How To Improve Solana's Market Structure | Eugene Chen

Jul 5, 2025

Eugene Chen, co-founder of Ellipsis Labs, shares his insights on improving Solana's market structure. He discusses innovative projects like Atlas, Phoenix, and SolFi, emphasizing the need for quality product development. The conversation dives into the complexities of market dynamics, exploring market-making innovations and the impact of Miner Extractable Value (MEV) on retail investors. Eugene also highlights the strategic advantages of perpetual contracts and new automated market makers aimed at enhancing token launch efficiency. Tune in for fresh ideas on boosting user experience!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Crypto Market Making Complexity

On-chain market making is complex due to multiple actors and evolving infrastructure.
Traditional centralized exchanges offer simplicity and efficiency absent in today's on-chain systems.

ADVICE

Optimize For Market Maker Welfare

Prioritize transaction ordering that favors market makers to ensure tighter liquidity and better prices.
Drop everything to land crucial oracle updates immediately for best market operation.

ADVICE

Bootstrapping Liquidity With Perps

Start with perpetual contracts on new chains to simplify asset bridging and bootstrap liquidity.
Use a single collateral asset and oracles for pricing to avoid bridging multiple tokens on-chain.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Gm! This week we're joined by Eugene Chen to discuss how to improve Solana's market structure. We deep dive into what Eugene is building with Atlas, Phoenix & SolFi, how to improve market making in crypto, MEV on Solana, how to build a great product & more. Enjoy!

Follow Eugene: https://x.com/0xShitTrader

Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave

Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq

Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

Katana is a DeFi-first chain built for deep liquidity and high yield. No empty emissions, just real yield and sequencer fees routed back to DeFi users.

Pre-deposit now: Earn high APRs with Turtle Club [https://app.turtle.club/campaigns/katana] or spin the wheel with Katana Krates [https://app.katana.network/krates]

Ledger, the global leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors the Lightspeed podcast. As Ledger celebrates 10 years of securing 20% of global crypto, it remains the top choice for securing your Solana assets. Buy a LEDGER™ device now and build confidently, knowing your SOL are safe.

SOL lovers, grab your Ledger Flex Solana Edition now at:

https://ecommerce-shop-frontend.stg.ldg-tech.com/products/ledger-flex-solana-edition-sol-eligibility

(00:00) Introduction

(03:24) What Is Atlas?

(06:39) Multiple Concurrent Leaders

(09:21) How To Improve Market Making In Crypto

(13:58) Katana Ad

(14:50) Ledger Ad

(15:20) How To Optimize Phoenix?

(23:00) Does Decentralization Matter?

(27:36) MEV On Solana

(28:29) Katana Ad

(28:59) Ledger Ad

(34:58) How To Build A Great Product In Crypto

(39:06) SolFi: Solana’s Premier Liquidity Source

(44:05) Improving Solana’s Market Structure

(47:39) Sandwiching On Solana

(52:17) Final Thoughts

Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mert, Jack, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.