Crypto VCs are slowly transitioning into generalists

Stani Kulechov is the founder and CEO of Avara — the software development company behind some of web3's biggest projects, including Aave and Lens. In this episode, Kulechov gives an overview of the modular architecture underpinning the recently announced Lens Network and explains how a modular design is essential to helping Web3 social applications scale. OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Onchain Media 03:40 Lens Scaling Research 07:17 Security Considerations 09:42 Lens Network Architecture 12:58 Tech Stack Considerations 18:42 Web3 Social App Developers 20:36 Lens Network Migration 22:52 Developments in Web3 Social 26:36 Web2 vs. Web3 29:15 Closing Thoughts This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Ric Edelman is the founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals (DACFP). In this episode, Edelman discusses the importance of financial advisors in the crypto space and emphasizes the need for advisors to understand and embrace crypto to serve their clients' best interests. OUTLINE 0:00 Introduction 04:46 Financial Advisors & BTC 09:38 Bitcoin Adoption Curve 14:02 Shifting FA Perspectives 22:44 Logistics of BTC Allocation 30:51 Updating Portfolio Thoery 34:30 Ric's BTC Price Target 38:01 Residual Skeptics 42:28 Closing Thoughts This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Jeff Dorman is Arca's Chief Investment Officer. In this episode, Chaparro and Dorman discuss the recent approval of the spot ether ETFs and how it opens the door for institutional investors to engage with the Ethereum ecosystem. The discussion also highlights the importance of regulatory clarity and the shifting sentiment towards crypto in Washington.  OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 02:34 ETH ETF Approval 06:02 Wall Street Onchain? 12:05 ETH ETFs & Market Structure 17:53 ETH Headwinds & Underperformance 21:28 Altcoin ETFs? 25:27 Crypto's Crowded VC Landscape 34:32 Liquid Crypto Funds 41:47 Traditional Hedge Funds & Crypto This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Kristin Smith is the CEO of Blockchain Association and Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge Capital. In this episode, Smith and Scaramucci discuss the impact of crypto policy and politics on recent events, including the ETH ETF win, bipartisan support, and the influence of Trump and Biden. The discussion highlights the significance of the crypto voter, the evolving stance of the White House, and the potential impact on elections. OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Political Paradigm Shift 05:57 Biden WH Crypto Policy 08:09 Crypto 'Voting Bloc' 13:02 Trump's Crypto Flip Flop 16:33 Biden's Crypto Strategy 23:17 Closing Thoughts This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Kain Warwick is the co-founder of the DeFi protocol Synthetix, and a partner at the crypto VC firm Bodhi Ventures. In this episode, Warwick discusses the brokenness of the traditional venture capital model and how it has led to the emergence of new fundraising mechanisms in the crypto space. OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Warwick's Crypto Journey 02:37 Synthetix History 04:47 RWA Trends 11:42 Tokenized Commodities 15:15 Crypto VC Trends 25:19 Airdrop Mechanism Design 27:56 Points 31:12 Early-Stage Inefficiencies 40:49 Deal Flow This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Paolo Ardoino is the CEO of Tether. In this episode, Ardoino discusses the strategic vision of Tether and its expansion into new business units, including AI and education. The current market cap of Tether's primary product USDT is hovering around $110 billion. OUTLINE 00:00 Tether & Disintermediation 08:12 Tether’s New Strategies 17:44 Macroeconomics & USDT Growth 21:07 Tether’s Reserves 25:00 Tether Gold 27:22 AI Revolution 33:07 Tether’s AI Division 38:30 Tokenized RWAs 43:47 Closing Thoughts This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Jake Brukhman is the founder and CEO of CoinFund. In this episode, Brukhman explores the intersection of AI and blockchain technologies and their impact on consumers, and shares his thoughts on the saturation of the early-stage crypto VC market. OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 01:33 CoinFund's Structure & Strategy 05:56 Early vs. Late Stage Crypto Venture 16:37 Crypto AI & DePIN 28:35 Crypto DePIN 32:51 Tokenomics & PMF 37:00 Interoperability Trends 41:14 Shifting LP Expectations 46:50 Closing Thoughts This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Denelle Dixon is the CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation — the primary development team supporting the Stellar blockchain. In this episode, Dixon emphasizes the potential of blockchain technology to transform financial services in low- to medium-income countries, particularly in Africa and South America. She also addresses the need for policymakers to create a supportive environment for the industry and the importance of asset issuance and payments in creating equitable access to the global financial system.   This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network The Block Community The Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunity The Block Newsletters The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe visit theblock.co/newsletters

Luke Hoersten is the founder and CEO of Bitnomial — a derivatives exchange that aims to replace the underlying rails of the global commodities trading market with crypto. Bitnomial has obtained regulatory approval for an exchange license, a clearinghouse license and a brokerage license, making them the first business to have all three licenses under one roof. In this episode, Hoersten discusses the technical innovation to collateral management and trading offered by crypto and the future of collateral management in the crypto derivatives market.  OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 04:36 Bitnomial's Licenses 05:48 Bitnomial's Product Suite 07:46 Competition 12:09 Phases of Crypto Collateral 19:01 CME Marketshare 21:07 Importance of Derivatives 24:55 Future of Crypto Derivitives 32:18 Onshore vs. Offshore Derivatives 35:09 TradFi Perps 37:37 Closing Thoughts

Zaheer Ebtikar is the founder and CIO of Split Capital. In this episode, Ebtikar discusses the opportunity of liquid crypto investment strategies and the challenges faced by crypto venture firms, including crowded markets and longer lock-up periods. OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 05:14 Evolution of Crypto Venture 08:12 Nuances of Liquid Crypto Funds 10:58 Liquid Fund Capital Allocators 13:59 Crypto Market Inefficiencies 17:38 Shifting Fundamentals 20:38 Impact of ETFs 22:49 Market Opportunities 37:02 Closing Thoughts