Marc from Algorand joins Sam to unpack their 2025 roadmap, the push for mainstream adoption, and lessons he brings from his time at Google and Android. He explains Algorand’s unique developer-friendly features, its work on quantum security, and how AI integration will accelerate the next wave of blockchain applications.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00] Intro & Marc’s journey: from Google/Android to Algorand.

• [00:03] The trilemma solved? Algorand’s verifiable random functions & instant finality.

• [00:04] Six years of uptime: reliability & scaling to real-world use cases.

• [00:05] The 4-pillar roadmap: values, mainstream adoption, tokenization/identity, research.

• [00:07] Competing with other L1s/L2s: reliability + dev-friendly built-ins.

• [00:09] Mainstream adoption: UX challenges, wallets, seed recovery, gas abstraction.

• [00:12] Balancing simplicity with self-custody & decentralization.

• [00:14] Algorand’s “North Star” metrics for adoption & growth.

• [00:15] Marketing that worked: “Can a Blockchain Do That?” campaign.

• [00:16] AI integration: Algorand 4.0, hackathons, LLM training, agents & payments.

• [00:20] If Marc could remove one thing from blockchain culture → rugging.

• [00:21] Lessons from Google: user-first, rapid iteration, shipping daily.

• [00:23] Respect in Web3: why Circle stands out.

• [00:24] Misconceptions: people underestimate Algorand’s DeFi UX.

• [00:25] Quantum security: state proofs, Falcon signatures, securing the ledger.

• [00:28] Roadmap execution: xGov community governance + ecosystem collaboration.

• [00:31] Hackathons, grants, accelerator/incubator funnel for startups.

• [00:33] Big ecosystem event: Decipher planned for 2025.

  
  

Connect

https://algorand.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/algorandfoundation/

https://x.com/AlgoFoundation

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcvl/

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Declan Fox from Consensys joins Sam to discuss Linea — Ethereum’s zkEVM rollup with the largest ecosystem fund in Web3. He shares his journey from private blockchains to launching Linea, the chain’s unique tokenomics, native yield, and burn mechanism, and why distribution (not just tech) will define the winners in the L2 race.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00] Declan’s journey from driverless cars → private chains → Consensys & Linea.

• [00:04] Linea’s mission: gateway to Ethereum for users, institutions & capital.

• [00:06] Differentiation in L2 wars: distribution > just faster/cheaper tech.

• [00:08] Ecosystem fund: 75% of supply for builders, LPs, open-source software.

• [00:10] Tokenomics: burn mechanism — 20% ETH, 80% Linea token.

• [00:11] Ether X: new institutional-grade DEX on Linea solving the DEX trilemma.

• [00:12] Next narratives: tokenized equities, institutional DeFi, payments.

• [00:14] Key challenge: regulation & Ethereum’s global perception vs. other L1s.

• [00:17] Lessons learned: focus on UX, partner selection, community building.

• [00:21] Roadmap: native yield (staking ETH bridged to Linea) + burn live Q3.

• [00:25] Great consolidation of L2s — few winners, many sunset chains.

• [00:27] Ask: Builders, institutions, and funds to join Linea’s ecosystem.

  
  

Connect

https://consensys.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/polygonlabs/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-fox-b743869b/

https://x.com/LineaBuild

https://x.com/DeclanFox14

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Description

Richard and Johanna from Data Guardians Network (D-GN) join Sam to discuss building a decentralized data infrastructure for AI training. They explain how D-GN turns human input into high-quality, traceable datasets, pays contributors in stablecoins, and solves the cost, quality, and bias problems plaguing AI. They also dive into scaling challenges, community building, and the future of AI + Web3.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00] Intro & founders’ journeys into Web3 + AI.

• [00:03] What D-GN is: decentralized, ethical AI training data.

• [00:04] The gap: expensive, slow, low-quality AI data pipelines.

• [00:06] Why stablecoins (USDT) over a volatile native token.

• [00:10] Diversity of contributors = less bias in AI models.

• [00:12] Customer base: enterprises, gov contracts, customizable datasets.

• [00:14] Guarding against synthetic data contamination.

• [00:17] Real-world missions: localizing driverless car data.

• [00:20] Risk: scaling into new industries fast enough.

• [00:22] North Star: contributors annotating data; goal of 1M+ by year-end.

• [00:26] Moat: network, enterprise pipeline, gamified contributor system.

• [00:28] Predictions: AI + blockchain integration will explode.

• [00:31] Overhyped trends: meme coins, GambleFi, early-stage hype cycles.

• [00:33] Quantum computing will reshape the industry.

• [00:38] Asks: partners aligned on vision, top talent hires, industry expansion.
  

Connect

https://www.dataguardians.network/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-guardians-network/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-cabildo-1217b4113/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjohnson10/

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Prashant from Spheron Network joins Sam to discuss building a decentralized compute marketplace at the intersection of AI and Web3. He explains Spheron’s demand-driven model, why compute is the next scarce digital commodity, and how microtransactions will power AI agents. They also cover DePIN challenges, token economics, and Spheron’s global growth strategy.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00] Prashant’s journey from software dev to crypto via curiosity.

• [00:04] Spheron’s pivot to decentralized compute; lessons from early infra missteps.

• [00:06] Demand > supply — compute as the real scarce commodity in AI era.

• [00:07] Clients: devs & communities spinning up nodes in 3 clicks.

• [00:10] Why microtransactions struggled — and why AI will revive them.

• [00:16] Spheron’s role in enabling AI agent-to-agent compute payments.

• [00:18] Business traction: $15M/year revenue; enterprise & Asia expansion.

• [00:20] Ecosystem products (SuperNodes, Clippy, Skynet) driving internal demand.

• [00:22] AI agent use cases Prashant is most bullish on (research, sales, daily digests).

• [00:24] DePIN reality check — why most projects fail to sustain.

• [00:28] Why Spheron needs a token (Spawn) instead of just stablecoins.

• [00:31] Bold prediction for 2026: Crypto as the backbone for AI & global trade.

• [00:33] What’s next: staking, enterprise AI arm, retail network expansion, founder partnerships.
  

Connect

https://www.spheron.network/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/spheron/

https://x.com/spheronfdn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/techprashantmaurya/

https://x.com/prashant_xyz

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Ran Hammer from Orbs joins Sam to break down how Layer 3 can give DeFi the same advanced execution tools as CeFi. He explains Orbs’ role powering advanced orders, liquidity aggregation, and intent-based perpetuals for major DEXs — plus his take on the biggest problems in DeFi today and where Orbs is going next.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Intro & Ran’s journey from tech lawyer to Orbs’ business lead.

• [00:03:00] What “Layer 3” means: functionality beyond L1/L2 scaling.

• [00:05:00] Liquidity Hub: solving fragmented liquidity for DEXs.

• [00:09:00] Perpetual Hub Ultra: intent-based on-chain Perps with high leverage.

• [00:11:00] DTwap Protocol: advanced order types (Twap, DCA, limits) for DEXs.

• [00:13:00] Orbs’ Delegated Proof-of-Stake network & execution design.

• [00:16:00] Biggest DeFi problem: fragmentation & poor UX.

• [00:18:00] Scaling challenge: expanding beyond DEXs.

• [00:21:00] View on aggregators, HyperLiquid, and new ecosystems.

• [00:28:00] What’s next: stop-loss/take-profit orders, Perps expansion, chain upgrades, governance decentralization.

• [00:29:00] Partnerships, hiring, and upcoming events.
  

Connect

https://www.orbs.com/

https://t.me/OrbsNetwork

https://x.com/orbs_network

https://x.com/hammer86r

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Riaz Mehta, founder of Ritestream, joins Sam to talk about disrupting Netflix with a decentralized, fan-funded streaming platform. He explains how Ritestream empowers creators, shares revenue with viewers, and uses NFTs and tokens to bring transparency to film financing — plus the role AI will play in reshaping media.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Intro: Riaz Mehta shares how Ritestream is reinventing film funding and streaming

• [00:02:00] Journey into Web3: From early Bitcoin exposure to a Vitalik meetup in 2017

• [00:04:00] Why Ritestream: Solving funding gaps and ownership problems in media

• [00:06:00] Fan-Powered Entertainment: Letting users co-fund and benefit from movie success

• [00:08:00] Web3 vs Web2: Transparency, on-chain revenue, and smart contracts as game changers

• [00:12:00] Business Model: Launchpad fees, ad-driven revenue sharing, and token buybacks

• [00:17:00] Content Trends: Action, comedy, and crypto-native audiences on Ritestream Plus

• [00:19:00] Decentralized Curation: DAOs will decide what gets made and what gets streamed

• [00:20:00] Industry Blindspots: Why Hollywood still doesn’t get Web3

• [00:24:00] UX Matters: Reducing friction for viewers while rewarding those who opt in

• [00:25:00] Kryptonite TV: Web3’s Shark Tank, funded and launched on Ritestream

• [00:27:00] Founder Advice: Focus on real value, ignore noise, and understand timing

• [00:30:00] AI’s Impact: Lowering production costs, generating talent, and transforming workflows

• [00:31:00] Value Accrual: Future of media lies in distribution and on-chain data ownership

• [00:32:00] Final Ask: Community participation, fundraising, and checking out Kryptonite TV
  

Connect

https://www.ritestream.io/

https://x.com/ritestream_io

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritestream/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/riaz-mehta/

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Laura from Gate Ventures joins Sam to share what founders need to succeed in today's crypto VC landscape. She discusses her investing journey, current thesis (stablecoins, RWAs, DeSci, and robotics), key founder traits, and how to pitch VCs the right way.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Intro: Sam introduces Laura and her dual role at Gate Ventures and Gate.com.

• [00:03:00] Laura's Journey: From college Bitcoin curiosity to ICO marketing to angel investor and VC.

• [00:05:00] Gate Ventures Thesis: Revenue-focused, early-stage projects in RWA, stablecoins, and payments.

• [00:08:00] Market Trends: Why institutions are focused on yield-bearing products this cycle.

• [00:11:00] Founder Support: How Gate Ventures helps with intros, distribution, VCs, KOLs, and exchange access.

• [00:13:00] What Great Founders Have: Traits like domain expertise, hustle, clarity, traction, and storytelling.

• [00:19:00] Killer Use Case Prediction: Web2 → Web3 onboarding through better UX, clear value, and incentives.

• [00:23:00] How to Pitch Gate: Laura’s ideal pitch format for early-stage founders.

• [00:26:00] Overrated & Underrated: AI agents are overhyped. Forensics, defense, and DeSci are underexplored.

• [00:30:00] What’s Next for Gate: More global deal flow, deeper university engagement, and earlier-stage bets.

Connect

https://www.gate.com/

https://x.com/gate_io

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurakornelija/

https://x.com/laura_gateio

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode of Web3 with Sam Kamani, Bruno Maia, Head of Growth at Cartesi, shares his journey from telecom to Web3, his early ICO days, and how he joined Cartesi to help expand Ethereum’s design space with verifiable computation.

Cartesi is building a Stage 2 optimistic rollup infrastructure with a fully verifiable Linux-based VM, enabling developers to write dApps in any language using familiar tools — without sacrificing decentralization or Ethereum security guarantees.

Whether you're building in Web3, exploring zero-trust infrastructure, or just curious about the future of Ethereum scaling, this is a must-listen episode.

 Key Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces the episode with Bruno Maia from Cartesi.

• [00:01:00] Bruno’s Background: From telecom and Qualcomm to ICOs and joining Web3 full-time in 2018.

• [00:03:00] Joining Cartesi: How Bruno became Head of Growth at Cartesi, co-founded by a longtime friend.

• [00:04:00] The Origin of Cartesi: Started as a verifiable AI marketplace, evolved into general-purpose rollup infra.

• [00:06:00] Cartesi's Infrastructure: RISC-V-based Linux VM, app-specific optimistic rollups, and Ethereum security.

• [00:07:00] Stage 2 Rollup Compliance: Importance of full trust minimization and Cartesi’s dispute resolution mechanisms.

• [00:08:00] Use Cases: Advanced DeFi, verifiable AI, carbon credits, and decentralized gaming (e.g. PlayRise.io).

• [00:10:00] Developer Onboarding: Lowering the barrier for Web2 devs with full Linux support and rich dev tools.

• [00:12:00] Developer Strategy: Why targeting quality builders and full-funnel engagement matters more than hackathons.

• [00:14:00] Key KPI: Bruno explains why external funding for Cartesi-based projects is a core growth metric.

• [00:17:00] Monetization: Validator marketplace, token utility, attention economy, and long-term sustainability.

• [00:20:00] Biggest Objections: Why being a non-EVM, Linux-based rollup was initially misunderstood — but is now an advantage.

• [00:24:00] BD in Web3 vs Web2: Bruno explains how Web3 BD is closer to startup building — not sales.

• [00:29:00] Lessons Learned: Aligning GTM with product maturity and choosing the right users for the right stage.

• [00:30:00] The Future: Bruno and Sam discuss stablecoins, RWAs, Bitcoin, and the killer app potential of on-chain cash flows.

• [00:36:00] On RWAs: The real unlock is when real-world cash flows (e.g. rent, yield) hit the chain natively.

• [00:39:00] The Tech Stack Is Ready: Modular infra, rollups, DA, ZK, privacy, and liquidity coordination are all converging.

• [00:41:00] Final Ask: Bruno invites developers, white-hat hackers, and collaborators to engage with Cartesi’s honeypot challenge and infra.

  
  

Connect

https://cartesi.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmaia/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cartesi/

https://x.com/bmaia_expat

https://x.com/cartesiproject

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Jan, founder of OpenMind, joins Sam to discuss how they're building a memory layer for AI agents in Web3.

They cover the limitations of stateless agents, OpenMind’s modular memory architecture, and how developers can build “smart, sovereign agents” that persist across time, dApps, and chains. Jan also shares insights on use cases across DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs, and how OpenMind is designing for both developers and end users.

If you're exploring the future of AI x Web3, this episode is packed with key insights.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Jan and OpenMind’s mission.

• [00:01:00] Jan’s Background: Journey into Web3 and AI, and what led to founding OpenMind.

• [00:02:30] Problem with Agents Today: Why stateless AI agents don’t work long term.

• [00:04:00] What OpenMind Does: A memory infrastructure layer for AI agents in Web3.

• [00:05:00] Modular Approach: Indexers, vector DBs, and plug-and-play architecture.

• [00:06:00] Use Cases: Agents for DeFi, personalized NFT experiences, DAO workflows, and beyond.

• [00:08:00] Developer Tools: APIs, SDKs, and how to get started building with OpenMind.

• [00:09:00] Open vs Closed Memory: Why on-chain provenance and user control matter.

• [00:11:00] Vision for AI Agents: Autonomous, persistent, and identity-aware.

• [00:13:00] Why Web3 Matters: Data ownership, composability, and aligned incentives.

• [00:15:00] OpenMind’s Ask: Builders, partners, and early adopters — reach out!
  

Connect

https://openmind.org/

https://x.com/openmind_agi

https://www.linkedin.com/company/openmindagi/

https://x.com/janliphardt

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-liphardt/

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - ⁠https://www.web3pod.xyz/⁠

Simon Davis, founder of GOAT Gaming and Mighty Bear Games, joins Sam to unpack how they’re using Telegram, AI agents, and meme culture to scale Web3-native games.

He breaks down their AI-powered assistant “Amy,” the technical challenges of building engaging agents, and how GOAT reached 6M+ users with Telegram-first distribution. They also discuss player retention, designing social-first games, and why the future belongs to AI-native studios using crypto as the default payment layer.

Whether you're a builder, gamer, or curious founder—this episode is packed with Web3 insights.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Intro: Simon from GOAT Gaming joins to talk AI, gaming, and Web3.

• [00:01:00] Simon’s Background: From music to QA to founding Mighty Bear Games.

• [00:02:00] Early Crypto Journey: Buying BTC in 2015 and going full-time Web3 in 2021.

• [00:03:00] Why Telegram?: 6M players through native distribution and UX.

• [00:05:00] Retention vs Airdrop Farming: The difference between community and extractors.

• [00:06:00] Amy the AI Agent: How she engages players with chat-native games and events.

• [00:07:00] Launching Grand Theft Pepe: A meme-inspired game with real NFTs.

• [00:08:00] Native vs Opportunistic Builds: What separates successful Telegram games.

• [00:10:00] Telegram Gaming 2.0: Shift from airdrop farming to social-first experiences.

• [00:12:00] Game Habits: Simon shares how he stays current across genres.

• [00:14:00] Designing Amy: From boring chatbot to a unique personality with narrative depth.

• [00:16:00] Gaming as Social Glue: Why players show up for people, not just gameplay.

• [00:17:00] Guardrails & Responsibility: Ethical design for AI agents in public spaces.

• [00:19:00] Rebuilding Today: How AI would change team size, speed, and funding approach.

• [00:20:00] Billion-Dollar Studios with 3 People?: Why it’s not just possible—it’s near.

• [00:21:00] AI x Crypto: Why LLMs and Web3 are natural complements for the agent economy.

• [00:23:00] Biggest Challenge: Hiring AI-native talent in a fast-changing world.

• [00:24:00] Final Ask: Try GOAT Gaming on Telegram, give feedback, and connect if you’re building.
  

Connect

CEO & Co-Founder: https://x.com/skilllevel7 

Telegram Miniapp - https://t.me/goatgamingbot/goatgaming?startapp=src_Gens 

Telegram Community: https://t.me/goatgamingtribe

Telegram Announcements: https://t.me/playgoatgaming

Telegram AlphaGOATs Announcements: https://t.me/alphagoatsai

Twitter: https://x.com/playgoatgaming 

Website: https://goatgaming.com 

Discord: https://discord.gg/goatgaming 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@playgoatgaming

Disclaimer

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/