🚨 New Proof of Vision episode for you folks today:

In our 23rd PoV episode, we had on Shiv (@ssh_nkar), CEO of @boundless_xyz.

Boundless is the ZK smart contract and settlement layer that allows developers and teams on any chain to scale up ZK-powered verifiable compute.  Boundless is built out by the @RiscZero team, who played an important role in the ZK space, pioneering the first zkVM.

In this episode, we got to break down the history behind Risc ZERO and Boundless, how Boundless benefits infrastructure & app developers, & more.

Have a listen 👇

⏲ Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro 

02:04 - Background on Shiv 

06:30 - How Boundless Came to Be  

14:33 - Increasing Availability of Compute Onchain

23:00 - Business Side of Boundless & Approach to Apps 

30:00 - Moats for Infrastructure in Crypto 

35:06 - Boundless Use Cases  

42:04 - What Projects & Apps Boundless is Working with

51:00 - Thoughts on Identity as a Use Case for ZK & World 

57:31 - Boundless Internal Projects 

1:02:53 - What to Expect from Boundless in the Future

In our 22nd PoV episode, we had on David (Head of Product) & Juan (Ecosystem Growth Lead) at Nillion. Nillion provides blind compute, a solution that allows data to be securely stored and encrypted, while still being accessible. 

In this episode, we dove deep into the problems surrounding privacy and why not only massive corporations should be concerned about data privacy and confidential data storage, but also individuals and consumers as well. 

Have a listen 👇

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
03:27 - Nillion 101
05:40 - Nillion's Architecture
15:09 - Role of Govt in Influencing Privacy Considerations
20:00 - Overlooked Threat of AI
26:00 - Nillion's Dual-layer Architecture
29:00 - What Nillion Offers to Developers
32:20 - Nillion Ecosystem & Use Cases
40:24 - What Products Can Benefit from Implementing Blind Compute?
46:18 - The Role of $NIL
51:49 What Comes Next for Nillion?

Important Links
Follow Nillion on X: https://x.com/nillionnetwork
Follow David on X: https://x.com/davtbutler
Follow Juan on X: https://x.com/juanaxyz00
Read our $NIL Thesis: https://alearesearch.io/theses/nillion/
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter: https://alearesearch.substack.com/

In our 21st Proof of Vision episode, we had on Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgypenguins & Igloo.

Pudgy Penguins has morphed into crypto's most recognizable brand after being acquired by Luca in 2022. The team has rolled out multiple Pudgy Penguins toys, games & more, also introducing @AbstractChain...

In this podcast, we discussed Luca's thoughts on what mistakes teams in crypto are making today, how to effectively leverage a brand for distribution, & more.

Have a listen 👇

⏲ Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:33 - Luca Intro & Origin Story

06:45 - Challenges of Selling Physical Products

09:30 - $PENGU Growth Strategy

15:35 - Can Other Crypto Projects Become a Brand

30:43 - Pudgy Penguins IP & Expanding into Gaming

37:46 - Abstract Chain's Value Add

47:10 - Abstract Portal & Streamlining Blockchain UX

52:00 - Outro

In our 20th PoV episode, our Director of Protocol Services, Kirk, had on Denis, Head of Developer Experience at ZetaChain. 

ZetaChain is a Universal L1 that connects natively to any other blockchain network, from smart-contract platforms like Ethereum to non-programmable chains like Bitcoin​.

ZetaChain recently introduced ZetaChain Lightning—an upgrade that cuts block times by 30%+, integrates Solana and TON, and sets the stage for faster cross-chain transactions and broader chain support.

In this podcast, we discuss how ZetaChain differentiates itself from competitors, what to expect from ZetaChain next, and more.

Have a listen 👇

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
02:06 - Denis Introduction
06:00 - ZetaChain vs Other Crosschain Solutions
09:59 - $ZETA Gas Pools
14:43 - Unlocking Opportunities of Native $BTC 
22:28 - Minimizing Counterparty Risks
24:41 - Cross-chain Solutions & Exploit Risk
29:56 - Increasing Validator Diversity
33:43 - Vetting Process for Onboarding New Chains 
39:48 - Optimizing for Sustainability 
42:35 - What to Expect Next

Important Links
Follow Denis on X: https://x.com/fadeev
Follow ZetaChain on X: https://x.com/ZetaBlockchain
ZetaChain Deep Dive: https://alearesearch.io/deep-dives/zetachain/

In our 18th PoV episode, we had on Ryo, Director of Oasys.

Oasys started as a gaming-focused chain, already having onboarded some of the biggest Web2 gaming companies, including Ubisoft.

Now, leveraging their roots & connections in Japan, Oasys is expanding into the RWA space, focusing on Japanese & Asian assets in particular.

In this episode, we touch on unique aspects of the Japanese market, Oasys's origins, and its unique network advantage as a chain.

Have a listen 👇

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:59 - Ryo's Background
03:18 - Understanding the Japanese Crypto Market
05:20 - Origin of Oasys & Expansion
15:39 - Oasys and SBI Partnership
19:41 - Japanese Regulation Tailwinds
23:20 - Architecture of Oasys 
27:13 - Approach to User Onboarding
30:14 - Ideal Oasys User
31:18 - Balancing Web2 & Web3 Gaming
33:50 - Web2 Reactions to Web3 Gaming
36:55 - $OASYS Launch Process & Utility
38:03 - Adapting to Trends in the Market
40:11 - Oasys Future Plans

Important Links
Follow Ryo on X: https://x.com/ryomat20
Follow Oasys on X: https://x.com/oasyschain
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter: https://alearesearch.substack.com/

In our 17th PoV episode, our Director of Protocol Services, Kirk, had on Sam, CEO of Phoenix Labs and contributor to Spark Protocol.

Spark commands one of the largest AUMs in DeFi, responsible for ~$3.2B in liquidity deployed. Spark specializes in providing stablecoin yield via its internal savings rates & integrated stablecoin borrowing with SparkLend...

We discussed Spark's relationship with Sky, the team's upcoming plans, $SPK, & more!

Have a listen 👇

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:58 - Sam's Backstory & Experience at Sky (fka MakerDAO)
05:05 - Premise Behind Spark
08:20 - Spark Liquidity Layer
14:02 - Ehena & Morpho Integration
19:40 - Approach to New Assets
23:57 - RWA Tokenization Risk Management Frameworks
29:00 - Opinion on Genius Bill & its Impact
34:00 - Preparing for Stablecoin Inflows
38:00 - Appealing to Normies
42:08 - $SPK Token & its Utility
44:45 - Outro

Important Links:
Follow Sam on X: https://x.com/hexonaut
Follow Spark on X: https://x.com/sparkdotfi
Spark Data Dashboard: https://data.spark.fi/?utm_source=Alea_Research&utm_medium=Research&utm_campaign=Global
Spark Newsletter: https://alearesearch.substack.com/p/spark-dashboard-release-what-you

In our 19th PoV episode, our Director of Protocol Services, Kirk, had on Ryo, Founder of infiniFi.

InfiniFi is looking to iterate upon the traditional banking system as well as what is currently broadly available in DeFi. 

The protocol aims to be the first onchain fractional reserve system, looking to build a product better than what most banks can offer with the possibilities enabled by blockchain and smart contracts.

We touched on infiniFi's value add for users and apps, future plans, approach to token launch, & more...

Have a listen 👇

Timestamps:
00:00-  Intro
02:25 - Rob's Background
09:39 - How InfiniFi Solves The Problem With Traditional Banking
14:20 - Risk Management Practices
20:10 - Deposit Assets & UX
29:16 - What is the Risk for Users?
32:47 - What Benefits does InfiniFi bring to DeFi Ecosystems?
42:37 - Thoughts on long-duration Locks
46:18 - infiniFi Token & Approach to Utility
54:10 - Outro

Important Links
Follow Rob on X: https://x.com/RobAnon94
Follow infiniFi on X: https://x.com/infiniFiLabs
infiniFi newsletter: https://alearesearch.substack.com/p/infinifi-onchain-fractional-reserve

In our 15th PoV episode, our Director of Protocol Services, Kirk, had on Prashant, Co-founder and CEO of Spheron Network.

Spheron is the first DePIN-based programmable compute network. Designed for AI agents, Spheron taps into underutilized computing resources globally and creates a marketplace where distributed GPUs and CPUs can be connected to enable fully autonomous AI agents, inference, and fine-tuning at lower costs than centralized providers.

In this episode, we discuss Spheron's architecture, future plans, $SPON, & more...

Have a listen 👇

*Timestamps:*
00:00 - Intro
02:36 - Prashant's Background
09:50 - Spheron Conceptual Overview & Business Model
18:00 - Process of Paying for Rented Compute
22:48 - Spheron's Role in AI
30:00 - Bootstrapping Supply & Demand for Platform Compute
38:18 - Price Finding Process
43:17 - Risk Management & Compliance Considerations
47:15 - Spheron's Future Plans
53:50 - Spheron $SPON Token Policies

*Important Links*
Follow Prashant on X: https://x.com/prashant_xyz
Follow Spheron on X: https://x.com/SpheronFDN
Spheron Perspective Report: https://alearesearch.io/perspectives/spheron/
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter: https://alearesearch.substack.com/

In our 14th PoV episode, our Director of Protocol Services, Kirk, had on Niklas, Founder of Chroincle Protocol, and one of the designers of Maker's first Ethereum oracle...

Chronicle Protocol is a blockchain-agnostic oracle infrastructure originally developed out of the MakerDAO ecosystem. Chronicle aims to deliver transparent, verifiable on-chain data at high scale.

In this episode, we get into Chronicle's origins, Niklas's tokenomics thought processes, and more...

Have a listen 👇

Timestamps:

00:00 - Background on Niklas
08:09 - Origins of Chronicle
18:09 - What Makes Chronicle Stand Out?
29:07 - Chronicle's Business Model
43:38 - RWAs & Oracle Implementation
45:37 - Chronicle's Role in Evolving DeFi Landscape
53:08 - Chronicle Token Utility

Important Links
Follow Niklas on X: https://x.com/nomos_paradox
Follow Chronicle on X: https://x.com/ChronicleLabs
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter: https://alearesearch.substack.com/