Explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, cryptocurrency, and startup culture in our latest episode. We spoke with Shaw Walters, Founder of Eliza Labs, about the exciting possibilities and challenges of AI agents in digital worlds, the crypto ecosystem, and token launches. Discover how these technologies are shaping a fairer, more inclusive future for investing and why real products and vision matter more than hype. 

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant introduction

00:07 Episode summary

00:54 Introduction to Shaw Walters and Eliza Labs

02:27 AI agents in digital worlds

10:56 Eliza as a framework for providing what GPT doesn’t

11:25 Writing actions for AI agents

14:10 Use cases for AI agents

14:55 Moving from one-on-one to group settings

16:33 Connecting Eliza to the crypto ecosystem

19:20 Pros and cons of AI agents in financial services

21:25 AI agents as an interface

24:53 auto.fun and launching AI agents

30:08 Fairer than fair token launch

31:58 A new age of investing in startups

32:32 The government does not trust you with your own money

34:33 Crypto workarounds for investing in startups

35:43 The Trump administration and our path to regulation

36:57 Changing laws around investing in startups

38:32 Decentralized AI and opening investment to the public

39:30 What will bring AI agents back to the forefront?

44:25 How to structure better launchpads for startups

46:00 Crypto markets in their current state are casinos

49:24 Jeffy Yu and Zerebro

53:36 Why the crypto culture needs to change

55:31 Real products and real vision

58:00 Closing remarks

This week, we spoke to Patrick Amadon about the complex intersections of digital privacy, surveillance, censorship, and the potential of decentralized AI. Amadon offers a critical perspective on some of the most pressing issues in technology, from the role of digital disobedience to the regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

Key topics include: 

• The potential of decentralized AI and Ethereum's pivotal role 

• The impact of censorship on free speech in the digital era 

• How AI and blockchain technology can empower individuals and artists 

• Risks posed by centralized AI and the push for decentralization 

• Strategies for protecting digital privacy and countering AI surveillance 

Amadon also examines how the framework for success in the digital age is shifting, emphasizing the importance of data ownership and financial independence. This conversation offers valuable insights for those interested in the evolving relationship between technology, freedom, and the pursuit of a decentralized future.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:07 Decentralized AI is a win for Ethereum

01:30 Introduction to Patrick Amadon

02:08 Digital disobedience and decentralized ecosystems

04:10 Challenges in modern discourse

07:40 “No Rioters” and threats to free speech 

10:10 The place for disruption

12:00 The paths to success are changing

13:05 Crypto and data ownership

13:32 Meaningful AI Legislation

14:20 The race to AGI and why we need to beat China

16:48 Regulating crypto and AI

18:34 The failure of the stablecoin bill

22:08 “Passive Observer” and the role of the public in geopolitical events

27:50 Art as resistance to homogenizing the narrative

30:10 When crypto starts making sense to normies

30:55 The fight to decentralize AI

33:25 The risks of centralized AI

35:40 Our lack of digital security and privacy

37:32 Why should AI belong to the people?

38:00 AI’s effects on the job market

41:25 How to get under the hood of AI

45:00 AI lowers the barrier to entry for art, technology, and more

46:30 AI and the arts

49:20 The pros and cons of decentralization

50:32 Decentralized infrastructure, currency, and economy

52:15 The Pectra update

54:35 The power of owning your own currency

55:18 How will wallets as smart contracts affect artists?

55:40 The NFT art space only works as it imagines a new art world

58:00 Pectra and the future of meaningful technologies

58:55 A digital renaissance

01:00:58 Counter AI surveillance technology

01:05:00 Why is digital privacy so important?

01:12:15 VeilPNG and hiding data

01:13:20 Closing remarks

In today’s episode with cypherpunk and artist Gus Grillasca, we explore the intricate crossroads of cryptocurrency and global economics. From the propaganda of inflation to Bitcoin Ordinals and the NFT controversy, this episode challenges conventional narratives and opens up new perspectives. Hear Gus' insights on navigating the Ethereum ecosystem, the financialization of Bitcoin, and privacy coins in the digital age.

We also talk about the evolving role of crypto in Latin America, reflect on the surprising dynamics of meme coins, and uncover gaps in financial literacy that could shape the next chapter of blockchain adoption. Whether you’re captivated by the promise of stablecoins, intrigued by NFT permanence, or pondering crypto’s place in an unstable world, this episode offers thought-provoking insights and artistic freedom at its core.

INFLARE: https://scarce.city/goods/inflare 

Fierro Viejo: https://superrare.com/artwork/eth/0xb932a70A57673d89f4acfFBE830E8ed7f75Fb9e0/34374 

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:10 Inflation is bankers’ propaganda

00:50 Introduction to Gus Grillasca

01:38 Gus’ Journey into blockchain

02:35 Banking challenges for travelors

04:44 Rare Pepes, Ethereum NFTs, and Bitcoin Ordinals

07:44 Changing views on the Ethereum ecosystem

09:04 Bitcoin Ordinals, memes, and the NFT Controversy

10:30 Bitcoin Ordinals and NFT permanence

14:53 The controversy around updates to the Bitcoin protocol

16:28 “INFLARE” and The Space by Art of Freedom

17:25 Inflation as a monetary phenomenon

21:06 Global inflation, purchasing power, and the role of crypto in an unstable world

25:37 Is the financialization of Bitcoin good or bad for crypto?

27:25 Bitcoin Reserve and the Digital Asset Stockpile

30:36 Thoughts on $TRUMP and other meme coins

34:45 Changing expectations of investing in NFT

38:18 Crypto’s role in Latin America

45:35 “Fierro Viejo,” NFTs and intellectual property

50:00 A gap in financial literacy 

53:18 Ethereum’s changing roadmap

57:25 Privacy coins

59:40 The need for privacy in the digital age

01:03:05 Stablecoins, financial products, and exciting prospects in crypto 

01:05:56 Final Thoughts

Are crypto ETFs set to reshape the investing landscape? Join us on The Defiant as we dive deep into the future of crypto assets, the evolving regulatory environment, and the rise of index-based investing. Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise, shares his expert insights on what these changes mean for investors and how crypto ETFs could revolutionize access to digital assets. 

Chapters:

00:00 The Defiant Intro

00:10 Why tariffs could be bullish for Bitcoin 

00:41 Intro to Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise

01:35 The impact of U.S. interest rates on crypto markets 

04:00 Tariffs and their effects on crypto

08:24 How USD fluctuations affect global crypto trends 

10:15 Investor reactions to a weaker dollar

11:58 Bitcoin as a hedge against volatility

14:58 The role of traditional investors in driving Bitcoin’s price 

20:54 Regulatory insights and which assets stand to gain 

22:10 Crypto ETFs

24:50 What sets Bitwise apart in the crowded ETF space 

26:52 The rise (and slow start) of Ethereum ETFs

29:00 How will ETH staking play into demand?

30:21 How will an ETH staking fund be structured?

32:30 Top crypto assets to watch for the next wave of ETFs 

35:25 How index funds are influencing the future of crypto investing 

36:50 Crypto native investors

38:38 Index funds and the SEC

40:11 Ethereum’s coming of age and shifting goals

43:45 What can get 1000x users on Ethereum?

46:28 Ethereum vs. Solana and the next big trends 

48:31 Where and how different blockchains thrive

51:30 Predictions for 2025

53:10 Closing Remarks

Immerse yourself in the future of decentralized infrastructure in this exclusive interview with Amira Valliana from the Solana Foundation. Perfect for Web3 enthusiasts, this episode unpacks how onchain solutions are redefining physical networks, policy, and global collaboration.

Chapters & Key Topics: 

• 00:00 Introduction to decentralized infrastructure onchain 

• 00:33 Podcast & guest welcome 

• 03:16 Amira Valliana’s policy work at Solana Foundation 

• 09:19 Shaping blockchain policy and its real-world impact 

• 12:31 What is DePIN? (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) 

• 15:25 Case Study spotlight: Geonet 

• 18:19 Current tech limits for onchain assets 

• 20:21 Experiments in tracking real-world objects via blockchain 

• 22:00 Supply chain challenges and onchain opportunities 

• 24:08 Using crypto to coordinate worldwide networks 

• 25:38 Helium Network deep-dive 

• 29:00 Future applications for Helium 

• 31:05 Exploring Hivemapper 

• 34:15 Bridging DePIN and AI innovation 

• 38:27 Decentralized AI and infrastructure synergy 

• 42:32 Macro trends (interest rates, tariffs, resources, and more) and their effect 

• 45:43 What’s next for decentralized physical infrastructure?

If you’re curious about DePIN, policy in Web3, or the next wave of decentralized AI, you’ll get actionable insights and real-world examples to fuel your curiosity. 

Subscribe and hit the bell for more interviews with leaders shaping the decentralized future!

Lending and borrowing onchain has quickly become one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing sectors in Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Among the leaders in this space is Maple Finance, a platform that has already facilitated over $800M in assets, showcasing the growing adoption and practicality of tokenized private credit for institutions. By bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems, Maple Finance is demonstrating how institutions can leverage blockchain technology for more efficient and transparent lending solutions.

In an insightful conversation, Camila Russo sat down with Maple Finance’s CEO, Sid Powell, to delve into the potential of real-world assets (RWAs) within DeFi, the evolving role of stablecoins in this ecosystem, and strategies to unlock new lending markets onchain. Their discussion highlights the rapid innovations taking place in the DeFi space and sheds light on the future of decentralized credit markets.

Explore the future of intellectual property on the blockchain in this insightful interview with Jason Zhao. Discover how Story Protocol is revolutionizing the way creators protect, share, and license their work. By bringing IP and copyright onchain, the protocol streamlines the process, ensures compliance with state and national laws, and secures rights in an innovative, transparent manner. Perfect for Web3 creators and blockchain developers ready to push boundaries and unlock new possibilities.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro: Jason Zhao, Co-founder and Chief Protocol Officer at Story Protocol 

00:45 - How Story Protocol is revolutionizing IP management on blockchain 

01:16 - Case study: Acquiring Justin Bieber's "Peaches" song rights 

02:34 - The vision: Making IP as programmable as stablecoins 

05:15 - Jason's background: From AI at DeepMind to blockchain 

08:58 - Story's technical architecture: Custom Layer 1 blockchain 

11:13 - Proof of Creativity Protocol explained 

13:15 - Storing full IP rights and metadata (beyond NFTs) 

18:47 - Legal framework and enforceable IP licenses 

21:36 - Mainstream IP vs. native Story Protocol IP 

24:07 - DeFi integration: Royalties and liquid IP markets 

27:31 - How creators monetize their work on Story 

29:50 - Tokenomics and the Big Bang staking event 

33:51 - Roadmap: IP Portal and future upgrades 

37:23 - David Goyer (Dark Knight trilogy) launching new IP on Story 

38:28 - Fraud prevention and attestation services 

45:02 - Staking mechanics and validator system 

49:08 - Meme coins and IP-backed tokens 

54:20 - The long-term vision: "HTTP for IP"

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Will Robinson, VP of Engineering at Coinbase, explores the company’s expanding role in decentralized finance (DeFi), highlighting the launch of Bitcoin-backed USDC loans through Morpho and Coinbase’s broader efforts to integrate DeFi solutions. He explains how Coinbase is working to connect centralized finance (CeFi) with DeFi by incorporating decentralized protocols while prioritizing security and regulatory compliance. Robinson also discusses the introduction of cbBTC as an alternative to WBTC, the company’s approach to multi-chain development, and its plans for further DeFi integrations. Additionally, he addresses ongoing debates about Ethereum Layer 2 networks and their impact on the main chain, emphasizing the importance of improved cross-chain interoperability. He also provides insights into Coinbase’s asset listing process, the role of meme coins in the crypto ecosystem, and the company’s broader mission to support a more open and accessible financial system.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro: Will Robinson, VP of Engineering at Coinbase

00:45 - Coinbase’s expanding role in DeFi

01:16 - Bitcoin-backed USDC loans powered by Morpho

02:34 - How Coinbase enables BTC holders to access liquidity

05:15 - Risks involved in Bitcoin-backed loans

08:58 - Liquidation risks and loan-to-value ratios

11:13 - Early demand and adoption of the product

13:15 - cbBTC vs. WBTC: Why Coinbase launched its own Bitcoin wrapper

18:47 - How cbBTC is issued and traded

21:36 - Coinbase’s approach to self-custody and wallets

24:07 - The role of Coinbase Wallet in bridging CeFi and DeFi

27:31 - Coinbase’s long-term DeFi strategy and future integrations

29:50 - Will DeFi become a mainstream part of traditional finance?

33:51 - Coinbase’s evolution from exchange to financial institution

34:34 - The rise of Base: How Coinbase grew its Layer 2

38:28 - Are Layer 2s parasitic to Ethereum?

49:08 - The role of meme coins in crypto and Coinbase’s listing process

54:20 - The future of on-chain finance and economic freedom

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Bill Barhydt, Founder and CEO of Abra, discusses the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency markets and investment strategies in this week's The Defiant Podcast. He attributes Bitcoin’s price movements to macroeconomic factors, including U.S. monetary policy and liquidity cycles, and notes a growing trend of companies holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Barhydt also examines Ethereum’s scalability challenges and the increasing role of DeFi in financial systems, suggesting that decentralized infrastructure could eventually become the standard for banking. Additionally, he expresses optimism about potential regulatory clarity in the U.S., particularly regarding stablecoins and digital asset classifications.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: Bill Barhydt & Abra

00:48 - Barhydt’s Background in Crypto & Finance

02:23 - How Abra Manages Crypto Wealth

05:45 - Bitcoin Loans & Prime Brokerage Explained

10:10 - Crypto Market Volatility & Macroeconomic Factors

13:24 - Bitcoin Dominance & Altcoin Cycles

18:11 - Solana vs. Ethereum: Market Trends & Adoption

24:29 - U.S. Crypto Regulations & Policy Predictions

36:05 - Trump’s Crypto Involvement

39:04 - Institutional Interest in Bitcoin & ETFs

50:18 - The Future of DeFi & Traditional Banking

52:14 - Barhydt’s Price Predictions

54:12 - Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

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Kain Warwick, founder of Synthetix and Infinex, discusses the evolution of DeFi and the trade-offs required to improve user experience while maintaining decentralization. He explains how Infinex aims to offer a more accessible, centralized exchange-like interface while remaining non-custodial, addressing long-standing UX challenges in DeFi. Warwick also reflects on Synthetix’s recent governance restructuring, competition from Hyperliquid, and the potential shift back to a stablecoin-focused model. Looking ahead, he highlights the importance of regulatory clarity, improved infrastructure, and greater accessibility in driving the next phase of DeFi growth.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Kain Warwick

00:15 - Kain’s history in DeFi

01:26 - Motivation behind Infinex and staying in crypto

02:21 - Challenges of bull and bear markets

05:55 - The idea behind Infinex and UX innovation

08:40 - Trade-offs in building a user-friendly DeFi platform

17:05 - Passkeys and the seamless user experience

24:26 - Adoption metrics and user growth

26:51 - Future roadmap: Bitcoin, XRP, and Doge integration

33:08 - The Patron NFT sale: Lessons learned

37:19 - Synthetix updates: Governance and structural changes

39:27 - The role of attention in crypto success

47:50 - Synthetix’s stablecoin pivot and liquidity strategy

51:14 - Differentiating Synthetix’s stablecoin from others

54:03 - Avoiding the pitfalls of past algo stablecoins

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