Podcast
Lightspeed
Hosted by Blockworks · EN
Lightspeed is a podcast for those interested in how crypto can solve real problems and create products users love. It's a callback to the garage days of Silicon Valley, where builders pushed the limits of hardware and software to build world-changing products. We interview the projects and founders that will make this same impact today.
52episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Future of Onchain Collateral | Misha Putiatin
1w ago00:50:02Tap to summarizeGm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Misha Putiatin, Co-Founder of Symbiotic, to discuss the evolution of shared collateral infrastructure, the launch of Core V2, and the future of bringing real-world assets onchain. We also cover liquidity, composability, risk management, compliance challenges, institutional adoption, and Symbiotic’s roadmap for expanding collateral markets and DeFi integrations. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Symbiotic: https://x.com/Symbioticfi Follow Misha: https://x.com/Psalom Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:14) Misha’s Crypto Origin (6:38) Beyond Shared Security (9:32) Permissionless Collateral Markets (13:02) Core V2 Explained (16:15) Unlocking RWA Liquidity (22:04) Making RWAs Composable (31:09) Managing Collateral Risk (40:30) Symbiotic’s Next Milestones (48:10) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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The Next Battle for Crypto Trading
2w ago00:44:58Tap to summarizeGm! In today's episode, we discuss Strategy's Bitcoin treasury approach, whether crypto markets can decouple from Bitcoin, slowing momentum in tokenized stocks, listing strategies for onchain equities, the battle between Solana, Hyperliquid, and centralized exchanges, and whether renewed meme coin activity signals a broader revival in Solana trading. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Toma: https://x.com/toma_adv Follow Joe: https://x.com/j0e_cooks Follow Sam: https://x.com/minnus Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (2:43) Strategy’s Bitcoin Dilemma (6:51) Can Crypto Decouple From Bitcoin? (10:54) Tokenized Stocks Cool Off (18:03) Solana Spot vs Hyperliquid Perps (24:26) Coinbase, Binance, and Onchain Rails (34:49) Meme Coins Return? (43:09) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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The Future of Finance Starts Onchain | Armani Ferrante
2w ago01:10:43Tap to summarizeGm! In today's episode, we're joined by Armani Ferrante, founder and CEO of Backpack, to discuss the evolution of Backpack, tokenized equities, regulatory strategy, and building a crypto-native financial institution. We also explore Solana's growth, market structure, token design, 24/7 stock trading, global financial infrastructure, and the long-term role of tokenized assets and decentralized networks. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Backpack: https://x.com/Backpack Follow Armani Ferrante: https://x.com/armaniferrante Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:44) Armani’s Solana Journey (13:28) Why Backpack Chose Regulation (23:34) Building Crypto’s Financial Stack (35:38) Tokenized Stocks at Scale (45:42) Tokens, Equity, and Incentives (59:03) The Future of Tokenized Assets (1:09:28) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects
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Is DePIN Entering Its Next Growth Phase?
3w ago00:57:47Tap to summarizeGm! In this episode, we break down the latest developments in tokenized equities, including Backpack’s stock offerings on Solana and growing competition from Base. We also discuss the rise of social trading platforms like Fomo, Noble Mobile’s acquisition of Helium Mobile, Helium’s evolving network economics, HIP-149, and what these changes could mean for the next phase of growth across the DePIN sector. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Nick Carpinito: https://x.com/0xMetaLight Follow Joe: https://x.com/j0e_cooks Follow Carlos: https://x.com/0xcarlosg Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (4:04) Tokenized Equities Heat Up (9:21) Coinbase, IPOs, and Listings (19:26) Fomo’s Big Raise (23:26) Can Fomo Escape Memes? (33:03) Noble Acquires Helium Mobile (37:56) Helium Economics and HIP-149 (48:10) DePIN’s New Funding Models (53:39) Geodnet Bucks the Trend (56:47) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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Future-Proof Money on Solana | Hardhat Chad
3w ago00:56:10Tap to summarizeGm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Hardhat Chad, Foreman at ORE, to discuss the origins and evolution of ORE Protocol, including its transition from proof-of-work mining on Solana to its current grid mining system. We cover mining incentives, token emissions, protocol revenue and buybacks, proof of useful work, community governance, security improvements, quantum-resistant infrastructure, validator decentralization, and future plans for ORE’s ecosystem, liquidity, and foundation structure. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow ORE: https://x.com/ORE Follow Hardhat Chad: https://x.com/HardhatChad Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:43) ORE’s Origin Story (7:18) Why Bitcoinomics Broke (10:49) Proof Of Work’s Value Leak (12:57) Mining Design Tradeoffs (21:42) Revenue, Buybacks, And Burns (23:48) Rewarding Long-Term Holders (28:29) V4 Reduces Roulette Risk (35:33) Forks, Rugs, And Security (44:37) Future-Proofing ORE (52:45) Foundation And Liquidity Roadmap (55:05) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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From Memecoins to Markets: Solana’s Next Trade
4w ago00:57:32Tap to summarizeGm! In today’s episode we cover prediction market activity around major sporting events, growing interest in tokenized equities following recent IPOs, the role of platforms like Backpack in bringing stocks onchain, liquidity and market structure challenges, the relationship between tokens and equity, evolving governance models, DeFi use cases for tokenized assets, and the rise of institutional-focused trading infrastructure on Solana. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Toma: https://x.com/toma_adv Follow Joe: https://x.com/j0e_cooks Follow Sam: https://x.com/minnus Follow Carlos: https://x.com/0xcarlosg Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (3:22) Prediction Markets Chase Sports (7:04) IPOs Push Stocks Onchain (15:10) Liquidity Fragmentation Risks (25:28) Backpack Token Meets Equity (32:29) Do Tokens Still Matter? (37:03) Tokens And Equity Converge (46:40) Equity Collateral In DeFi (47:51) Solana Trading Frontends Rise (56:17) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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Flash Trade Is Reinventing Perps on Solana | Anas Khader
4w ago00:53:00Tap to summarizeGm! In this episode, we’re joined by Anas Khader, Founder of Flash Trade, to discuss the protocol’s journey from building alongside Mango Markets to launching a Solana-native perpetuals exchange. We cover Flash Trade’s pool-to-peer liquidity model, expansion into equities, commodities, and forex perps, its new Magic Block-powered execution engine, security and oracle design, the future of 24/7 markets, and how Solana’s evolving infrastructure is shaping the next generation of onchain trading. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Flash Trade: https://x.com/FlashTrade Follow Anas: https://x.com/allinbitcoin_ Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:18) Flash Trade Origin Story (6:23) Pool-To-Peer Perps (11:22) New Asset Markets (16:46) Magic Block Design (26:08) Competing In Perps (32:08) Oracle And Security Risks (39:15) Next Perps Frontier (42:49) Solana's Growth Path (48:04) Solana UX Improvements (51:07) Try Flash V2 (52:13) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Transcribe →Blockworks Acquires Messari
Jun 1200:28:59Tap to summarizeIn this special episode, Blockworks announces its acquisition of Messari and unpacks what it means for crypto’s next phase. Michael and Jason explore why Messari’s breadth of data, APIs, and research complement Blockworks’ deep on-chain analytics, investor relations, and disclosure products. They also address crypto’s trust problem, the need for standardized data and disclosures, and how Blockworks aims to become the trusted data layer connecting issuers, investors, exchanges, regulators, and AI agents in on-chain markets. Learn more: https://blockworks.com/insights/blockworks-acquires-messari Follow Blockworks on X: https://x.com/Blockworks Follow Messari on X: https://x.com/MessariCrypto Follow Michael on X: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_ Follow Jason on X: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
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Solving Sol Value Accrual
Jun 1100:57:40Tap to summarizeGm! In today’s episode, we discuss Solana’s value accrual challenges, including proposed tokenomics changes, fee burn mechanisms, inflation reduction, and network upgrade timelines. We also examine the release of Anthropic’s Claude Fable model and its implications for software development, cybersecurity, and crypto, before exploring DeFi security risks, protocol valuations, and Michael Saylor’s influence on Bitcoin markets.Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Ian: https://x.com/Ian_Unsworth Follow Toma: https://x.com/toma_adv Follow Carlos: https://x.com/0xcarlosg Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (4:19) Claude Fable Hits Crypto (12:38) Is DeFi Still Safe? (18:59) Valuing Hackable Protocols (22:19) Saylor Shakes Bitcoin (30:06) Bitcoin vs Fundamentals (34:14) Solana Value Accrual (40:21) Can Solana Charge Rent? (46:13) Burn vs Issuance (51:32) Solana’s Upgrade Bottleneck (55:57) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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The Era of Tokenized Yield Strategies | Ben Nadareski
Jun 900:50:29Tap to summarizeGm! In this episode we’re joined by Ben Nadareski, Co-Founder and CEO of Solstice, to discuss his background in traditional finance and crypto, the development of Solstice’s tokenized yield infrastructure on Solana, and the roles of its USX, eUSX, and SLX assets. We also cover institutional and retail adoption, delta-neutral and private credit strategies, planned AI-focused products, token utility, regulatory considerations, and the broader goal of making yield-generating financial products accessible onchain.Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Solstice: https://x.com/solsticefi Follow Ben: https://x.com/ben_solstice Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:41) Ben’s Crypto Origin (7:30) What Solstice Builds (12:02) How Solstice’s Yield Engine Works (16:09) Solstice vs Ethena (19:09) New Yield Strategies (26:04) Tokenized Yield Versus Vaults (29:27) Who Uses Solstice? (37:25) Regulatory Roadblocks (42:38) SLX Token Utility (47:29) Solstice In 2027 (49:36) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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