Inside Kadena’s $50M Leap: Grant Program, Next-Gen Scalability & Insights from CEO Stuart Popejoy

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Steven Goldfeder, Co-Founder and CEO of Offchain Labs, the parent company of Arbitrum—the leading Ethereum Layer 2 solution by Total Value Locked (TVL).In this episode, we explore:How optimistic rollups work and their role in Ethereum's scalabilityThe ZK vs. optimistic rollup debateThe future of Ethereum L2s and their impact on the Ethereum ecosystemSteven’s insights on DeFi growth, ETH vs. BTC, and the importance of neutrality in tech stacksThe episode kicks off with a special clip from AJ Warner, Co-Founder of Arbitrum, recorded at EthCC, before diving into Steven’s journey into blockchain and his vision for the future of Ethereum scalability.00:00:00 – Why Ethereum Made Rollups Too Cheap to Ignore00:00:31 – Meet AJ Warner, Co-Founder of Arbitrum (Live from EthCC!)00:00:45 – Robinhood’s Big Crypto Announcement: What It Means for Ethereum00:06:10 – Transition to Steven Goldfeder: The Visionary Behind Arbitrum00:07:05 – Steven’s Journey: From Academia to Blockchain Pioneer00:13:24 – Optimistic Rollups 101: How They Supercharge Ethereum00:21:06 – ZK vs. Optimistic Rollups: The Great Debate00:29:34 – How Ethereum L2s Are Strengthening the Ethereum Mainnet00:36:20 – What More Can Ethereum Do to Support L2s?00:38:57 – The Status of Stage 2 L2s: What’s Next?00:40:12 – Enshrining L2s: The Future of Ethereum Scalability00:40:25 – Infrastructure Trade-Offs: Making the Right Choices00:46:35 – Bridging the Gap: Interoperability Between L1s and L2s00:51:38 – What Sets Arbitrum Apart from the Competition?00:56:51 – Neutrality and Fairness: The Cornerstones of Tech Stacks01:04:52 – DeFi’s Next Chapter: Steven’s Predictions for ETH, BTC, and Beyond01:08:37 – Closing Thoughts: The Road Ahead for Ethereum and ArbitrumDon’t miss this deep dive into the world of Ethereum Layer 2s and the innovations shaping the future of blockchain.

Explore the unfolding landscape of crypto and blockchain innovation in our in-depth interview with Stuart Popejoy, CEO of Kadena and former head of JP Morgan’s Center for Blockchain Excellence. Guided by the following chapters, this conversation illuminates the journey from the earliest days of institutional blockchain to Kadena’s latest breakthroughs:00:00 – Defiant Intro00:07 – When cost savings alone couldn’t revive crypto’s promise00:55 – Meet Stuart Popejoy: Kadena’s vision, shaped by lessons from JP Morgan06:00 – JPM Coin’s evolving roadmap07:35 – Early hurdles building enterprise blockchain at JP Morgan10:38 – Why technology alone isn’t enough—it must disrupt13:57 – Kadena’s own answer: scalability, chainweb, and the art of possibility16:25 – The real challenges builders face in scaling dApps16:56 – Bitcoin proposals lost to time17:50 – Braiding chains: scaling without losing stability23:27 – Kadena’s bold $50 million grant program—fueling a new era for developers25:15 – The role of real-world assets (RWAs) in blockchain’s evolution29:00 – Public blockchains as a frontier for finance and technology30:00 – Closing infrastructure gaps on the road to mass adoption33:00 – How do we inspire an active, not passive, crypto user base?35:42 – Why self-custody is the change we need in consumer behavior38:10 – Next-gen adoption: getting all ages onchain40:13 – What traditional finance keeps getting wrong about blockchain42:48 – Kadena’s next moves after making waves at EthCC44:20 – Reflections and closing remarksFrom the keys of disruption and the quest for scalability to transformative grant programs and the vision for a blockchain-powered future beyond EthCC, this is crypto at its most reflective and real.🔗 Links & Details: Explore Kadena’s grant program https://www.kadena.io/grants

What does the future of blockchain look like, and where do multi-chain systems fit in? On this episode, we're joined by Emin Gün Sirer, CEO and Founder of Ava Labs and one of the most prominent figures in blockchain innovation. Emin unpacks how Avalanche is reshaping the decentralized world with its groundbreaking consensus protocol, multi-chain scaling, and commitment to maintaining blockchain’s core values. We also discuss:Avalanche vs. Bitcoin and EthereumGaming and DeFi innovations on Avalanche Fighting centralization and the challenges of scale The role of stablecoins and central banks in Avalanche’s ecosystem Chapters:00:00 Defiant intro00:07 If the future of blockchain is centralized, I don’t want to be here00:54 intro to Emin Gün Sirer, Founder and CEO of Ava Labs04:29 Building the fastest consensus protocol on the market04:43 How is Avalanche different from Bitcoin?08:10 Avalanche vs. other multi chain systems 12:16 L2 scaling vs. multi chain scaling16:55 Evaluating Ethereum’s promises 19:45 Interoperability on Avalanche20:25 What’s the narrative behind Avalanche?23:47 Avalanche’s long term strategy 💫26:25 Gaming example: OTG29:16 How flexible are Avalanche chains?31:13 How do you maintain the tenets of blockchain across chains?33:05 What's the liquidity breakdown between these L1 chains?34:54 Avalanche’s TVL vs users and adoption38:00 Fighting centralization on Avalanche 43:15 AVAX value and uses45:58 Increased activity on Avalanche48:00 It’s been a Bitcoin story: where do alt projects fit in?53:33 Stablecoins and exciting catalysts for DeFi53:15 Assets want to be digital55:35 How do stable coins fit into Avalanche?56:19 Prediction: central banks getting into stablecoins57:11 Challenges with central banks getting into stablecoins59:13 The next major milestones for Avalanche01:06:52 Closing Remarks

Ethereum Staking ETFs are gaining traction—but what does this mean for crypto investors? Evan Weiss, COO of Alluvial, breaks it down. Get key insights on regulation, institutional staking infrastructure, and the financial benefits for everyday users. Plus, learn how institutional players are driving change in the staking ecosystem and the potential for ETFs to revolutionize and democratize crypto investments.From Capitol Hill to the crypto ecosystem, Evan Weiss dives into the growing momentum behind Ethereum Staking ETFs.Chapters:00:00 Defiant Intro00:07 Intro Quote00:43 Intro to Evan Weiss, COO of Alluvial and Founder of POSA03:09 Proof of Stake Alliance, staking, and regulation05:57 POSA on Capitol Hill08:26 Ethereum ETFs gaining momentum12:31 Case study: 3iQ Ethereum Staking ETF13:53 Staking, liquidity, and better returns for consumers15:17 REX Shares proposes Ethereum staking ETF classified as a C-corporation18:16 How Pectra has influenced institutional staking infrastructure on Ethereum21:51 Normalizing staking for everyday users25:41 How staking democratizes transaction fees28:19 SEC’s May 29, 2025 Staking Statement29:33 Staking is not a small business30:34 Staking industry coming together on regulation32:17 Increased security and rewards in crypto investing34:59 Key steps for institutions and governments in regulating crypto37:52 Will Ethereum Staking ETFs be as common as stocks?38:16 Tradfi’s creativity meets crypto technology39:00 The role of liquid staking evolving with institutional activity40:23 Closing Remarks

In this conversation, Camila Russo interviews Tomasz Stanczak, Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation, discussing the evolution of Ethereum, addressing criticisms, and the foundation's strategic initiatives. They explore the importance of communication, the restructuring of the foundation, and the focus on scaling Ethereum through L1 and L2 dynamics. Tomasz shares insights on the vision for Ethereum as a global economy, balancing user needs with core values, and the foundation's treasury management and DeFi strategies. The conversation concludes with a look at future developments and milestones for Ethereum.Takeaways:Ethereum has evolved significantly since its inception, focusing on scaling and communication.The Ethereum Foundation has faced criticism regarding its communication strategies.Restructuring within the foundation aims to enhance protocol development and management.Funding and support for developers are crucial for the ecosystem's growth.The relationship between L1 and L2 is vital for Ethereum's scaling strategy.Ethereum aims to position itself as a global economy hub.User needs and core values must be balanced for long-term success.Treasury management strategies are evolving to include DeFi protocols.The foundation is committed to transparency and community engagement.Future milestones include significant scaling and security improvements.Chapters:00:00 Defiant Intro00:07 Episode Teaser01:24 Hero Quote01:35 Introduction to Tomasz Stańczak, Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation03:18 Community Criticism and Foundation Response06:45 Strategic Actions by the Ethereum Foundation 09:39 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Developers13:50 The strengths of Ethereum as a Network17:17 Scaling Ethereum: L1 and L2 Dynamics20:55 The One Trillion Security Initiative23:00 Specific Milestones in the Short Term25:53 Navigating the Tension: World Computer vs. Store of Value29:15 Ethereum as a Global Economy30:43 Will Solana Become An Ethereum L2?32:43 User Priorities: Decentralization vs. Usability37:02 Treasury Management and ETH Sales36:55 The Role of Stablecoins in Ethereum's Future39:55 The Impact of Ethereum Foundation's DeFi Allocations42:00 Guiding DeFi Protocols Towards Security and Decentralization51:10 The Future of Ethereum: Use Cases and Community Expectations54:50 Upcoming Milestones for Ethereum56:50 Closing Remarks

This week, we spoke with Rob Viglione, Co-founder and CEO of Horizen Labs, to explore the groundbreaking potential of Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) in safeguarding digital privacy, bridging TradFi and DeFi, and creating income streams for consumers that empower them through the ownership of their own digital data. From balancing transparency and onchain privacy to the intersection of AI and Web3, Rob dives into the critical role cryptography will play in reshaping how we share and protect data. Learn how ZKPs can combat data misuse, empower individuals to monetize their information, and reimagine compliance as we step into a world where privacy is a fundamental human right. Key Highlights:1. How ZKPs protect medical records and financial history2. Will banks adapt, or become irrelevant?3. The role of cryptography in privacy-centric AI systemsDon’t miss this thought-provoking discussion packed with insights on the future of data, privacy, and decentralized innovation. Chapters:00:00 Defiant Intro00:07 Podcast Teaser00:52 Hero Quote00:59 Introduction to Rob Viglione01:34 The beauty of ZKPs02:40 How to balance transparency and privacy onchain04:00 Why it’s so easy to overshare data04:50 Living in an age of constant data leaks06:34 The concept of wealth is fundamentally different now07:33 Google adopts ZKP to verify age09:00 A world of a trillion proofs09:30 How can Web3 handle growing volumes of proofs?10:09 Will Web2 relinquish their chokehold on our data?11:52 Monetizing data as an incentive to online privacy12:45 New opportunities for earning a living by monetizing your data14:14 The intersection of crypto and AI16:17 ZKPs and data protection18:00 ZKPs and AI in medical records and financial history20:18 How can ZKPs act as a safeguard against misuse in AI22:15 Hackers and scammers are a certainty; how do we fight them?22:36 Cryptography, ZKPs, and privacy-centric AI systems?25:13 Why is privacy a human right?26:25 Institutions, privacy, and Web326:45 Institutions coming onchain28:30 Better communicating privacy as a human right in the context of Web330:30 Will ZKPs change the way people interact with the internet?32:11 Marketing in the age of AI33:24 ZKPs and KYC35:40 Why ZKPs are bad for bad actors37:38 Government regulation vs. Web3 companies regulating the industry themselves39:00 It doesn’t make sense for politicians to be anti-crypto anymore41:53 Can ZKPs redefine compliance and how it’s enforced?43:13 How can ZKP tech support institutional privacy and consumer data?44:45 TradFi onchain as a stepping stone to DeFi46:39 Lightning round! Favorite existing use case for ZKP46:54 Lightning round! Favorite potential use case for ZKP48:04 Lightning round! Best advice for keeping your data safe online48:49 Closing statements and where to follow Rob

Explore the world of crypto payroll and stablecoins with Megan Knab, cofounder and CEO of Franklin. From tackling crypto volatility to how stablecoins can reshape global economies, this episode dives into the challenges and opportunities for crypto-native payment infrastructure. Megan Knab shares her insights on crypto’s role in building a better financial ecosystem. We discuss everything from stablecoin-backed paychecks to how DeFi tools enhance accessibility. Tune in to understand why this innovative tech could be the foundation for a healthier society.Chapters:00:00 Defiant Intro00:07 Teaser00:28 Pull Quote00:36 Introduction to Megan Knab01:08 The path from Wall Street to crypto03:31 Building back offices within Web304:53 How to tackle crypto’s volatility with payroll and paying bills in fiat06:00 Labor laws and crypto06:41 ERC-20 tokens in payroll07:35 Eliminating intermediaries in the payroll business09:12 Benefits to employers and employees beyond cross-border payments10:54 Payroll as a building block for a healthy society11:39 How do you calculate a paycheck?13:14 The GENIUS bill and the future of stablecoins15:02 Reserve of assets to back up the value of issued stablecoins16:22 Fixed income and payment giants getting into crypto16:55 The effects of big brands getting into stablecoins18:05 Backwards views of crypto adoption19:12 Democratic backlash to the GENIUS bill20:25 The need for more effective crypto regulation22:29 The points for and against crypto regulation23:18 Crypto is not a political technology23:52 The biggest winners in crypto have been lawyers26:10 How do you determine which stablecoins to utilize for business?28:36 MakerDAO as a major crypto innovation29:33 How DeFi makes financial tools more accessible to the public31:33 Stablecoin infrastructure in developing economies33:30 Stablecoins as a means of USD dominance worldwide35:09 Challenges for governments having assets onchain36:06 Future legislation in crypto and investment39:55 Lighting round!Music: Future Highway by Picratio is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.

Explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, cryptocurrency, and startup culture in our latest episode. We spoke with Shaw Walters, Founder of Eliza Labs, about the exciting possibilities and challenges of AI agents in digital worlds, the crypto ecosystem, and token launches. Discover how these technologies are shaping a fairer, more inclusive future for investing and why real products and vision matter more than hype. Chapters:00:00 Defiant introduction00:07 Episode summary00:54 Introduction to Shaw Walters and Eliza Labs02:27 AI agents in digital worlds10:56 Eliza as a framework for providing what GPT doesn’t11:25 Writing actions for AI agents14:10 Use cases for AI agents14:55 Moving from one-on-one to group settings16:33 Connecting Eliza to the crypto ecosystem19:20 Pros and cons of AI agents in financial services21:25 AI agents as an interface24:53 auto.fun and launching AI agents30:08 Fairer than fair token launch31:58 A new age of investing in startups32:32 The government does not trust you with your own money34:33 Crypto workarounds for investing in startups35:43 The Trump administration and our path to regulation36:57 Changing laws around investing in startups38:32 Decentralized AI and opening investment to the public39:30 What will bring AI agents back to the forefront?44:25 How to structure better launchpads for startups46:00 Crypto markets in their current state are casinos49:24 Jeffy Yu and Zerebro53:36 Why the crypto culture needs to change55:31 Real products and real vision58:00 Closing remarks

This week, we spoke to Patrick Amadon about the complex intersections of digital privacy, surveillance, censorship, and the potential of decentralized AI. Amadon offers a critical perspective on some of the most pressing issues in technology, from the role of digital disobedience to the regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.Key topics include: The potential of decentralized AI and Ethereum's pivotal role The impact of censorship on free speech in the digital era How AI and blockchain technology can empower individuals and artists Risks posed by centralized AI and the push for decentralization Strategies for protecting digital privacy and countering AI surveillance Amadon also examines how the framework for success in the digital age is shifting, emphasizing the importance of data ownership and financial independence. This conversation offers valuable insights for those interested in the evolving relationship between technology, freedom, and the pursuit of a decentralized future.Chapters:00:00 Defiant Intro00:07 Decentralized AI is a win for Ethereum01:30 Introduction to Patrick Amadon02:08 Digital disobedience and decentralized ecosystems04:10 Challenges in modern discourse07:40 “No Rioters” and threats to free speech 10:10 The place for disruption12:00 The paths to success are changing13:05 Crypto and data ownership13:32 Meaningful AI Legislation14:20 The race to AGI and why we need to beat China16:48 Regulating crypto and AI18:34 The failure of the stablecoin bill22:08 “Passive Observer” and the role of the public in geopolitical events27:50 Art as resistance to homogenizing the narrative30:10 When crypto starts making sense to normies30:55 The fight to decentralize AI33:25 The risks of centralized AI35:40 Our lack of digital security and privacy37:32 Why should AI belong to the people?38:00 AI’s effects on the job market41:25 How to get under the hood of AI45:00 AI lowers the barrier to entry for art, technology, and more46:30 AI and the arts49:20 The pros and cons of decentralization50:32 Decentralized infrastructure, currency, and economy52:15 The Pectra update54:35 The power of owning your own currency55:18 How will wallets as smart contracts affect artists?55:40 The NFT art space only works as it imagines a new art world58:00 Pectra and the future of meaningful technologies58:55 A digital renaissance01:00:58 Counter AI surveillance technology01:05:00 Why is digital privacy so important?01:12:15 VeilPNG and hiding data01:13:20 Closing remarks

In today’s episode with cypherpunk and artist Gus Grillasca, we explore the intricate crossroads of cryptocurrency and global economics. From the propaganda of inflation to Bitcoin Ordinals and the NFT controversy, this episode challenges conventional narratives and opens up new perspectives. Hear Gus' insights on navigating the Ethereum ecosystem, the financialization of Bitcoin, and privacy coins in the digital age.We also talk about the evolving role of crypto in Latin America, reflect on the surprising dynamics of meme coins, and uncover gaps in financial literacy that could shape the next chapter of blockchain adoption. Whether you’re captivated by the promise of stablecoins, intrigued by NFT permanence, or pondering crypto’s place in an unstable world, this episode offers thought-provoking insights and artistic freedom at its core.INFLARE: https://scarce.city/goods/inflare Fierro Viejo: https://superrare.com/artwork/eth/0xb932a70A57673d89f4acfFBE830E8ed7f75Fb9e0/34374 Chapters:00:00 Defiant Intro00:10 Inflation is bankers’ propaganda00:50 Introduction to Gus Grillasca01:38 Gus’ Journey into blockchain02:35 Banking challenges for travelors04:44 Rare Pepes, Ethereum NFTs, and Bitcoin Ordinals07:44 Changing views on the Ethereum ecosystem09:04 Bitcoin Ordinals, memes, and the NFT Controversy10:30 Bitcoin Ordinals and NFT permanence14:53 The controversy around updates to the Bitcoin protocol16:28 “INFLARE” and The Space by Art of Freedom17:25 Inflation as a monetary phenomenon21:06 Global inflation, purchasing power, and the role of crypto in an unstable world25:37 Is the financialization of Bitcoin good or bad for crypto?27:25 Bitcoin Reserve and the Digital Asset Stockpile30:36 Thoughts on $TRUMP and other meme coins34:45 Changing expectations of investing in NFT38:18 Crypto’s role in Latin America45:35 “Fierro Viejo,” NFTs and intellectual property50:00 A gap in financial literacy 53:18 Ethereum’s changing roadmap57:25 Privacy coins59:40 The need for privacy in the digital age01:03:05 Stablecoins, financial products, and exciting prospects in crypto 01:05:56 Final Thoughts