The Crypto Conversation

Josh Bowen is the founder of Astria, the easiest way to deploy decentralized rollups. Why you should listen In this conversation, Josh Bowen, co-founder of Astria, discusses the evolution and significance of decentralized sequencing in the blockchain ecosystem. He shares insights on the current state of rollups, the impact of regulatory changes, and the future of decentralized finance (DeFi). Josh also introduces Astria's new rollup, Flame, and emphasizes the importance of user experience in attracting wider adoption of DeFi. The discussion touches on the existential questions surrounding decentralization and the future of blockchain technology. Astria is building the shared sequencing layer for modular blockchains — an innovative approach designed to supercharge rollup scalability while preserving decentralization. By decoupling sequencing from execution, Astria gives developers the ability to launch fast, censorship-resistant rollups without needing to bootstrap their own validator sets or trusted sequencers. The core idea? Shared sequencing as a public good — one decentralized sequencer network serving many rollups. Under the hood, Astria's shared sequencer is powered by CometBFT and integrated with Celestia for data availability. This enables near-instant transaction inclusion and atomic cross-rollup composability, solving some of the most pressing coordination problems in the modular stack. Developers can spin up an Astria-integrated rollup with tools like Rollkit and benefit from out-of-the-box speed, fairness, and security. In a world of rollup proliferation, Astria is carving out the infrastructure to make modular chains truly interoperable and decentralized. Supporting links Stabull Finance Astria Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Seek Protocol is a cutting-edge ecosystem on Solana at the intersection of AI, augmented reality (AR), geolocation, and GameFi. Why you should listen Don Reijke is the Founder and CTO of Seek Protocol, and Lukas Novotny is COO of Seek Protocol. Seek Protocol is a technology initiative dedicated to blending cutting-edge innovation with human experience. At the crossroads of Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Web3, Seek Protocol is revolutionizing how people interact with the digital and physical worlds. Seek Protocol is building an ecosystem where creativity, ownership, and exploration converge. Seek Protocol is committed to creating dynamic and immersive experiences that empower users to engage with digital ecosystems in transformative ways. From gamified experiences (GameFi) to personalized AI-driven interactions and AR-enhanced interactions, Seek Protocol strives to blur the lines between reality and imagination. The mission is clear: to redefine how people interact, innovate, and connect on a global scale. Seek Protocol is the first project on Solana to integrate augmented reality, geofencing technology, AI agents, and the Solana L1 blockchain. Seek Panel in combination with SeekAR function as the ultimate user acquisition platform, enabling creators and projects to distribute their tokenized assets to users on-chain in a gamified and engaging way. SeekAI, on the other hand, ensures that end users enjoy a dynamic and engaging experience through an ever-evolving treasure hunt, offering infinite replayability mixed with a continuous stream of new rewards. This enables meme token creators and communities to add utility to their tokens, helps web3 games attract players, and allows other Solana-based projects to introduce their token to new audiences in an innovative way. With SeekAR's crypto-native user base, comprising individuals passionate about cutting-edge technologies and GameFi, the platform becomes an ideal gateway for new projects entering the Solana ecosystem. Integrating assets into the app drives demand for its native token, $SEEK, which is essential for launching campaigns within the SeekAR app, creating a positive buying pressure, and fostering ecosystem growth. Supporting links Stabull Finance Seek Protocol Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Steve Merry is the co-founder of Scenario Protocol, a game-changing alerts platform that empowers users with control over the information that matters. Why you should listen ​Scenario Protocol is a decentralized platform designed to deliver user-specific notifications by achieving on-chain consensus for topics of interest, encompassing both Web3 events and real-world occurrences. Users specify the information they wish to monitor and Scenario ensures they receive timely alerts when those events transpire, streamlining the process of staying informed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The platform is currently in its early access phase, inviting users to participate in shaping its development. Early adopters have the opportunity to build their reputation scores from the outset, contributing feedback that influences Scenario's evolution. The roadmap includes a transition to testnet, where initial applications will go live followed by a mainnet launch on the Base network. This progression will embed tokenomics into Scenario's consensus and security mechanisms, enhancing the platform's robustness and reliability. ​Scenario Protocol operates as a decentralized platform that facilitates user-requested notifications and oracle-style data outputs by achieving on-chain consensus about a wide range of user-defined, real-world occurrences and scenarios. This process enables the creation of data triggers that not only meet the immediate need for bespoke notifications but also hold potential for valuable oracle-style applications in the future. The protocol serves as an on-chain marketplace connecting two primary user groups: individuals willing to pay a fee to be notified when specific events occur, and those incentivized to confirm the occurrence of these scenarios accurately and promptly.​ Users within the Scenario ecosystem assume distinct roles to maintain the protocol's functionality and integrity. 'Askers' are users seeking notifications about specific events; they can either create new scenarios ('asker-makers') or join existing ones ('asker-joiners'). 'Confirmers' are responsible for verifying that a scenario's conditions have been met, with roles divided into 'confirmer-makers' (those first to state a scenario has occurred) and 'confirmer-joiners' (those who subsequently verify this claim). In cases of disputes, 'Arbiters' step in to resolve conflicts, ensuring the protocol's reliability and trustworthiness. To support the arbitration process, Scenario Protocol establishes an Arbiter Fund, allocating 3% of all funds from resolved pools to ensure arbiters are compensated fairly, regardless of their decisions. This mechanism maintains impartiality and encourages honest participation. The protocol's rollout follows a staged approach, initially limiting testing to whitelisted addresses from engaged, knowledgeable communities. During these early phases, an off-chain reputation scoring system is employed to reward or penalize participants, fostering desirable user behavior and laying the groundwork for a robust, decentralized notification and data verification system. Supporting links Stabull Finance Scenario Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Patrick Young is head of ecosystem for Galxe / Gravity. Galxe is onboarding the world to Web3 by enabling seamless web3 experiences through a suite of AI, digital identity, and blockchain solutions. Why you should listen ​Galxe is a decentralized super app and the largest on-chain distribution platform in Web3, offering a suite of AI, digital identity, and blockchain solutions to enhance user experiences and community engagement. Central to its ecosystem is the Galxe Identity Protocol, a permissionless, self-sovereign identity infrastructure powered by zero-knowledge proof technology. This protocol enables users to securely own, manage, and share verifiable credentials, fostering trust and privacy across various applications. Complementing this is the Galxe Passport, which securely stores users' identity information, allowing seamless integration across platforms without compromising privacy. To facilitate community growth, Galxe offers Galxe Quest, a leading platform that connects projects with millions of users through reward-based loyalty programs. This no-code solution has seen over 1.1 billion quests completed, demonstrating its effectiveness in driving user engagement. Additionally, Galxe Compass serves as a hub for exploring airdrop campaigns across Web3, leveraging AI to curate detailed watchlists of opportunities, making it invaluable for both newcomers and seasoned users. In its commitment to advancing Web3 infrastructure, Galxe introduced Gravity, an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible Layer 1 blockchain designed for mass adoption and an omnichain future. Gravity aims to streamline and enhance cross-chain interactions, offering efficient, scalable, and secure mechanisms for managing complex transactions. To support development on this network, Galxe unveiled a $50 million ecosystem fund, encouraging developers to build user-focused applications that leverage Galxe's extensive user base and infrastructure Supporting links Stabull Finance Galxe Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Chris Chung is CEO and co-founder of Titan, a DEX Aggregator and Meta aggregator on the Solana blockchain. Titan has just announced their mainnet launch plans. Why you should listen In this conversation, Chris Chung, CEO and co-founder of Titan, discusses the innovative features of Titan as a DEX aggregator on the Solana blockchain. He shares insights into the evolution of the Solana ecosystem, the impact of meme coins, and the importance of regulatory clarity for the future of crypto. Chris also explains Titan's unique algorithmic advantages and the concept of intent-based transactions, highlighting the potential for a seamless user experience in decentralized finance. Titan currently has two main products. Firstly, Unique Spot Swap Routes (DEX Aggregator) Titan has developed its own unique algorithm that fixes problems associated with current solutions in finding the best trade routes. This has resulted in better prices for users 81% of the time. Secondly, Meta Aggregation on Solana. To ensure that users always get the best deal, Titan aggregates multiple aggregators and will route the user to the best quote with no fees attached. Supporting links Stabull Finance Titan Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Brandon Goh is Co-Founder & CEO of Treehouse. Focused on building the fixed income layer for digital assets, Treehouse introduces innovative fixed income products and primitives. Why you should listen Treehouse Finance is carving out a niche in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space by focusing on fixed income solutions for digital assets. Treehouse introduces Treehouse Assets (tAssets) and Decentralized Offered Rates (DOR), aiming to establish robust benchmark rates essential for fixed income markets. This framework is designed to enable users to earn enhanced yields while contributing to a new era of fixed income products within the digital asset ecosystem. One of Treehouse's flagship offerings is tETH, which allows users to engage in interest rate arbitrage strategies. By staking native tokens or Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs), participants can earn yields that combine LST annual percentage yields (APY) with Market Efficiency Yield (MEY). This approach seeks to align fragmented rates of native chain assets with their risk-free rates, optimizing returns for users. Security and transparency are paramount for Treehouse. The platform undergoes regular security audits and maintains a bug bounty program to ensure the integrity of its protocols. Treehouse has established an insurance fund to further protect users' assets, reinforcing its commitment to building a secure and reliable DeFi environment. Treehouse Finance is pioneering the integration of fixed income products into the DeFi landscape, offering institutions and individuals innovative tools to maximize yields while maintaining security and transparency. Supporting links Stabull Finance Treehouse Finance Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

David Iseminger is CEO of IronWeave, a public blockchain with unscannable privacy. IronWeave is redefining blockchain, data storage, AI, and payments with its patented multi-blockchain fabric platform, which surpasses existing solutions in scalability (over 1 million TPS), privacy, security, and cost-efficiency. Why you should listen IronWeave is redefining blockchain infrastructure with its patented multi-blockchain fabric platform, a revolutionary approach that shatters the limitations of traditional public blockchains. Unlike conventional networks that store transactions on a single, linear ledger, IronWeave introduces a Shared-Block Architecture, where each data interaction is private, encrypted, and isolated, ensuring unscannable privacy. This allows businesses, individuals, and AI systems to store, share, and transact data securely, without exposing sensitive information to unauthorized third parties. With a scalability breakthrough of over 1 million transactions per second (TPS) and on-chain micro-payments, IronWeave is poised to become the backbone of decentralized, high-speed digital economies. What truly sets IronWeave apart is its cost efficiency and enterprise-grade capabilities. With 80% lower per-byte data costs than Solana, it delivers an unparalleled value proposition for organizations seeking affordable yet high-security blockchain solutions. Unlike traditional blockchains, where every transaction is public and visible, IronWeave's compartmentalized blocks ensure that only authorized participants can access specific data, making it the most privacy-centric yet compliant L1 blockchain available. This design not only mitigates data breaches and security risks but also allows seamless AI-driven automation, real-time processing, and enhanced digital ownership without the inefficiencies of centralized cloud storage. Currently raising $15 million to reach mainnet launch and a token offering later this year, IronWeave is offering early investors a highly attractive entry point. With 16.7% equity in the company, token warrants for 10% of the token generation market cap, and exclusive staking benefits, early backers stand to gain significantly from its rapid adoption. Already securing patents and strategic LOIs with major players—including a partnership with a stablecoin issuer serving 170+ countries—IronWeave is targeting a $1 billion+ run-rate profitability within a year of commercial launch. As AI, Web3, and decentralized finance (DeFi) demand scalable, secure, and private data solutions, IronWeave stands at the forefront, ready to redefine the digital infrastructure of tomorrow. Supporting links Stabull Finance IronWeave IronWeave Raise Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Sebastien is the CEO and co-founder of Sophon - building amazing onchain experiences focused on entertainment and lifestyle applications. Why you should listen Sophon is reimagining the future of blockchain by making it invisible to the end user, focusing on delivering seamless entertainment experiences that feel natural to mainstream consumers. Unlike most crypto projects that emphasize technical innovation within a niche audience, Sophon is breaking out of the echo chamber by embedding blockchain's advantages—ownership, engagement loops, and decentralized infrastructure—into products people already use. Backed by Binance Labs, Maven11, and a successful $60 million node sale involving 200,000 participants, Sophon is led by former ZKSync executives who understand that mass adoption won't come from convincing people to use crypto, but rather from offering better internet products powered by onchain technology. To achieve this, Sophon is prioritizing high-impact sectors such as gaming, social platforms, AI, and prediction markets—where users are already engaged—while stripping away the complexity that has traditionally hindered crypto adoption. Features like seamless logins, gasless transactions, and intuitive interfaces remove friction, making blockchain's benefits accessible without requiring technical knowledge. Beyond just financial speculation, Sophon is enabling the financialization of culture through sustainable, value-driven ecosystems, moving past the short-term hype of meme coins. Their curation model ensures that only high-quality applications with strong user retention make it onto the platform, differentiating Sophon from previous blockchain iterations that flooded the market with low-value projects. Additionally, Sophon's network is designed to align incentives through a node-based participation model, turning retail investors into active contributors rather than passive speculators. This approach fosters a more engaged and decentralized ecosystem, reinforcing its long-term viability. By partnering with industry leaders like Beam (gaming), Aethir (decentralized compute), and OPEN (ticketing), Sophon is proving that blockchain's future lies in enhancing real-world applications, not just creating financial instruments. The shift toward an onchain-powered internet is already underway, and Sophon is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation. Supporting links Stabull Finance Sophon Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Pocket Network's mission is to provide the world with unstoppable open-source infrastructure. They aim to empower developers with access to reliable, performant, and cost-effective data access. Pocket Network's vision is a future where the world's most important digital infrastructure is owned and governed by its users. Why you should listen In this episode, Jinx, Head of Operations at Pocket Network, dives deep into the importance of decentralized infrastructure and open data in the blockchain ecosystem. He breaks down why centralized providers create single points of failure and how Pocket Network is building a more resilient and censorship-resistant alternative. Jinx explains how Pocket Network's decentralized RPC services enable developers to access blockchain data without relying on Web2 intermediaries, ensuring high availability, security, and cost efficiency. The conversation also explores the upcoming Shannon upgrade, a major evolution designed to enhance scalability, reduce friction for developers, and make participation in the network more accessible. Beyond infrastructure, Jinx highlights why uninterrupted, permissionless access to data is critical—not just for blockchain applications, but for AI agents, financial systems, and emerging digital economies. He shares his vision of a future where decentralized networks uphold free speech, empower innovation, and redefine digital collaboration. The discussion also delves into the role of the Pocket token (POKT) in incentivizing node operators and securing the network, as well as the vibrant community that powers its growth. Whether you're a developer, an investor, or just someone who believes in the decentralized future, this episode offers key insights into the infrastructure that will shape the next era of the internet. Supporting links Stabull Finance Pocket Network Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Robby Greenfield is the founder of Umoja, a structured finance protocol that enables next-generation YVTs with lower risk and higher yields for any blue-chip cryptocurrency. Why you should listen Umoja Labs is a Web3-focused technology company committed to building blockchain-driven financial solutions that foster global economic inclusion. Their core offering, the Umoja Protocol, is designed as an advanced yield-generation platform specifically optimized for cryptocurrency investors. At its heart is the tokenized asset $yBTC, which provides users with the ability to earn yield on Bitcoin holdings in a secure, compliant, and efficient manner. The platform allows investors to stake Umoja's native token ($UMJA) to earn yield-bearing Bitcoin tokens ($yBTC), effectively compounding their cryptocurrency assets. Umoja achieves competitive yields through sophisticated liquidity management and strategic partnerships with leading DeFi protocols, including Goat Protocol and Bunni. These collaborations enhance the protocol's ability to optimize returns while maintaining robust risk management practices. Security remains paramount for Umoja Labs. The protocol has undergone comprehensive audits, including certification from Certik, a respected blockchain security firm. Additionally, Umoja partners with trusted custodial providers like Cobo to ensure institutional-grade security for users' assets. By combining innovative tokenization strategies, rigorous compliance standards, and robust security measures, Umoja Labs aims to transform cryptocurrency investing into a more accessible and lucrative opportunity for investors worldwide. Supporting links Stabull Finance Umoja Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.