Crypto has the potential to revolutionize finance—but how do we make it truly accessible? In this episode of The Index, we sit down with Ryne Saxe, CEO of Eco, to explore the future of payments, stablecoins, and the evolving role of blockchain in everyday transactions.

Ryne shares his journey from the traditional banking world to the fast-paced San Francisco crypto scene, where he saw an opportunity to build a better financial system. We dive into how Eco is tackling the complexities of crypto adoption, simplifying user experiences, and creating seamless payment solutions that benefit both users and merchants.

We also discuss the shift away from traditional credit card networks, the potential cost savings of stablecoins and Bitcoin, and the growing role of crypto wallets in mainstream adoption. From Ethereum rollups to Solana integration, Ryne breaks down the key innovations shaping the next era of Web3 payments.

Join us for an insightful conversation on the road ahead, the challenges still to be overcome, and why the future of finance might be closer than we think.

Website: https://eco.com/

Follow on X: https://x.com/eco

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What if artificial superintelligence (ASI) could be the ultimate equalizer, leveling the playing field for all? We're diving headfirst into this provocative territory by examining the transformative potential of open-source AI. Inspired by Mark Zuckerberg's recent conversation with Joe Rogan, we unravel the complexities of democratizing AI access and the role it plays in safeguarding against monopolistic control. The insights from Sam Altman about the imminent rise of artificial general intelligence (AGI) add fuel to our discussion, as we explore the risks and societal shifts these advancements might entail. With open-source platforms empowering both heroes and villains, is balance of power within our grasp?

Venturing beyond the tech giants, we spotlight underdog innovators like Mistral and DeepSeek, who are challenging the status quo with limited resources but boundless ambition. We tackle the intricate dance between corporate interests and open-source ideals, pondering how a sustainable revenue model could redefine community-driven innovation. As the specter of a technological singularity looms, the philosophical and ethical questions mount: what will a world transformed by ASI look like, and how will humanity redefine its role? Join us as we navigate this uncharted territory, contemplating the future where robots might eliminate labor shortages, and society reshapes itself around an AI-driven reality.

Website: https://www.bagel.net/
Follow Bagel on X: https://x.com/BagelOpenAI

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Can decentralization truly revolutionize how we store data? In this episode of The Index, Alex Kehaya talks with Dmitriy Ryajov, Founder and Architect of the Codex Durability Engine at codex.storage, a leader in decentralized storage. Dmitry shares his inspiring journey from traditional software developer to trailblazer in the decentralized tech community. Discover how his early work with Ethereum and IPFS ignited his passion for peer-to-peer systems and open-source contributions.

We dive into the complexities of building decentralized storage systems, exploring established players like Filecoin and Arweave alongside emerging solutions like the Shadow Network on Solana. Dmitry tackles these challenges head-on with Codex.

For developers, privacy and security are paramount. We discuss data encryption methods, such as symmetric key encryption and data distribution, to safeguard against unauthorized access.

Learn how Codex is redefining the landscape of data storage and shaping the future of the internet. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the technical intricacies of decentralized systems.

Website: https://codex.storage/

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What does the future of finance look like built on Bitcoin? In this episode of The Index, Alex Kehaya talks with Jacob Phillips, co-founder of Lombard, a leading player in the liquid staking space. Jacob shares his unique journey from aspiring political debater to crypto entrepreneur, and how that unconventional path led him to the forefront of Bitcoin innovation.

We dive deep into the world of non-custodial protocols, focusing on Lombard's Squads protocol, which empowers businesses to operate confidently on-chain while sidestepping the limitations of traditional banking systems.

The conversation also explores Bitcoin's evolving role beyond a mere store of value, spotlighting fresh use cases and innovative opportunities for yield generation that are challenging the status quo. We examine the intersection of Bitcoin and the Solana ecosystem, focusing on groundbreaking platforms like Babylon and the potential of LBTC to unlock unprecedented flexibility for Bitcoin holders.

This is a must-listen for founders, developers, and anyone interested in the cutting-edge of Bitcoin and DeFi.

Lombard: https://www.lombard.finance/

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What does the future of agentic AI look like, and how close are we to building systems that truly mimic and enhance human reasoning? In this episode of Everything Bagel, Alex Kehaya joins Bidhan Roy, founder of Bagel, to explore the cutting edge of open-source AI and its transformative potential.

The conversation unpacks the concept of agentic AI—systems capable of reasoning, planning, and executing tasks with minimal human intervention—and the revolutionary infrastructure Bagel is building to enable collaborative development of open-source foundation models. Bidhan shares insights into groundbreaking AI research, including fine-tuning techniques, adapters, and cryptographic ownership models that empower developers and communities to monetize their AI contributions.

The episode also takes an in-depth look at large language models (LLMs): Do they genuinely understand the data they process, or are they merely "stochastic parrots" mimicking human reasoning? We delve into the mysterious "black box" nature of neural networks and the concerns surrounding AI models potentially feigning alignment with human goals.

From the challenges of reasoning in neural networks to the implications of quantum computing in AI development, this episode offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI and its significance for developers, researchers, and the future of innovation.

Tune in to discover how Bagel is shaping the next wave of decentralized, community-driven AI.

The future of monetizable open-source AI begins now.

Bagel: https://blog.bagel.net/
X: https://x.com/BagelOpenAI

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What is the Future of Open Source? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehya sits down with his business partner, Brian Fox, Co-founder of ABK Labs and the original author of the GNU Bash Shell. Brian, a pioneering figure in the open-source movement, offers valuable insights into its evolution from academic roots to its profound impact on modern technology, including the crypto and blockchain space.

Brian discusses the critical role of community and collaboration, exploring how open-source principles have driven innovation in fields like AI. He provides a unique perspective on the future of technology, discussing how AI can not only automate tasks but also empower individuals and accelerate progress.

This conversation provides a valuable framework for understanding the enduring power of open source and its potential to shape the future of our digital world. We explore how open-source culture, with its ethos of community-driven progress, has shaped projects like Solana and continues to inspire new technological advancements within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. Drawing parallels with the evolution of Linux, we imagine a world where AI not only automates tasks but also frees us to pursue personal and global aspirations.

This episode celebrates open source as a catalyst for innovation, embodying the spirit of collaboration and the shared endeavor to build a brighter technological future.

ABK Labs: https://abklabs.com/

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Can Blockchain Truly Revolutionize Telecommunications?

In this episode of The Index, Alex Kehaya chats with Coco Tang, General Manager of Helium Mobile, about how blockchain is transforming the telecom industry. From Helium’s origins as an IoT network to its ambitious leap into mobile, Coco dives into the challenges, milestones, and practical blockchain applications.

Helium Mobile stands out as the world’s first crypto carrier built on Solana, a high-performance blockchain. After migrating to Solana in April 2023, the Helium Network became faster, more affordable, and more stable. Solana now powers Helium Mobile’s token storage, demonstrating how blockchain can redefine connectivity.

As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Helium Mobile blends its decentralized network with T-Mobile’s infrastructure. This unique model allows users to earn tokens and even offset their phone bills—a game-changer in telecom.

Tune in to hear how Helium Mobile is disrupting the telecom landscape with its community-driven approach, proving that blockchain technology can empower individuals and redefine the way we stay connected.

Helium Mobile: https://hellohelium.com/

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Have you ever considered how many frontier models could exist if open source AI was monetizable? This is the core problem that Bagel solves, and co-founder Bidhan Roy is creating a way to make open source AI monetizable. In this episode of Everything Bagel, Alex Kehaya, and Bidhan dive into this groundbreaking vision and discuss a recent blog article highlighting innovative research from the Bagel team.

Founders and developers will gain insight into a significant breakthrough in verifiable inference spearheaded by Bagel. The episode details how verification times were reduced from 200 hours to just a minute through advanced fingerprinting and watermarking technologies—a decentralized AI model management milestone.

The discussion also navigates the trade-offs between scalability and accuracy, comparing probabilistic and deterministic systems. For developers working in fields like high-frequency trading or any area reliant on precision, understanding these trade-offs is crucial.

They explore the challenges of monetizing open-source AI, the role of verifiable inference, and how Bagel is building economic incentives to empower developers. Bidhan shares insights into the open-source community's potential to rival closed AI labs and explains how Bagel is shaping the future of decentralized AI networks. 

Tune in to learn how Bagel’s work transforms the open-source AI landscape and drives innovation forward.

Bagel website: https://www.bagel.net/

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What if open-source AI Could Be Both Powerful and Profitable?

In the first episode of Everything Bagel, Alex Kehaya sits down with Bidhan Roy, Founder & CEO of Bagel, a groundbreaking AI & Cryptography Research Lab that's making open-source AI monetizable.

Bidhan discusses how Bagel's innovative AI model architecture empowers anyone to contribute to open-source AI development while ensuring fair compensation for their work. Utilizing novel cryptographic techniques, Bagel's fine-tuning technology records the evolution of open-source AI models—tracking every contribution and rewarding every creator automatically.

By leveraging cryptography, Bagel addresses the current imbalance in AI development dominated by tech giants. The company is creating a new economic framework that incentivizes collaboration and fosters a thriving, decentralized AI ecosystem.

Enjoyed the conversation? Like and subscribe for the latest insights on AI & cryptography, and join the Bagel community to be part of the open-source AI revolution!

The future of monetizable open-source AI begins now.

Bagel: https://blog.bagel.net/
X: https://x.com/BagelOpenAI

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What if you could move assets seamlessly across multiple chains while prioritizing security and decentralization?

This week on The Index, we join Omar Zaki, CEO of Mantis, for a deep dive into how trust-minimized transactions are reshaping blockchain interactions. This conversation explores how Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) and zero-knowledge (zk) technology are driving the future of interoperable, secure, and efficient blockchain ecosystems.

Omar walks us through the collaborative ethos driving innovation within the SVM ecosystem and the open-source development that supports it. Looking ahead, we also explore the intersection of cryptocurrency, AI, and the self-custody revolution, touching on the growing interest in meme coins like GOAT and the potential for virtual marketplaces for AI agents to flourish.

This episode highlights the potential of crypto off-ramps, such as Bridge and FuseWallet, to transform small business operations through seamless transactions and reduced fees. As we explore these advancements, we are reminded of the exciting opportunities they present for earning yield and promoting crypto adoption in everyday business practices.

Mantis: https://x.com/mantis

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