Building Web3 podcast

27:17

In this episode of Building Web3, host Jax Dwyer speaks with Atikh, co-founder of Acctual, to explore the challenges of cross-border payments, the growing role of stablecoins, and how businesses are adopting crypto for financial operations. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Acctual and Its Vision 01:25 Challenges of Cross-Border Payments 03:53 Use Cases for Stablecoins in Business 07:11 The User Journey on Acctual’s Platform 11:00 Flexible Payment Solutions 15:18 Current Development Stage and Future Plans 19:24 The Future of Stablecoins and Market Dynamics 22:37 The Profitability of Stablecoin Companies 24:35 Upcoming Milestones and Features from Acctual 26:50 How Acctual Simplifies Payroll and Contractor Payments 29:15 How Acctual Raised $3.8M and Future Growth Plans What is Acctual? Acctual is a next-generation invoicing and payments platform that enables businesses to send and receive payments seamlessly using stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and local currencies. By leveraging crypto rails, Acctual provides faster, cheaper, and more transparent global transactions, solving major pain points for freelancers, merchants, and enterprises worldwide. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why international payments are broken – The hidden challenges of cross-border B2B transactions. How stablecoins (USDT, USDC) are transforming global finance and reducing reliance on traditional banking systems. Real-world use cases – From charcoal exporters in Nigeria to Tesla and SpaceX using stablecoins for operations. How Acctual automates invoices, accounts payable (AP), and accounts receivable (AR) using blockchain. The rise of stablecoin settlements – How major businesses are integrating crypto payments into financial workflows. Why crypto-native businesses struggle with payments – The challenges of multi-sig wallets, treasury management, and tax compliance. The future of stablecoins and DeFi finance – Will stablecoins like USDC, USDT, PYUSD dominate global payments? How Acctual solves the stablecoin conversion problem – Enabling flexible payments between USDT, USDC, fiat, and bank accounts. Why This Matters for You: For Web3 entrepreneurs, freelancers, crypto-native businesses, and financial teams, this episode provides deep insights into stablecoin adoption, regulatory challenges, and the infrastructure powering the next wave of financial technology. What do you think about stablecoins revolutionizing global finance? Will USDC, USDT, and other crypto payments replace traditional banking? Drop your thoughts in the comments! - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Skate: The Future of Cross-Chain Interoperability with Siddharth 33:06

11 days ago33:06

33:06

In this episode, Jax Dwyer sits down with Siddharth, CEO of Skate, to dive deep into how Skate is pioneering a new era of blockchain interoperability by introducing stateless applications, cross-VM interactions, and seamless multi-chain experiences. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Skate and Interoperability 02:59 User Experience and Integration with Skate 06:03 Cross-Chain Interactions and Stateless Applications 08:57 The Future of App Development in a Multi-Chain World 12:07 Challenges and Innovations in the Blockchain Ecosystem 15:02 The Role of Liquidity and Market Dynamics 18:11 Real World Assets and Future Developments 21:01 Community Engagement and Future Announcements 24:15 Overcoming Technical Barriers in Cross-VM Communication 27:42 How Skate is Revolutionizing DeFi and Tokenization 30:29 The Long-Term Vision for Web3 Interoperability Interoperability has long been a challenge in Web3, with developers forced to deploy separate versions of their apps on multiple chains, fragmenting liquidity and creating inefficiencies. Skate is changing the game by allowing a single application to function across Solana, Ethereum, TON, Base, and other chains—without major code modifications. By leveraging EigenLayer’s economic trust and a cutting-edge intents-based execution model, Skate is enabling one-click interactions across chains, removing barriers for users and projects alike. Why This Matters: Today, most cross-chain interoperability relies on bridging assets rather than enabling true application-level interactions. Skate eliminates this friction by allowing users to interact with apps across multiple chains without manually bridging or switching networks. This revolutionary approach could make multi-chain fragmentation a thing of the past, unlocking new possibilities for DeFi, RWAs, and on-chain applications. Key Topics Covered: The current limitations of blockchain UX and how Skate is addressing them. Why cross-VM interactions are crucial for Web3 adoption. How Skate is leveraging EigenLayer for enhanced security. The future of liquidity movement across chains and how Skate is optimizing it. The impact of stateless applications on the blockchain ecosystem. How Skate is enabling seamless access to DeFi, RWAs, and prediction markets. What the future of blockchain infrastructure looks like, and how Skate fits into the bigger picture. What are your thoughts on Skate’s vision for a fully interoperable blockchain world? Drop a comment below and let us know if you think stateless apps will shape the future of Web3! - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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How Proximity Labs is Scaling AI Agents & Bitcoin DeFi on NEAR 34:47

16 days ago34:47

34:47

In this episode of the Building Web3 Podcast, we sit down with Kendall, co-founder of Proximity Labs, to dive deep into how NEAR Protocol is shaping the future of AI agents, cross-chain transactions, and Bitcoin DeFi. Kendall provides insights into NEAR’s innovative blockchain architecture, its approach to horizontal scaling through sharding, and how it enables seamless interoperability across different networks. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NEAR and Proximity Labs 05:55 Bitcoin Integration and Smart Contracts 09:04 NEAR's Focus on AI and Agent Technology 14:11 Security and Trust in AI-Powered Blockchain Systems 15:10 Future of AI Agents and Blockchain Integration 17:06 Challenges in AI and Prompt Injection Risks 20:23 The Role of AI in Decentralized Finance 20:55 NEAR Ecosystem and Developer Experience 22:24 Chain Abstraction and Cross-Chain Development 26:10 Why Builders Are Choosing NEAR for AI and DeFi 28:28 The Need for High-Quality Assets in Crypto 30:05 Expanding Web3 with Real-World Assets 32:33 How to Get Involved with NEAR and Proximity Labs One of the key topics of discussion is Chain Signatures, a groundbreaking technology that allows NEAR smart contracts to sign transactions on any blockchain, making it possible to interact with networks like Bitcoin in a truly decentralized and trust-minimized way. This opens up new possibilities for Bitcoin DeFi, including lending, trading, and yield generation, all while maintaining the core principles of decentralization and security. Kendall also introduces Based Agents, a new product designed to bring fully trustless and verifiable AI agents to the blockchain ecosystem. These autonomous agents operate within a cryptographically verified environment, ensuring that AI-powered decisions are transparent and accountable. By leveraging trusted execution environments and on-chain verification, Based Agents enable new applications in DeFi, AI-driven trading, and automated financial operations. The conversation explores how NEAR has positioned itself as a leader in the AI-blockchain space, providing developers with the infrastructure to build scalable, secure, and interoperable applications. With a strong focus on user experience and cross-chain compatibility, NEAR is empowering builders to create Web3 applications that seamlessly interact with different ecosystems, including Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin. Kendall discusses the broader implications of chain abstraction, explaining how Proximity Labs is working to remove the complexities of blockchain interactions, allowing developers to focus on building without being tied to a single chain. He shares insights into NEAR’s thriving ecosystem, highlighting projects that are leveraging the network for applications ranging from DeFi to AI-driven marketplaces. The episode also touches on the importance of high-quality assets in the crypto space, with Kendall emphasizing the need for real-world asset tokenization and new financial primitives that go beyond speculative trading. He provides an outlook on upcoming milestones for NEAR and Proximity Labs, including developments in agent payments, AI infrastructure, and the broader expansion of cross-chain DeFi. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Mass Adoption with Burnt Banksy from XION 31:19

17 days ago31:19

31:19

In this episode of Building Web3, Jax sits down with Burnt Banksy, the founder and CEO of XION, to talk about how they're removing all friction from blockchain. XION is pioneering walletless crypto, letting users log in with Gmail and interact with blockchain apps as easily as any Web2 service. Burnt shares why the era of wallets is over, how Uber is using blockchain without knowing it, and why crypto won’t go mainstream until it disappears. They also break down chain abstraction, real-world blockchain adoption, and why most crypto marketing is broken. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Intro – What is XION? 00:12 "Making Crypto Disappear" – What Does That Mean? 00:36 The Secret to Mass Adoption: Keep User Behavior the Same 01:21 Walletless Crypto: What Does It Actually Mean? 02:25 If There's No Wallet, Where's My Money? 03:02 XION’s Growth: 4M Meta Accounts & 100K DAUs 05:23 Uber’s Blockchain Use Case – Why It’s a Game-Changer 07:28 Web3 Marketing Done Right – Crypto’s Advertising Blind Spot 10:19 Chain Abstraction – Do Chains Actually Want It? 12:29 The Future of Blockchain: Fading into the Background 15:08 Crypto Will Be Everywhere – Just Like the Internet 17:24 The Role of Founders in Crypto Marketing 22:40 XION’s Growth Strategy – A Brand Blitzkrieg 23:28 What’s Next? 150+ Brand Partnerships 24:03 Startup Idea: ZK Proofs for Web2 26:53 Why the Next Spotify & Netflix Will Be On-Chain 27:59 Where to Find Burnt & XION With millions of active users and major partnerships with Uber, Prime Video, Marvel, and Lacoste, Xion is proving that blockchain can scale without the complex onboarding hurdles that have slowed adoption. Instead of making users jump through hoops—downloading wallets, dealing with gas fees, or bridging assets—Xion simplifies the process, letting people log in with Gmail and seamlessly interact with on-chain applications. Making Crypto Disappear – How simplifying blockchain unlocks mainstream adoption. The Power of Walletless UX – Why removing wallets could be the breakthrough crypto needs. How Uber is Using Blockchain – A real-world use case proving crypto’s utility. XION’s Explosive Growth – From 4M testnet users to 100K+ DAUs in record time. Founder-Led Marketing in Web3 – Why outspoken builders are shaping the industry. Chain Abstraction & Interoperability – Breaking down silos between ecosystems. The Future of Crypto Advertising – How ZK proofs enable next-gen marketing. Where Crypto is Headed – Will blockchain finally fade into the background? - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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DeFi, DePIN, and Solana's Future with Tushar from Multicoin Capital 31:52

23 days ago31:52

31:52

In this captivating episode of the Building Web3 podcast, Jax Dwyer hosts Tushar, co-founder and managing partner of Multicoin Capital, for a comprehensive conversation about blockchain investments, DeFi, meme coins, Solana’s scalability, DePIN networks, and the future of tokenized securities. Multicoin Capital, known for its thesis-driven investment strategy, has consistently been at the forefront of identifying blockchain innovations that are reshaping global financial systems. Tushar explains why many investors are missing the mark by focusing on hype-driven assets instead of utility-driven applications that connect with the real world. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 The Utility of Blockchain Beyond Meme Coins 02:46 The Evolution and Impact of Meme Coins 06:10 Solana's Unique Position in the Blockchain Landscape 09:01 Thesis-Driven Investment Strategies in Crypto 11:50 Decentralized Infrastructure and Real-World Applications 14:50 Future Trends in DeFi and Payments 17:57 The Role of Regulation in Blockchain Growth 20:56 Innovative Ideas for Founders in the Crypto Space 24:10 DePIN Networks: Helium, HiveMapper, and Coordination Models 27:45 Scaling Blockchain: Single State Machines vs. Modular Ecosystems 30:30 The Future of Borrow-Lend Protocols in DeFi Tushar delves into the evolution of meme coins, comparing them to the NFT craze of 2021, and why they provide important stress tests for blockchain networks like Solana. He discusses how Multicoin’s early conviction in Solana was built on a unique thesis prioritizing bandwidth optimization—an approach that helped the blockchain handle intense network demands. He also shares insights on the trade-offs between single state machines, like Solana, and modular roll-up ecosystems. He introduces innovative concepts, like “buy now, pay never,” which could redefine how users pay for products and services by redirecting yield instead of spending principal capital. If you’re interested in where blockchain technology is headed over the next few years, this episode provides valuable insights, practical advice, and a forward-thinking perspective on emerging trends. Tushar shares insights on: 🔹 The evolving role of meme coins and their impact on blockchain systems. 🔹 Why Multicoin’s early conviction in Solana paid off. 🔹 The future of blockchain scaling: single state machines vs. modular ecosystems. 🔹 DePIN networks like Helium and HiveMapper and their role in decentralized coordination. 🔹 DeFi’s next wave, including stablecoins and borrow-lend protocols. 🔹 “Buy now, pay never”—an emerging intersection of payments and DeFi With practical advice for builders and a glimpse into what Tushar believes will define the next era of crypto innovation, this is a must-watch for anyone looking to stay ahead in Web3. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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No-Code Tools for Web3: Building onchain workflows with K3 Labs 30:43

24 days ago30:43

30:43

Dive deep into the cutting-edge innovations transforming Web3 with K3 Labs in this insightful episode of the Building Web3 Podcast. Join host Jax Dwyer as he interviews William, co-founder and CEO of K3 Labs, who unveils how their drag-and-drop platform is solving real-world blockchain problems for developers, enterprises, and decentralized builders. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ K3 Labs is bridging the gap between traditional fintech and blockchain with automation tools that allow seamless interaction across chains, wallets, and smart contracts. In this episode, William shares key insights into their mission to make on-chain workflows as easy as using Zapier in Web3. From RWAs (Real-World Assets) to DeFi and institutional adoption, discover the emerging opportunities that make Web3 the future of finance and technology. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to K3 Labs and the Crypto Sphere 03:00 Real-World Applications of Web3 and K3 Labs' Role 05:53 Drag and Drop Interface: Simplifying Web3 Management 08:45 Use Cases and Automation in Web3 12:03 Challenges of Traditional Development in Blockchain 14:52 The No-Code Movement and Its Impact 17:51 Institutional Adoption of Crypto Workflows 19:45 Managing Multi-Wallet Operations and Cross-Chain Data Transfers 21:04 Opportunities in Decentralized Social Media 22:55 Leveraging Blockchain for Supply Chain and Financial Reporting 24:04 Conclusion and Future of K3 Labs 25:36 How K3 Labs Supports Builders and Developers 27:00 Connecting with K3 Labs: Resources and Next Steps Key Discussion Points in This Episode: Blockchain Skepticism as a Catalyst: Why many Web3 projects struggle with real-world use cases and how K3 Labs is bringing tangible solutions to the forefront. RWAs and Stablecoins: Explore how the tokenization of real-world assets is set to disrupt financial markets and why stablecoins remain critical to global adoption. Telcos and TradFi in Web3: Learn how large enterprises like telcos are leveraging crypto infrastructure and why they are exploring stablecoins for cross-border payments. Cross-Chain Operations: Simplifying multi-chain operations by automating tasks such as monitoring wallet balances, topping up wallets, and writing data across multiple chains. Decentralizing Social Media: William highlights the untapped potential of user-generated content and why blockchain-enabled creator platforms could be a game changer. Use Cases Discussed: Multi-Wallet Management: Automate tracking, reporting, and balance monitoring across multiple wallets without manual intervention. Cross-Chain Data Writing: Transfer data between chains effortlessly, reducing the need for custom development. Automated Contractor Payments: Set up workflows to distribute payments to contractors using crypto. Signal Data for Trading Models: Help prop trading desks access on-chain data for building better trading strategies. Institutional Adoption: Telcos and financial firms are using K3 Labs to interact with public and private blockchains seamlessly. If you’re a founder, developer, or institution exploring the possibilities of crypto, DeFi, and tokenized assets, this conversation provides valuable insights into how Web3 tools like K3 Labs can streamline your journey. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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The Fastest Parallel Blockchain: Sei 31:01

26 days ago31:01

31:01

Welcome to another episode of the Building Web3 podcast! Today, Jax Dwyer dives into an exciting discussion with Jay, co-founder of Sei Labs, as they explore the cutting-edge developments in Web3 infrastructure, DeFi, gaming, and scalable blockchain innovation. From the early days of investing in Ether to building the first parallelized EVM, Jay shares a deep dive into how Sei Labs is redefining blockchain scalability and unlocking new use cases. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Web3 and Personal Journey 04:06 Building Sei Labs: Vision and Inspiration 08:40 The Future of Finance and AI on Blockchain 10:15 Understanding GigaGas and Its Importance 13:05 Challenges of Throughput and Scalability 14:30 Why EVM Compatibility is Key to Blockchain Success 16:34 The Future of Layer 1 and Layer 2 Solutions 18:51 Noisy Neighbor Problem and Localized Fee Markets 20:36 Decentralized Science and Its Potential 23:54 Current Projects on Sei Labs and Future Directions 24:50 Role of Gaming and High-Throughput Blockchains 25:33 DeFi, AI, and Real-World Assets (RWAs) on Sei Labs 26:51 Opportunities in the Crypto Ecosystem 27:57 Importance of Stablecoin Innovation for Global Finance 28:35 Where to Connect with Sei Labs and Jay What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Jay’s journey into crypto, starting with investments in 2017 and how working at Robinhood during the GameStop saga shaped his understanding of decentralized finance. How Sei Labs began with the idea of a decentralized Robinhood and evolved into a general-purpose chain focused on scaling the EVM for high-throughput applications. The importance of scaling beyond Ethereum’s gas limits and how Sei Labs is addressing this with 5 GIGAGAS performance, localized fee markets, and optimized execution layers. The role of DeFi, AI, and Real-World Assets (RWAs) in driving blockchain innovation and creating practical, scalable solutions for mass adoption. Why gaming projects thrive on Sei Labs’ network and how AI agents will revolutionize on-chain interactions in the near future. Decentralized Science (DeSci) and stablecoin innovation: How Sei Labs is supporting decentralized research funding and scalable payment systems for global finance. Why the EVM is here to stay: Developers prefer it due to existing mindshare, liquidity, and tooling, making any new chain that wins likely to be EVM-compatible. Overcoming throughput limitations: Sei Labs targets high transaction throughput, enabling Web2-level applications like Google to be built directly on-chain. Localized fee markets: How they solve blockchain congestion and avoid noisy neighbor problems during high-traffic events. DeSci and stablecoin development: New possibilities for scientific research, international payments, and cross-border financial systems through scalable blockchains. Join us in shaping the future of scalable, high-performance blockchains that drive innovation in finance, AI, and gaming. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Web3 insights! - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Making AI Dependable with Mira: Trustless, Verified Intelligence. 28:01

28 days ago28:01

28:01

In this insightful episode of the Building Web3 podcast, host Jax Dwyer sits down with Karan, co-founder and CEO of Mira, to explore how AI and crypto are converging to reshape the future of technological innovation. Karan shares his fascinating journey from venture investing at Accel to building Mira alongside his co-founders. The conversation highlights the critical role Mira plays in solving the widespread problem of AI hallucinations using a global, decentralized network of models that enhances accuracy and reliability by 10x. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Karan Sirdesai and Mira 02:42 The Intersection of AI and Crypto 05:34 Mira's Mission and Problem-Solving Approach 07:00 Overcoming AI Hallucinations with Decentralized Verification 08:13 Real-World Applications and Use Cases 09:35 Reducing AI Errors: How Mira Helped Delphi Digital 11:27 Integration and Demand for Mira's Solutions 14:30 How Parallel Verification Improves Reliability 18:03 Current Stage and Future Plans for Mira 19:30 Mira’s Public Release and Customer Growth 20:10 Opportunities for Builders in AI and Crypto 21:00 Mira’s Magnum Opus Builder Program Explained 23:30 AI Agents and the Shift to High-Consequence Use Cases 24:29 Exponential AI Growth and Future Value Creation 25:13 Conclusion and Call to Action Discover how Mira’s innovative approach enables AI to achieve trustless, autonomous outputs through parallel verification and consensus-driven checks, making AI applications more reliable and scalable. Karan explains how crypto-economics drive open-source development and how these incentives could be a game-changer in the AI landscape. Learn about real-world applications like Delphi Digital’s global research brain and why AI agents spinning up wallets are key to autonomous systems. This episode also touches on Mira’s Magnum Opus Builder Program, offering developers capital, distribution, and infrastructure to innovate in high-consequence use cases. From Web2 integrations to Web3 applications, Karan shares Mira’s future plans for public release and their partnerships with emerging agent frameworks across industries. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast or Web3 builder, you’ll find plenty of actionable insights in this episode. Key Discussion Topics: Karan’s background in venture capital and his shift to building Mira. Why AI and crypto complement each other in building decentralized systems. Solving AI hallucinations using diverse LLM ensembles for 10x reliability. Mira’s success with Delphi Digital and reducing their Oracle’s error rates. AI agents as autonomous systems and their role in managing crypto wallets. Mira’s decentralized approach to scaling LLM accuracy and performance. The future of high-consequence AI use cases and decentralized verification. Magnum Opus: How Mira is supporting innovative developers globally. Stay updated on cutting-edge conversations about the future of AI, crypto, and Web3 innovation. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Web3 VC Insights: Ethereum, DeFi, AI, and Blockchain Innovations with Hack VC 36:38

29 days ago36:38

36:38

Join us as Alex, Partner at Hack VC, dives deep into the world of Web3 venture capital, sharing insights on how early investments in blockchain, AI, and DeFi are shaping the future of on-chain innovation. In this episode of the Building Web3 podcast, Alex provides an in-depth look at Hack VC’s investment strategy, why they focus on infrastructure, and how they identify opportunities before categories like DeFi, modular blockchains, and AI even have names. Learn how Hack VC stays on the cutting edge, what sets them apart, and how they leverage their unique thesis-driven approach to build a thriving portfolio. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hack VC 02:23 Understanding Venture Capital in Web3 05:32 Current State of Web3 Venture Funding 08:55 Trends in VC Funding and Investment Themes 12:24 The Intersection of Crypto and AI 14:55 Investing Early in Layer 1s and Layer 2s 17:03 Exploring DeFi and Stablecoins 21:55 Challenges for Founders in Web3 25:12 Tokenization of Everything: Unlocking New Potential 28:11 How Hack VC Supports Startup Growth 32:01 Predictions for Web3 Funding in 2025 34:15 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts from Alex Alex also discusses the evolution of Ethereum’s modular blockchain infrastructure, comparing its growth to AWS, and why this decision continues to impact Ethereum’s dominance. As Web3 funding rebounds in 2025, Hack VC predicts a surge in innovation, particularly at the intersection of crypto and AI, which they believe will be the largest sector for venture investments this year. Get a behind-the-scenes view of how Hack VC backs groundbreaking startups and why their conviction in infrastructure—across L1s, L2s, DeFi, and real-world assets—drives value creation. Discover Alex’s perspective on the challenges startups face when launching in the Web3 space, including go-to-market struggles and talent acquisition. He shares actionable advice on how Hack VC’s initiatives, like Hack Summit and Hack Labs, provide early-stage founders with tools to grow their projects and bootstrap network effects. For aspiring builders, Alex highlights startup opportunities in emerging sectors like tokenization, modular infrastructure, and the rise of AI agents. Highlights: How Hack VC identifies emerging trends before they become mainstream. The impact of stablecoins and DeFi as core Web3 product-market fits. A framework for startups exploring AI and crypto-driven innovations. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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How Superstate Is Revolutionizing Asset Management 32:36

29 days ago32:36

32:36

In this Building Web3 Podcast episode. Jim, co-founder and head of business development at Superstate, delves deep into how blockchain is revolutionizing asset management through tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi). Superstate, with $400M+ in assets under management, focuses on tokenized financial products, including their tokenized T-bill fund (USTB) and crypto basis fund, built for institutional investors seeking higher returns and operational efficiency. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ 00:00 Introduction to SuperState and Its Vision 02:48 Challenges in Traditional Asset Management 04:00 Tokenization of Financial Products 05:53 The Role of Blockchain in Asset Management 09:10 Institutional Adoption of Blockchain Solutions 12:03 Yield Opportunities for Institutions 14:41 Real-World Asset Tokenization Use Cases 18:04 Innovative Ideas and Closing Thoughts 19:32 Growing Adoption of On-Chain Capital Markets 22:51 Liquidity, Yield, and Flexible Options for Institutions 25:21 SuperState’s Expansion Across Multiple Chains 27:34 Security, Verification, and Under-Collateralization Challenges 29:33 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Jim Hiltner Jim explains that while traditional asset management is highly trusted, it suffers from inefficiencies such as manual processes, outdated settlement mechanisms, and limited interoperability. Superstate addresses these by leveraging blockchain to tokenize assets, making them easier to trade, transfer, and use as collateral across a unified, open financial network. Jim highlights how the adoption of stablecoins, Treasury bill funds, and tokenized securities is bridging the gap between legacy finance and crypto markets, bringing faster settlement times and access to global liquidity. Key Insights from Jim: Tokenization of Legacy Assets: Why assets like Treasury bills, equities, and bonds need to be tokenized for greater utility and efficiency. Stablecoins and Institutional Adoption: How large institutions and stablecoin providers use SuperState’s products for secure, high-yield returns. Operational Upgrades: How blockchain-powered financial products solve inefficiencies tied to manual processes and T+2 settlement times. Multi-Chain Expansion: Plans to bring tokenized products to Plume, Solana, Base, Arbitrum, and other blockchain ecosystems. Yield for Institutions: From conservative options earning 4.3% on USDC reserves to higher-yield crypto-native strategies (up to 15%). Jim also shares how SuperState is already helping crypto-native banks, custodians, DAOs, and large institutional funds manage their reserves efficiently with tokenized products. He discusses why tokenization is the future of financial markets, with applications that include peer-to-peer asset transfers, institutional lending, and alternative investment strategies. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Founder Led Marketing EXPERT Shares Top Secrets for Crypto Success: Dean from FortyIQ 33:01

5 weeks ago33:01

33:01

In this episode of the Building Web3 podcast, we sit down with Dean, the CEO of FortyIQ, to explore how founder-led marketing can supercharge growth for crypto projects. Dean opens up about his journey from swing trading blue-chip stocks in 2020 to diving headfirst into DeFi and eventually founding FortyIQ, a crypto marketing agency focused on simplifying storytelling in a jargon-heavy space. His mission is to ensure that founders drive their company’s narrative and connect with their target audiences authentically. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Dean's Journey into Crypto 03:03 The Importance of Founder-Led Marketing 05:50 Strategies for Effective Social Media Engagement 08:45 Building a Personal Brand in Crypto 12:07 Content Creation Hacks for Founders 15:00 Team-Based Marketing Strategies 17:51 Navigating Content Formats and Posting Strategies 20:51 Growing Your Social Media Presence 22:11 Creating Engaging Content 24:49 Future Aspirations and Startup Ideas 26:00 Benefits of Data-Driven Content Expansion 28:40 Overcoming the Cold Start Problem on Social Media 30:20 CTAs, Conversions, and Effective Marketing Funnels Dean breaks down the importance of personal branding in Web3 and why founders—not faceless brand accounts—should take center stage. Drawing on real-world examples like Elon Musk and Tesla, he explains how founder visibility boosts hiring, brand awareness, fundraising, and even token price momentum. Dean shares practical advice on creating consistent, impactful content on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, emphasizing that founders can tap into industry insights, leverage their teams, or work with agencies like FortyIQ to maintain a steady flow of value-driven posts. Throughout the discussion, Dean highlights how founders and their teams can overcome common hurdles, from writer’s block to time constraints. He recommends accountability partnerships, ghostwriting, and utilizing content scheduling tools. Dean also emphasizes the value of collaboration and how engaging with industry communities, whether through conferences, Telegram, or Discord, is critical to gaining those first 1,000 followers on social media. For companies looking to scale, Dean outlines team-based marketing strategies, showcasing examples of crypto teams like Eclipse, Omni, and Monad that have successfully built mindshare and brand loyalty. He stresses the importance of data-driven decision-making when expanding channels and discusses which content formats—whether short, funny tweets or long-form articles—are performing best under Twitter’s evolving algorithm. Dean also touches on the future of crypto marketing and FortyIQ’s plans to develop comprehensive services for founders, including strategic guidance on legal setup, tokenomics, and market entry. For those new to the space, Dean’s advice is simple: start by solving real problems, understand your audience, and build authentic, consistent narratives. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or someone curious about Web3, this episode provides a wealth of actionable insights to help grow your on-chain presence. Don’t miss this engaging discussion filled with practical advice on marketing strategies, founder-led narratives, and how to scale visibility in the rapidly growing world of Web3. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or proj Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Why Solana is the Best Choice for Founders with Mert from Helius | Building Web3 Podcast 39:30

5 weeks ago39:30

39:30

Join Jax Dwyer on the Building Web3 Podcast for an in-depth conversation with Mert, co-founder of Helius, as they explore Solana’s rapid growth, innovative scaling solutions, and developer-friendly infrastructure. Mert shares his early crypto journey, from working at Coinbase to choosing Solana over Ethereum for its performance-driven approach. Learn how Helius is fixing Solana’s developer experience by addressing key issues like on-chain data readability, inefficient software, and high transaction costs, enabling developers to build scalable, user-friendly applications. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mert and His Journey into Crypto 02:10 Choosing Solana: A Developer's Perspective 05:05 Early Days of Building on Solana 08:26 Scaling Solana: Future Directions 10:59 Solana's Resilience Post-FTX 14:03 The Role of Super Teams in Solana's Growth 16:54 Cultural Dynamics: Execution vs. Theory 19:02 The Importance of Founder-Led Marketing 22:48 Navigating Marketing Channels for Startups 26:57 Future Use Cases for Solana and Blockchain 35:25 Helius: Enhancing Developer Experience 36:56 Unlocking Economic Potential for Developers This episode covers Solana’s roadmap, the importance of founder-led marketing, and the future of blockchain-based applications, including NFTs, DePIN, and RWAs. Mert explains how Solana’s unique approach to bandwidth and latency enables it to stand apart from Ethereum’s fragmented L2 ecosystem. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or crypto enthusiast, this discussion is packed with valuable insights into Solana’s role in Web3 innovation. Key Topics Discussed: Mert’s background: From Coinbase to founding Helius. Why Mert chose Solana over Ethereum for scalability and development. Overcoming challenges in Solana’s developer ecosystem and creating solutions through Helius. The impact of founder-led marketing and the value of a top-down culture of execution. How Solana is scaling with bandwidth increases, reduced latency, and new tech innovations. Tokenomics and the upcoming emission schedule changes on Solana. Key differences between Solana and Ethereum’s scaling methods and app chains. Future blockchain use cases, including payments, RWAs, and DePIN. Helius’s upcoming products to improve developer access to on-chain data. Don’t miss this essential conversation on how Solana is evolving into the most founder-friendly blockchain, empowering developers to ship scalable, impactful applications without compromising on performance. If you’re interested in Solana, blockchain scaling, NFTs, or the future of Web3 applications, this episode is for you! - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Founder-Led Marketing, Crypto PR, and Media Strategy: Samantha Yap 32:21

5 weeks ago32:21

32:21

In this engaging episode of the Building Web3 podcast, we sit down with Samantha Yap, founder and CEO of Yap Global, a global PR agency specializing in crypto communication, Web3 media strategies, and helping blockchain projects amplify their stories. Samantha shares her fascinating journey from being a journalist to becoming a trusted partner for some of the biggest names in crypto, such as Coinbase, Arbitrum Foundation, ENS, and more. Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Samantha dives into the unique challenges of communicating complex technologies to a global audience and how she helps crypto founders craft their narratives, connect with media outlets, and establish themselves as industry leaders. As she explains, crypto communication isn’t just about talking to the community—it’s about cutting through the noise to reach institutions, mainstream media, and the broader audience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Samantha Yap and Yap Global 02:30 The Importance of Founder-Led Communication 06:13 How Yap Global Helps Founders Articulate Their Vision 08:56 Building Messaging for Crypto Media vs. Mainstream Media 09:18 Differentiating Personal and Organizational Marketing 11:36 On-Screen Presentation Tips for Founders 15:13 Improving Body Language and Communication Tone 18:43 Tracking Trends: AI vs. DeFi in 2025 21:24 Why PR Builds Credibility in Crypto 24:26 The Value of Earned Media vs. Paid Media 27:48 How Media Relations Build Trust 29:07 How to Connect with Samantha Yap Key Topics Covered in the Episode: Samantha’s background: From journalism to running a global PR powerhouse The creation and mission of Yap Global (Your Angle Presented Globally) Why founder-led marketing is a game-changer for Web3 projects How to build trust and credibility with earned media The difference between earned media and paid media—and why it matters The importance of brand positioning workshops for startups and protocols How crypto founders can step out from behind their screens to lead their narratives Media trends: The rise of AI narratives versus DeFi in 2025 How to develop a founder’s personal brand to inspire trust and authority Tips for presenting yourself professionally on-screen during interviews Why narratives and media strategies are essential in crowded markets Insights for Founders and Aspiring Leaders: Samantha emphasizes the critical role of founder-led communication in an industry like crypto, where trust is paramount. She discusses how to effectively use storytelling, media training, and PR to position your project or protocol as a leader in the space. By leveraging tools like brand positioning workshops and media coaching, founders can better articulate their vision, connect with their audience, and stand out in the fast-moving Web3 ecosystem. Whether you're a startup founder, an aspiring Web3 leader, or someone curious about how media shapes the blockchain narrative, this episode offers invaluable insights into the art and science of communication in the crypto world. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/ Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Blockchain Innovation with Lagrange Labs 22:08

6 weeks ago22:08

22:08

Dive deep into the revolutionary world of Web3 and zero-knowledge proofs (ZK) in this comprehensive episode of the Building Web3 podcast. Host Jax Dwyer sits down with Ismael, founder of Lagrange Labs, to explore how ZK technology is reshaping the blockchain ecosystem, enabling advanced decentralization, and creating scalable, secure solutions for decentralized applications (DApps). Work with us: https://buildingweb3media.com/ Ismael shares insights on how Lagrange Labs is at the forefront of ZK innovation, offering tools like the ZK Co-Processor to simplify integration for developers and boost application performance. Discover the role of ZK in enhancing blockchain scalability, reducing computational costs, and fostering new possibilities in personalized user experiences. Learn how this cutting-edge technology is being adopted by major projects, including ZKSync, EtherFi, and others, to revolutionize on-chain transactions and incentives. Chapters 00:00 - Intro to Ismael and Lagrange Labs 01:15 - Ismael’s Journey: Web2 VC to Web3 02:32 - Crypto’s Transformational Power 05:00 - Why ZK Is the Future of Blockchain 05:56 - Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK) Basics 07:30 - ZK Co-Processor for Developers 09:20 - Proof Lifecycle Explained 11:15 - ZK Use Cases in DApps 13:18 - Hyper-Personalization with ZK 14:44 - Building with Lagrange Labs 15:38 - Decentralized Proof Networks 16:27 - Future of ZK in Web3 18:04 - ZK vs. FHE and TEs 19:56 - ZK Roll-Ups vs. Optimistic Roll-Ups 20:13 - Lagrange Labs’ Upcoming Milestones 21:03 - Scaling Blockchain with ZK 21:40 - Connect with Lagrange Labs The conversation also highlights the practical applications of ZK, such as decentralized proof generation, roll-up enhancements, and incentive targeting in DApps. Ismael explains why ZK is “directionally correct” for blockchain’s future, with predictions that every application will leverage some form of ZK in the coming years. From technical breakthroughs in proof generation to building decentralized infrastructure, this episode offers a detailed look at what’s next for the Web3 space. Key Topics Covered: The fundamentals of zero-knowledge proofs and their benefits How Lagrange Labs is enabling hyper-personalized DApp user experiences ZK’s transformative potential for financial services and decentralized systems Key use cases like incentive targeting, decentralized proofing, and ZK roll-ups The future of ZK: Predictions and milestones from Lagrange Labs Why Watch This Episode: Gain a clear understanding of how ZK technology works, its transformative potential, and how companies like Lagrange Labs are driving adoption. Whether you’re a developer, blockchain enthusiast, or investor, this episode provides actionable insights to stay ahead in the evolving Web3 ecosystem. - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Need technical content? Book a free strategy session with our team at https://jaxdwyer.com/…

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How to Gamify AI Training with Crypto Incentives: Sapien 33:56

7 weeks ago33:56