The Edge Podcast

Sam MacPherson is CEO at Phoenix Labs, a service provider to Spark.In this episode, we explore how one of the top 5 largest DeFi protocols scaled to billions in liquidity onchain without a token, and why its upcoming SPK launch, RWA strategy, and “not a bank” campaign prove it’s just getting started.EDITOR'S NOTE: Since recording, liquidity deposited into Spark grew from $3.6B to $4B.------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources🪄 NEWTON | SIMPLER CRYPTO UX WITH VERIFIABLE AI AGENTS🔮 PYTH NETWORK | SMARTER DATA FOR SMARTER CONTRACTS🤙 FAIR | THE FIRST L1 BLOCKCHAIN TO ELIMINATE MEV AT CONSENSUS📊 iYIELD | YOUR FINANCIAL PICTURE, SIMPLIFIED🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER UNIFI | A BASED ROLLUP TO ETHEREUM WITH NATIVE YIELDS🌔 MOONWELL | THE LEADING LENDING AND BORROWING APP ON BASE⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED🥞 SYRUPUSDC BY MAPLE | DEFI'S PREMIUM YIELD ASSET------Timestamps0:00 - Intro5:55 - Start at Maker12:40 - Spark spinning out of Maker17:07 - The Spark product suite21:11 - Capacity to onramp another $20B23:21 - Serious interest in yield from institutions25:28 - Sponsor break26:09 - Spark’s interest in lending to institutions like BlackRock28:50 - Strategy for the stablecoin boom31:19 - Web2 partners will offer access to Spark yields32:26 - Spark’s interest in more RWAs37:24 - Sponsor break39:03 - Who decides where SLL will allocate capital?44:25 - Spark is not a bank49:11 - SPK TGE, Pendle campaign, and airdrop51:46 - Rewarding legacy Spark users52:44 - Sam’s vision for Spark54:22 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► Spark website: https://spark.fi/► Spark Data Hub website: https://data.spark.fi/► Spark on X: https://x.com/sparkdotfinance► Sam on X: https://x.com/hexonaut------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. As of the recording, DeFi Dad and Nomatic are holding YT-USDS on Pendle, expiring August 13, 2025. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.

Jack O'Holleran, co-founder of SKALE and CEO at SKALE Labs, unveils FAIR, an innovative L1 blockchain designed to eliminate miner extractable value (MEV). He discusses the importance of building practical infrastructure for DeFi and AI, emphasizing user-friendly features like zero gas fees. O'Holleran shares his journey from crypto skepticism to becoming a pioneer in the space and explains how FAIR aims to attract users by enhancing accessibility and aligning blockchain economics with effective user practices.

Aya Kantorovich is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder at August and Upshift.In this episode, we explore how Aya's team is building institutional-grade infrastructure to unlock the next wave of capital into DeFi. Plus, how everyday users can earn the same curated, risk-managed yield as institutions!------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources🪄 NEWTON | SIMPLER CRYPTO UX WITH VERIFIABLE AI AGENTS🔮 PYTH NETWORK | SMARTER DATA FOR SMARTER CONTRACTS🤙 SKALE NETWORK | THE GAS-FREE INVISIBLE L1 BLOCKCHAIN📊 iYIELD | YOUR FINANCIAL PICTURE, SIMPLIFIED🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER UNIFI | A BASED ROLLUP TO ETHEREUM WITH NATIVE YIELDS🌔 MOONWELL | THE LEADING LENDING AND BORROWING APP ON BASE⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED🥞 SYRUP.FI | INSTITUTIONAL-GRADE YIELD------Timestamps0:00 - Intro8:02 - Building August, an institutional platform for crypto14:02 - What’s needed for institutional investors to come onchain?18:29 - Adoption comes from superior financial products24:53 - Big TradFi money will next wave of adoption30:06 - Better backend management is necessary for DeFi34:59 - Sponsor break35:40 - Composability is why DeFi beats CeFi40:51 - Why more institutional investors choose Ethereum46:01 - Sponsor break47:40 - Using DeFi is where you uncover real edge55:39 - Top vaults on Upshift58:37 - Roadmap for August and Upshift1:01:00 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► Upshift website: https://www.upshift.finance/► August website: https://www.augustdigital.io/► Upshift on X: https://x.com/upshift_fi► August on X: https://x.com/august_digital► Aya on X: https://x.com/aya_kantor------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.

Jared Phillips is the CoFounder and CEO of GolfN.In this episode, we dive into GolfN, a new golf rewards app built on Solana that lets you earn crypto and other rewards for playing golf, tracking your game, and sharing your love of golf with friends. With over 40,000 golfers on the waitlist and an app launch just around the corner, GolfN is one of the most promising new consumer apps built on Web3 rails, delivering crypto-native rewards that users can benefit from without ever needing to think about the tech behind it.------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources🪄 NEWTON | SIMPLER CRYPTO UX WITH VERIFIABLE AI AGENTS🔮 PYTH NETWORK | SMARTER DATA FOR SMARTER CONTRACTS🤙 SKALE NETWORK | THE GAS-FREE INVISIBLE L1 BLOCKCHAIN📊 iYIELD | YOUR FINANCIAL PICTURE, SIMPLIFIED🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER UNIFI | A BASED ROLLUP TO ETHEREUM WITH NATIVE YIELDS🌔 MOONWELL | THE LEADING LENDING AND BORROWING APP ON BASE⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED🥞 SYRUP.FI | INSTITUTIONAL-GRADE YIELD------Timestamps0:00 - Intro7:02 - Why build a rewards app for golfers?13:08 - Golf’s trending rise in popularity17:40 - The fast-paced world of golf media23:39 - The state of legacy golfing apps28:20 - Why are there few loyalty programs for golfers?29:25 - Sponsor break32:13 - GolfN = Strava + Chase Rewards + Pokémon GO35:41 - GolfN is an accountability app like WHOOP42:52 - Sponsor break44:30 - Examples of how we will use the GolfN app48:55 - What rewards will GolfN users earn?52:51 - Benefits of GolfN for course managers56:42 - GolfN digital golf cards (NFTs) increase earnings in-app1:00:25 - GolfN app expected to launch any day1:02:49 - What’s next?1:06:16 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► GolfN website: https://golfn.com/► GolfN on X: https://x.com/GolfNapp► Jared on X: https://x.com/JMPlusEV► Bryson DeChambeau on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brysondechambeau/videos------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. DeFi Dad and Nomatic are both investors in GolfN. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.

Kedian Sun, Co-founder of Level, dives into the world of stablecoins with a focus on lvlUSD. He discusses how Level’s innovative two-token structure offers attractive yields while addressing the risks involved. The conversation highlights strategies for using lvlUSD across various DeFi platforms like Pendle and Curve. Kedian also explores the competitive landscape of yield-bearing stablecoins, emphasizing the importance of transparency and lower-risk options for investors. Get ready for insights on the future of capital efficiency in the stablecoin ecosystem!

Brandon Kumar is the CoFounder of Layer3 and former Vice President of Accolade Partners, one of the world's top crypto-specific fund of funds.In this episode, we unpack the mindset that separates crypto’s best investors. Brandon shares why being “long-term greedy” pays off, how to spot the DNA of top founders and top investors, and what it takes to win in evolving token-based capital markets.------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources🪄 NEWTON | FINANCIAL FREEDOM ON AUTOPILOT🔮 PYTH NETWORK | SMARTER DATA FOR SMARTER CONTRACTS🤙 SKALE NETWORK | THE GAS-FREE INVISIBLE L1 BLOCKCHAIN📊 iYIELD | YOUR FINANCIAL PICTURE, SIMPLIFIED🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER UNIFI | A BASED ROLLUP TO ETHEREUM WITH NATIVE YIELDS🌔 MOONWELL | THE LEADING LENDING AND BORROWING APP ON BASE⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED🥞 SYRUP.FI | INSTITUTIONAL-GRADE YIELD------Timestamps0:00 - Intro7:01 - Brandon’s background12:16 - The archetype of the best investors in crypto14:33 - How the crypto investor landscape has changed18:35 - The evolution of capital markets for token-based businesses22:05 - Can TradFi valuation methods be applied to crypto?25:19 - Sponsor break26:00 - What needs to happen to attract more institutional buyers?30:26 - Making sense of memecoins36:07 - Focus on what happens if everything goes right41:14 - The double-edged sword of tokens for early stage teams46:01 - Sponsor break47:40 - What is Layer3?48:29 - Who uses Layer3?51:46 - L3 token utility and design55:56 - Why Layer3 launched new prediction markets57:31 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► Layer3 website: https://layer3.xyz/► Layer3 on X: https://x.com/layer3xyz► Brandon Kumar on X: https://x.com/brandon_m_kumar► Brandon's viral post on X: https://x.com/Brandon_M_Kumar/status/1915403560977633348------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.

Sean Li, CEO and Co-Founder of Magic Labs, discusses revolutionizing the crypto experience with Newton, an AI-driven platform that automates trading and enhances user interfaces. He likens the evolution of crypto wallets to transitioning from manual to self-driving cars, focusing on security and user empowerment. Sean emphasizes the importance of simplifying decentralized finance for newcomers while unlocking innovative use cases. The conversation highlights how AI agents can democratize access to advanced financial tools, reshaping the landscape of cryptocurrency.

Miles Jennings, the Head of Policy & General Counsel at a16z crypto, dives into the shifting tides of U.S. crypto regulation. He highlights the promising bipartisan efforts towards stablecoin regulation and the increasing institutional interest in tokenization and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). The conversation emphasizes the need for clear regulatory frameworks to foster innovation while managing risks. Jennings underscores the growing recognition of cryptocurrency's potential, marking an optimistic turn for the industry's future.

Join TN Lee, Co-founder of Pendle Finance, as he shares his insights on pioneering stablecoin farming strategies. He discusses Pendle's innovative transition to permissionless market listings and the launch of their unreleased leveraged yield trading platform, Boros. The conversation dives into the importance of liquidity and institutional adoption, while exploring the unique strategies involving Principal Tokens and Yield Tokens. With a focus on maximizing yields and navigating the dynamic DeFi landscape, listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the future of cryptocurrency.

Mads Mathiesen, a Research Partner at Maven 11, dives deep into the world of early-stage crypto investments. He talks about how the team identifies high-potential applications, including consumer apps and stablecoin payment systems. Mads discusses the evolving nature of crypto valuations and the necessity for innovative solutions in decentralized finance. He also highlights making early investments more accessible and shares insights on the future landscape of crypto consumer applications that truly resonate with users.