Web3 with Sam Kamani

L1 blockchains have gone through every hype cycle: ICOs, NFTs, gaming, metaverse, now AI. But what actually survives?In this episode, I speak with Alexander Zahnd, CEO of Zilliqa, an L1 that launched in 2017 and recently became fully EVM-compatible. Alex shares his journey from a decade in Swiss TradFi and treasury/regulatory projects into DeFi, and how that shaped his views on financial rigor, regulation and long-term blockchain adoption.Key Timestamps[00:00:00] Mercenary DeFi users: Alex explains why liquidity follows the highest incentives and why this is a problem for long-term protocol sustainability.[00:01:00] From Swiss banks to Zilliqa: A decade in TradFi, treasury and regulation, discovering DeFi as “finance without intermediaries,” and joining Zilliqa four years ago.[00:05:00] L1 landscape today: How Zilliqa moved from sharding-focused scalability to full EVM compatibility, and why EVM + SVM gravity is consolidating general-purpose L1s.[00:08:00] Narrative chasing vs. building: ICOs, gaming, NFTs, metaverse, AI—all tried at Zilliqa; why chasing every hype is fragile and a clear, durable North Star matters.[00:11:00] AI x blockchain: Alex uses AI tools daily but is skeptical of forced “AI + chain” narratives until real, organic use cases emerge.[00:13:00] Real institutional adoption: Institutions aren’t allergic to crypto; they’re allergic to operational and regulatory uncertainty. Why audit-ready, compliant infra will be a major driver.[00:14:00] Where DeFi still has upside: Derivatives, perps, structured products, on-chain treasuries, RWAs, and permissioned DeFi rails for institutions and KYC’d wallets.[00:17:00] Token design lessons: Tokens should coordinate and power utility flows, not exist purely for price appreciation or quick fundraising.[00:20:00] Price vs fundamentals: How token price is the easiest visible metric, but often detached from real usage—unlike equities, where mature analyst coverage helps.[00:24:00] Lowering dev friction: Why Zilliqa’s EVM compatibility and AI-assisted tooling matter for non-engineer builders to prototype and ship ideas faster.[00:28:00] On-chain LEIs with Liechtenstein: A government-backed initiative for blockchain-verifiable legal entity identifiers as a bridge between TradFi and Web3.[00:29:00] Alex’s ask: Strategic partnerships, institutional integrations and long-range alliances around regulated, EVM-based infrastructure.Connecthttps://zilliqa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/zilliqa/https://x.com/zilliqaDisclaimerNothing 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.Get featuredBe a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

AI demand for GPUs is exploding – and most of that capacity is locked inside underused data centers.In this episode, I talk with Mark from Aethir, a decentralized GPU cloud that aggregates idle, enterprise-grade GPUs into a global network. We discuss how Aethir feels like AWS on the front end but works like “Airbnb for data centers” behind the scenes, why compute demand outpaces supply, and how they keep latency low across 90+ countries.Mark also explains Aethir’s token and revenue model, their work with EigenLayer, and why he believes solo founders now have superpowers in an AI-native world.Nothing in this episode is financial or investment advice.Key timestamps[00:00:00] Intro: Sam introduces Mark and Aethir’s decentralized GPU cloud.[00:01:00] Mark’s journey: From oil and gas infra and biotech to building GPU infrastructure for AI.[00:04:00] What Aethir is: AWS-style GPU cloud on the front end, “Airbnb for data centers” on the back end.[00:06:00] Enterprise-only GPUs: Why they only use data-center-grade hardware and no consumer devices.[00:07:00] Exploding demand: GPU demand 6–8x supply, with inference-heavy apps driving the next wave.[00:14:00] Global coverage: 90+ countries and routing users to nearby nodes for low latency.[00:31:00] Business model: 20% protocol fee, 80% to GPU hosts, plus token rewards and staking for large clusters.[00:39:00] Solo founder era: Why one-person AI-native companies will be extremely powerful.[00:41:00] Mark’s message: Focus on projects with strong fundamentals and keep building through cycles.Connecthttp://aethir.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/aethir-limited/https://x.com/AethirCloudhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/markrydon/https://x.com/MRRydonDisclaimerNothing 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.Get featuredBe a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Bitcoin isn’t just something you buy and hold anymore – it can be an engine for a real on-chain economy.In this episode, I’m joined by Hunter from Terahash, a true crypto OG with a decade in the industry and a past life as Justin Sun’s right hand on ecosystem development at Tron. We talk about his journey from Oculus and VR to traveling the world for Tron, seeing firsthand how stablecoins and Bitcoin are helping people escape inflation in places like Turkey.Hunter then breaks down how Terahash is tokenizing Bitcoin hash rate (THS) to give individuals and institutions direct exposure to the “engine” of Bitcoin, generating daily BTC yield while helping miners secure upfront capital and stay efficient – even in bear markets. We also dive into energy, AI’s growing demand for power, building sustainable mining incentives, and his candid advice for founders on community and ecosystem growth.Key Timestamps[00:00:00] Why Hunter stayed in crypto: From chasing profits to believing in decentralization and “power to the people.”[00:02:00] Oculus & the early Metaverse: Working at Meta/Facebook demoing VR before “metaverse” was even a buzzword.[00:03:30] From extra money to a mission: How Telegram/Discord communities shifted his mindset from trading to ideology.[00:04:30] Tron, Tether & Turkey: Seeing people use USDT on Tron as an inflation hedge and safe haven from collapsing fiat.[00:06:00] Bitcoin as a museum piece: Why just “buy, hold, pray, sell” is not enough for the future of Bitcoin.[00:07:00] What Terahash does: Turning Bitcoin into an economy by tokenizing hash rate and opening access to BTC’s “engine.”[00:08:30] Hype vs real yield: Why most DeFi yields are inflationary and unsustainable – and how hash rate–backed yield is different.[00:11:00] THS token explained: 1 THS = 1 terahash of real BTC hash rate, on-chain transparency and Chainlink oracles.[00:14:00] Daily BTC payouts: How buying THS routes mining rewards to your wallet while miners get upfront capital and stability.[00:17:00] Energy, geography & expansion: US-based mining today, plus interest in El Salvador, Bhutan and global low-cost energy hubs.[00:19:00] AI vs Bitcoin for energy: Why AI and data centers are driving an energy and metals (silver, gold) crunch.[00:21:00] Fixing mining: Tokenized hash rate as a way to support miners, create yield, and reduce fear of 4-year cycles and bear markets.[00:23:00] Ecosystem dev 101: Hunter’s advice to founders – be present, be transparent, live in Telegram, and mix fun with progress.[00:26:00] Roadmap: Dual-token model (THS + HASH), going multi-chain, BTC L2s, Solana, Tron and upcoming launches in 30–60 days.[00:28:00] The ask: Mission-aligned investors, hires, partners and community members – “there’s a place in Terahash for everyone.”[00:29:30] Wrap-up & call to founders: How to connect with Terahash and why we’ll revisit their journey in 6–12 months.Connecthttps://terahash.xyz/https://www.linkedin.com/company/terahash-xyz/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibeatwallstreet/DisclaimerNothing 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.Get featuredBe a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode I talk with Wes from Technotainment, who’s building what he calls Streaming 2.0 — a new model for Hollywood that combines content, community, and commerce, powered by Web3 and AI.We break down why the traditional subscription/ads model is failing in an infinite-content world, how micro-casting lets each show own its audience and revenue, and how tokens can route value directly between advertisers, creators, and fans.Wes also shares how AI-generated films, live experiences, and gamified fan engagement could reshape both studios and creators over the next decade.Key Timestamps[00:00] What’s Broken in Hollywood Wes explains why the 1970s subscription/ads model doesn’t work in a world of infinite content, channels, and attention fragmentation.[00:02] Wes’ Journey into Web3 & Entertainment From bootstrapping in Malta, ICO days, and Quizando to meeting the founder of MTV/Nickelodeon and starting Technotainment.[00:09] “Bringing Hollywood On-Chain” Explained Not just putting video on-chain: routing value directly between advertisers, content, and fans via tokens, and cutting out layers of middlemen.[00:11] New Revenue Stack for Content Freemium first episodes, pay-per-episode, affiliate sales from clickable items in scenes, merch, live events, digital assets, and gamification.[00:17] Micro-Casting & Decentralized Streaming Each show as its own “mini Netflix”: owning audience, data, and revenue while plugging into many distribution platforms instead of one gatekeeper.[00:20] Competing with TikTok & UGC Why Technotainment bakes community directly into the viewing experience: feeds, second screens, and rewarding fans who create content around shows.[00:23] AI Content, Live Experiences & Commerce AI-generated movies, content as a commerce engine, and why live experiences and stage shows become even more valuable in an AI world.[00:36] Roadmap & AskToken generation plans, launch timeline, university partnerships, and what Technotainment is looking for: creators, game builders, IP, and Web3 communities.Connecthttps://www.technotainment.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/technotainment-streaming-media-inc/https://x.com/_technotainmenthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleyellul/https://x.com/SurWessDisclaimerNothing 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.Get featuredBe a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode, I sit down with Giel from kpk (formerly karpatkey) live at Devconnect Buenos Aires. KPK has quietly managed billions for major DAOs such as ENS, DYDX, Arbitrum, and Balancer — operating with an institutional-grade risk framework while staying fully non-custodial.We talk about institutional adoption heading into 2025–2026, why traditional funds and family offices now want safer access to DeFi yields, how risk curation actually works, and what institutions should look for when evaluating partners. Giel also breaks down KPK’s new vault + curator system and how automation allows them to adjust positions in under 30 seconds.Key Timestamps[00:00] What KPK Actually Does — managing billions for top DAOs with non-custodial infrastructure. [00:02] Institutional Demand — family offices & funds looking for safe DeFi exposure. [00:04] Banks & DeFi — how banks may adopt on-chain yield directly. [00:06] The Curator Model — risk frameworks, due diligence, and automated vaults. [00:09] What Institutions Should Look For — track record, risk discipline, zero loss history. [00:12] Roadmap — becoming a leading risk curator with focused, low-risk vaults. [00:14] Biggest Challenges — moving from behind the scenes to public institutional visibility. [00:16] The Ask — connecting with funds, aggregators, and institutions seeking safe, automated yield.Connecthttps://kpk.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/kpk-io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/giel-detienne/https://x.com/kpk_iohttps://x.com/deepcryptodiveDisclaimerIf you enjoyed this, I’d love you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share the episode with a friend.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode, I speak with Marcos from Parfin/Rayls, live at Devconnect Buenos Aires, where their new finance-focused L1 is already seeing explosive use: 30K wallets in 24 hours, 3M+ transactions, and 800K addresses on testnet.We discuss how stablecoins are shifting from crypto-native tools to bank-issued, institution-grade payment rails, why Brazil now has several sovereign stablecoins, and why U.S. banks may soon launch their own. Marcos breaks down real institutional adoption—credit receivables, real estate tokenization, commodity payments, and bank integrations—and what it takes to build a chain designed specifically for financial infrastructure.He also shares Rails’ TGE plans, their biggest challenges, and why 2026 could be the breakout year for regulated crypto adoption.Key Timestamps[00:00] Testnet Surge — 30K wallets in 24 hours, 3M+ txns, 800K addresses. [00:02] Hackathon & Devconnect Insights — real use cases emerging. [00:04] Institutional Adoption — banks warming up after regulatory clarity. [00:06] Stablecoins in Brazil — multiple BRL coins, cross-currency swaps. [00:08] Real-World Payments — stablecoins in commodity trading, FX, settlements. [00:10] Rails’ Customers — Brazil’s largest FMI, credit card acquirer, real estate tokenization. [00:11] Why TGE Now — fundamentals, utility, timing. [00:13] What Marcos Would Do Differently — build faster without sacrificing safety.[00:14] Stablecoin Reality — why stablecoins are becoming the settlement layer. [00:16] Global Stablecoin Future — fragmentation into hundreds of fiat-native coins. [00:18] Challenges & Asks — finish TGE, onboard banks, grow community.Connecthttps://parfin.io/https://parfin.io/en/raylshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/parfin/https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcosviriato/https://x.com/parfin_iohttps://x.com/mcvviriatoDisclaimerNothing 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.Get featuredBe a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode, I speak with Xin from Sign Global, a company building sovereign blockchain infrastructure for governments — from national stablecoins and CBDCs to digital identity and real-world asset systems.Xin explains why crypto struggles to reach real adoption: we build great tech but rarely solve problems for banks, regulators, or everyday users. Sign Global works directly with governments to modernize payments, identity, and asset rails — aiming to cut international settlement from 1–3 days to 2 minutes and unlock massive economic velocity.We discuss global stablecoin trends, why USD stablecoins won’t dominate long term, how sovereign digital ID actually works, and why countries like Kazakhstan and the UAE are moving fastest.A rare, practical look at the future of national-scale blockchain systems.(Nothing here is financial advice.)Key timestamps[00:00:00] Cold Open: Xin on why crypto people don’t talk to the real world [00:01:00] Intro: Sam introduces Xin and Sign Global’s mission for sovereign infrastructure [00:03:00] Origin Story: Mining, hardware, VC and founding Sign in 2021 [00:05:00] From App to Nations: Pivoting from Web3 contract signing to CBDCs and stablecoins[00:08:00] Crypto vs Real World: Why good tech without real users doesn’t create value [00:11:00] Digital ID: Sovereign credentials vs centralized government databases that keep getting hacked [00:15:00] Progressive States: Kazakhstan, UAE and how ambitious governments think about crypto [00:19:00] Future of Stablecoins: Why Xin believes stablecoins win but USD stablecoins won’t dominate everyday money [00:24:00] Tokenizing Nations: Governments as gatekeepers for fiat, oil, land and RWA on-chain [00:30:00] Business Model: From government infra contracts to global payment rails [00:33:00] Bandwidth of Money: 1–3 day SWIFT vs 2-minute settlement and the impact on global GDP [00:34:00] Roadmap & Ask: 25+ countries, global payment network and who Xin wants to work withConnecthttps://sign.global/https://www.linkedin.com/company/ethsign/https://www.linkedin.com/in/xin-yan-658545172/https://x.com/ethsignhttps://x.com/realyanxinDisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode, I sit down with Wojciech Kaszycki — serial entrepreneur, business angel behind 19+ ventures, and the mind behind both Mobilium and BTCS.Wojciech shares how he went from building one of Poland’s earliest e‑commerce platforms to pioneering fintech and crypto infrastructure. We explore why his teams focus on building real, regulated bridges between traditional finance and digital assets — not just hype.We dig into how Mobilium plans to let you use Bitcoin as collateral to spend or borrow against, and how BTCS builds a treasury + validator network to bring yield and Web3 services to a wider audience.He also gives practical advice for founders and investors: why a crowded “yes” may be a warning sign — and why sometimes it's the weird, rejected ideas that deserve to be built.If you care about honest, long-term crypto infrastructure and what it takes to build it — this one’s for you.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/Key Learnings 00:00:10If your idea gets a unanimous “yes” from friends — that may be a red flag. Lack of skepticism could mean low barriers to entry and limited upside. 00:03:00My path: from building Poland’s “Amazon‑like” e‑commerce to fintech and eventually entering crypto — bridging traditional finance with digital assets. 00:06:00With Mobilium, we don’t just offer a crypto card — we hold real lending licenses so users can borrow against their Bitcoin without selling it. 00:11:00Mobilium’s revenue comes from service fees on on‑ramps/off‑ramps, interchange fees from cards, and interest on crypto‑collateral loans. 00:13:00When building products — don’t just build what you think is best. Test with real users. But beware: too many opinions can derail focus. 00:18:00BTCS combines a crypto treasury, staking/validator infrastructure, and smart yield strategies — aiming to grow with the value of crypto, not just fiat. 00:22:00Key metrics for BTCS: monthly reward ratio (yield vs net asset value) and compound growth of net asset value per share. 00:28:00Sometimes you’re just early — don’t be afraid to fail. If your vision holds, the market may catch up later.Connecthttps://www.mobilum.com/enhttps://x.com/Mobilumofficialhttps://x.com/wkaszyckihttps://www.linkedin.com/company/mobilumcom/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wojciechkaszycki/DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice. Please do your own research.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Ismael (Founder/CEO) and Nate (Defense GTM) from Lagrange explain why the biggest commercial demand for cutting-edge cryptography might be outside crypto—securing AI in defense, healthcare, and regulated finance. We cover: why they built DeepProof (a zero-knowledge ML library that proves model outputs over private inputs), how this fits the DoD’s zero-trust mandates, and why frontier crypto R&D should serve national interest, not just faster token launches. We also dig into GTM with government, what zero-knowledge adds beyond TLS, and how to talk “applied cryptography” without getting stuck in a “crypto” stigma.Key timestamps[00:00:00] Cold Open: Ismael on crypto funding frontier cryptography beyond tokens[00:01:00] Introduction: Sam sets up Lagrange, AI, defense, and applied cryptography[00:03:00] Origin Story: Ismael’s path from TradFi and VC to founding Lagrange[00:06:00] Why Defense: Using crypto-funded cryptography for national security and AI safety[00:10:00] DeepProof Explained: Proving AI model outputs over private inputs with ZK[00:15:00] Business Model: “OpenAI sells inference; we sell proofs”[00:18:00] Beyond Crypto: Healthcare, compliance, and dual-use cryptography[00:22:00] Nate’s Role: Selling applied cryptography to defense without leading with “crypto”[00:27:00] Lagrange Vision: Cryptographic supremacy and becoming the verifiability layer[00:33:00] Roadmap & Ask: Expansion into defense, partners with serious AI workloadsConnecthttps://www.lagrange.dev/https://www.linkedin.com/company/lagrange-labs/https://www.linkedin.com/in/i20h/https://x.com/lagrangedevhttps://x.com/Ismael_H_RDisclaimerNothing 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.Get featuredBe a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

I sat down with Michael Sena to explore how we’ll start trusting AI agents with real‑world responsibilities — from crypto trading to enterprise workflows. We talk about his Web3 roots, the genesis of the concept behind skill markets, and how his project is creating transparency and performance benchmarks in a rapidly evolving AI ecosystem. If you’ve ever wondered how to evaluate an agent, give one control of money, or build one yourself — this episode gives you a front‑row seat.Key Learnings[00:01:00] Michael’s journey: from discovering Bitcoin in 2011 to diving into Web3 identity protocols and ultimately shifting to AI skill‑markets.[00:04:00] What the company does: a “decentralised skill market” where AI agents are tested, ranked, and evaluated on real‑world skills.[00:06:00] The central problem: how do you trust an AI you hand your crypto portfolio to, or a business process you delegate?[00:10:00] Why benchmarks often fall short: static tests, academic settings, and hype don’t always align with real‑world performance.[00:12:00] The role of agents vs. foundation models: many new AIs will specialise, and evaluation will need to keep up.[00:17:00] Why blockchain? For coordination, capital‑signalling, transparency and enabling open skill‑markets with economic incentives.[00:24:00] Most traction today: crypto‑trading agents, but enterprise and internal tooling evaluations are growing fast.[00:35:00] Roadmap highlights: token launch, permissionless market creation, verifiable AI execution via partnerships, and more.[00:39:00] How you can get involved: as a builder, curator, or user — open to anyone with interest and energy.Connecthttps://x.com/recallnethttps://recall.network/https://discord.com/invite/recallnethttps://www.linkedin.com/company/recalllabs/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/msena/https://x.com/dataliquidity DisclaimerNothing 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.Get featuredBe a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode I sit down with Ivan, the newly appointed CEO of Neon Labs, a serial‑founder with six exits and a deep background in infrastructure, distributed systems and Web3. We explore how Neon Labs is tackling the challenge of running an EVM on Solana, what “network extensions” mean and why this matters for builders, founders and the entire ecosystem. We also dig into tokenization, open‑source business models and where the infrastructure layer of Web3 is heading. Whether you’re building a protocol, debating chain choice or simply trying to understand what’s next, there’s plenty to unpack here.Key Learnings (with timestamps)00:02:00 – Ivan’s background: from engineer to startup founder to now leading Neon Labs.00:04:00 – Early Web3 attempt: building a multimedia messaging/email platform on Ethereum in 2017.00:07:00 – What Neon Labs is solving: bringing EVM execution to Solana via a network extension rather than a traditional L2 or side‑chain.00:10:00 – Advantages and challenges of this architecture: speed, composability, using Solana’s consensus & block‑space.00:12:00 – Chain choice argument: historically Solana for speed vs Ethereum for liquidity. How this is shifting.00:16:00 – Infrastructure costs of new chains: indexing, database/storage overhead, tooling.00:18:00 – Vision: network extensions as the next wave of infrastructure—purpose‑built execution environments plugging into a main chain.00:22:00 – Neon Labs’ focus areas: acquisition of ZK team, privacy‑scalability via off‑chain computation and proofs.00:39:00 – Advice for builders & founders: build in public + join community/super‑teams + focus on solving real infrastructure problems.00:42:00 – Neon’s current status & ask: financially stable, not actively raising now, looking for builders, early users and collaborators.DisclaimerNothing 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. ConnectIvan Bjelajac - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanbjelajac/NeonEVM- https://www.neonevm.org/ Be a guest on the podcast or contact us ‑ https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode I sit down with Zain Zaidi, co‑founder and CEO of TransCrypts, to explore his personal story and the mission driving his startup. He shares how a misplaced grad‑school transcript sparked a blockchain solution for identity verification, how his company now serves millions of users and hundreds of enterprises, and why the deepfake era makes what they do more critical than ever. We dive into the tech, the regulatory hurdles, Web2 clients, Web3 opportunities, and what’s ahead for verified credentials across employment, health and education.Key Learnings (with timestamps)00:00:00 – Mark Cuban’s warning about digital misinformation and deepfakes; the trust crisis we face online.00:02:00 – Zain’s personal trigger: grad‑school transcript error led to founding TransCrypts.00:04:00 – What TransCrypts solves: giving individuals ownership of verified credentials (job, school, income).00:06:00 – How the system works: integration with HR systems, issuance of on‑chain credentials.00:07:00 – Focus and expansion: employment verification is central, health and education credentials coming.00:12:00 – Technical and enterprise challenges: selling Web3 identity solutions to Web2 businesses.00:14:00 – The synergy of AI + crypto: identity verification as the defense against AI‑driven fraud.00:17:00 – Pitching and fundraising: cold‑emailing Mark Cuban, building traction, $15 M seed round.00:18:00 – Humanitarian use‑case: helping Ukrainian refugees access medical records via their platform.00:23:00 – If he were starting again today: focus on the solution not the tech; time your raise relative to market cycle.00:34:00 – Roadmap and ambitions: becoming a major employment/income data provider, potential token launch.Connecthttps://www.transcrypts.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/transcrypts/https://x.com/transcrypts_https://www.linkedin.com/in/zainzaidi99/DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us ‑ https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode I chat with Ian Brunner, co‑founder and CEO of IPTS - Interplanetary Talent Services, about how recruiting in Web3 and AI safety is changing — and how founders and job‑seekers alike can win. Ian shares how he pivoted from ad‑tech and Facebook into Web3, helped build recruiting at Protocol Labs, then spun out to form IPTS and now supports over a hundred companies placing talent across complex, frontier tech roles. We dig into real tactics for hiring: spotting fake AI‑written resumes, structuring hybrid roles, and mapping the cycles of the talent market. Whether you’re a founder scaling a startup, or a candidate trying to break into Web3/AI, you’ll pick up actionable advice you can use now. Key Learnings[00:03:00] How Ian made the jump from Facebook recruiting to Web3, and why direct access to leadership mattered for his decision.[00:06:00] The origin story of IPTS: how the recruiting team at Protocol Labs shifted into an agency model and spun out.[00:08:00] What sets IPTS apart: mission‑alignment, success‑based models, network depth, and a hands‑on operations mindset.[00:12:00] How IPTS acquires new clients and the power of referrals in this talent market.[00:13:00] Two major hiring trends in Web3/AI: the lack of entry‑level roles, and the rise of "Frankenstein roles" combining multiple functions.[00:20:00] How AI is disrupting recruiting: job descriptions created by AI, applications written by AI, and the challenge of verifying authenticity.[00:22:00] Real tactics for vetting candidates: ask about team structure, who managed them, who they interacted with — questions scammers/bots struggle with.[00:23:00] The resurgence of reference and background checks: what was ignored in hiring booms now is mandatory.[00:24:00] Global hiring in Web3: remote first, equitable pay across locations, and the attractiveness of arbitrage (talent anywhere).[00:38:00] Advice for founders: spend time upfront clarifying what you’re hiring for; understand the hiring cycles of the year; and define what carrot you’re offering if you need hires in tight windows.[00:31:00] The highest‑demand roles right now: senior to staff engineering; marketing/ecosystem/community growth; and BD/sales in Web3/AI contexts.DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment or financial advice and please do your own research.Connecthttps://ipts.ai/https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipts/https://x.com/iptsaihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ianbrunner/It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. Be a guest on the podcast or contact us ‑ https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode I chat with Alex (CMO) and Andrew (CPO) of Sticker Pack about how they’re turning something as simple as a sticker on Telegram into a Web3‑community powerhouse. We trace their journeys back to early crypto days, uncover how they saw the gaps in traditional NFTs, and why they believe Telegram’s built‑in ecosystem offers a unique route for mass adoption. The podcast dives into what drives Sticker Pack’s growth, how they secure IP rights, how they onboard creators and users, and what’s next for them in the next 12 months. Whether you’re a creator, collector, or just curious about where Web2 meets Web3, you’ll find plenty of practical insight here.Key Learnings[00:00:30] Alex shares how he got into crypto in 2012‑13, left during the cold years, then returned when Telegram and TON showed potential.[00:02:00] Andrew describes his parallel journey: IT consulting, dabbling in crypto, and eventually co‑founding Sticker Pack to build something new in the Telegram/TON ecosystem.[00:04:00] They identify a key problem with traditional NFTs: yes you own something, but it often sits unseen and un‑validated in your wallet.[00:05:30] Sticker Pack aims to give “flexible ownership”: visible, usable assets inside Telegram (stickers, status, anonymous numbers) that let you show you own something.[00:11:00] Traction: ~172 sticker packs launched with ~40 collections; total sales around US$11‑12 million; some rare stickers traded for thousands of dollars.[00:13:00] Business model: IP owners partner with Sticker Pack; Sticker Pack takes a revenue share + contract fees; secondary royalties also built‑in.[00:15:30] Primary customer: The community/user first, then IP/partners. Building belonging, utility, gated chats, and community meet‑ups matter more than just launches.[00:17:00] IP rights: They only launch sticker packs after verifying the IP owner or decision‑maker. If they can’t verify it, they won’t proceed.[00:19:00] Undiscovered market: Alumni associations, tight‑knit communities (like universities) are strong opportunities — people already buy merch etc for identity.[00:20:00] Telegram features many don’t know: Gifts and anonymous numbers (NFT‑numbers) within Telegram are becoming real status and utility items. Andrew highlights a use‑case: owning an NFT number means you can log into Telegram independent of your mobile SIM.[00:24:30] Onboarding web2 users: Though user base is large, the uptake of Web3 features is still low; but Sticker Pack and Telegram are trying to make things “normie‑friendly”.[00:26:00] Product vision for next 12 months: A self‑service portal so any artist can launch their own sticker pack; community votes determine which packs get featured. Equal opportunity for creators worldwide.[00:29:30] Their ask: Looking for strong IP partnerships + builders who want utility around stickers. They emphasise that this ecosystem is collaborative.[00:30:20] Future of Telegram/TON over next year: More utilities, easier fiat payments, simplified onboarding of non‑crypto users — more mass adoption features.[00:31:40] Magic‑wand question: Alex would mandate banks to use stablecoins and governments to stop treating crypto as enemy; Andrew emphasised user safety and trustworthy onboarding for non‑deep‑tech users.DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.Connecthttps://t.me/sticker_bothttps://t.me/sticker_communityhttps://x.com/stickers_tgAlex:https://x.com/alexcrypto_buzzhttps://t.me/coinfessional_boothAndrew:https://t.me/andrew_is_thinkingDune dashboardhttps://dune.com/telegram/stickersA tool to analyse sticker performance https://stickers.tools/It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode I sit down with Grigore Roșu (Grigore Rosu), former NASA researcher and computer‑science professor, now building the Pi Squared Network. We dive into what Web3 really means (hint: it isn’t just blockchains). Grigore explains why the conventional blockchain model is inefficient, how his team is creating a parallel settlement network that scales, and what this could mean for everything from payments to gaming to AI‑agent economies. Whether you’re a founder, developer, or curious about the next wave of crypto infrastructure—you’ll get fresh insights plus a roadmap of what’s coming next.Key Learnings[00:00:00] The common idea that Web3 = blockchain is flawed — blockchains are one implementation, not the only way.[00:05:00] How good academic ideas at university can migrate into startup innovations (Rosu’s lab → Runtime Verification → Pi Squared).[00:06:00] The core scalability problem in Web3: transaction throughput and cost. Why traditional chains struggle.[00:08:00] The paradigm shift: dropping “total order” of transactions across the network and moving to parallel, independent settlement.[00:09:00] How the original blockchain design (chain + blocks + ordering) addressed double‑spending, but introduces a scalability ceiling.[00:12:00] The potential: with massive parallelism, transaction cost could fall to “a hundredth of a cent” and throughput could reach millions per second.[00:15:00] What this means for layers: If the infrastructure supports massive parallelism, the whole stack changes (Layer 1, Layer 2, app chains).[00:21:00] Why the language ecosystem matters: restrictive smart‑contract languages (e.g., Solidity) limit developer adoption.[00:30:00] Why it’s taken a decade for this to shift: new scientific results, protocol research, and building the infrastructure take time.[00:36:00] Pi  Squared’s roadmap: upcoming network launch, opening to validators, then expanding languages, reaching decentralization at scale.[00:40:00] The “north star” metric: 1 million organic transactions per second. Makes everything else fall into place.[00:43:00] Real use‑cases unlocked: Web3 gaming, AI agents interacting at speed, truly low‑cost settlement for mass‑market.DisclaimerNothing 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.Connecthttps://x.com/Pi_Squared_Pi2https://www.linkedin.com/company/pi-squared-inc/posts/https://pi2.network/Be a guest on the podcast or contact us – https://www.web3pod.xyz/

I sat down with Toby  Gilbert, co‑founder of Pact Swap, to dig into how he went from years in telecoms to building infrastructure for the Web3 era. We talk about the problems in decentralized exchanges, why cross‑chain and native Bitcoin support matter, and how Pact Swap is positioning itself to offer DEX functionality at central‑exchange price levels — without KYC and heavy overheads. If you’ve ever wondered how innovation in DEX infrastructure happens behind the scenes, this episode is for you.Key Learnings[00:01:00] Toby’s entry into blockchain came via a deep infrastructure dev friend who highlighted the scaling pain‑points of incompatible chains.[00:02:00] Unlike many who start with Bitcoin or Ethereum apps, Toby started “far further upstream” building infrastructure.[00:03:00] Pact Swap is a cross‑chain DEX that supports native Bitcoin — tackling usability and cost issues with current solutions.[00:04:00] The architecture: Rather than locking hundreds of millions in validator collateral, Pact Swap uses per‑trade collateral and reactive smart‑contracts — making swaps ~95% cheaper than some competitors.[00:05:00] Their go‑to‑market is B2C + B2B (gaming companies, gateways, merchants) — enabling non‑crypto businesses to accept a variety of tokens and instantly swap to stable tokens without KYC overhead.[00:11:00] They’re launching a governance & utility token: holders will access fee‑pools, burn tokens to unlock collateral — adding a “gamified” arbitrage model.[00:13:00] Misconception: “Are cross‑chain DEXs safe?” Toby explains how Pact Swap avoids bridges and uses a new architecture to keep it secure.[00:17:00] Big benchmark: Toby expects $0.5 billion/day of trade volume by end‑2026 — scaling to centralized‑exchange levels.[00:18:00] Advice for founders: Be ready to pivot, understand regulation, budget accordingly, and build team culture with open conversation.[00:21:00] On DeFi’s next phase: User experience must evolve to bring in non‑crypto users and expand liquidity sources.[00:24:00] On raising: “Build product first, not just a pitch deck” — traction matters more than buzzwords.DisclaimerNothing 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.Connecthttps://pactswap.io/https://x.com/Pact_Swaphttps://x.com/TobyCoinwebhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-gilbert-64909855/ Be featured on this podcastBe a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Imagine owning your own AI. That’s exactly what David Johnston, core contributor at Morpheus believes is not just possible, but inevitable. In this episode, we go deep on smart agents, how they’re the next evolution after smart contracts, and why decentralized AI will reshape how we use intelligence. David shares why the world has now officially crossed the line where AI has more brainpower than all humans combined,and what that means for builders, entrepreneurs, and anyone online.We cover how Morpheus is building a platform for smart agents just like Ethereum did for smart contracts, why LLMs still matter, and how tools like x402 and onchain identity are solving major AI risks. This is the future of AI, Web3, and ownership, all in one.Key Learnings & Time Stamps[00:00] - AI brainpower now exceeds human brainpower, what that really means.[03:00] - The origin story of DApps and why decentralized software must pay for its own hardware.[05:30] - How Web3 evolved from protocol to user-friendly applications.[08:00] - What smart agents are and why they’re the natural next step after smart contracts.[10:00] - How Morpheus provides infrastructure and incentives for agent builders.[17:00] - Current limitations of autonomous agents and how intent-based agents solve real problems.[20:00] - How ERC-8004 and agent reputation registries change the AI trust layer.[22:00] - What x402 is and why it's a game-changer for onchain payments.[26:00] - Why rewarding developers directly makes Morpheus similar to early Ethereum.[32:00] - The shift from office space to data centers, what AI is really doing to work.[38:00] - LLMs are not enough, here’s how personal AI agents will evolve.[43:00] - The idea behind the Morpheus Virtual Machine.[47:00] - Roadmap: What’s next for Morpheus and its community-led infrastructure.DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.Connecthttps://mor.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/morpheusais/https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidajohnston/https://x.com/DJohnstonECBe featured on this podcastBe a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Imagine a world where your kids learn directly from Einstein in the metaverse. That’s the bold vision Mete Al is building at ICB Labs.In this episode, I sat down with Mete live at Token2049 in Singapore to explore how ICB Labs is fusing AI, blockchain, and immersive metaverse experiences to reshape education. From building a global network of university partnerships to creating age-appropriate AI mentors for kids, Mete shares how his team is creating a safe, scalable, and gamified learning environment for the next generation.We talk NFTs with real utility, selling $3M in an ICO, and how AI is quietly training itself through student interactions. This one is full of practical insights, bold predictions, and the clarity of a founder with a big mission: to build the future of learning.Key Learnings + Time Stamps[00:00] Selling $2.5M in NFTs in 3 days — how they did it[01:20] How Mete got into Web3 from real estate & farming[03:50] The shift to AI in education: problems and promise[06:30] Why current AI use in schools is broken — and ICB’s fix[08:00] What sets ICB’s metaverse apart from Meta & others[10:20] How their AI matches students by age with safe, tailored content[12:00] B2B model: partnering with 9+ universities globally[14:00] The real reason previous metaverse hype failed[16:00] Roadmap: language learning, talent hubs, AI avatars & fashion street[18:30] Their monetization model: KYC, NFTs with utility, and their own token[20:00] What startup founders should focus on: Mete’s #1 advice[21:00] The upcoming “Talent Hub” to fund and build student ideas[23:00] Who inspires Mete in Web3: shoutout to 1inch and Sandbox[25:00] ICB Labs’ next big milestone: scaling to 400+ staff and beyondConnectMete's Socials:https://www.instagram.com/meteicb/https://www.linkedin.com/in/meteicb/ICB Labs:https://x.com/ICBLabshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/icblabs/https://icblabs.com/ICB Verse:https://x.com/icbversehttps://icbverse.io/ DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, 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/

Catherine (Space and Time) breaks down why blockchains alone can’t power complex apps—and how a verifiable, decentralized database with ZK proofs closes the gap for enterprises, devs, and AI agents. We cover: what SxT is, how its patented ZK approach offloads compute to a single node and proves correctness on-chain, why institutional adoption is sticky, and marketing tactics that actually work in Web3 (what to outsource vs keep in-house). She also shares the Indonesia education rollout (UGM + Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison/IOH), token-powered payments, and what she’d do with unlimited community budget.Key timestamps (YouTube format)[00:00:00] Opening clip: From “future of money” to “verifiable data for smart contracts” [00:01:00] Live at Token2049: who Catherine is and what we cover [00:02:00] Origin story: joining Space and Time to solve crypto’s database gap [00:03:00] Mission: empower devs/enterprises/AI agents with verifiable data [00:04:00] Why chains ≠ databases: limits, complexity, and enterprise SLAs [00:05:00] The core innovation: patented ZK proofs for database compute [00:05:45] How it works (plain English): single-node compute, on-chain verification [00:06:30] Catherine’s background: technical marketing roots → Web3 [00:07:00] Founder tip: what to outsource vs keep internal (PR, events, community) [00:08:00] Campaigns that win: enterprise/institutional stories beat gimmicks [00:09:00] Example: Microsoft Fabric integration momentum[00:10:00] Listening to the market: community as your feedback engine [00:11:00] Indonesia rollout: IOH partnership and 100k+ students onboarding [00:12:00] UGM framework: verifiable diplomas/records; SXT as payment rail [00:13:00] Longevity question: decentralization and community node operators [00:15:00] If starting today: what they’d build vs leverage in the ecosystem [00:16:00] Why institutional demand is slow but sticky (and good for cycles) [00:17:00] Competing for attention vs building fundamentals and partnerships [00:18:00] What Space and Time needs now: builders to ship with verifiable data [00:19:00] Who they admire: Chainlink’s dual GTM (community + enterprise) [00:20:00] Unlimited budget thought experiment: country leads and community depth [00:20:45] Advice to community managers: shared values, inclusion, tight feedback loops [00:21:30] Close: links, how to try SxT, and why this matters for Web3 buildersConnecthttps://www.spaceandtime.io/https://twitter.com/SpaceandTimeDBhttps://discord.gg/spaceandtimeDB https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinehdaly/https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-and-time-db/DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

What if your digital identity could unlock payments, access, and compliance—all without giving up your privacy?In this episode, I talk to Boris, CEO of Concordium and former co-founder of Copper, one of the biggest institutional custodians in crypto. We dive deep into why Concordium is building a new Layer 1 focused on privacy, programmable payments, stablecoins, and compliance-first infrastructure.Boris shares insights on the challenges of building for institutional adoption, the critical need for better tooling in Web3, and why he believes Concordium could be the missing link for real-world crypto use cases.Whether you’re a founder, developer, or curious about blockchain’s next evolution—this one’s for you.Key Learnings with Timestamps[00:01:00] – Boris’s unexpected entry into crypto and founding Copper[00:04:00] – Why he joined Concordium and the vision behind it[00:06:00] – Why another L1? Solving for real-world adoption, not just innovation[00:10:00] – Privacy-preserving compliance: why anonymity doesn't scale[00:15:00] – The real reason stablecoins like USDT dominate (and why others don’t)[00:21:00] – Who Concordium is built for and what people are using it for today[00:27:00] – The biggest technical challenges: making blockchain usable[00:30:00] – Real-world institutional use cases: trade finance reimagined[00:35:00] – Stablecoins as yield-bearing tools in cross-border trade[00:40:00] – What Boris would do differently if starting today[00:42:00] – Roadmap: smart payments, identity, and ecosystem growth[00:45:00] – Final ask: developers, builders, and ecosystem collaborators wantedConnecthttps://www.concordium.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/boris-bohrer-bilowitzki-07a75b75/https://x.com/ConcordiumNethttps://www.linkedin.com/company/concordium/DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, 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/