The DCo Podcast

We break down why the familiar crypto playbook no longer applies. We explore the death of predictable Bitcoin cycles, how macroeconomic shifts under Trump's administration are reshaping markets, and why stablecoins like USDC could soon dominate finance. Will shares his disciplined strategy—separating long-term conviction from short-term trades—and why crypto, in his words, remains 'the purest form of capitalism.' Tune in for a grounded, insightful take on navigating today's evolving crypto landscape.00:00 Will's Journey

04:19 From Trading Sneakers to Bitcoin and Market Analysis

06:20 Market Dynamics and Economic Influences

15:52 Investing in Private Deals

20:02 Navigating Criticism and Building a Social Media Presence

25:13 Advice for Aspiring Investors and Content Creators

28:56 Trends in Bitcoin and Institutional Adoption

32:55 The Future of Crypto: Speculation and Regulation

34:10 Portfolio Management: Balancing Long-term and Tactical Investments

36:37 Stablecoins

38:11 Bitcoin L2s and DeFi: Exploring New Frontiers

40:45 Market Cycles

47:27 Building Sustainable Businesses in Crypto

51:00 The Role of Regulation in Unlocking Crypto's Potential

55:55 From Memecoins to Value-driven Investments

01:01:03 Market Outlook: Short-term Caution vs. Long-term Optimism

Follow Us: DCo – https://x.com/Decentralisedco

Will Clemente – https://x.com/WClementeIII

Saurabh Deshpande – https://x.com/desh_saurabh

Subscribe to DCo Newsletter – https://www.decentralised.co/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

In a space where information is the ultimate edge, how do the best traders and builders stay ahead?

Shaw from elizaOS returns to the podcast to break down the harsh realities of crypto trading, AI-driven investing, and building through market cycles. We explore:

•The information edge in crypto: Why the best traders aren’t chart readers but those closest to deal flow.

• AI trading agents: Overhyped? Why LLMs struggle with time-series data and where AI can actually add value.

• Swarms over super AIs: The case for specialized AI agents instead of one-size-fits-all models.

• Surviving market downturns: How token allocation mistakes are forcing founders into existential choices.

• Revenue vs. hype: Why sustainable monetization beats reliance on speculative pumps.

• Vampire attack partnerships: How some collaborations are designed to drain value rather than create it.

Chapters —

00:00 Introduction 

02:52 The Role of AI in the Current Market

05:53 Building Trust for AI-Driven Trading

08:45 Exploring Copy Trading and Community Dynamics

12:02 AI Agents and Swarms

17:51 Practical Applications of AI Agents in Workflows

28:09 Privacy and Security in Multi-tenant Environments

35:12 Navigating Startup Challenges and Team Dynamics

38:08 Tokenomics and Value Accrual Strategies

46:21 Timing the Market and Launch Strategies

50:20 The Future of Product Quality in DAOs

51:09 Identifying Gaps in DAO Governance

55:52 Balancing Contributions and Token Holding

01:01:52 User Experience in DeFi Applications

01:04:04 The Hype Cycle of New Technologies

01:06:35 Lessons Learned from the Crypto Space

Follow Us:

DCo – https://x.com/Decentralisedco

Shaw (wartime arc) – https://x.com/shawmakesmagic

Saurabh Deshpande – https://x.com/desh_saurabh

Subscribe to the DCo Newsletter – https://www.decentralised.co/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

We discuss Jai's journey from leading blockchain integration at Coinbase to founding DefinitiveFi, and how the platform grew from $20-30M to nine-figure monthly volumes.

Jai explains the key innovations needed for mainstream DeFi adoption - gas abstraction, chain abstraction, and account abstraction - and how advanced order types like TWAPs allow large trades without moving markets. The conversation explores compliance challenges for institutions in DeFi, the intersection of AI and crypto, and token design philosophy.

We also touch on DefinitiveFi's future plans, including expanding beyond spot trading to perps and yield strategies.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

Ethereum scaling has been an uphill battle. We’ve built rollups, fragmented liquidity, and pushed execution limits—but have we really solved the problem? Instead of patching Ethereum’s existing framework, MegaETH has rewritten the Ethereum data structure from scratch, eliminating bottlenecks and achieving millisecond block times. The implications? Possibility of on-chain high-frequency trading, real-time gaming, instant micropayments, and an entirely new breed of decentralised applications.Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Journey Towards Starting MegaETH

06:43 The White Paper

11:12 Consensus Mechanisms and Performance Challenges

15:09 Security and Censorship Resistance in MegaETH

19:03 Use Cases

24:10 Empowering Applications in Crypto

25:38 Cultural Influences on Crypto Markets

27:48 Blockchain as Civilization

30:30 The Role of Community in Crypto

32:57 Valuations and Community Loyalty

38:10 Building a Community

40:52 Capitalism and Sustainable Business Models

Follow Us:

DCo – https://x.com/Decentralisedco

Shuyao Kong a.k.a Brother Bing – https://x.com/hotpot_dao

Saurabh Deshpande – https://x.com/desh_saurabh

DCo Newsletter – https://www.decentralised.co/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

Bitcoin mining is a delicate balance between mathematical certainty and real-world volatility. In this episode, Nick Hansen, CEO of Luxor, breaks down the evolution of mining—from hardware cycles to energy markets, hashrate futures, and Bitcoin’s shrinking block subsidy. We also discuss miners' role in stabilising power grids and the contentious debate over Bitcoin fees. Tune in to understand the future of mining and what happens when the last Bitcoin is mined.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:41 Nick’s Journey From Dirt Biking to Bitcoin Mining

08:01 The Evolution of Luxor Mining and Its Services

09:22 Understanding the Crypto Market and AI's Impact

12:00 Transitioning from Hardware to Software in Mining

13:21 Hashrate vs. Price: Understanding Bitcoin Economics

17:46 How Electricity Costs Rule Mining Operations

20:31 The Mining Hamster Wheel: Upgrading Equipment and Supply Chains

22:47 Evolution of Mining Technology and Efficiency

24:03 Energy Costs and Mining Profitability

27:16 Hashrate Futures and Market Dynamics

33:49 The Role of Renewable Energy in Bitcoin Mining

40:09 Innovations in Block Construction and Mining Risks

43:29 Future of Bitcoin Fees and Emission Concerns

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

Web3 marketing has a retention problem. Too many projects chase mindshare, but few know how to build communities that last. In this episode, Phin, lead marketer at Abstract, shares his journey from Web2 to Web3 and unpacks why most crypto marketing playbooks are fundamentally flawed.

We explore why engagement farming isn’t enough, why crypto products should compete in the mainstream, and how Abstract is rethinking consumer crypto by making Web3 seamless.

If you’re a founder or marketer looking to cut through the noise and build something real, this episode is for you.Chapters:00:00 Introduction 

02:47 The Evolution of Abstract and L2 Launch Decisions

05:55 Comparing Ethereum and Solana: Insights and Opinions

09:10 Marketing Strategies: Web2 vs Web3

11:58 The Future of Marketing in Web3

14:51 Data Privacy and User Experience in Web3

18:03 Session Keys and On-Chain Interactions

23:56 Simplifying the Crypto Experience

26:47 Reducing Onboarding Friction

28:56 The Role of Price in Marketing

30:35 Self-Custody and Consumer Behavior

32:30 Building a Community in Crypto

39:05 Abstract's Consumer-Centric Approach

43:00 NFTs vs Tokens: Branding Strategies

44:49 Marketing on a Budget

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

In this episode, Yannik Schrade, CEO of Arcium, explains how they're building an encrypted supercomputer to bring privacy to both Web2 and Web3. We explore:

• The journey from creating one of the world's most downloaded iPad apps to building privacy infrastructure

• Why current privacy solutions like trusted hardware and zero-knowledge proofs aren't enough

• How Arcium achieves efficient private computation through pre-computed multiplications and oblivious data structures

• The future of private AI - from confidential training to trustless inference

• Why privacy should be infrastructure, not a product

• The path to bringing institutional players into DeFi through privacy

• How Arcium could enable everything from dark pools to private gaming

Timestamps -

00:00 Introduction to Web3 and Privacy

02:54 The Journey from Law to Crypto

05:50 Building Elusive: On-Chain Transactional Privacy

09:06 The Encrypted Supercomputer

11:57 AI's Role in Crypto and User Experience

14:51 Legacy Approach to Privacy Enhancing Technologies

18:05 Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Their Limitations

20:53 The Future of Privacy in DeFi and Healthcare

23:47 Secure Multi-Party Computation: A New Paradigm

27:12 Confidential Computing and Trust Models

32:32 Transforming Encrypted Data into Random Values

34:27 Understanding Arcium's Position in the Tech Stack

36:54 Arcium as an Encrypted Supercomputer

38:52 Efficiency of Secure Multi-Party Computation

41:47 Flexibility and Oblivious Data Structures in MPC

44:11 Selective Disclosure and Composability in Confidential Computing

46:03 Arcium's Autonomous Network and Accountability Protocols

49:55 AI Agents and Trust in Decision-Making

52:45 Responsible AI and Explainability

56:48 Market Landscape and Use Cases for Arcium

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

What if the popular belief that Bitcoin is "digital gold" is holding crypto back? Kyle Samani, Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital, unpacks why this analogy might be misleading and argues that utility—not nostalgia—will define the future of digital assets.

We trace Multicoin’s evolution, from its early experiments to backing Solana when it was dismissed by many. Kyle shares insights into the power of first-principles thinking, why they pivoted away from Bitcoin and Ethereum, and how to identify protocols that solve real problems.

Whether you’re an investor, founder, or curious observer, this episode offers a rare look into how a top crypto fund must challenge mainstream assumptions and spot not-so-obvious opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the DCo Podcast and Web300:58 Reflections on Early Bitcoin Predictions03:01 The Journey to MultiCoin Capital05:56 The Mechanics of Wealth Creation in Crypto08:49 The Role of Stablecoins in Wealth Distribution11:09 Transitioning from Ethereum to EOS and Solana18:01 The Evolution of MultiCoin Capital19:48 Market Dynamics and the Future of Crypto Investments22:08 Innovations in Layer 1 and Layer 2 Solutions24:01 Understanding MEV and Its Implications26:22 Value Accrual in Blockchain Systems28:18 The Moneyness Debate: Bitcoin vs. Ethereum30:46 Censorship Resistance and Usability in Cryptocurrencies32:41 The Future of Solana: Censorship Resistance and Economic Activity34:57 Institutional Adoption and Token Extensions49:43 Communication Skills in Fundraising and Investment Strategies

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

Shaw's journey from mixing bands in NYC clubs to creating AI16Z reflects the unexpected ways innovation emerges in crypto. What began as a way to help developers access better trading strategies has evolved into an AI-driven DAO managing $21M in treasury funds, with their agent "AI Marc" making investment decisions by evaluating community members' trading suggestions through a "Virtual Marketplace of Trust."

The key breakthrough came from solving what Shaw calls the "social agent loop" - teaching AI to engage naturally on social platforms rather than through traditional interfaces. Their open-source Eliza framework, now used by over 140 contributors, has enabled thousands of AI agents to trade, create, and interact with humans in increasingly sophisticated ways.

Looking ahead, Shaw shares his vision of moving from an attention economy to a trust economy, where AI agents help democratize access to sophisticated trading strategies while reshaping how we think about work and value creation.Resources:• AI Agent Building Tutorial• Eliza Framework• SentientMarketCap• Virtual Marketplace of Trust• Using Chains, Taming Minds

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co

Brandon Kumar of Layer3 joined us for a founder series. Who better than a founder to ask fellow operators what it takes to build companies? This is episode one of many to come. Let’s go.

Running a successful crypto company takes more than technical know-how; it requires understanding the human elements that bring an organisation to life. In the first episode of our operator-to-operator series, I explored this with Matt Katz from Caldera and my co-host Brandon from Layer3.

What makes this conversation unique is the look behind the scenes at Caldera. Matt's journey from Stanford to CEO gives a compelling view of modern crypto entrepreneurship. Unlike founders chasing the 2022 bull market, Matt focused on building something valuable—blockchain deployment through standardisation and accessibility.

Caldera's modular approach has reduced blockchain deployment costs by two orders of magnitude while maintaining security. Major projects like Apecoin, Manta, Treasure, and Zerion trust Caldera's infrastructure, proving its reliability.

Matt's reflections on managing a diverse team and balancing a “high-performance sports team” mindset with respect for individuals are lessons for any startup.

If you're curious about building a crypto company—from tech to team—this episode is worth your time.Key Moments: 00:00 - The Vision Behind Caldera 02:56 - The Journey of a Founder 05:52 - Operating Lessons in a Turbulent Market 09:13 - Building a High-Performance Team 12:06 - Understanding Caldera's Business Model 14:56 - Cost Reduction in Blockchain Launches 17:52 - Future Growth and Market Strategy 24:08 - Integrating New Technology and Infrastructure 25:05 - Vision for Caldera in 2034 26:31 - Navigating the Fundraising Landscape 29:20 - Maximizing Investor Relationships 32:44 - Co-Founder Dynamics and Decision-Making 36:29 - Learning from Competition and Market Adaptation 40:21 - Operational Rhythm and Team Management

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.decentralised.co