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Summary

In this episode of Block by Block, Del Led shares how he got into crypto in 2020 and walks through the vision behind Peapods Finance. He breaks down the liquidity problems plaguing DeFi and introduces the concept of volatility farming — a model that rewards users for price fluctuations rather than relying on inflationary token yields. The conversation also touches on how Peapods Finance is using AI to automate strategies, why community engagement is central to retention, and what it will take for Peapods to become a blue-chip protocol. Toward the end, Del and Pete discuss the broader future of DeFi — especially how Bitcoin could play a larger role.

Takeaways

– Del Led’s crypto journey began in 2020

– DeFi is poised for a strong resurgence

– Peapods Finance tackles inflationary LP yields with a new model

– Volatility farming lets users earn from price swings rather than token emissions

– Peapods reimagines liquidity provision through pod-based structures

– Strong community engagement drives user retention

– AI is being integrated to power automated yield strategies

– Bitcoin’s role in DeFi is likely to grow over time

– Peapods aims to be a blue-chip protocol in the DeFi ecosystem

– Marketing innovation is essential for user acquisition and differentiation

Timeline

(00:00) Introduction to Peapods Finance and Del Led’s journey

(02:05) The evolution of DeFi and Peapods’ role in it

(05:09) Solving liquidity challenges with novel mechanisms

(10:12) What volatility farming is and how it works

(15:00) Perspectives from LPs and traders

(19:55) Marketing strategies and growth outlook

(24:50) How Peapods is using AI to optimize returns

(29:46) The future of DeFi and Bitcoin integration

(35:02) Final thoughts and vision for the road ahead

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Summary

In this conversation, Benjamin Brandall, co-founder of WeaveVM, shares how his early interest in preserving digital culture led him into the crypto space. He breaks down the “EVM storage dilemma” — a growing issue for developers building in Ethereum-compatible environments — and explains how WeaveVM is tackling it with a new modular architecture designed for permanent, cost-effective data storage.

Benjamin also discusses the importance of data availability for decentralized applications, how WeaveVM works alongside existing data availability layers like EigenDA, and why decentralization matters for Layer 2 ecosystems. The conversation also covers the team’s upcoming mainnet launch, the competitive dynamics of on-chain storage, and what’s needed to attract developers and grow the community. With promising traction in ecosystems like Solana and partnerships forming across chains, WeaveVM is aiming to become a critical piece of crypto’s data infrastructure.

Takeaways

— Benjamin’s entry into crypto came from a passion for preserving digital culture.

— The EVM storage dilemma is a major but often underappreciated technical challenge.

— WeaveVM offers modular, permanent, and cost-efficient storage for EVM-compatible chains.

— Data availability is foundational to how decentralized applications function.

— WeaveVM bridges Ethereum’s developer base with Arweave’s long-term storage.

— Centralized providers currently dominate the storage landscape — WeaveVM offers a decentralized alternative.

— The project’s model creates sustainable long-term storage incentives.

— Partnerships (like with EigenDA) are key to WeaveVM’s value proposition.

— The Solana ecosystem presents a strong near-term growth opportunity.

— WeaveVM complements, rather than competes with, other DA solutions.

— Modularity is a core design philosophy that sets WeaveVM apart.

— Decentralization remains a critical goal, especially for Layer 2 networks.

— Demand for decentralized storage is rising, particularly from enterprises.

— Newer chains like MegaEath open doors for future expansion.

— Mainnet is targeted for this year, with clear milestones ahead.

— Community building and developer engagement will be crucial to success.

Timeline

(00:00) Introduction to WeaveVM and Benjamin Brandall’s journey

(02:53) Understanding the EVM storage dilemma

(06:08) WeaveVM’s technical approach to solving on-chain storage challenges

(09:02) Why data availability matters for decentralized apps

(11:48) Competitive landscape and how WeaveVM stands out

(14:55) Strategic partnerships and momentum in Solana

(18:02) Future-facing opportunities for WeaveVM

(27:42) How WeaveVM fits into the broader storage and data availability stack

(40:29) Mainnet goals and community incentives to grow the ecosystem

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Summary

In this episode, Lyron Co Ting Keh, co-founder and CEO of Seismic Systems, shares the story behind their recent funding round and what Seismic is building—a blockchain platform for encrypted financial services. Lyron explains how the current financial infrastructure still meets the minimum bar for most users, but fails to serve more sensitive or complex needs, especially around B2B lending and credit.

He talks about how Seismic is tackling fragmentation in crypto, offering a unified and encrypted environment that can support native applications and allow for meaningful experimentation. Lyron reflects on the importance of deep user research, how his background in AI influences Seismic’s design choices, and why long-term thinking is essential when building in crypto. He also outlines their roadmap, the role of the community, and how Seismic plans to empower underserved small businesses.

We also go into how to pitch to VC's and why Polychain Capital, a16z, saw that was special in Lyron and Seismic Systems.

Takeaways

— Seismic focuses on high-sensitivity payment flows, bringing encrypted financial services on-chain.

— Most existing systems are “good enough,” but don’t meet the needs of more complex or privacy-sensitive users.

— A major problem in crypto is fragmented encryption—Seismic aims to solve that by unifying the environment.

— The team is building native apps from the ground up, informed by deep user research.

— Fragmentation in crypto complicates order routing and transaction execution.

— Seismic targets the SMB lending market, which is underserved and inefficient.

— Crypto provides structural advantages for underwriting and loan distribution.

— Seismic’s model includes incentivizing developers and users in differentiated ways.

— Community engagement is core to Seismic’s long-term strategy.

— Lyron draws inspiration from AI and emphasizes faster iteration and feedback loops.

— The roadmap includes beta testing, developer incentives, and a full mainnet launch.

Timeline

(00:00) Introduction to Seismic Systems and Funding Announcement

(01:43) Understanding Seismic’s Market and Value Proposition

(06:21) Seismic’s Unique Approach to Encrypted DeFi

(12:14) Incubation of Native Applications for Seismic

(15:02) Lyron’s Journey into Crypto and Seismic’s Development

(17:17) User Research and Identifying Market Needs

(21:52) Challenges in Feedback Loops and Market Signals

(26:07) Understanding Fragmentation in Crypto Transactions

(28:18) Seismic’s Approach to Credit and Lending

(29:09) The Challenges of SMB Lending

(32:32) Innovations in Underwriting with Crypto

(34:09) Seismic’s Business Model and Community Engagement

(39:21) Roadmap and Future Plans for Seismic

(41:04) Incentivizing Community and Developer Engagement

(45:41) Inspirations and Influences Beyond Crypto

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Summary

In this conversation, Sehaj, co-founder of Avantis, reflects on the arc of DeFi—from its early experimental phase (1.0), through the token-incentivized wave (2.0), to today's DeFi 3.0, which he describes as a period of financial nihilism. Against that backdrop, he introduces Avantis: a trading platform designed to rekindle energy in the space through zero-fee perpetuals, real-world asset integration, and a community-first approach.

Sehaj explains that Avantis is built for on-chain traders who want yield, macro exposure, and a more engaging experience. To that end, they've developed features like XP Leagues to gamify the platform and make trading more interactive. He also talks about the roadmap ahead—new trading primitives, deeper community involvement, and the long-term vision of creating a thriving, user-owned ecosystem.

Takeaways

— DeFi has moved through three major phases: 1.0 (experimentation), 2.0 (token incentives), and 3.0 (financial nihilism)
— Avantis is built to re-energize DeFi with zero-fee perpetuals and real-world asset trading
— Real-world assets open the door to new kinds of on-chain trading opportunities
— The platform is designed for active, yield-seeking on-chain traders
— Community is central—Avantis grows through engaged users and creative incentives
— XP Leagues introduce gamification that rewards participation and competition
— Avantis is intentionally building for long-term utility, not short-term hype
— Trading volume and participation so far show strong early traction
— Future product primitives are already in development to expand platform capabilities
— Sehaj invites open dialogue and feedback from the community

Chapters

(00:00) The Evolution of DeFi: From 1.0 to 3.0
(04:00) Introducing Avantis: A New Era in DeFi
(08:09) Real World Assets: A Game Changer for Traders
(11:57) Target Audience and Market Strategy for Avantis
(16:05) Building Community and Engagement in DeFi
(19:53) Future Primitives and Innovations at Avantis

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Learning about the perp DEX category was really educational for me and I appreciate speaking with @josebetandcourt about his project @0xVDEX, which is shaping up to be a serious contender to @HyperliquidX.

Specifically in comparison to Hyperliquid, among other differences, here are a few he called out:

— “They’ve gone for the build your own chain approach… we like to horizontally scale.”

— “They’re completely masquerading as a decentralized exchange but can roll back the chain as they did.”

— Jose emphasizes VDEX’s virtual rollup and state channel tech, zero-knowledge, which enables sub-millisecond finality, true self-custody, and no gas—features that Hyperliquid doesn’t offer.

— Jose positions VDEX as more accessible: no KYC, no VPN, and usable in regions Hyperliquid geo-blocks like Japan and the U.S.

You won't want to miss this one.

Summary

In this conversation, Jose Betancourt, founder of VDEX, shares his journey from crypto trader to builder—shaped by firsthand frustration with the complexity of DeFi platforms.

— He explains how VDEX was born out of a desire to fix broken user experiences in crypto, especially around perpetual trading.

— Jose walks through how VDEX blends self-custody, security, and a smoother UX to serve both retail users and crypto natives.

— The conversation dives into the platform’s omnichain architecture, product differentiation, and why user feedback drives their roadmap.

— Jose also opens up about the challenges of growth, community engagement, and what’s coming next for VDEX as it moves toward mainnet.

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Takeaways

— Jose started in crypto as a trader focused on improving user experience.

— User experience remains a major barrier to wider crypto adoption.

— VDEX tackles these issues through its omnichain architecture.

— Self-custody is a foundational principle in VDEX’s design.

— The platform serves both crypto-native users and retail traders.

— VDEX has six unique selling points that distinguish it from the competition.

— Strategic partnerships are central to VDEX’s long-term growth.

— Community engagement is key to building trust and loyalty.

— Positive user feedback shapes ongoing product development.

— VDEX plans to expand to more chains and add higher leverage options.

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Chapters

(00:00) The Journey into Crypto

(03:06) User Experience Challenges in Crypto

(06:06) Introducing VDEX: The Omnichain PerpDex

(08:57) Building VDEX: Addressing Market Needs

(11:53) Target Audience and Market Positioning

(15:12) Strategic Partnerships and Competitors

(18:00) Marketing and Growth Strategies

(20:59) Community Building and User Engagement

(24:02) Feedback and Iteration Process

(27:01) The Future of Bitcoin in DeFi

(29:51) Plans for VDEX’s Expansion and Mainnet Launch

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Oleg Fomenko--Earning Crypto One Sweat and Step at a Time with Sweat Economy

Summary

In this episode, Oleg Fomenko — co-founder of Sweat Economy — shares the story behind one of the most widely adopted health apps in the world. With over 150 million users, Sweat Economy has bridged the Web2 and Web3 divide by rewarding people for something simple: walking.

Oleg talks about how they built viral growth through real-world value, and why simplifying language and experience is key to onboarding the next wave of users into crypto. He also opens up about how Sweat evaluates blockchain partners, integrates AI for smarter engagement, and keeps its focus on building for problems — not just ideas.

From branding to sharding, user design to sustainable tokenomics, this conversation is a crash course in building consumer crypto products that actually scale.

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Takeaways

— Sweat Economy has over 150 million users — a major milestone for any health or crypto app
— The core idea is simple: walk more, earn more
— Their growth is powered by a clean, attractive value proposition
— AI plays a growing role in retention and experience personalization
— Reducing friction is crucial when transitioning users from Web2 to Web3
— Simple, intuitive language makes the product more accessible
— Their roadmap is rooted in user needs, not hype cycles
— Multi-chain support ensures flexibility and global accessibility
— Word-of-mouth continues to be their strongest growth engine
— Deep user insight drives every product decision
— Blockchain partner choices are based on UX, fees, and mobile readiness
— Transaction costs have a direct impact on retention
— Sharding is seen as a necessary step to scalability
— Mobile-first design is essential for mainstream adoption
— Branding must resonate beyond crypto-native circles
— Great products solve real problems — not just chase trends
— The UX must abstract away complexity for users
— Future-proofing is key to long-term viability
— Consumer crypto is still just getting started
— Sustainable token models are what will define the next wave

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Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Sweat Economy
(07:08) The Journey to 150 Million Users
(16:00) Evolution of Sweat Economy and AI Integration
(32:33) User-Centric Approach and Language Simplification
(33:00) Evaluating Blockchain Partnerships
(39:08) The Importance of User Experience
(41:57) Mobile-First Approach in Web3
(48:50) Branding and Market Positioning
(53:52) Building Around Problems, Not Ideas
(59:53) Advice for Overcoming Challenges

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In this conversation, Matt Gould, co-founder of Unstoppable Domains, shares his journey into the world of cryptocurrency and the inception of his company. He discusses the challenges faced in creating a user-friendly domain system for crypto transactions, the importance of building partnerships within the blockchain ecosystem, and the evolution of naming systems in the digital age. Gould emphasizes the significance of branding and digital identity, as well as the future of on-chain identity as the crypto landscape continues to evolve. In this conversation, Matt Gould discusses the evolution of domain names in the context of blockchain technology, emphasizing the need to transition traditional Web2 industries on-chain. He explains the technical aspects of mapping domains, the challenges of changing a resistant industry, and the importance of simplifying the consumer experience in crypto. Gould also shares insights on the future of domain transfers, the impact of regulation, and the potential intersection of AI and crypto, highlighting the ongoing innovation at Unstoppable Domains.

Takeaways

• Matt Gould got into crypto in 2013 while in San Francisco.
• Unstoppable Domains was founded to simplify crypto transactions.
  The company faced challenges linking multiple cryptocurrency addresses to a single domain.
• Privacy concerns were addressed by allowing users to rotate their addresses.
  Building partnerships with wallets and browsers was crucial for adoption.
  The evolution of the business included branching into traditional DNS domains.
• Naming systems have not evolved much in the digital world over the past 30 years.
• Unstoppable Domains aims to make naming systems more interoperable.
  The brand reflects a response to online censorship and the need for user control.
• The vision for widespread on-chain identity has not yet materialized. DeFi and on-chain technology are evolving from the foundations laid by Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• Mapping domains on-chain simplifies ownership and transfer processes.
  The domain industry is resistant to change due to established profit models.
  Consumer experience is crucial; simplifying crypto for non-technical users is a priority.
• Feedback from users has led to significant product adaptations at Unstoppable Domains.
• The complexity of supporting multiple blockchains and assets is a major hurdle for the crypto industry.
• Regulatory clarity in the U.S. could open new opportunities for crypto and domain integration.
• The future of domains includes new top-level extensions and digital real estate concepts.
• AI has the potential to revolutionize how domains and businesses operate on-chain.
• Innovation in traditional industries requires careful management of relationships and expectations.
  
  
  
  
  

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Summary

In this episode, Brian Mahoney—Chief Business Officer at Thesis and co-founder of mezo—shares his journey from traditional finance into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). He introduces the idea of “Bitcoin Stoicism” as a more constructive version of Bitcoin maximalism, rooted in patience, conviction, and long-term vision.

Brian dives into the story behind Thesis, a company building in the Bitcoin space since 2014, and how that led to the launch of mezo—a platform designed to make Bitcoin more usable, including through the creation of MUSD, a Bitcoin-backed stablecoin.

He also talks about the broader Bitcoin Layer 2 (L2) landscape, the challenges of simplifying blockchain UX, and why community and education are foundational for any crypto project to succeed. Throughout, Brian emphasizes that making crypto usable—especially for real-world applications—requires bridging the best of traditional and decentralized systems.

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Takeaways

— Bitcoin Stoicism emphasizes long-term belief in Bitcoin.

— Transitioning from traditional finance to DeFi can be transformative.

— Thesis has been building in the Bitcoin space since 2014.

— mezo aims to create practical use cases for Bitcoin.

— MUSD is a Bitcoin-backed stablecoin designed for various financial applications.

— Real-world use cases for Bitcoin are expanding beyond speculation.

— Building a community is crucial for the success of new crypto projects.

— The Bitcoin L2 space is competitive but offers unique opportunities.

— Understanding the crypto consumer is key to developing successful applications.

— The ethos of Bitcoin should guide the development of new financial tools.

— User experience is crucial for blockchain adoption.

— Complexity in crypto can drive users away.

— The convergence of crypto and traditional finance is inevitable.

— Bridging assets should be seamless for users.

— mezo aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for Bitcoin.

— MUSD will serve as the central currency in the mezo economy.

— Education is key to user retention and engagement.

— Community involvement is essential for growth.

— The attention economy plays a significant role in crypto.

— Future developments will focus on real-world applications.

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Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Bitcoin Stoicism

(02:48) Transitioning from TradFi to DeFi

(05:57) The Evolution of Thesis and mezo

(08:47) Understanding mezo’s Core Offerings

(12:12) MUSD: The Bitcoin-Backed Stablecoin

(14:45) Real-World Use Cases for Bitcoin

(17:51) Positioning mezo in the Bitcoin L2 Space

(21:13) Building a Community for mezo

(24:11) Insights on the Crypto Consumer

(27:47) Enhancing User Experience in Blockchain Applications

(30:26) The Shift from Complexity to Simplicity

(33:07) Convergence of Crypto and Traditional Finance

(36:28) Understanding the Layer 2 Landscape

(40:42) Building a City: The mezo Ecosystem

(45:56) Future Prospects and Community Engagement

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