Decentralization vs. Centralization in Crypto Markets

SummaryIn this conversation, Peter discusses the current state of the crypto markets, focusing on the rise of ETFs and their implications for institutional investors and retail users. He explores the potential of Bitcoin DeFi through Cardano, the integration of decentralized domains, and the role of AI in trading. The conversation also touches on the importance of stablecoins in the ecosystem, user onboarding experiences, and the customization of NFTs, concluding with a call for community support.Chapters00:00 Current State of Crypto Markets and ETFs02:50 Institutional Interest and Market Manipulation05:59 Bitcoin DeFi and Cardano's Role09:08 Decentralized Domains and Web3 Integration12:02 AI in Trading and Automation14:54 Gaming and Crypto: Cornucopius to Infinity Rising17:48 Stablecoins and Cardano's Sovereign Wealth Fund21:07 Onboarding Users in Crypto23:54 NFT Customization and Community Engagement27:08 Closing Thoughts and Community SupportTakeawaysCrypto markets are currently struggling but show potential with new ETFs.ETFs can simplify entry into crypto for institutional investors.Diversified crypto baskets can reduce individual asset risk.The rise of ETFs may centralize access to decentralized systems.Bitcoin lacks smart contracts, limiting its DeFi capabilities.Cardano aims to enhance Bitcoin's utility through DeFi.Decentralized domains could bridge traditional web and blockchain.AI trading bots can automate and improve trading efficiency.User onboarding experiences are crucial for attracting new crypto users.NFT customization fosters community engagement and creativity.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

00:00 – Intro & Channel Update00:45 – Moneta Account Compromised (USDM Scam Warning)02:03 – Cardano Foundation x MiCA Alliance Partnership02:45 – Cardano Card by Omogo04:42 – Hydra 1.0.0 Released: Cardano’s Layer 2 Goes Live06:36 – VyFinance V3 Upgrades to Plutus V3 Contracts07:58 – Strike Finance: ADA Rewards & DeFi Dominance09:47 – Surf: Borrowing and Lending with One-Click Leverage11:18 – Pulse Coming Soon (Pendle on Cardano)13:15 – Splash & DexHunter Partnership14:19 – Charles Hoskinson on Crypto Banter15:14 – Cardano Summit Berlin Incoming + Free Ticket Guide18:17 – Iagon Cyclone DePIN Devices Shipping19:47 – Wrap Up & Support the ChannelIn this week’s Cardano update, I’m back on a sustainable schedule: one news recap, one interview, and one short tutorial each week.We kick off with a public service announcement: a fake “double USDM” promo is circulating via a cloned site that tries to connect to generic EVM wallets. Do not interact - protect your assets.On to the good news. The Cardano Foundation is collaborating with a MiCA-aligned alliance to deliver standardised resources for Web3 compliance in the EU. Omogo’s “Cardano Card” aims to make crypto spending easier with a smoother UX than older solutions.A big technical milestone lands with Hydra’s 0.0 production-ready release - Cardano’s app-specific L2 for high-throughput use cases. Expect projects like Delta DeFi to take advantage.DeFi keeps building: VyFinance is moving its DEX to Plutus V3 for speed and efficiency; STRIKE continues to dominate on-chain activity with protocol fees paid back to stakers in ADA (DYOR); and Surf adds one-click leverage, a loan calculator, and institutional pilot liquidity.We preview Pulse - a Pendle-style protocol to trade future yield and unlock liquidity today - with an interview coming soon. Plus, DexHunter and Splash are teaming up to pair best-in-class aggregation with efficient swapping.Community and events: Ran interviews Charles Hoskinson, a positive step for the broader crypto dialogue. Cardano Summit in Berlin is close - check discount paths for contributors and consider the hackathons and side events. Lastly, Iagon’s Cyclone DePIN hardware is shipping - I’ll demo it once my unit arrives.Thanks for watching. Like, subscribe, and consider becoming a channel member to support sustainable production. Links below to everything mentioned.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

🎧 Surf Lending Interview – Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Welcome and overview of Surf Lending on Cardano01:00 – Phil’s background in crypto and running a Cardano stake pool03:50 – How Surf was founded and its connection with Bodega05:20 – What makes Surf different from other lending platforms08:10 – Isolated pools explained and how they reduce risk10:00 – Borrowing with native assets and adding collateral13:30 – Supplying ADA for higher returns16:20 – One-Click Leverage: simplifying DeFi looping19:50 – Future upgrades: repay with collateral & short positions23:10 – Meet the Surf development team and advisors26:00 – Bitcoin DeFi and partnership with Sundial Protocol28:00 – How to join and use the Surf platform31:20 – Closing thoughts and final thanksIn this episode, Pete speaks with Phil, founder of Surf, a new borrowing and lending protocol built on Cardano. Phil shares his background as a long-time crypto enthusiast and software developer, starting from his early days staking on Cardano’s ITN to running a successful stake pool. Drawing inspiration from platforms like Binance Lending, Phil explains how Surf was designed to bring a smoother, more user-friendly experience to decentralised lending on Cardano.Surf emerged when LenFi v2 went offline due to a vulnerability, leaving a gap in the ecosystem. The team seized the opportunity to introduce an isolated pool lending model, which limits risk to individual pools rather than the whole platform. Phil outlines how users can supply ADA to earn higher yields than traditional staking, or borrow against native assets like SNEK and Bodega tokens to unlock liquidity without selling their holdings.One of Surf’s standout innovations is the “One-Click Leverage” feature. It allows users to open leveraged positions in a single transaction instead of manually looping multiple borrow-and-swap steps. The team is also preparing a “repay with collateral” feature to simplify closing positions. These tools are designed for both experienced DeFi users and beginners, offering flexibility while maintaining safety through fixed-rate loans and isolated pools.Phil also highlights Surf’s partnership with Sundial Protocol to explore Bitcoin DeFi on Cardano, opening the door to new liquidity and cross-chain integrations. The conversation wraps up with insights on the project’s strong developer team—many with experience from Bodega and Strike Finance—and how community feedback continues to shape new features.Surf aims to make DeFi on Cardano simple, safe, and rewarding—whether you’re earning yield on your ADA or leveraging native assets with confidence.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

[00:00] Intro & ADA Price Surge  [01:33] Strike Finance Brings High APR  [05:26] Iagon OS Coming Soon  [07:21] Update on Iagon Legal PoC  [08:09] MPC Wallets for Cardano  [11:22] Cardano Foundation Reeve  [15:21] Cardano Spot ETF Update  [17:17] Project Catalyst Fund 14 to Go Ahead  [18:24] Updates from Hydra & Babel Fees  [20:52] Watch Catchups: Cardano's Economic Sustainability  [21:12] Charles on The Shawn Ryan Show  [21:56] Meldgate Legal Proceedings Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/8qU5apu-WZwWelcome back! After a short break, this week’s episode brings you a massive update from the Cardano ecosystem. We kick off with the incredible growth of Strike Finance, which is now distributing over 2.88 million ADA in rewards annually to stakers. The platform’s top traders have earned over $100k in just two weeks, highlighting how powerful DeFi on Cardano has become.We also cover updates from Iagon, including their new Cyclone OS – a plug-and-play system for decentralised storage that’s designed for ease of use and future adoption by enterprise clients. Security and institutional access are front and centre with the Cardano Foundation’s MPC wallet partnership with Anzens and CypherBC. By splitting private key control among multiple parties, this solution helps onboard institutional capital into Cardano DeFi with tokens like MIN and IAG.Then we look at Reeve, the Cardano Foundation’s new blockchain-based financial reporting system. Reeve allows organisations to publish verifiable, on-chain reports. The Foundation used it to publish its own 2024 report, showcasing 659M ADA in assets. Other stories include:SEC’s ETF delay and Grayscale’s legal response.Project Catalyst Fund 14 preps for launch.Hydra and Babel fees advancing smoother token transactions.Meld’s collapse and the legal fallout via MeldGate.com.Plus, we highlight new video resources from the Berlin Hackathon and Charles Hoskinson’s recent interviews. Don’t miss this essential update if you want to stay informed about Cardano’s rapid evolution in 2025.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:28 – What are Babel Fees?01:56 – MLabs’ Leaner Approach: Pisa02:24 – How Pisa Works02:52 – Wallet & DApp Integration Goals03:19 – Example Use Case04:19 – Pisa User Experience05:12 – Integration Options06:09 – Confirming ADA Is Still Used Under the Hood06:37 – SPO Involvement?07:34 – How Pisa Handles Transactions08:31 – What Users Receive09:30 – Pisa Fees & Revenue Model11:09 – Support for Long-Tail Tokens12:07 – Developer Integration Effort13:35 – Target Audience & SDKs14:05 – Pisa Launch Timeline14:33 – Upcoming CIP Standard15:27 – Closing RemarksIn this episode, I speak with Ben Hart, Chase, and Luke from MLabs about Pisa – their smart contract implementation of Babel fees on Cardano. Pisa allows users to pay for transaction fees, minimum ADA, and collateral using native tokens instead of ADA. The smart contract handles real-time token swaps behind the scenes and returns a ready-to-submit transaction. No changes to the Cardano ledger are required. SPOs are involved as normal, and there’s no batching – just seamless UX. Developers can integrate Pisa with a few lines of code via HTTP API or an upcoming NPM package. Topics include:What Babel fees areHow Pisa improves the user experienceDifferences from other solutions like AquariumDeveloper integration and the planned CIPLaunch timelines and supported tokensPisa launches within 60 days and is set to improve onboarding for wallets, DeFi apps, and games across Cardano.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

00:00 Midnight and Bitcoin DeFi to set Cardano soaring02:22 Massive Liquidty Injection03:22 Trigger ADA Fueled Activity  05:31 Increased Staking Participation  06:56 Self Custody  07:55 Wallet Numbers Skyrocketing  09:06 DEX Volume Exploding  09:57 Increased Fees and Network Usage  10:31 L2 Adoption  11:35 Newcomers  12:34 Delegate to My DRep Profile  13:06 Shoutout to Members  13:26 Stake Your ADA at ADAOZ  13:55 Listen on Spotify  Midnight and Bitcoin DeFi are about to transform Cardano — and in this video, we break down exactly how. Peter shares the top 10 impacts that these two major developments will have on the Cardano ecosystem. With the NIGHT token being airdropped into Cardano wallets and new Bitcoin-wrapping protocols entering the scene, users will see big changes in how they use and interact with DeFi on Cardano. Topics covered in this episode:Liquidity injection from Bitcoin holders and NIGHT token distributionADA usage increase as users pay for DeFi activityGrowth of Babel fee systems like Aquarium and FeeserMore users staking ADA, Bitcoin, and NIGHTUsers shifting to self-custody wallets to qualify for airdropsMillions of new wallets expectedDEX volume exploding from NIGHT and stablecoin swapsHigher network fees and congestion — but also more rewards for SPOsReal usage of Hydra and Mithril Layer 2 solutionsNewcomers joining Cardano and needing education and protectionWhether you're a long-time ADA holder or brand new to the ecosystem, this episode gives you the insights you need to prepare for what's next. Support the channel by delegating to the ADAOZ stake pool or delegating governance to Peter’s DRep profile. Learn more at https://learncardano.io.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

00:00 How many tokens will be distributed?02:20 Do ETH Stakers in LIDO get NIGHT Airdrop?03:11 Is Unstaked ADA Not Eligible?04:24 Why Do I Need a New Wallet for the Destination Address?06:39 Is ADA on Exchanges included in the Airdrop? 08:36 Centralised Exchange Support for Cardano Native Tokens10:08 How much ADA is in the Snapshot? 12:07 How many NIGHT tokens will I get?12:40 Wallet verifying process to claim tokens 15:23 Verify the wallet by sending a transaction to your own wallet18:38 What about liquidity providers?20:15 When is the Midnight Mainnet launch? 22:21 Got a question? Leave a comment.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

The Midnight GlacierDrop is finally here, and in this episode, I break down everything you need to know about claiming your NIGHT tokens.Midnight is a new privacy-focused blockchain built by IOG, featuring two key tokens: NIGHT (a utility and governance token) and DUST (a non-transferable shielded resource for private transactions).This episode walks through the entire claim and redemption process, eligibility requirements, and why the staggered release of NIGHT is designed to prevent token dumping. The GlacierDrop claim is open to holders of ADA, BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, AVAX, and BAT based on a snapshot taken on June 11, 2025. ADA holders receive the largest allocation—50% of the eligible airdrop supply. You’ll need to connect your wallet to the official GlacierDrop portal when it launches and claim within a 60-day window.After that, unclaimed tokens move to the Scavenger Mine phase, followed by a long-term Lost & Found period that spans four years. Redemption of NIGHT tokens follows a 360-day vesting schedule with unlocks every 90 days, starting randomly within the first 90 days post-claim.Each redemption requires a transaction on Cardano, so be ready to cover network fees.Also, Cardano SPOs can earn NIGHT by participating in Midnight’s block production. Delegators to those pools will benefit too—so be sure to speak with your SPO. 📌 Claim Site: [to be announced]📚 Tokenomics: https://midnight.gd🛠 GitHub: Midnight node Docker container availablehttps://github.com/midnightntwrk/midnight-node-dockerStay tuned and subscribe so you don’t miss your claim window.00:00 Midnight GlacierDrop Tokenomics Revealed  00:29 What is Midnight and its Cardano link  00:54 NIGHT and DUST tokens explained  01:49 NIGHT’s multi-chain role and governance  02:19 GlacierDrop, Scavenger Mine, Lost & Found phases  02:45 Snapshot date and eligible assets  03:15 Claim website and redemption overview  03:45 Token allocation breakdown  04:15 Scavenger Mine reallocation  04:44 Lost & Found second chance  05:12 60-day claim window explained  05:41 Vesting and thawing period  06:09 Full claim schedule timeline  06:37 Randomised thaw unlock  07:32 Avoiding token dumps  07:57 Redeeming in instalments  08:27 Cardano fees and grace period  08:53 Lost & Found smart contract claims  09:20 If the portal goes offline  09:44 Manual claim opportunities  10:13 NIGHT and DUST token recap  11:05 SPO and delegator token rewards  11:34 Final tokenomics notes  12:02 Outro and claim reminder  DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

Fluxpoint Studio is bringing AI-powered trading to Cardano with the launch of A.D.A.M, an autonomous portfolio balancing and liquidity provisioning tool.By integrating their agentic intelligence engine, A.D.A.M can analyse real-time on-chain and social data to optimise trades. The tool launches in phases and operates non-custodially, supporting trading on platforms like Strike Finance and potentially others, such as Flow. Find out how it works and what it costs to get started.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano

In this episode, Peter dives into an important development for Cardano governance: the release of a new decentralised voting tool by the Cardano Foundation. This open-source platform, accessible at voting.cardanofoundation.org, enables DReps (Delegated Representatives), SPOs (Stake Pool Operators), and Constitutional Committee members to vote on-chain using a streamlined interface.Critically, the tool supports multisig wallets and stores immutable voting rationales on IPFS via integrations with Endmaker or custom IPFS providers. The release comes at a crucial time, as the existing community-built voting tool, GovTools, is facing funding challenges. GovTools wasn’t included in the latest Intersect budget, leaving its continued development uncertain. A 100k ADA maintenance grant will keep the tool functional for now, but future progress depends on renewed community support.Peter walks through how the Cardano Foundation’s tool works, outlining the step-by-step process from inputting your DRep ID to signing and submitting your vote. The new interface simplifies rationale submission, removing the need for GitHub uploads and allowing users to use Endmaker API tokens or even custom storage like Iagon.Crucially, the entire voting tool is open source and can be run locally or on private infrastructure, which ensures the resilience and decentralisation of Cardano governance. If hosted tools like GovTools go offline, users can still vote independently. This tool complements other platforms in the governance ecosystem like Tempo Vote, Governance.space, and the Cardano Forum, but it's one of the few to offer full voting capabilities.Peter applauds the Cardano Foundation for their contribution to the ecosystem’s decentralisation and encourages the community to explore this new tool to strengthen participation in on-chain governance.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq8FhvxET2k Subscribe to the audio podcast:🔗 https://bit.ly/learncardano-spotify 🔗 https://apple.co/3jEPM8C 🔗 https://learncardano.io/ Follow on Social:🔗 https://x.com/learncardano 🔗 https://facebook.com/learncardano