#453: Kevin Boon, President of Mysten Labs, on SUI, Walrus, Programmatic Storage, and Co-Creating with Brands

Kevin was recently appointed President of Mysten Labs and formerly served as the company's Chief Legal Officer. As President, Kevin oversees key aspects of the company’s strategy and operations alongside CEO Evan Cheng, ensuring the company continues to lead the way in driving innovation and growth within the Web3 ecosystem. Kevin has a plethora of experience as a dynamic leader and product-oriented technology attorney, having previously served as general counsel at Picsart, and led the product, regulatory, commercial, and international legal teams at Block. Prior to that, he was lead counsel for multiple retail teams and subsidiaries of Amazon, and was also a transactional associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP. He holds a J.D. from Fordham Law and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University.In this conversation, we discuss:- Co-creating with other brands = Sui’s secret sauce- Programmatic storage- Building decentralized experiences for devs - Scaling support for builders across gaming, AI, and storage- Mysten Labs' role in shaping sustainable crypto regulation - Robinhood tokenizing stocks - Sui’s object-based model  - Current thesis on Layer 1s - Plans for 2025 and beyondMysten LabsWebsite: mystenlabs.comX: @Mysten_LabsDiscord: discord.gg/mystenSui NetworkWebsite: sui.ioX: @SuiNetworkDiscord: discord.gg/suiKevin BoonX: @KevinBoon_MLLinkedIn: Kevin Boon--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Alex is the CEO and Co-founder of Nansen. He has a background in artificial intelligence, with 10+ years of experience as a data scientist and management consultant before co-founding Nansen in 2019. Alex is also one of the initial DAO members of Lido Finance and PleasrDAO, and serves on the board of WalletConnect.With an academic background in artificial intelligence and machine learning, Alex is also an entrepreneur with strong opinions on data-driven insights in cryptocurrency and blockchain. During his tenure, Alex has managed to secure over $88.2 million in funding. He has an MSc in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh as well as a BSc in Cognitive Science from the University of Bergen (UiB).In this conversation, we discuss:- Quick overview on each of the top 10 coins- Hyperliquid deep dive- $HYPE flipping $ADA this summer - Crypto corporate treasuries- Nansen Points - How is XRP still top 5? - Coinbase + Base’s reach  - How to define and find winning blockchains? Revenue is the answer - Majority of crypto has horizontal inflation; with no capped supply, it goes on forever- Capital & People = the most important metrics in crypto NansenWebsite: www.nansen.aiX: @nansen_aiTelegram: t.me/nansen_announcementsAlex SvanevikX: @ASvanevikLinkedIn: Alex Svanevik--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Ahmad Shadid is the Founder and CEO of O.XYZ, an ecosystem with a mission to build the world's first sovereign super intelligence. As Ahmad put it, "AI must be a tool for the people, not a weapon for profit." O.XYZ is a complex ecosystem, starting with it’s core – O.Super Intelligence which will help guide decisions, solve complex problems, and interact with people in the ecosystem; a toolbox with AI-powered products — tools that help you solve various problems using artificial intelligence; O.REASEARCH, O.INFRA, O.CHARITY, O.CAPITAL, and O.CHAIN as parts of the ecosystem.Previously, Ahmad was CEO of IO.net, leading the company to a $4.5 billion valuation in under a year. His leadership propelled IO.net to secure $2 million in a seed round with a $10 million fully diluted valuation in June 2023, followed by a groundbreaking $40 million Series A round at a $1 billion FDV in March 2024. This rapid growth culminated in the successful launch of the $IO coin on Binance, with a remarkable $4.5 billion FDV in June 2024.Ahmad is a visionary behind the DeAIO – an Autonomous AI Organization, the next step in the evolution of DAOs aiming to revolutionize AI governance and development. Demonstrating his commitment to innovation, he has personally invested $130M into the development of DeAIO. O.XYZ builds on Ahmad’s legacy, aiming to redefine AI and showcase how decentralized technology can drive common progress and serve people.In this conversation, we discuss:- Creating the First AI CEO- O.CAPTAIN- The future of AI & Crypto - Flipping the Narrative: AI that Helps, Not Replaces- Your EGO vs AI - Security ops and code review will become increasingly important - The feeling of working for AI and not a person  - Building a company fully managed by AI - Living in Doha, Qatar- The future of AI & Crypto - An AI CEO that adapts workloads based on your energy and well-beingO.XYZWebsite: www.o.xyzX: @o_fndnTelegram: t.me/oxyz_communityAhmad ShadidX: @shadid_ioLinkedIn: Ahmad Shadid--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

David Carvalho is the founder of Naoris Protocol. With more than 20 years of experience as an ethical hacker, he was an advisor to Nation States and Critical Infrastructures under NATO on cyber-war, cyber-espionage, and cyber-terrorism, and has been an advisor to multi-billion-dollar global enterprises like Nokia-Siemens, AT&T, and EA Games. (Interestingly enough, David created the first Distributed AI and Blockchain-based CyberSecurity Mesh solution and was also the former youngest Global CISO in the EU).In this conversation, we discuss:- Why cybersecurity needs a new foundation (not more tools)- The threat of Q-Day: why quantum risk is closer than we think- How to secure Web2 & Web3 without hard forks or protocol fragmentation- Quantum’s Threat to Crypto- Building trust at the Sub-Zero Layer: securing the layer below all layers - Why Web3 inherited all of Web2’s worst security flaws — and how to fix it - Transforming IoT, AI and cloud into trusted, self-defending systems - Why legacy cybersecurity is a dead end — and how incentives fix it - Designing the world’s first Post-Quantum DePIN infrastructure- Becoming “security” in the blockchain trilemma Naoris ProtocolWebsite: naorisdr.comX: @NaorisProtocolDiscord: discord.gg/naorisprotocolDavid CarvalhoX: @katanationcyberLinkedIn: David Joao Vieira Carvalho--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Kevin Liu is a software developer and co-founder of GOAT Network, where he leads the development of the first production-ready Bitcoin-native zkRollup to revolutionize BTCFi. As CEO of ZKM and co-founder of Metis, an Ethereum Layer 2 with $60M in locked assets, he drives scalable, decentralized blockchain solutions. Liu’s vision has secured 5,000 BTC in institutional commitments for GOAT and launched the BitVM2 Playground, advancing trustless Bitcoin bridges. His extensive Bitcoin expertise and leadership in innovative cryptoeconomic designs make him a pivotal figure in blockchain’s evolution.In this conversation, we discuss:- Merge mining- BitVM2 Playground- Crypto builders in Toronto- Institutional adoption of Bitcoin- BTC supply shock incoming - How GOAT gets their yield - BTC self custody - Bitcoin security - How GOAT contributes to the core mission of BitcoinGOAT NetworkWebsite: www.goat.networkX: @GOATRollupTelegram: t.me/GOATrollupKevin LiuX: @kevinliubLinkedIn: Kevin Liu--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Tracy Jin is the Chief Operating Officer at MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange. With over a decade of fintech experience, including executive roles at major firms like Bybit, she focuses on enhancing institutional-grade security, risk management, and trading efficiency in the crypto markets. Under her leadership, MEXC has evolved into a comprehensive platform, expanding its footprint in the DeFi space and advancing the adoption of stablecoins. Her visionary approach has propelled the company towards becoming a key player in the global crypto ecosystem. Jin holds a Master’s degree in Software Development from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.In this conversation, we discuss:- Helping the greater crypto ecosystem- Tokenization of Real Assets- Why MEXC launched a $300M fund- Investors care less about FOMO and more about fundamentals- TON will become the first everyday blockchain by 2027 - Institutional funds are becoming more selective and investing less - The convergence of AI and crypto - On-chain crypto agents - The future of launchpads- Geographical patterns — where the most promising founders are coming from - Types of startups that attract the most interestMEXCWebsite: www.mexc.comX: @MEXC_Official Telegram: t.me/MEXC_Official_TGBotTracy JinX: @TracyMEXCLinkedIn: Tracy Jin--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50 This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below: PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Vikrant Sharma is the CEO of Cake Wallet. He’s a lifelong entrepreneur and early crypto investor since 2013. Founded Cake Labs in 2017 to build self-custody tools focused on privacy, security, and decentralization. He also served as the Director of Liberty Steel.In this conversation, we discuss:- Bitcoin Privacy- Making crypto accessible for all- Bitcoin silent payments- Using cryptocurrency anywhere- Increasing bitcoin value and use cases - Monero and privacy coins - Ring signatures on Monero - Creating a better payment system than Visa & MasterCard- Quantum’s threat to crypto - The Lightning NetworkCake WalletWebsite: cakewallet.comX: @cakewalletTelegram: t.me/cakewalletannouncements Vikrant SharmaX: @vikrantnycLinkedIn: Vikrant S.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.  PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.    PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions.  Code: CRYPTONEWS50  This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:  PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Zac Townsend, Co-founder and CEO of Meanwhile, the world's first Bitcoin-denominated life insurance company. Zac is on a mission to transform how people save and transfer wealth across generations through Bitcoin. After securing a $40M Series A funding round, Meanwhile is expanding its reach to bring Bitcoin-based financial solutions to a global audience facing currency debasement and inflation risk.With Meanwhile, Zac is building a future where intergenerational wealth can be preserved in Bitcoin rather than inflationary fiat currencies.In this conversation, we discuss:- $40M Series A funding- Bitcoin as long-term money - The tax advantage gap - The future of Bitcoin finance - Bitcoin hodlers need more sophisticated wealth planning tool- Intergenerational Bitcoin transfer- Bitcoin credit markets- How Meanwhile gets safe, sustainable yields on BTC- The first financial statements to be fully audited in Bitcoin MeanwhileWebsite: meanwhile.bmX: @meanwhilelifeLinkedIn: MeanwhileZac TownsendX: @ztownsendLinkedIn: Zachary Townsend ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.  PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.   PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions.  Code: CRYPTONEWS50  This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:  PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Matthew Graham is the Managing Partner of Ryze Labs and one of the key drivers of the firm's long-term strategic vision and mission. Matthew founded Ryze in 2015, initially as a sell-side tech investment banking platform focusing on representing international technology companies for strategic partnership and investment in emerging markets. Matthew has been involved in the blockchain industry since 2013 and has supported many great entrepreneurs and companies through good and bad times.In this conversation, we discuss:- Stablecoin legislation - Best PMF in crypto = stablecoin- Using stablecoins as a hedge against hyperinflation - USDT will remain the stablecoin beast of the world- The synergy between AI & Crypto - AI is a natural fit for Crypto- AI needs lightning-fast & secure payment rails; crypto is the solution - The future of AI companions- Bringing AI agents into the world of physical devices- Amiko launch in JulyRyze LabsWebsite: www.ryzelabs.ioX: @RyzeLabsInstagram: @ryzelabsMatthew GrahamX: @mattyryze --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT. PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.  PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50 This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below: PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Federico Brokate, VP, is the Head of the U.S. Business at 21Shares. In this capacity, he oversees the growth of the U.S. business, providing investors with the most access, convenience, and quality in the digital asset ETF industry. Previously, Federico led the iShares Business Strategy team at BlackRock, where he created and executed strategic initiatives driving organic asset and revenue growth. He also developed go-to-market strategies for new business verticals and managed priority product launches, including the successful launch of iShares’ Bitcoin ETF. Federico holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from NYU Stern School of Business, with dual concentrations in Finance and Global Business.In this conversation, we discuss:- Bitcoin is flourishing; investor demand continues to grow- Has Bitcoin decoupled? - BTC supply shock is happening and the big shock will happen soon - Institutions will continue to buy bitcoin - M2 money supply’s impact - Over 70 crypto ETPs are awaiting SEC decisions- Investors are broadening their thinking beyond Bitcoin- How 21Shares researches crypto and launches new ETPs- Wealth advisors will soon have access to crypto ETFs- The market is rewarding crypto corporate treasuries - Regulatory momentum in Washington on stablecoins 21SharesWebsite: www.21shares.comX: @21shares_usLinkedIn: 21Shares USFederico BrokateX: @Fede_BrokateLinkedIn: Federico Brokate ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.  PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.   PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions.  Code: CRYPTONEWS50  This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below:  PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50