The Blockcrunch Podcast

When centralized lending desks were blowing up from the 3AC contagion, DeFi lending protocol Maple Finance remained stable. Could DeFi have prevented the crypto blowup?

Maple Finance is an undercollateralized lending protocol where pooled capital is managed by credit experts and lent to reputable and profitable crypto-institutions.

In this episode, Co-Founder Sid Powell shares with us:

• How DeFi might have prevented the recent blow-up
• How Maple Finance differs from other DeFi protocols
• Maple's business model and value accrual to it's token MPL

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:02:33) – Thoughts on recent 3AC contagion

(00:08:13) – How DeFi could have helped

(00:13:56) – Maple Finance vs DeFi 1.0

(00:20:02) – Is Maple replicable off-chain?

(00:28:05) – How pool delegates manage depositor's money

(00:32:03) – Criticism that Maple Finance is partly centralized

(00:35:43) – Will Maple Finance pursue full-decentralization?

(00:41:03) – Maple's business model and it's token

(00:44:35) – Future market expansions

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

Maple Finance's Twitter: https://twitter.com/maplefinance?lang=en

Maple Finance's Website: https://www.maple.finance/

Sid's Twitter: https://twitter.com/syrupsid

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast ("Blockcrunch") is an educational resource intended for informational purposes only. Blockcrunch produces a weekly podcast and newsletter that routinely covers projects in Web 3 and may discuss assets that the host or its guests have financial exposure to. Views held by Blockcrunch's guests are their own. None of Blockcrunch, its registered entity or any of its affiliated personnel are licensed to provide any type of financial advice, and nothing on Blockcrunch's podcast, newsletter, website and social media should be construed as financial advice. Blockcrunch also receives compensation from its sponsor; sponsorship messages do not constitute financial advice or endorsement.

The largest GameFi project in the Cosmos ecosystem was inevitably affected by the Terra implosion - can Levana make a comeback?

Levana is the pioneering DeFi protocol to incorporate NFTs and GameFi mechanics in their DeFi products. Jonathan, Levana's Head of Communications shares with us:

• Levana's solution to problems other DEXes are facing
• Levana's future on a new chain
• Performance of incorporating NFTs into their products

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:01:40) – Introduction to Levana

(00:05:20) – Why did projects build on Terra initially

(00:09:57) – Levana vs other leverage trading protocols

(00:24:54) – Levana's solution to problems other DEXes are facing

(00:30:45) – Terra's impact and moving forward

(00:33:53) – Deciding on a new chain

(00:36:38) – Incorporating NFTs into DeFi

(00:40:54) – Roadmap of NFTs

(00:46:41) – Advice for projects on surviving bear market

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

Levana's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Levana_protocol

Levana's Website: https://www.levana.finance/

Levana's Medium: https://blog.levana.finance/

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast ("Blockcrunch") is an educational resource intended for informational purposes only. Blockcrunch produces a weekly podcast and newsletter that routinely covers projects in Web 3 and may discuss assets that the host or its guests have financial exposure to. Views held by Blockcrunch's guests are their own. None of Blockcrunch, its registered entity or any of its affiliated personnel are licensed to provide any type of financial advice, and nothing on Blockcrunch's podcast, newsletter, website and social media should be construed as financial advice. Blockcrunch also receives compensation from its sponsor; sponsorship messages do not constitute financial advice or endorsement.

The recent Luna collapse and 3AC contagion unfortunately set the entire crypto-space back.Is crypto just a fad or can it make a comeback?

DeFi Dad, partner at 4R Capital and one of the most prolific supporters of DeFi shares with us:

• Current State Crypto Markets vs 2018
• DeFi Markets Thus Far
• Future of DeFi

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:01:40) – Introduction to DeFi Dad

(00:03:16) – Current State of DeFi

(00:09:21) – Future of DeFi

(00:17:40) – Distinction between DeFi vs NFTs

(00:26:14) – Leaders in DeFi

(00:33:21) – DeFi 1.0 vs DeFi 2.0

(00:42:16) – What Is Missing In DeFi?

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

DeFi Dad's Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeFi_Dad

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast ("Blockcrunch") is an educational resource intended for informational purposes only. Blockcrunch produces a weekly podcast and newsletter that routinely covers projects in Web 3 and may discuss assets that the host or its guests have financial exposure to. Views held by Blockcrunch's guests are their own. None of Blockcrunch, its registered entity or any of its affiliated personnel are licensed to provide any type of financial advice, and nothing on Blockcrunch's podcast, newsletter, website and social media should be construed as financial advice. Blockcrunch also receives compensation from its sponsor; sponsorship messages do not constitute financial advice or endorsement.

What will the future of NFTs and Multi-Chain experience look like?

Longhash, one earliest and largest accelerator funds in Asia shares with us:

• Takeaways from NFT NYC on the future of NFTs
• Vision of Multi-Chain future
• Projects they're excited about

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:02:07) – Vibes at NFT NYC

(00:03:49) – Introduction to LongHash

(00:09:42) – Future of NFTs

(00:13:47) – Social Tokens vs NFTs

(00:18:04) – Why LongHash is bullish on multichain future

(00:23:29) – Need for unique value proposition for each Chain

(00:29:22) – How Polkadot could have done better

(00:32:40) – Does every DApp need their own chain?

(00:40:52) – Recent favourite projects

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

Longhash's Twitter: https://twitter.com/LongHashVC

Emma's Twitter: https://twitter.com/emmacui

Shi Khai's Twitter: https://twitter.com/theshikhai

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast ("Blockcrunch") is an educational resource intended for informational purposes only. Blockcrunch produces a weekly podcast and newsletter that routinely covers projects in Web 3 and may discuss assets that the host or its guests have financial exposure to. Views held by Blockcrunch's guests are their own. None of Blockcrunch, its registered entity or any of its affiliated personnel are licensed to provide any type of financial advice, and nothing on Blockcrunch's podcast, newsletter, website and social media should be construed as financial advice. Blockcrunch also receives compensation from its sponsor; sponsorship messages do not constitute financial advice or endorsement.

Monthly trading volume on Hashflow grew from $20m in August to $670m in October after a campaign with Project Galaxy - that's a 3000% increase in volume in 3 months!

Project Galaxy is an open and collaborative data network that empowers developers to build better products and communities using on-chain credentials.

In this episode, co-founder of Project Galaxy, Harry shares with us:

• What is Galaxy and On-chain Credentials
• Use-cases of Galaxy
• Galaxy's token and own chain

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:02:22) – Introduction to Galaxy

(00:05:37) – User's On-chain Data

(00:09:42) – Importance of Privacy in Web 3

(00:11:13) – Biggest Use-Cases for Galaxy

(00:14:29) – Difference with Competitors e.g DegenScore

(00:23:07) – Building an Open and Permissionless Platform

(00:25:28) – Project Types that Best Benefit from Galaxy

(00:27:55) – Galaxy's Token - $GAL

(00:31:28) – Galaxy's Own Chain

(00:34:06) – Possible Reasons of Failure

(00:37:20) – Exciting Milestones Ahead

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

Project Galaxy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProjectGalaxyHQ

Project Galaxy's Website: https://galaxy.eco/

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast ("Blockcrunch") is an educational resource intended for informational purposes only. Blockcrunch produces a weekly podcast and newsletter that routinely covers projects in Web 3 and may discuss assets that the host or its guests have financial exposure to. Views held by Blockcrunch's guests are their own. None of Blockcrunch, its registered entity or any of its affiliated personnel are licensed to provide any type of financial advice, and nothing on Blockcrunch's podcast, newsletter, website and social media should be construed as financial advice. Blockcrunch also receives compensation from its sponsor; sponsorship messages do not constitute financial advice or endorsement.

Popular metaverse projects like Sandbox and Decentraland are trading > 80% lower than their previous all-time highs - are metaverses still the future?

Webaverse is an open-sourced metaverse that enables creators and communities to build their own virtual worlds and rich experiences which they truly own.

In this episode, co-founder of Webaverse, Ahad shares with us:

• What is a metaverse and what is it trying to replace?
• The importance of an interoperable metaverse
• Upcoming Webaverse experience - Upstreet
• Webaverse's strategy to bootstrap 100k users

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:01:58) – What is a Metaverse?

(00:04:13) – Epic Games vs Apple In a Legal Battle

(00:05:50) – Web 1, Web 2 and Web 3

(00:09:07) – What is Webaverse Trying To Replace

(00:14:47) – Importance of Interoperable Metaverse Instead of Silos

(00:27:12) – Difference Between Metaverses & Social Games Like Club Penguin

(00:30:27) – How to and Who Will Be The 1st To Achieve 100K Users

(00:37:12) – Chicken and Egg Problem Of Metaverses

(00:40:38) – Webaverse's Strategy to Bootstrap Community

(00:43:33) – Partnering with NFT Projects

(00:46:46) – Webaverse as a Business

(00:48:23) – Experiences Available on Webaverse Today

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

Webaverse's Twitter: https://twitter.com/webaverse

Webaverse's Website: https://webaverse.com/

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast is an educational podcast and newsletter for informational purposes only. The host invest in cryptoassets actively and may hold assets discussed in the newsletter or podcast. All content contained within this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as any form of financial advice. The Blockcrunch Podcast, its associates and affiliates are not liable for any decisions third parties choose to make.

Total crypto market cap is now less than $1 trillion. Bitcoin and Ethereum are currently trading near their 2018 all-time highs. Where do we go from here?

In this episode, CIO of Selini Capital, Jordi Alexander shares with us:

• What market stage are we at and how long it'll last
• Can Bitcoin ever break its previous ATH of $70k
• Indicators to navigate this market

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:02:12) – Current Stage of Crypto Market

(00:04:06) – Black Swan Events

(00:06:00) – Drawn Out vs Short-Term Bear Market

(00:08:01) – Crypto Market's First Recessionary Environment

(00:10:56) – Signs of Market Reversal

(00:13:51) – Bitcoin as Inflation Hedge

(00:19:30) – Terra's Impact On Crypto Market

(00:23:41) – Can Bitcoin Ever Break $70K

(00:25:54) – Indicators to Navigate this Market

(00:29:06) – Is Bitcoin still the Bell-Weather for Crypto Market

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

Jordi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/gametheorizing

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast is an educational podcast and newsletter for informational purposes only. The host invest in cryptoassets actively and may hold assets discussed in the newsletter or podcast. All content contained within this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as any form of financial advice. The Blockcrunch Podcast, its associates and affiliates are not liable for any decisions third parties choose to make.

How are some users getting paid to walk?

StepN is a Walk-to-Earn mobile app and in less than 6 months, they managed to amass 1.7 million monthly active users and up to 400k users are using it on a daily basis.

This episode, Co-Founder Yawn Rong shares with us:

• How is StepN actually paying users and is it sustainable?
• Comparison of StepN over competitors and their moat
• StepN's vision for the future

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:02:32) – Introduction to StepN

(00:05:49) – Designing Users' Cost Of Participation

(00:07:12) – Revenue Mechanism

(00:11:13) – Demand and Design Of StepN's Tokens

(00:14:12) – Social Aspect Beyond Walk-to-Earn

(00:19:29) – Partnerships With Brands

(00:24:30) – Comparison To Other Platforms

(00:28:50) – Strategy For Massive Player Adoption

(00:33:36) – StepN's Moat Over Competitors

(00:40:30) – Anti-Hacking/Cheating Mechanisms

(00:43:41) – More On StepN's 2 Tokens - GST & GMT

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

StepN's Website: https://stepn.com/

StepN's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stepnofficial

Yawn Rong's Twitter: https://twitter.com/yawn_rong

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast is an educational podcast and newsletter for informational purposes only. The host invest in cryptoassets actively and may hold assets discussed in the newsletter or podcast. All content contained within this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as any form of financial advice. The Blockcrunch Podcast, its associates and affiliates are not liable for any decisions third parties choose to make.

Basketball is a sport with 2.2 billion fans worldwide - and Virtual Basketball Association (VBA) wants to bring them all into crypto.

Charles, founder of VBA shares with us:

• How does VBA compare to other basketball based video games?
• Is VBA Play-To-Earn?
• What can users expect in upcoming & future launches?

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:01:37) – Background of Charles

(00:04:20) – Introduction to VBA

(00:06:09) – Comparison To Different Basketball Video Games

(00:08:02) – VBA's Game and Player Mechanics

(00:16:28) – Virtual vs Real Basketball Players

(00:23:03) – Building The VBA Lore And Community Effect

(00:24:19) – First NFT Mint & Future Plans

(00:29:16) – Competition Against Fantasy Sports

(00:31:06) – VBA's 4 Revenue Streams

(00:32:09) – Is VBA Play-To-Earn?

(00:34:28) – VBA's Automated Gameplay Mechanics

(00:36:53) – Upcoming Launch In June & Future Releases

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

VBA's Website: https://www.vbagame.com/

VBA's Twitter: https://twitter.com/vbagame

Charles' Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmcharmander

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast is an educational podcast and newsletter for informational purposes only. The host invest in cryptoassets actively and may hold assets discussed in the newsletter or podcast. All content contained within this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as any form of financial advice. The Blockcrunch Podcast, its associates and affiliates are not liable for any decisions third parties choose to make.

Every crypto-native must have seen a small green creature appear on their Twitter timeline when others tag @Inversebrah on a Twitter thread.

A group of wassie-lovers banded together to bring the green creature to life via a 3D NFT project, Wassieverse. This week, member of Wassieverse, 0xBags shares with us:

• What exactly is a wassie?
• What utilities can NFT owners get immediately post-mint and in the future?
• How can the community be involved in Wassieverse?

Host: Jason Choi @mrjasonchoi . Not financial advice.

------------ Timestamps -------------

(00:00:00) – Introduction

(00:03:34) – What Is Inversebrah / Smol Ting

(00:06:52) – Team Members Of Wassieverse

(00:09:27) – What Exactly Is Wassieverse?

(00:15:36) – Future Of Wassieverse

(00:18:06) – NFT As Representation Of Virtual Identity

(00:22:30) – Capturing Essence Of Wassies Into The Project

(00:25:51) – Comparison To Other Meme-Based NFT Projects

(00:30:16) – Differentiation To Other Wassie NFT Projects

(00:33:14) – Roadmap Of Wassieverse

----------- Sponsors -------------

dYdX is the Leading Decentralized Exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Users enjoy low fees, deep liquidity, up to 20x more buying power and even earn $DYDX from trading. Trade on dYdX today at: https://trade.dydx.exchange

----------- More Resources ---------

Guest

Wassieverse's Twitter: https://twitter.com/wassieverse

Wassieverse's Website: https://wassieverse.com/

Blockcrunch

Blockcrunch VIP: https://blockcrunch.substack.com/

Blockcrunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBlockcrunch

Jason Choi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjasonchoi

------------ Disclosures -------------

Disclaimer: The Blockcrunch Podcast is an educational podcast and newsletter for informational purposes only. The host invest in cryptoassets actively and may hold assets discussed in the newsletter or podcast. All content contained within this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as any form of financial advice. The Blockcrunch Podcast, its associates and affiliates are not liable for any decisions third parties choose to make.