges of building on a meme coin, and how DogeOS is positioning itself as the app layer for the people's currency. Whether you're a DeFi enthusiast, a crypto trader, or just Doge-curious, this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and a vision for the future of Dogecoin. Welcome to the moon. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Dogecoin's EvolutionA look at Dogecoin's journey from meme coin to movement. 02:04 Meet Jordan JeffersonCEO of MyDoge and DogeOS shares his vision for Dogecoin. 03:14 Why Build on Dogecoin?The unique opportunity Dogecoin offers for developers and users. 05:38 The Power of the Doge CommunityHow memes, vibes, and a strong community drive innovation. 09:07 DogeOS: The App Layer for DogecoinExploring DogeOS's features, from gaming to DeFi and beyond. 15:09 Gaming and Memes: Dogecoin's Secret SauceWhy casual gaming and meme culture are perfect for Doge. 20:00 DeFi on Dogecoin: Opportunities and ChallengesBuilding financial infrastructure for the people's currency. 34:20 Why DeFi Users Should Care About DogeBetter yields, safer leverage, and unique opportunities. 49:07 ZK Upgrades and the Future of DogecoinHow zero-knowledge proofs could unlock Dogecoin's potential. 54:31 Lightning Round: Fun with Jordan JeffersonQuick-fire questions about Doge, gaming, and digital cash.…

1
Ethereum Turns 10: Joe Lubin on Revolutionizing the Global Economy 46:03

7 weeks ago46:03