The Defiant
The Defiant is a podcast about decentralized finance (DeFi), the internet of money built on blockchain technology without banks. Hosted by Camila Russo, it features firsthand stories from the builders and users of this cutting-edge world.
Episodes
Inside the Ethereum Foundation Overhaul: is a Multi-Node Structure Bullish?
The Ethereum Foundation just cut 20% of its staff and 40% of its budget. Two co-executive directors are gone. And the talent exodus has been quiet but real. But the community didn't wait. In a matter of weeks, 50 institutions and Ethereum leaders came together to form ETH Labs — a new organization backed by Sharp Link, Joe Lubin, and Bitmain, with a mandate to build what the Foundation decided
"Bazooka in Every Hand" Do We Really Want Unstoppable AI? w/ Jake Brukhman, Haseeb Qureshi, Jesus Rodriguez
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce forced Anthropic to shut down Fable V for the entire world. One government, one decision, zero global access. Is this the definitive case for decentralized AI?Jake Brukhman (Coin Fund), Jesus Rodriguez (Sentora), and Haseeb Qureshi (Dragonfly) debate the hottest topic at the intersection of crypto and AI: whether frontier AI can and should be decentrali
DeFi's Near-Death Moment | Mike Silagadze on Ether.fi, Security, and What Comes Next
How close did DeFi come to a real systemic collapse?In this episode, Camila Russo sits down with Mike Silagadze, co-founder and CEO of Ether.fi, to break down the Kelp exploit, the DeFi United rescue effort, and why Mike believes the default path could have been far worse if nobody had stepped in. He explains why the bigger lesson is not just smart contract risk, but operational security, app-laye
DeFi Hacks Happening Every Day; Institutions Are Still Coming
April saw some of the worst DeFi losses in recent memory, and even OpenZeppelin co-founder Manuel Aráoz warned people to get out. But while CT feels gloomy, institutions are not stepping back - they're leaning in with more diligence, stronger infrastructure requirements, and growing demand for onchain yield.In this livestream, Camila Russo is joined by John Zettler of Kraken, Sunand Raghupathi
Top Talent Is Leaving the EF. What Happens to ETH Now?
Top Ethereum talent is leaving. The Ethereum Foundation is shrinking. And one question now hangs over the entire ecosystem: what happens to ETH if the EF steps back?In this livestream, Camila Russo is joined by Dankrad Feist, Laura Shin, Ajit Tripathi, and William Mougayar to break down the EF departures, leadership turmoil, the cypherpunk mandate, the debate over tokenomics, and whether Ethereum
DeFi Yields Are Too Damn Low! Here's Why
DeFi is approaching a breaking point.After a wave of hacks and growing concerns around smart contract risk, liquidity risk, and hidden dependencies, the biggest question in crypto is no longer just how much yield you can earn, but whether that yield is actually worth the risk.In this debate, Camila Russo is joined by Santiago Roel Santos of Inversion, Daniele Ugolini of Rysk Finance, and Mauricio
The $300M DeFi Bailout: Heroic or Unsustainable?
Explosive debate: after one of DeFi's biggest attacks left Aave facing bad debt, DeFi United raised more than $300M to stop the contagion. But did the ecosystem prove its strength - or expose hidden trust assumptions, opaque risk, and the need for a real DeFi backstop?The Defiant's Camila Russo is joined by Dean Eigenmann (Markets Inc.), binji (Ethereum Foundation), and David Phelps (Confe
Should Arbitrum Have Frozen North Korea's Funds? Griff Green vs. Gabe Shapiro
The Arbitrum Security Council just made one of the most controversial decisions in DeFi history — freezing $70M in ETH stolen by North Korean hackers from the KelpDAO bridge exploit. But was it the right move? And what does it say about the systems we're building?Griff Green (Giveth Co-Founder and Arbitrum Security Council member) and Gabe Shapiro / Lex_node (crypto lawyer, MetaLex founder, ZK
Quantum Could Break Bitcoin Sooner Than We Thought | Alex Pruden
Two new research papers just intensified one of crypto’s most serious long-term risks: quantum computing.In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Camila Russo sits down with Alex Pruden, co-founder and CEO of Project 11, to unpack what the latest quantum breakthroughs actually mean for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the broader crypto ecosystem.Alex explains why the new papers matter, how quantum computers
Omer Goldberg: The DeFi Exploit That Exposed a Bigger Problem
A new DeFi exploit triggered millions in losses, but the deeper story is about risk. In this episode, Omer Goldberg, founder of Chaos Labs, explains how the attack unfolded, why the damage spread across lending markets, what vault curators got wrong, and whether DeFi is truly ready for mainstream adoption. If you want to understand stablecoin risk, oracle design, curator incentives, and the future
How the DTCC is Tokenizing $100 Trillions in Assets | Tom Sullivan
What happens when the institution at the center of U.S. market plumbing starts putting securities onchain?In this episode of The Defiant, Chris Storaker sits down with Tom Sullivan, Managing Director at DTCC Digital Assets, to discuss how DTCC is approaching tokenization, why regulatory clarity changed the game, and what it means for U.S. Treasuries, stocks, ETFs, collateral, and 24/7 markets.Tom
Will Aave’s New Plan Change DeFi Forever? | Stani Kulechov Explains
New Podcast with Aave founder Stani Kulechov just dropped: Aave is at a turning point - will the Aave Will Win proposal lead to innovation or chaos? Aave is navigating a pivotal moment with the recent "Aave will win" proposal. This initiative aims to redirect 100% of protocol revenue back to the Aave DAO, a move that many in the community have embraced. But with any major change comes sc
Optimism Is Done With “Ethereum Alignment” — Users Come First
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Camila Russo sits down with Jing Wang to discuss how Optimism is evolving and why the debate over what counts as a “real” Ethereum L2 might be missing the point.Jing argues that the most important question isn’t whether a chain is an L1, L2, or sidechain. It’s whether the architecture actually serves users and real-world use cases.“If it looks like an L1, we
Did L2 Fragment Ethereum? - With Yuval Rooz, CEO of Digital Asset, Co-Founder of Canton
Layer 2 was supposed to scale Ethereum.But what if it fragmented it instead?In this episode, we break down:• Why public chains are “expensive databases”• Why composability is Ethereum’s real value• Why stablecoins don’t need blockchains• Why L2 may be weakening Ethereum’s coreIs scaling helping Ethereum — or hollowing it out?Explore The Defiant ✨
The Bitcoin Renaissance Legacy : Beyond Digital Gold Ep. 2
Bitcoin Renaissance or JPEG Hype?In 2023, Bitcoin had what many called a renaissance.NFTs on Bitcoin.BRC-20 tokens.Runes.10x transaction spikes.Fee revenue surging to levels not seen since 2017.And then — just as quickly — it cooled.So was the Bitcoin renaissance just a flash in the pan?Or did Ordinals, BRC-20s, and Runes permanently change Bitcoin?In Episode 2 of our Beyond Digital Gold docu-seri
Why DAO Governance Always Turns Political
"In a decentralized governance system, it's unavoidable to develop politics."Rune Christensen explains why DAO governance becomes a struggle for resources, how the "iron law of bureaucracy" emerges, and why Sky redesigned its architecture to survive it.From USDS growth to the Atlas rulebook and Genesis Capital — this is Sky's long-term vision for sustainable decentraliz
Robinhood’s Crypto Head Johann Kerbrat on Why Public Blockchains Will Win
Robinhood is opening the testnet for its Arbitrum-based Ethereum Layer 2. In this episode, we sit down with the fintech’s head of crypto, Johann Kerbrat, to discuss the strategic move to build on Ethereum. He believes institutions can get the privacy and compliance guarantees they need on public chains like Ethereum, so building on private chains doesn’t make sense as they are just a “fancy databa
Rebuilding Global Payments with Stablecoins | Circle & USDC with Nikhil Chandhok
Stablecoins have quietly become the most successful use case in crypto.In this episode, Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Circle, explains why USDC is more than a digital dollar — it’s a global financial network.We discuss economic inclusion, internet-scale finance, programmable payments, emerging markets, AI-driven payments, and why stablecoins are becoming the backbone o
Crypto’s Point of No Return: Institutions are Finally Here, with Brett Tejpaul
2025 marked a turning point for crypto.In this episode, Brett Tejpaul, head of Coinbase Institutional, sits down with Camila Russo to explain why institutional adoption accelerated last year. From ETFs and stablecoin regulation to banks using public blockchains in production, crypto crossed a line it can’t uncross.We explore how Coinbase evolved from a retail exchange into a global financial infra
Why OG DeFi Failed | Kain Warwick, Founder of Synthetix
Kain Warwick—DeFi OG and founder of Synthetix and Infinex—is back on The Defiant Podcast with Camila Russo for a no-BS conversation at a pivotal moment: Infinex just ran its INX token sale and is heading into its TGE.We get into:Why Kain believes DeFi’s biggest bottleneck isn’t “more decentralization,” but UX + distributionThe hard lesson OG DeFi learned: users won’t “learn to love complexity”—the
Ethereum is for Institutions: Danny Ryan Says Tokenization Isn't Enough
In this interview, Camila Russo sits down with Danny Ryan — former Ethereum Foundation researcher and a key leader behind Ethereum’s shift to proof of stake — now Co-Founder & President at Etherealize, to talk about the next big wave for crypto: institutional adoption of Ethereum.Recorded in Buenos Aires during Devconnect, Danny breaks down why the mood inside banks has flipped from “we can’t
How Stablecoins Are Rewiring Global Payments | Borderless CPO Alex Garn
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Chris Storaker sits down with Alex Garn, Chief Product Officer at Borderless, to unpack how stablecoins are quietly transforming cross-border payments — and what it actually takes to move money at scale across jurisdictions.Alex walks through Borderless’ role as an orchestration layer for global on- and off-ramps, why the company stays out of the flow of fun
The Rise of the Fan Economy | Consumer Crypto | Avalanche Ecosystems Ep. 4
For consumer crypto to thrive it needs to embrace financialization to deliver a better experience, and maker sure crypto disappears everywhere else. Projects doing this right sit in an emerging sector called fantech. In this episode of the Avalanche Ecosystem Series, we explore the rise of Fantech: a new category where sports fans, music fans, creators, and event-goers become participants in real
Uniswap is about to “turn on the switch.” with Hayden Adams
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Uniswap founder Hayden Adams joins us right as the UNIfication (Unification) proposal has moved to a final governance vote—a sweeping plan from Uniswap Labs + the Uniswap Foundation that would activate protocol fees, introduce a programmatic UNI burn, and realign how value accrues across the Uniswap ecosystem. We go deep on what’s actually inside the propos
Ethereum’s “HTTP Moment” with Marissa Posner & Yoav Weiss
In this episode of The Defiant podcast, Camila Russo sits down in Buenos Aires (Devconnect) with Marissa Foster (Product, Ethereum Foundation) and Yoav Weiss (security researcher, Ethereum Foundation) to unpack The Trustless Manifesto and the Ethereum Interop Layer (EIL), why “trust assumptions” are quietly creeping into Ethereum’s stack, and what it will take to preserve Ethereum’s core values wh
Becoming the "Institutions Chain" With Avalanche’s Morgan Krupetsky
In this episode of The Defiant podcast we speak with Morgan Krupetsky, VP of OnChain Finance at Ava Labs, to break down one of the most significant shifts happening in crypto today: the rapid institutionalization of blockchain and Avalanche’s strategy to lead it.Morgan walks us through Avalanche’s “real-world adoption first” ethos, explaining how its unique architecture enables enterprises, fintec
Tokenize Everything: Robert Leshner’s Vision for On-Chain Finance
Robert Leshner — the mind behind Compound, and now the founder of Superstate — believes the next trillion-dollar shift will come from bringing the world’s assets on-chain.In this episode, Cami sits down with one of DeFi’s earliest pioneers to unpack:Why DeFi itself shouldn’t change — but assets willHow tokenized T-bills, basis strategies, and even equities are finally getting institutional tractio
Is DYOR Dead? Building a Safer Web3 with Alex Katz
In a world of fast-advancing technology, we are told to trust in our own research. But as the crypto space matures, scams and exploits remain a constant presence. When your assets are gone, they are gone forever, with a near-zero chance of recovery. The old mantra of "Do Your Own Research" falls short against sophisticated threats like address poisoning, advanced malware, and convincing
Avalanche DeFi: the Journey to Bring Institutions Onchain
In the second episode of Ecosystems: Avalanche, we track the protocol’s trajectory, which included a peak valuation of $13 billion, followed by a period of consolidation and strategic redevelopment.The Defiant founder Camila Russo and Ava Labs' Chief Strategy Officer Luigi D’Onorio DeMeo are joined by founders from BENQI, Euler Labs, and LFJ, who are building on the Avalanche protocol. The con
Inside the PYUSD's takeover of PayPal with May Zabaneh, VP Crypto
In this conversation, May Zabaneh breaks down PayPal’s move into stablecoins with PYUSD and why it matters for financial inclusion. We explore how PYUSD could lower costs for cross-border payments, deliver faster settlement, and plug directly into PayPal’s existing ecosystem. The discussion covers why PayPal built a proprietary stablecoin, early adoption and real-world use cases, and plans for int
Why Yat Siu Believes Altcoins Will Surpass Bitcoin
In Web3, we find ourselves in an age of digital phantoms, a "click-farm" era where identity is flimsy and easily fabricated. But what if reputation could be real, portable, and valuable? Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu returns to explore this very question, detailing a vision for a trust layer built on zero-knowledge proofs.He reveals plans for a Hong Kong dollar stablecoin, a joint ve
The AI CEO Era: Breaking Build Bottlenecks with Vibe Coding | Ahmad Shadid
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Vinny sits down with Ahmad Shadid—former quant trader turned founder—who redirected the 2022 GPU crunch into a decentralized GPU network and now leads a bold push toward “sovereign superintelligence”: an AI CEO framework that can govern, fund, and scale itself transparently. We unpack vibe coding (building with AI at 20x speed), how zero-knowledge proofs and
How Avalanche is Tackling the Blockchain Trilemma
Avalanche says it can finally square the circle: sub‑second finality, a large decentralized validator set, and thousands of sovereign L1s connected through native messaging for shared liquidity.In the genesis episode of our new ECOSYSTEMS podcast, Camila Russo and guest cohost Luigi D’Onorio DeMeo of Ava Labs unpack the Avalanche story—from Team Rocket’s probabilistic consensus and the stadium sam
What Crypto VCs Want Now | Aryan Sheikhalian
Crypto’s next chapter isn’t a shinier coin—it’s invisible rails. In this episode, we sit down with Aryan Sheikhalian, Research Lead at CMT Digital, to unpack the shift from “crypto as an asset” to crypto as infrastructure: 24/7 markets, instant clearing and settlement, and new structured products that couldn’t exist before. We talk about tokenized equities (wrappers vs. native tokenization and why
Solana vs. Bitcoin: Why Pantera Capital is All In | Paul Veradittakit
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Paul Veradittakit, Managing Partner at Pantera Capital, to discuss the explosive growth of Solana, the future of stablecoins, and the evolution of digital asset treasury companies. Paul shares insights on Pantera's $1.2 billion Solana fund, the role of institutional capital in this crypto cycle, and why he believes Solana is poised to ou
Can Crypto Be Trusted? Ben Nadareski’s Answer to the Skeptics
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Ben Nadareski, CEO and Co-Founder of Solstice Labs, to explore DeFi on Solana and why it’s becoming a magnet for institutional adoption. Ben shares how Solstice Labs is pioneering permissionless, institutional-grade yield strategies and launching the US token, a fully collateralized stablecoin designed to unlock new levels of trust and scala
StarkWare Bets on Becoming Bitcoin's Execution Layer, Not on Attracting Corporate Chains
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder and CEO of StarkWare, to explore how StarkNet is revolutionizing blockchain scalability with ZK proofs. From Bitcoin staking to the creation of an "integrity web," Eli shares groundbreaking insights into the future of decentralized finance, Bitcoin's execution layer, and the role of StarkNet in shaping the blockcha
$100 Million DeFi DAT Chooses ETH | Ryan Zurrer
Why did Game Square, the Jerry Jones-backed media powerhouse, bet $100 million on Ethereum instead of Bitcoin? In this episode of The DeFiant Podcast, Vinny sits down with crypto pioneer Ryan Zurrer to explore the strategy behind this bold move. Ryan, who co-wrote the MakerDAO whitepaper and now leads Dialectic, shares why Ethereum dominates 5 out of 6 real-world crypto use cases, from stablecoins
Plasma’s Plan to Dethrone Tron | Paul Faecks
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 decentraliz
J.P. Morgan’s Nightmare: How Stablecoins Let You Be Your Own Bank | Reeve Collins
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
Solana’s Rise as a Treasury Powerhouse: DeFi Development Corp’s Bold Strategy
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 bro
Bitcoin Mining’s Golden Age or Final Battle? Insights From Fakhul Miah
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 chal
The Future of Finance is Tokenized: Ondo’s Vision for RWAs
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, seam
Bridging the Gaps: Prabal Banerjee on Scalability, Interoperability, and the Future of DeFi
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 d
The $10 Trillion Question: Crypto's Biggest Cycle Yet with Ellio Trades
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 o
Interoperability and Innovation: How Decentraland is Shaping the Future of Virtual Worlds | Kim Currier
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 re
Filecoin’s Role in Decentralized AI and Data Sovereignty | Marta Belcher
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
Intention, Privacy, and Trust: Adrian Brink’s Vision for Resilient Communities
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
DeFi’s Dance with Fintech: Choreographing Tomorrow’s Finance with Paul Frambot
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 ap
Bridging DeFi and TradFi: Niklas Kunkel on Chronicle Labs and the Future of Finance
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
Unlocking Bitcoin's Potential: Bitlayer's Vision for DeFi and Beyond
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 o
From Meme to Movement: Dogecoin's Next Chapter with Jordan Jefferson
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 it
Ethereum Turns 10: Joe Lubin on Revolutionizing the Global Economy
On the 10th anniversary of Ethereum's genesis block, we sit down with Joe Lubin, Ethereum co-founder and CEO of ConsenSys, for an exclusive deep dive into the past, present, and future of the Ethereum ecosystem. From the concept of 'digital oil' to Ethereum's role as the foundation of a decentralized global economy, Joe shares his vision for the next decade of blockchain innovation
Spark (SPK): The DeFi Protocol Redefining Finance with Explosive Growth and Innovation
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Sam MacPherson, CEO and co-founder of Phoenix Labs, to discuss Spark (SPK)—the DeFi protocol making waves in the cryptocurrency world. From its groundbreaking subDAO model to its recent $10 billion TVL milestone, Spark is reshaping decentralized finance. We dive into the latest developments, including the Ignition Airdrop and institutional a
Stablecoins Redefined: How the Genius Act Impacts Cryptocurrency Exchanges | Biconomy.com
The crypto world is buzzing with the passage of the Genius Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that sets new standards for stablecoins and crypto exchanges. In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, host Vinny dives deep into the implications of this law with Diane Magince, Senior Marketing Officer, and Breno Sperandio, VP of Partnerships at Biconomy.com. Together, they explore how this act i
The Global Shift to Bitcoin: What It Means for the Future of Finance
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we explore the global shift toward Bitcoin as digital gold with Jeff Garzik, Co-Founder of Hemi, the largest programmable Bitcoin sidechain. Jeff shares his journey as a crypto OG, from contributing to Bitcoin in its earliest days to building innovative scaling solutions for Bitcoin. We discuss macroeconomic trends driving Bitcoin adoption, the evolution of
How Lido is Redefining Ethereum Staking: Dual Governance, Liquid Staking, and the V3 Upgrade
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Hasu, strategic advisor to Lido, to explore their cutting-edge developments in Ethereum staking. From the introduction of dual governance to the game-changing Lido V3 upgrade, Hasu breaks down how Lido is enhancing decentralization, liquidity, and security for stakers. We also dive into the evolving role of Ethereum in DeFi, the future of st
Invisible Wallets and Decentralized Privacy: Georgi Koreli’s Vision for Web3
Privacy in the digital age is more than a feature—it's a necessity. In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, host Vinny sits down with Georgi Koreli, co-founder and CEO of Hinkal Wallet, to explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping Web3 privacy. From Georgie’s fascinating journey from professional wrestling to crypto entrepreneurship, to the challenges of public blockchains and the solutions
From Crisis to Comeback: How Euler Labs Survived a $200M Hack to Thrive in DeFi | Michael Bentley
In this episode of the Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Michael Bentley, co-founder and CEO of Euler Labs, to explore one of the most remarkable comeback stories in DeFi history. From a devastating $200M exploit in 2023 to surpassing $1B in outstanding loans, Euler Labs has redefined resilience and innovation in the crypto space.Michael shares the emotional and technical challenges of navigating
Arbitrum Uncovered: Steven Goldfeder on Ethereum L2s, Rollups, and the Future of DeFi
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Steven Goldfeder, Co-Founder and CEO of Offchain Labs, the parent company of Arbitrum—the leading Ethereum Layer 2 solution by Total Value Locked (TVL).In this episode, we explore:How optimistic rollups work and their role in Ethereum's scalabilityThe ZK vs. optimistic rollup debateThe future of Ethereum L2s and their impact on the Ethereum ecosystemSteven
Inside Kadena’s $50M Leap: Grant Program, Next-Gen Scalability & Insights from CEO Stuart Popejoy
Explore the unfolding landscape of crypto and blockchain innovation in our in-depth interview with Stuart Popejoy, CEO of Kadena and former head of JP Morgan’s Center for Blockchain Excellence. Guided by the following chapters, this conversation illuminates the journey from the earliest days of institutional blockchain to Kadena’s latest breakthroughs:00:00 – Defiant Intro00:07 – When cost savings
Vlad Tenev on Robinhood’s Bold Move into Crypto, DeFi, and Ethereum L2s
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Vlad Tenev, Co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, to explore how Robinhood is bringing tokenized U.S. stocks to the EU, launching an Ethereum L2 with Arbitrum tech, and shaping the future of finance. From tokenized private shares to the long-term vision of blockchain adoption, Vlad shares insights on regulation, innovation, and the battle between
20% Yield on Stablecoins Is Just the Beginning | Vikram Arun, Superform CEO
Looking to understand stablecoins, onchain yields, and the future of DeFi?Join us as Vikram Arun, CEO of Superform, shares expert insights on stablecoin yield strategies, the role of Web3 technology in automation, and whether 20% onchain yields are truly sustainable in today’s crypto economy. Plus, we explore the impact of the GENIUS Act on the crypto industry and discuss the intersection of innov
Emin Gün Sirer on Scaling Avalanche and Redefining Decentralization
What does the future of blockchain look like, and where do multi-chain systems fit in? On this episode, we're joined by Emin Gün Sirer, CEO and Founder of Ava Labs and one of the most prominent figures in blockchain innovation. Emin unpacks how Avalanche is reshaping the decentralized world with its groundbreaking consensus protocol, multi-chain scaling, and commitment to maintaining blockchain’s
Ethereum Staking ETFs: How They Could Transform Crypto Investing | Insights with Evan Weiss
Ethereum Staking ETFs are gaining traction—but what does this mean for crypto investors? Evan Weiss, COO of Alluvial, breaks it down. Get key insights on regulation, institutional staking infrastructure, and the financial benefits for everyday users. Plus, learn how institutional players are driving change in the staking ecosystem and the potential for ETFs to revolutionize and democratize crypto
Every Company Will Be a Crypto Company: Expert Insights with Sandy Kaul from Franklin Templeton
What happens when traditional finance and decentralized finance collide? Join us in this insightful interview with Sandy Kaul, Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton, as we explore the firm’s groundbreaking crypto experiments, DeFi-enabled opportunities, and the future of tokenized money market funds. Key Topics Covered Franklin Templeton’s onchain money market fund How evolving crypto infrastru
NFC Lisbon Recap: Art, Finance, and Digital Economies with Alex Estorick
In this episode of the Defiant Podcast, Vinny speaks with Alex Estorick, Editor in Chief of Right Click Save, about the evolving landscape of NFTs and digital art. They discuss the convergence of art and technology, the financialization of culture, and the role of artists in a world where art and finance are increasingly intertwined. The conversation also touches on the emergence of meme coins as
Ethereum's Next Moves: Insights from Tomasz Stańczak and the Ethereum Foundation
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
Zero Knowledge Proofs: The Game-Changer for Digital Privacy You Need to Know, Featuring Rob Viglione
This week, we spoke with Rob Viglione, Co-founder and CEO of Horizen Labs, to explore the groundbreaking potential of Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) in safeguarding digital privacy, bridging TradFi and DeFi, and creating income streams for consumers that empower them through the ownership of their own digital data. From balancing transparency and onchain privacy to the intersection of AI and Web3, Ro
How Payroll, Stablecoins & Regulation Are Reshaping Global Economies | Megan Knab
Explore the world of crypto payroll and stablecoins with Megan Knab, cofounder and CEO of Franklin. From tackling crypto volatility to how stablecoins can reshape global economies, this episode dives into the challenges and opportunities for crypto-native payment infrastructure. Megan Knab shares her insights on crypto’s role in building a better financial ecosystem. We discuss everything from sta
AI Agents, Meme Coins, and a Better Future for Investing: Insights from Shaw Walters
Explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, cryptocurrency, and startup culture in our latest episode. We spoke with Shaw Walters, Founder of Eliza Labs, about the exciting possibilities and challenges of AI agents in digital worlds, the crypto ecosystem, and token launches. Discover how these technologies are shaping a fairer, more inclusive future for investing and why real products and vision
The Fight for Digital Privacy Decentralized AI and the Future of Freedom with Patrick Amadon
This week, we spoke to Patrick Amadon about the complex intersections of digital privacy, surveillance, censorship, and the potential of decentralized AI. Amadon offers a critical perspective on some of the most pressing issues in technology, from the role of digital disobedience to the regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.Key topics include: The potential o
Beyond the Hype: Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Crypto with Gus Grillasca
In today’s episode with cypherpunk and artist Gus Grillasca, we explore the intricate crossroads of cryptocurrency and global economics. From the propaganda of inflation to Bitcoin Ordinals and the NFT controversy, this episode challenges conventional narratives and opens up new perspectives. Hear Gus' insights on navigating the Ethereum ecosystem, the financialization of Bitcoin, and privacy
Will Crypto ETFs Transform the Market? Expert Insights from Matt Hougan, Bitwise CIO
Are crypto ETFs set to reshape the investing landscape? Join us on The Defiant as we dive deep into the future of crypto assets, the evolving regulatory environment, and the rise of index-based investing. Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise, shares his expert insights on what these changes mean for investors and how crypto ETFs could revolutionize access to digital assets. Chapters:00:00 The Defiant Intro
Insights on DePIN, Web3 Policy, and More | Amira Valliana from Solana Foundation
Immerse yourself in the future of decentralized infrastructure in this exclusive interview with Amira Valliana from the Solana Foundation. Perfect for Web3 enthusiasts, this episode unpacks how onchain solutions are redefining physical networks, policy, and global collaboration.Chapters & Key Topics: 00:00 Introduction to decentralized infrastructure onchain 00:33 Podcast & guest welcome 0
Dive Into Lending, Borrowing, and Real World Assets with Maple Finance: Sid Powell
Lending and borrowing onchain has quickly become one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing sectors in Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Among the leaders in this space is Maple Finance, a platform that has already facilitated over $800M in assets, showcasing the growing adoption and practicality of tokenized private credit for institutions. By bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentr
Bringing Intellectual Property Onchain with Story Protocol | Jason Zhao
Explore the future of intellectual property on the blockchain in this insightful interview with Jason Zhao. Discover how Story Protocol is revolutionizing the way creators protect, share, and license their work. By bringing IP and copyright onchain, the protocol streamlines the process, ensures compliance with state and national laws, and secures rights in an innovative, transparent manner. Perfec
How Coinbase is Bridging Bitcoin to DeFi with New OnChain Lending | Will Robinson, VP of Engineering
Will Robinson, VP of Engineering at Coinbase, explores the company’s expanding role in decentralized finance (DeFi), highlighting the launch of Bitcoin-backed USDC loans through Morpho and Coinbase’s broader efforts to integrate DeFi solutions. He explains how Coinbase is working to connect centralized finance (CeFi) with DeFi by incorporating decentralized protocols while prioritizing security an
Bill Barhydt: The Next Altcoin Season, $350K Bitcoin & The Future of DeFi Banking
Bill Barhydt, Founder and CEO of Abra, discusses the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency markets and investment strategies in this week's The Defiant Podcast. He attributes Bitcoin’s price movements to macroeconomic factors, including U.S. monetary policy and liquidity cycles, and notes a growing trend of companies holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Barhydt also examines Ethereum’s scal
Kain Warwick on Infinex, Synthetix, and the Future of DeFi UX and Stability
Kain Warwick, founder of Synthetix and Infinex, discusses the evolution of DeFi and the trade-offs required to improve user experience while maintaining decentralization. He explains how Infinex aims to offer a more accessible, centralized exchange-like interface while remaining non-custodial, addressing long-standing UX challenges in DeFi. Warwick also reflects on Synthetix’s recent governance re
