Lightspeed

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Misha Putiatin, Co-Founder of Symbiotic, to discuss the evolution of shared collateral infrastructure, the launch of Core V2, and the future of bringing real-world assets onchain. We also cover liquidity, composability, risk management, compliance challenges, institutional adoption, and Symbiotic’s roadmap for expanding collateral markets and DeFi integratio...

Gm! In today's episode, we discuss Strategy's Bitcoin treasury approach, whether crypto markets can decouple from Bitcoin, slowing momentum in tokenized stocks, listing strategies for onchain equities, the battle between Solana, Hyperliquid, and centralized exchanges, and whether renewed meme coin activity signals a broader revival in Solana trading. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lig...

Gm! In today's episode, we're joined by Armani Ferrante, founder and CEO of Backpack, to discuss the evolution of Backpack, tokenized equities, regulatory strategy, and building a crypto-native financial institution. We also explore Solana's growth, market structure, token design, 24/7 stock trading, global financial infrastructure, and the long-term role of tokenized assets and decentralized netw...

Gm! In this episode, we break down the latest developments in tokenized equities, including Backpack’s stock offerings on Solana and growing competition from Base. We also discuss the rise of social trading platforms like Fomo, Noble Mobile’s acquisition of Helium Mobile, Helium’s evolving network economics, HIP-149, and what these changes could mean for the next phase of growth across the DePIN s...

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Hardhat Chad, Foreman at ORE, to discuss the origins and evolution of ORE Protocol, including its transition from proof-of-work mining on Solana to its current grid mining system. We cover mining incentives, token emissions, protocol revenue and buybacks, proof of useful work, community governance, security improvements, quantum-resistant infrastructure, val...

Gm! In today’s episode we cover prediction market activity around major sporting events, growing interest in tokenized equities following recent IPOs, the role of platforms like Backpack in bringing stocks onchain, liquidity and market structure challenges, the relationship between tokens and equity, evolving governance models, DeFi use cases for tokenized assets, and the rise of institutional-foc...

Gm! In this episode, we’re joined by Anas Khader, Founder of Flash Trade, to discuss the protocol’s journey from building alongside Mango Markets to launching a Solana-native perpetuals exchange. We cover Flash Trade’s pool-to-peer liquidity model, expansion into equities, commodities, and forex perps, its new Magic Block-powered execution engine, security and oracle design, the future of 24/7 mar...

In this special episode, Blockworks announces its acquisition of Messari and unpacks what it means for crypto’s next phase. Michael and Jason explore why Messari’s breadth of data, APIs, and research complement Blockworks’ deep on-chain analytics, investor relations, and disclosure products. They also address crypto’s trust problem, the need for standardized data and disclosures, and how Blockwork...

Gm! In today’s episode, we discuss Solana’s value accrual challenges, including proposed tokenomics changes, fee burn mechanisms, inflation reduction, and network upgrade timelines. We also examine the release of Anthropic’s Claude Fable model and its implications for software development, cybersecurity, and crypto, before exploring DeFi security risks, protocol valuations, and Michael Saylor’s in...

Gm! In this episode we’re joined by Ben Nadareski, Co-Founder and CEO of Solstice, to discuss his background in traditional finance and crypto, the development of Solstice’s tokenized yield infrastructure on Solana, and the roles of its USX, eUSX, and SLX assets. We also cover institutional and retail adoption, delta-neutral and private credit strategies, planned AI-focused products, token utility...

Gm! In today’s episode we discuss recent developments in U.S. cryptocurrency perpetual futures regulation, including CFTC approval of Bitcoin perpetual contracts and implications for centralized and decentralized trading platforms. We also cover a proposed Solana fee mechanism aimed at increasing token burn, before examining the surge in Pokémon card speculation and the growth, economics, and risk...

Gm! In this episode, we're joined by Brian Huang, Co-Founder of Glider, to discuss his journey from institutional trading and crypto custody to building an onchain investing platform. We explore the rise of tokenized assets, portfolio automation, chain abstraction, DeFi yield opportunities, risk management, institutional adoption, and the future of personalized investing. Brian also shares Glider'...

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Thomas Lefort, Co-Founder of Exponent, to discuss the evolution of onchain interest rate markets, the limitations of Exponent’s first product iteration, and the launch of Exponent V2. We cover fixed-rate DeFi infrastructure, RWAs, strategy vaults, risk management, institutional adoption, and the growing demand for more sophisticated yield products on Solana....

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Robin, CEO and Founder of Raiku, to discuss his background in crypto and the development of Raiku’s Solana infrastructure products focused on faster, more predictable transaction execution. We cover validator economics, stake dynamics, enterprise trading infrastructure, institutional adoption challenges, upcoming Solana network upgrades, and the evolving rol...

Gm! In this episode, we’re joined by Christopher Perkins, CEO of 250 Digital Asset Management, to discuss Franklin Templeton’s acquisition of 250 Digital Asset Management, the institutional adoption of crypto, tokenization, regulatory developments, DeFi infrastructure, derivatives markets, and prediction markets. We also explore the convergence of AI and crypto, public market access, operational r...

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Kash Dhanda, COO of Jupiter, to discuss Jupiter’s expanding DeFi strategy, including USDE integration, yield-generating assets, lending models, tokenized stocks, and perpetuals. We also cover stablecoin infrastructure, JLP and Jupnet development, Solana’s positioning in the broader crypto ecosystem, and Jupiter’s efforts to simplify DeFi products for mainstr...

Gm! In today’s episode we’re joined by Lucas Bruder, CEO of Jito Labs, to discuss the launch of JTX, a new Solana trading platform focused on professional retail users. We also cover transaction execution, Bam infrastructure, pricing improvements, competition with centralized exchanges, Solana market structure, prediction markets, privacy features, and Jito’s long-term vision for onchain trading....

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Chris from Loyal to discuss building smart-account infrastructure on Solana to automate onchain financial tasks, including stablecoin yield optimization and agent-driven policies. We cover smart wallets, Seeker app development, consumer crypto UX, token-based fundraising through MetaDAO, community building, and the broader future of agentic finance and payme...

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Eric and Hayden from Jito to discuss Solana Accelerate, the launch of Jito’s Maker Prioritization Plugin, and broader efforts to improve Solana’s market structure through more deterministic transaction scheduling. We also cover validator incentives, BAM architecture, plugin experimentation, perp and prediction markets, tokenized assets, and why user experien...

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Aya Kantorovich, Co-CEO of Upshift, to discuss the development of multi-chain vault infrastructure, its origins in onchain prime brokerage, and key lessons from past market failures. We cover security risks, institutional adoption, evolving regulation, cross-chain expansion, and broader trends including 24/7 markets, credit strategies, and tokenized assets....

Gm! In today’s episode we discuss Solana’s Q1 performance, highlighting growth in tokenized real-world assets and shifting trading activity. We also cover Pumpfun’s buyback changes, Pumpcade’s token-equity model, and broader challenges in building competitive perpetuals markets on Solana, including liquidity, user acquisition, and infrastructure constraints. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x...

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dann and Miir of Meteora to discuss their role as a core liquidity layer on Solana. We cover their evolution from integrations to product focus, the shift from passive yield farming to active LP strategies, and what’s next for DeFi liquidity. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Meteora: https://x.com/MeteoraAG Follow Miir: http...

Gm! In this episode, we’re joined by Xavier Ekkel, Founder of PreStocks, to explore the rise of PreStocks and tokenized access to private equity. We cover pricing and liquidity dynamics, Solana’s role in distribution, retail participation, onchain price discovery, IPO transitions, and the broader evolution of tokenized pre-IPO markets. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Fo...

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Ian Unsworth, Co-founder of Kairos Research, to break down the KelpDAO hack and its impact on DeFi, from liquidity outflows to risk management. We also cover stablecoin yield strategies, Ethena’s backing model, Layer 2 risks like Scroll, and emerging infrastructure like DoubleZero Edge. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Kairo...

Gm! In this episode, we’re joined by Austin Federa, Co-Founder of DoubleZero, to discuss the network’s growth, its shift to Edge-based data monetization, and the role of high-speed data in trading. We also cover Solana’s roadmap, validator dynamics, DeFi fairness, and evolving Foundation strategy amid shifting regulatory and institutional conditions. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lig...