Guests:

• Jeroen Develter, COO of Persistence One
• Chandra Duggirala, Founder of Portal to Bitcoin
• Jake Gordon, Co-Founder of Nexio

Top 3 Key Takeaways from Our Guests

1. Bitcoin dominance is reshaping market dynamics.

The speakers started the conversation by diving deeper into how DePin impacts other traditional industries outside of Web3. All speakers highlighted how DePIN technologies are set to challenge established companies such as NVIDIA, Google, and Amazon. Mehdi from Animoca Brands also mentioned that projects like Wing Bits and Geodnet successfully offer decentralized models that monetize user contributions (e.g., flight tracking) and improve GPS accuracy. He also emphasized that these innovations can significantly impact sectors ranging from autonomous vehicles to consumer robotics.

2. Technical maturity is powering new use cases

Beyond market sentiment, each speaker highlighted the significant leaps in technical capability across the Bitcoin ecosystem. Jeroen explained how Persistence enables secure, seamless asset swaps across the dozens of emerging BTC variants—without relying on risky bridges. Their intent-based solution creates a new paradigm for interoperability across Bitcoin L2s, improving composability and user experience.

Chandra described how Portal is solving the long-standing problem of trustless cross-chain trading. Portal enables exchange-like speed without custody or bridge-based vulnerabilities by building on atomic swaps and implementing channel factory-based scaling. Jake, meanwhile, discussed Nexio’s mission to bring familiar tooling and development environments to Bitcoin, empowering builders to deploy DeFi protocols using the Move VM and scaling frameworks typically found on more developer-friendly chains.

3. The Ecosystem is growing—quietly but powerfully

What surprised the guests most over the past year was the speed at which Bitcoin’s narrative and infrastructure have matured. Chandra acknowledged that he initially underestimated the cultural and technical impact of Ordinals and BRC-20s, which have evolved from a novelty into a major driver of attention and experimentation within the Bitcoin ecosystem. 

Jake pointed to the rise of treasury strategies among publicly traded companies, highlighting that more firms are beginning to follow MicroStrategy’s playbook and treat BTC as a strategic reserve asset. Meanwhile, Jeroen reflected on the unexpected surge in Bitcoin staking and yield-generating mechanisms, particularly around the Babylon ecosystem. What once seemed incompatible with Bitcoin’s architecture—staking, DeFi, and cross-chain liquidity—is now becoming foundational for its next growth phase.

The Future of Networking

• Guest: Ignacio Palomera, Founder of Bondex
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Comms Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. Bondex is Transforming Professional Networking with Web3 Principles.  

The conversation starts with Ignacio sharing his journey into the crypto world and how Bondex aims to disrupt traditional recruitment platforms, particularly LinkedIn. He emphasizes the inefficiencies in the current labor market, laden with middlemen that ultimately diminish value for talent and employers alike. Bondex's goal is to create a decentralized professional network that empowers users to manage their identities and connections without the burdens of traditional intermediaries.

2. The Introduction of Bondex ID and Reputation Features Takes User Trust to New Heights.  

Ignacio discusses the recent Bondex ID and Reputation features launch, designed to verify users and create a trust layer across platforms. These features allow individuals to aggregate their professional achievements and social presence, creating a comprehensive reputation score that enhances their credibility. Bondex aims to combat spam and fake accounts by integrating existing social media profiles, particularly important in the evolving digital landscape filled with bots and unreliable identities.

3. The Future of Work is Fractionalized, and Bondex is Leading the Charge.

Highlighting the changing nature of work, Ignacio asserts that the gig economy is here to stay, and users need to monetize their skills flexibly. The platform's design facilitates this by offering various micro-task opportunities beyond typical full-time positions. With the integration of gamification mechanics, users can earn rewards while boosting their reputations, directly aligning individual contributions with community-driven economic incentives.

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Thanks to our guests for an insightful conversation. We host monthly Twitter Spaces Roundtables and Live Podcasts featuring inspiring individuals from across the crypto space. Follow us on Twitter to set a reminder for our next event so you don't miss out!

Unlocking New Experiences for Web3 Builders & Gamers

• Guest: Chris Zu, CEO of Sonic
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Comms Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. Sonic SVM Celebrates A Successful TGE

Chris Zu kicked off the conversation by highlighting Sonic’s successful TGE of $SONIC, marking one of the first major launches of the year. With a market valuation of $3 billion and a current valuation of $1.8 billion, Chris shared how the team exceeded expectations despite facing market volatility shortly after the launch. He reflected on key lessons learned, including the importance of preparation and adaptability in the ever-changing crypto landscape, emphasizing that such milestones not only validate Sonic's vision but also set the stage for future growth.

2. Harness TikTok for Community Growth and Engagement

A significant portion of the interview revolved around Sonic’s innovative approach to integrating with TikTok. Chris detailed how the platform serves as a powerful tool for building community engagement, notably through the tap-to-earn model designed to reward users for their participation. This strategy has successfully driven user acquisition, with Sonic onboarding 300,000 new wallets via airdrops in a short timeframe. Chris also emphasized the need for tailored marketing approaches across different regions, recognizing TikTok’s diverse user base and strategically tapping into various local gaming interests.

3. Build a Robust Ecosystem Through Developer Incentives

Chris further elaborated on Sonic’s commitment to fostering a vibrant developer ecosystem. Through grant programs and co-investment initiatives, Sonic aims to attract and support talented teams building on its platform. By incentivizing developers, Sonic is creating a pipeline for high-quality gaming projects that can thrive within its infrastructure. Chris underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation, stressing that developing a sustainable ecosystem capable of attracting diverse talent is essential for long-term success in the blockchain space.

Thanks to Chris and the Sonic team for sharing their insights and journey! We look forward to future developments of Sonic SVM. Join us for our next Twitter Spaces discussion to stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in Web3.

Web3 Data: The Intersection  Between AI & Blockchain

• Guest: Ganesh, CEO of Covalent
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Comms Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. Covalent’s Business Remained Immune During Market Cycles

The interview started with Ganesh explaining how he and Covalent have been affected by recent market conditions, with BTC surpassing $100K. Ganesh explained that Covalent’s core API business remains immune to market cycles while their token, $CQT, experiences volatility. He also noted that Bitcoin's unexpected surge to $100K has identified Dubai and New York as emerging crypto hubs for the future.

2. AI Agents nee Blockchain for Financial Rails and Provenance Layer

When discussing what differentiates AI and enhances personalization, Ganesh highlighted that Covalent’s vast amount of data—measured in terabytes—plays a crucial role. This data enables the establishment of financial systems and a provenance layer for AI agents. Ganesh outlined several use cases for Covalent, including wallet services, NFT management, taxation and ERP solutions, and emerging AI applications.

3. Covalent has three key roadmap items launching in Q1 2025

Ganesh concluded the talk by walking the listeners through Covalent's upcoming roadmap. In the first quarter of 2025, people can expect significant advancements in AI agent technology from the project, along with enhanced branding and narrative positioning Covalent as a leading infrastructure solution. Additionally, the team is working on launching a novel technology called a lite client product, which is currently available on the testnet. The project is onboarding hundreds of users weekly to prepare for the final mainnet launch.

Chain Abstraction - Elevating UX Web3 to the Next Level

• Guest: Ethan, Head of Developer Relations at Particle Network
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Comms Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. Crypto is entering a market set-up for success. 

The interview starts with a quick introduction of Ethan and asks him his opinion about the current market and the aftermath of the US elections. Despite his political views, he says crypto is set up for success in the upcoming months, not just from a price perspective but also from a developer and adoption angle. More consumers are getting into the space, subsequently putting more pressure on projects to create better and more user-friendly applications for the influx of new adopters to come with the current bull market.

2. Blockchain fragmentation is getting increasingly worse for users, and chain abstraction is here to solve that.
The conversation continued by focusing on Chain Abstraction and what Particle Network offers users and developers to ensure seamless UX and a less fragmented blockchain ecosystem. Ethan says that user experience could be generally better, and there is currently no flow in many projects. Users, at the end of the day, don’t care too much about which blockchain they are on; they want to make sure they can trade and access their portfolios seamlessly. Particle Network’s Universal Account solves this by allowing users to have a single account with one single balance, no matter what chain it is usually on. Hence, the experience is no longer fragmented.

3. Chain Abstraction can benefit many verticals in the future.
The interview ended with a question about another top narrative, Meme Coins. Ethan expressed he initially was not a fan of meme coins but has seen that it is an excellent use-case for the industry and that many people are now ok with the fact that one of the top use cases in the web3 space is speculation – derived from mainly the meme coin boom. When asked if he thinks the meme coin narrative is overshadowing infra or chain abstraction, he said, on the contrary, that he believes chain abstraction would be an excellent solution for meme coin trading by allowing people to trade more seamlessly via one account.

Guests:

• Mehdi, Head of Investment at Animoca Brands
• Rosie, Co-Founder of PINGPONG
• Sissi from Solana SIM

Top 3 Key Takeaways from Our Guests

1. DePIN is disrupting traditional industries such as big tech, AI, and geolocation technology.

The speakers started the conversation by diving deeper into how DePin impacts other traditional industries outside of Web3. All speakers highlighted how DePIN technologies are set to challenge established companies such as NVIDIA, Google, and Amazon. Mehdi from Animoca Brands also mentioned that projects like Wing Bits and Geodnet successfully offer decentralized models that monetize user contributions (e.g., flight tracking) and improve GPS accuracy. He also emphasized that these innovations can significantly impact sectors ranging from autonomous vehicles to consumer robotics.

2. DePIN still faces challenges in terms of Web3 and Mainstream Adoption.

The discussion also covered the hurdles facing DePIN, particularly the complexities associated with technological implementation. Rosie from Ping Pong emphasized the need for better education and for users to understand DePIN's benefits. The three speakers noted that market fragmentation and the competition with established, centralized solutions, which have proven track records, make it crucial for DePIN initiatives to demonstrate clear value propositions.

3. There are plenty of future opportunities and innovations in DePIN.

To end the roundtable, the speakers said they were optimistic about DePIN's potential to drive innovation across various sectors. They discussed how advancements in AI-driven computations and resource-sharing models could lead to significant efficiencies. Sissy from Solana Sim underscored the importance of solid use cases and the need for widespread adoption of DePIN technologies to redefine traditional business models.

Chain Abstraction - The Key to Mass Adoption

• Guest: Burnt Banksy, Co-founder & CEO of XION
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Comms Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. XION Ecosystem Expansion and Scalability

The speaker highlighted the project's commitment to growing a dynamic and scalable blockchain ecosystem. He mentioned that Zion prioritizes scalability, ensuring it maintains a balance between security, decentralization, and speed as the ecosystem grows. 

He also pointed out that this approach will enable Zion to evolve from a simple NPM package into a larger, interconnected platform. With the upcoming Mainnet launch, he hinted at exciting developments, positioning Zion to handle significant user growth while improving user experience. Banksy also discussed how this ecosystem expansion will allow for more innovative projects and stunts, amplifying Zion’s reach and impact.

2. Chain Abstraction as A New Crypto Frontier

The guest expressed enthusiasm about chain abstraction, portraying it as a breakthrough for blockchain technology. He explained that this innovation simplifies how users interact with multiple blockchains, making the process more intuitive and accessible to a global audience. By abstracting the complexities of different chains, he believes the technology can reach billions rather than just a niche group of users. 

Banksy also discussed Zion’s partnership with Barachain, revealing their plans to build a cutting-edge multi-chain application to enhance chain abstraction further. This collaboration, he noted, is a key step toward realizing the vision of a more interconnected and user-friendly crypto space.

3. Interoperability to Break Down Barriers

The speaker underscored the critical role of interoperability in the blockchain industry. He remarked on the importance of breaking down the silos between different networks, enabling seamless communication and interaction across blockchains. By fostering this interconnectedness, the guest emphasized, Zion is aligning with forward-thinking projects like Blackbird and Hyperlane and contributing to a more unified blockchain ecosystem. Banksy explained that this approach to interoperability is set to redefine how users and developers engage with blockchain technology, making it more adaptable and scalable. 

Through these efforts, he believes Zion is helping to build a future where blockchain technology isn’t just limited to individual chains but serves as a foundation for greater collaboration and innovation across the space.

Guests:

• Darcy Sordo, Head of Partnerships at Sonic
• Andy P. Lee, Executive Producer at Legend of Arcadia
• Jon Hook, Co-Founder of PlayEmber

Top 3 Key Takeaways from Our Guests

1. Optimizing CPI, Retention, and Monetization is crucial for a game's success.

The guests started by sharing that game developers prioritize ensuring that the Cost per Install (CPI) is lower than the revenue generated per user, allowing the game to scale effectively; this was explicitly important to the Playember team. They continuously test and optimize CPI, retention, and engagement to achieve long-term success. High retention (how often players return) and extended playtime are essential metrics, with developers using data to identify and fix drop-off points. 

2. Platforms like Google Play and Apple Store are becoming more open to Web3 games. 

The conversation was about different gaming platforms. The guests agreed that platforms like Google Play are becoming more open to Web3 games, allowing integrations like play-to-earn mechanics (e.g., rewarding players with Satoshis). Apple is slower and more restrictive but shows signs of loosening its stance. On the other hand, Steam remains resistant to Web3 games. Despite this, developers see new distribution opportunities, including cloud gaming and decentralized networks.


3. Casual and collection-based games are highly effective.

Finally, given the background of two of the projects on the panel, the guests shared with the listeners that simple and highly collectible games, like "Hyper Cards," perform exceptionally well, especially with Web3 users. These games tap into a natural human desire to complete collections, driving repeat play and increased spending. Players are more likely to return to complete their sets of items or cards, making the collection mechanism a robust engagement tool.

Disrupting Web3 with Modular Move-Based Blockchain

• Guest: Rushi Manche - Co-founder and CEO of Movement Labs
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Communications Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. A strong community and ecosystem contribute to growth and adoption. 

During the interview, Rushi highlighted the significance of community in nurturing the project and facilitating its expansion and collaboration with other projects like Covalent, Nexio, and OKX. Such partnerships are crucial in the project's overall growth and adoption. As a result, the team aims to form more partnerships and is also developing an EVM solution for the TON ecosystem due to its recent growth.

2. Building a unique Testnet environment can lead to staggering milestones.

Rushi mentioned the recent launch of the team's testnet. Unlike other infrastructure projects, the team made the testnet a fun and interactive user environment. In the first week of the launch, there were 12 million transactions and 1.1 million unique wallet addresses. Additionally, the testnet has 40 operational apps for users to explore and will continue to grow in subsequent phases. The strong performance of the testnet is a great starting point for the team as they prepare for the mainnet launch at the end of the year.

3. Founders in the space need to be prepared for volatility and much more.

During the interview, Rushi was asked to share three pieces of advice for founders in the crypto space when building a project. He emphasized the importance of being prepared for challenges and volatility, as the crypto space can be complex and unpredictable. Additionally, Rushi stressed the significance of having a strong and trustworthy team for a startup to succeed. Lastly, he highlighted the importance of maintaining a sense of urgency and being open to pivoting and adapting to changing narratives, emphasizing that the product and team should be able to keep up with these changes.

Guests:

• Jose F Pereira, Head of Web3 at GAIMIN
• Julian Peh, CEO and Co-Founder at KIP Protocol 
• Gav N, Co-founder of Tevaera
• Ethan Francis, Developer Relations at Particle Network

Top 3 Key Takeaways from Our Guests

1. Solutions such as Chain Abstraction can enhance user experience

The discussion started by emphasizing the need to improve user experience by addressing blockchain fragmentation. Particle Network and KIP Protocol both focus on chain abstraction to provide a better user experience, with Particle Network's universal accounts allowing users to interact across chains with one account and balance, therefore eliminating the need for manual bridging. Similarly, KIP Protocol simplifies AI deployment by reducing wallet prompts and enhancing developer interfaces. Tavera also explained that it implements session keys and paymaster systems to minimize wallet interactions in gaming, aiming for a future where gas fees are sponsored and users can create wallets with simple logins – again allowing users a more seamless experience.


2. Seamless technical integration for blockchain interactions creates cohesive ecosystems

The discussion focused on the technical integration of different blockchain solutions to create a cohesive ecosystem. As already mentioned Particle Network and KIP Protocol are collaborating on technologies such as Chain Obstruction, which enable cross-chain transactions and universal accounts. Additionally, as both Gaimin and Tevaera are focused on the infrastructure gaming space, they elaborate on how gaming projects are exploring methods to monetize unused computing power for customers needing processing power, showcasing the potential of decentralized computing. 

3. The success of Web3 projects relies on strong community engagement and effective user retention strategies.

The discussion focused on the importance of community retention in creating a strong infrastructure project. For example, gaming platforms utilize initiatives like fan loyalty memberships and daily quests to acquire and retain users, emphasizing the pivotal role of the community in strengthening platform infrastructure and governance. The discussion highlighted efforts to make Web3 technologies more accessible and user-friendly while emphasizing the community's role in driving adoption and growth.