The Index Podcast

From trading desks at UBS to leading global growth at one of the fastest-growing blockchains in the world — Xen Baynham-Herd's journey through crypto is as wild as the industry itself.In this episode, Alex sits down with Xen, Head of Marketing & Global Growth at Base, to unpack what it really takes to bring the world on-chain. If you're building in Web3 or just trying to understand where this is all going, this one's for you.Topics covered:

The man behind one of Solana's most foundational DeFi protocols finally sits down with us. Michael Hwang, CEO of Orca, breaks down how a protocol that's been quietly powering Solana's liquidity for 5+ years is now stepping into the spotlight — and building infrastructure for the next era of on-chain finance.What we cover:

What if every hot take you had could instantly become a trade? Jason Rodrigues, Founder of Cesto, is building exactly that on Solana — and it might be the most exciting DeFi product you haven't heard of yet.Cesto lets anyone invest in curated baskets of assets built around ideas, narratives, and trends — from semiconductors and AI to sports teams and geopolitical headlines. In this episode, host Nicki Scans sits down with Jason to explore how Cesto is turning finance into something you actually feel — and how Solana makes it all possible.

What does it take to build a truly decentralized exchange that can compete with traditional financial markets?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Dhrumil, Co-Founder of Archer Exchange, joins us to discuss why Solana is uniquely positioned to power the next generation of on-chain trading and how Archer is building a fully on-chain order book designed for transparency, efficiency, and deep liquidity.From democratizing market making to creating infrastructure for tokenized real-world assets, Dhrumil shares the vision behind Archer and what it takes to build an exchange that stays true to DeFi principles.Key Topics Covered

What happens when you combine rare whiskey, real-world assets, and Solana?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Alex Kehaya sits down with Tzvi Wiesel, Founder & CEO of Baxus, to explore how one of the most unique RWA platforms in crypto is bringing rare spirits, collectibles, lending, and liquidity fully onchain.From tokenized whiskey bottles and decentralized financing to physical asset authentication and viral whiskey vending machines, Todd shares how Baxus is building the future of collectibles on Solana.What You'll Learn: 

What if you could turn an idea into a live Solana app without writing code?In this episode of The Index Podcast, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Jordan O'Neill, CMO and co-founder of Eitherway, to explore how AI agents are making Web3 app development faster, easier, and more accessible for builders around the world.Jordan breaks down how Eitherway helps users prompt, build, deploy, and monetize production-ready apps across Web2, mobile, and Web3 — with deep integrations across the Solana ecosystem.In this episode, we cover: 

What does it take to build the best perps trading experience on Solana?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Alex Kehaya sits down with Hunter Simmons, CTO & Co-Founder, and Jordan Prince, CEO & Co-Founder, of Imperial Perps to unpack why Solana perps are evolving fast, what traders actually need, and how Imperial is building a clearer, more transparent trading experience for the next wave of onchain users.From fee transparency to better routing, liquidation risk, UX, and the “seek truth” mindset behind great products, this conversation breaks down where Solana DeFi is heading — without the jargon.In this episode:

AI agents are coming on-chain — and Clawpump wants Solana to be their home base. In this episode of The Index Podcast, Nicky Scanella sits down with Bunny, Mauricio Trujillo Ramirez, co-founder of Clawpump and Tektonic, to unpack how autonomous AI agents could trade, earn, pay for compute, and interact with DeFi in real time.From “eternal agents” to x402, Solana speed, and the future of agentic finance, this conversation breaks down one of the most exciting intersections in Web3: AI x crypto.In this episode, we cover: 

What if markets — not committees — made the big decisions behind crypto fundraising?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Alex Kehaya sits down with Proph3t, co-founder of MetaDAO, to unpack how Solana-native fundraising is evolving, why token launches are being reimagined, and how decision markets could reshape how founders raise, govern, and scale.In this episode, we cover:

Crypto adoption isn't just about better tech… it's about better culture.In this episode, John Wilson & Amol Gharte, cofounders of Solana Spaces, break down how real-world experiences are onboarding the next wave of Web3 users.From viral pop-ups to global community building, this is what happens when crypto steps out of the screen and into real life.

What if you could launch a full Solana application just by describing your idea in plain English? Amit Ishairzay and Bilal Shahid, co-founders of Poof (poof.new), are building exactly that — and it's already live.From prediction markets to token escrows to DePIN apps for cleaning up dog poop (yes, really), builders are shipping on-chain products faster than ever. Here's how they're doing it.In this episode:

What if ripping open Pokémon packs as a kid was actually your billion-dollar origin story? Jake, Co-Founder of Phygitals, built a $180M on-chain trading card marketplace on Solana,  bootstrapped, shot down by 7 VCs, and still winning. This one hits different. In this episode, we cover:

Most DeFi protocols are one hack away from collapse. Plish is building Hylo differently — and in this episode, he breaks down exactly why.From winning the Colosseum Radar Hackathon to crossing $100M TVL, Hylo is rewriting the rules of decentralized stablecoins on Solana. No external dependencies. No borrowed risk. Just battle-tested code.What we cover:

What does it take to build the most trusted wallet in the Solana ecosystem and keep it that way?What happens when every trade you make on-chain is public — and your friends start copy-trading you without asking? That's what pushed Kru Shah to build Umbra, the first live app on Arcium's Mainnet Alpha, and he's here to break down exactly how confidential compute is about to change everything on Solana.In this episode:

Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu sits down with host Alex Kehaya to talk about digital ownership, the agentic economy, and why everything we built in Web3 was secretly a proof of concept for what's coming next. This one hits differently.Alex shares how Nansen went all-in on agentic AI, deploying 75 OpenClaws across their entire team, building shared skill repositories, and pioneering what he calls "claw fooding" — getting AI agents to test and fix their own product. We also get deep into agentic trading, Nansen's new CLI that lets your AI agent trade on-chain, and why Alex believes the traditional trading interface is dead.

What if the real crypto opportunity isn't in Silicon Valley but in cargo ports, agricultural corridors, and emerging markets that Wall Street ignores? Arnold Lee moved there to find out.Arnold is the co-founder & CEO of Sphere Labs, building stablecoin payment infrastructure on Solana for the markets that need it most. This conversation goes deep.In this episode:

What We Cover:

What happens when a company has more AI agents than human employees? Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik joins The Index to break down exactly that and a whole lot more.Alex shares how Nansen went all-in on agentic AI, deploying 75 OpenClaws across their entire team, building shared skill repositories, and pioneering what he calls "claw fooding", getting AI agents to test and fix their own product. We also get deep into agentic trading, Nansen's new CLI that lets your AI agent trade on-chain, and why Alex believes the traditional trading interface is dead.In this episode:

What does it take to build the most trusted wallet in the Solana ecosystem and keep it that way?In this episode, Nicky sits down with Filip Dragoslavić, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Solflare, to talk about everything from the early days of Solana (think: 20 people in a Discord server with Anatoly answering every question himself) to what crypto wallets will look like in 2028 and beyond.Filip pulls back the curtain on how Solflare went from a simple staking tool to a full-blown super app, and why 40% of their users never even leave the wallet to interact with outside apps. They also dive deep into some of Solflare's most exciting bets:

What if your paycheck went straight into crypto, and you never had to sell to cover your expenses? Diego García, co-founder & CEO of Pyra (pyra.finance), is building exactly that on Solana. This one will make you rethink how you build wealth.In this episode, we cover:

What happens when AI agents can own wallets, spend money, and interact with the internet autonomously?In this episode of The Index Podcast, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Alfonso Gómez, Founder & CEO of Crossmint, to explore the emerging world of agentic commerce, AI-driven payments, and blockchain infrastructure built for the programmatic economy.Alfonso shares how Crossmint is building tools that make blockchain adoption as easy as integrating an API, enabling companies to add wallets, payments, and digital assets directly into real-world applications.The conversation dives into the future of AI agents with spending power, the role of stablecoins and card networks, and how new technologies could transform the way software interacts with money.You'll also hear fascinating stories from Alfonso's career, from helping design Google's “I'm not a robot” CAPTCHA to shaping messaging infrastructure at WhatsApp, before founding Crossmint to power the next generation of internet payments.

What happens when AI meets the Solana ecosystem?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Alex Kehaya sits down with Ben Coverston, founder of Harmonic, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming how startups are built, analyzed, and funded in the crypto space.Ben shares insights into how Harmonic is using AI to map the global startup ecosystem, identify emerging trends, and help investors and builders understand where innovation is happening fastest — including within the Solana ecosystem.The conversation dives into the intersection of AI, venture capital, crypto infrastructure, and data intelligence, and what it means for founders building the next generation of Web3 companies.If you're interested in AI-driven investing, startup intelligence, and the future of Solana, this episode is a must-watch.

How do you bring digital finance to hundreds of millions of users inside one of the world's largest messaging platforms?In this episode of The Index Podcast, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Irina Chuchkina, Chief Growth Officer at Wallet in Telegram, to explore how a crypto wallet integrated directly into Telegram is unlocking financial access for users around the world.Irina shares how Wallet in Telegram has already reached over 100 million users, and how stable digital dollars are helping people in high-inflation economies save, send, and spend money more easily. The conversation also dives into the growing Telegram economy, where wallets are powering payments across mini apps, creator channels, marketplaces, and digital services.They also discuss: • Why stablecoins are becoming essential in emerging markets • The rise of economic activity inside Telegram's ecosystem • Tokenized assets like stocks and ETFs becoming accessible globally • How messaging apps are evolving into financial platforms • The future of wallets, payments, and digital economiesWallet in Telegram aims to expand financial access to up to 1 billion Telegram users, making everyday digital finance as simple as sending a message.

Why is Solana becoming the home for real on-chain governance?In this episode of The Index, Dean Pappas (Director of Realms) explains how Solana's speed, low fees, and native transaction execution make it uniquely suited for scalable, programmable DAOs.We cover:• Why most DAOs fail — and how Solana fixes it • On-chain proposal execution vs. off-chain promises • The “Thanos Test” for true decentralization • Optimistic governance and fast decision-making • How Realms powers major Solana protocolsSolana isn't just built for DeFi and NFTs — it's built for coordination at scale. And Realms is turning governance into a competitive advantage.

In this episode of The Index Podcast, we sit down with Yash Agarwal, CEO of SendAI, to explore why Solana could become the financial layer for AI agents and how autonomous commerce is closer than we think.From launching the Solana Agent Kit (now one of the most widely used AI agent toolkits in crypto) to building an omni-distribution AI trading platform, Yash breaks down how SendAI is creating the tooling layer that enables AI agents to read, write, and transact directly on-chain.

Is gold about to become the most important asset on Solana?In this episode of The Index Podcast, host Nicky Scannella sits down with Usman Saleem, Founder of ORO, to explore how tokenized gold is evolving from a passive store of value into a productive, yield-bearing on-chain asset.With 100+ years of family history in the gold business, Usman brings a rare perspective to crypto bridging traditional gold markets with DeFi infrastructure. ORO isn't just “tokenizing gold.” It's building digital gold rails for the internet on Solana.We cover:Why simply mirroring spot price isn't enough for tokenized goldHow ORO generates real yield (including gold leasing)Why gold may outperform stablecoins as a savings assetBorrowing against gold at 10% instead of 30–40%The institutional unlock for $6–7 trillion in vaulted goldWhy Solana was the ideal ecosystem to launch OROWhat a mature tokenized gold DeFi ecosystem looks like in 5 yearsAs inflation erodes fiat and global markets shift, major institutions are increasing gold allocations. The question is no longer “Should gold be on-chain?” it's “Why isn't all gold digital yet?”If you care about DeFi, RWAs, stablecoins, or the future of capital markets on Solana, this episode is a must-watch.

What happens when most of the internet is no longer human?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Nicky Scannella sits down with Zach Meltzer, Founder of VeryAI, to explore the future of identity, AI agents, and trust in an increasingly synthetic world. As AI-generated content accelerates and autonomous agents begin managing wallets and transacting on-chain, the question becomes urgent: How do we prove what's real?Zach introduces the concept of “Proof of Reality”, combining privacy-preserving biometrics with AI deepfake detection to verify both the human and the content behind every digital interaction. The conversation dives into proof of personhood, the rise of “Know Your Agent (KYA),” the coming explosion of AI-driven transactions, and why crypto infrastructure, particularly Solana, is uniquely positioned to scale identity solutions to billions of users.If over 50% of online content is already synthetic, what happens when that number hits 90%? And could crypto have been built for AI agents all along?This episode explores the intersection of AI, blockchain, and the future of digital trust.

Who really gets access to the best opportunities in crypto?

What happens when real-world assets go fully on-chain with instant, 24/7 liquidity on Solana?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Alex Kehaya is joined by Will Beeson, Founder & CEO of Uniform Labs, to break down why liquidity is the missing piece holding back tokenized real-world assets, and how Solana is becoming the leading chain to solve it.Will shares his journey from building fintech banks and working inside global institutions like Standard Chartered, to launching infrastructure that connects TradFi and DeFi through instant settlement and institutional-grade liquidity.In this conversation, we cover:Why liquidity is the existential challenge for RWAsHow 24/7 instant settlement on Solana unlocks new financial primitivesUniform Labs' MultiLiquid protocol and its partnership with MetalayerTokenized money market funds, private credit, and DeFi vaultsWhy institutions are actively building on SolanaThe paradigm shift from holding cash to holding always-on yieldIf you're interested in Solana, RWAs, institutional crypto, or the future of financial infrastructure, this episode is for you.For more information:Learn more about Uniform Labs and follow the conversation directly from the source:Uniform Labs website: https://www.uniformlabs.co/ Will Beeson on X: https://x.com/will_beeson?lang=en Team & ecosystem updates on X: https://x.com/multiliquid_xyz Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

In this episode of The Index Podcast, Alex Kehaya sits down with Manish Dutta, Founder & CEO of Alpha Ledger, to unpack what it really takes to bring financial markets on-chain, the right way.Alpha Ledger is building regulated infrastructure that allows real-world assets (RWAs), equities, treasuries, and private credit to move on-chain with compliance, programmability, and real ownership at the core. This isn't about hype or speculation, it's about upgrading decades-old financial rails and unlocking global, 24/7 access to capital markets.In this conversation, we dive into:Why tokenization isn't a crypto trend, but a financial infrastructure upgradeThe critical difference between narrative tokenization vs. real asset ownershipWhy broker-dealers, transfer agents, and regulation matter on-chainHow digital asset treasuries and on-chain origination are reshaping capital formationWhy Solana is emerging as a serious layer for regulated financial assetsWhat happens when tokenization becomes boring and why that's the real winThis episode is a must-watch for founders building in crypto, institutions exploring RWAs, and anyone trying to understand how TradFi and on-chain finance are finally converging.For more information:Learn more about Alpha Ledger and follow the conversation directly from the source:Alpha Ledger website: https://www.alphaledger.com/Manish Dutta on X: https://x.com/dutta_manish?s=20Team & ecosystem updates on X: https://x.com/OmitowojuP?s=20Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What if staking wasn't just a passive yield strategy, but a fully tradable, financialized market?In this episode of The Index Podcast, host Nicky Scanz sits down with Eric Ashdown, Co-Founder of Pye Finance, to explore the next evolution of staking on Solana: stake trading.Eric breaks down how Pye Finance is unlocking liquidity from locked SOL and future staking rewards, turning Solana staking into what he calls an internet-native commodity market. Drawing parallels to oil, commodities trading, and traditional financial markets, the conversation dives deep into why staking is entering its financialization era and why this shift is inevitable.We cover everything from:Why Solana's validator ecosystem is stronger because it's hard to runHow stake trading can help professional validators survive the “race to zero”What new strategies open up when principal and yield are separatedWhy trust, relationships, and reputation matter more than ever in stakingAnd how Pye Finance could reshape incentives for validators, stakers, and institutions alikeIf you're a validator, staker, DeFi builder, or long-term Solana believer, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at where Solana staking and on-chain capital markets are headed next.To learn more about Pye Finance and how the protocol is building stake trading and on-chain capital markets on Solana, visit their official website at https://pye.fi/. You can also follow them on X for the latest updates, product announcements, and ecosystem insights.Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What does it really take to build and scale on Solana in 2026?In this episode of The Index Podcast, Alex Kehaya and Nicky Scanz sit down with Vibhu Norby, serial entrepreneur and member of the Solana Foundation, for a wide-ranging conversation on distribution, startup psychology, and Solana's biggest strategic battles ahead.Vibhu breaks down why “distribution is the product” and why no feature will ever fix a distribution problem. Drawing from years of building, shipping, and engaging directly with users, he shares hard-earned lessons for founders on go-to-market strategy, community building, and avoiding feature creep in an era of AI-assisted development.The conversation also dives deep into Solana's current challenges and priorities: from perps, RWAs, and payments, to global competition, regional adoption, and why Solana can't afford to take a single month off. Vibhu outlines why 2026 is the year of assets, and how the ecosystem is working toward making Solana the best place in the world to trade, build, and scale real-world financial infrastructure.If you're a founder, builder, or operator navigating Web3, this episode offers a rare, candid look into how the Solana Foundation thinks about growth, risk, and long-term execution, straight from someone in the arena.For more information on Solana's ecosystem, initiatives, and global development efforts, visit the Solana Foundation website athttps://solana.org. There you'll find resources for builders, updates on ecosystem priorities, and insights into how Solana is scaling on-chain infrastructure worldwide.Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What powers the fastest-growing blockchain oracle—and why is real-time, AI-ready data now mission-critical for DeFi? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Marcin Kaźmierczak, Co-founder of RedStone, the fastest-growing oracle network in web3. Together, they unpack how RedStone is redefining what on-chain data can do—for DeFi protocols, institutional finance, and AI agents alike.When a single bad tick can destroy an entire strategy, “good enough” data just won't cut it. RedStone is building the next-gen oracle layer: low-latency, manipulation-resistant price feeds that move at Solana speed, span multiple chains, and empower everything from loans and perps to tokenized treasuries and real-world assets.We explore RedStone's acquisition of Credora, a DeFi ratings platform that turns protocol complexity into clean, institutional-grade risk signals. Because behind every juicy APR is a deeper truth—governance dynamics, multisig vulnerabilities, oracle exposure. Ratings help users choose risk on purpose, while giving institutions the audit-ready insights they need.And as AI agents begin to analyze markets, make trades, and interact with smart contracts, verifiable data isn't just helpful—it's an AI safety layer. We dive into how RedStone's architecture supports AI-native finance, from model training to real-time validation, all with MEV-aware design baked in.Whether you're building in DeFi, deploying capital, or experimenting with AI, this is a deep dive into the composable, verifiable, high-performance data layer powering the next era of web3.Enjoy the episode? Follow The Index, leave a review, and share it with someone building the future.Website: https://www.redstone.finance/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What happens when blockchain technology moves beyond finance to reshape the physical world around us? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Amira Valliani, Head of DePIN at the Solana Foundation we explore the revolutionary potential of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks and their impact on everything from telecommunications to satellite tracking.Amira's journey from the Obama White House to crypto advocacy offers a unique perspective on bridging the worlds of policy and blockchain innovation. What started as a simple "crypto week" to become conversant at dinner parties blossomed into a three-year mission to help policymakers understand the technology's potential while helping builders navigate Washington's complex landscape.The conversation takes us deep into the world of DePIN projects transforming multiple industries. We discover how GeoNet provides centimeter-precise mapping for agricultural applications, disrupting monopolistic players like John Deere who charge farmers tens of thousands annually for similar services. We explore companies deploying robots through gaming competitions to collect valuable environmental data for future autonomous systems. Perhaps most intriguingly, we learn about "Space DePIN" projects creating decentralized networks for tracking the rapidly growing constellation of satellites orbiting our planet.Beyond the technical innovations, Amira shares valuable insights about engaging with policymakers in Washington DC. She challenges the crypto community to move beyond skepticism and actually visit the Capitol, where they'll find many legislators genuinely curious about blockchain's potential. As she notes, the divide on crypto policy is "much more generational than partisan," with bipartisan support growing as more officials understand the technology's practical applications.If you're a dev working in Web3, exploring DePIN, or building real-world applications on Solana, this conversation offers insight into where the space is headed—and what still stands in its way.Website: https://solana.com/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What is the future of Bitcoin wealth? This week on The Index, Alex Kehaya sits down with Joe Kelly, CEO of Unchained, to explore the rise of a Bitcoin-focused financial services company built on self-sovereignty.From pioneering Bitcoin-backed loans to securing over 100,000 BTC as a full-suite wealth management platform, Kelly shares how Unchained grew into a 140-person team while staying true to core Bitcoin values.At the heart of their model is collaborative custody. Unlike traditional custodians, Unchained's multi-signature approach gives clients two keys, while the company holds just one—allowing access to loans and IRAs without giving up control. After the collapse of FTX, this model gained serious traction as a safer, more aligned alternative.Kelly opens up about balancing Bitcoin ideals with business realities, building products that satisfy both regulators and sovereignty-minded clients. The conversation also dives into Unchained's Bitcoin IRA, which blends tax compliance with key control—something never before possible in retirement accounts.You'll also hear about Unchained's Legacy Project, which supports education, development, and philanthropy in the Bitcoin ecosystem. As ETFs and institutions move in, Unchained keeps its sights set on empowering individual holders to truly own their financial future.Learn more at https://www.unchained.com/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What happens when traditional finance collides with decentralized networks? Hadley Stern, Chief Commercial Officer at Marinade Finance, takes us on a fascinating journey from his 18-year career at Fidelity Investments to the cutting edge of decentralized finance. Drawing from his pioneering experience leading Bitcoin initiatives as early as 2014, Hadley provides unique insights into why decentralized networks represent the future of global finance.The conversation explores the revolutionary convergence of traditional finance with blockchain technology. As tokenized equities begin trading on Solana through platforms like Superstate, we're witnessing a fundamental shift in market accessibility. Unlike previous attempts that merely tracked prices, these new offerings provide actual ownership with voting rights while enabling 24/7 global trading – a stark contrast to traditional exchanges' limited hours.Hadley articulates why this matters: "It comes back to this ethos of decentralization and the idea that networks, tools, software, things that we do every day that are currently handled by centralized entities can actually be handled by decentralized entities, and that's better for the world."The total addressable market for "internet capital markets" is staggering – potentially many trillions of dollars. With Solana processing more transaction volume than all other blockchains combined, Marinade Finance is strategically positioned at the center of this revolution as a staking provider for institutional players entering the space.The discussion also touches on fascinating technological parallels, including how AI and "vibe coding" are enabling developers to build applications that reach $100 million in revenue within months – a pace unimaginable even during the early internet boom.Whether you're an investor, builder, or simply curious about where finance is heading, this episode provides an illuminating roadmap to the future of capital markets. Subscribe to The Index Podcast for more conversations with visionaries shaping the next generation of technology and finance.Learn more at https://marinade.finance/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What if blockchain networks could process transactions hundreds of times faster than they do today? This fundamental question led Austin Federa to leave his position at the Solana Foundation and co-found Double Zero, a revolutionary project building what might be the future of the internet itself.Austin reveals the surprising limitations of our current internet infrastructure that most people never consider. While engineers at Solana had built validator clients theoretically capable of processing a million transactions per second, the public internet simply couldn't support those speeds. Even more concerning, the entire internet is controlled by approximately 20 tier-one ISPs worldwide, creating both performance bottlenecks and potential censorship vulnerabilities.Double Zero's solution is breathtakingly ambitious yet practical: create a parallel infrastructure using dedicated fiber connections that enable direct routing between nodes. By September 2023, they had connected 50 different fiber links across 18 global locations, offering 20-100 times the bandwidth capacity of typical blockchain nodes. What makes this approach unique is the consortium model, bringing together 11 different companies to contribute existing fiber to the network rather than attempting to build this massive infrastructure alone.The economic innovations are equally fascinating. Austin explains "proof of utility," their novel reward system based on Shapley values that measures actual contribution to network performance. Unlike traditional cryptocurrency models, if you operate a fiber link that nobody uses, you earn nothing. This creates fierce competition to provide the fastest, most reliable connections.Perhaps most intriguing is Double Zero's long-term vision: eventually eliminating IP addresses entirely in favor of cryptographic routing. This would remove centralized intermediaries like certificate authorities and DNS servers, creating a more secure and truly decentralized internet infrastructure resistant to spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks.As traditional finance increasingly explores blockchain solutions, the demand for high-performance networks will only grow. Double Zero isn't just improving existing technology—it's rebuilding the internet from the ground up. Listen now to understand how this revolution might transform our digital infrastructure forever.Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What happens when one of crypto's most prestigious investment firms decides to go all-in on Solana?In this episode of The Index Podcast, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Cosmo Jiang, General Partner at Pantera Capital, to unpack their groundbreaking move into the Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) space with HSDT Helios—a $500 million Solana-focused venture already making waves across the industry.Why Solana over other blockchains? Cosmo shares a refreshingly straightforward thesis, drawing on Jeff Bezos' “holy trinity” of consumer wants: faster, cheaper, and more accessible. It's this simple yet powerful framework that explains how Solana surged from generating $50,000 in revenue in 2020 to $1.4 billion in 2024—a growth curve impossible to ignore.Together, Alex and Cosmo dive deep into what makes Digital Asset Treasury companies work, why Solana-based DATs hold fundamental advantages over Bitcoin alternatives, and how these entities function more like sophisticated financial institutions. “These businesses look a lot like banks,” Cosmo explains. “If they can generate a return above their cost of capital, then they trade above book value.” It's a lens that helps founders and investors alike understand why premier DATs command sustainable premiums.For founders and crypto investors, this conversation is a master class on the rapidly expanding $80B DAT landscape, from evaluating which companies might outperform to exploring how regulatory tailwinds are opening new possibilities for tokenized equity in DeFi.Want to understand the future of institutional crypto adoption and how Solana is positioning itself at the center of this revolution? This episode is your essential guide.

What does the future of Ethereum and blockchain really look like — a few massive chains, or thousands of specialized ones working together? This week, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Sam McIngvale, Head of Product at OP Labs, to explore the evolution of Optimism from an Ethereum scaling solution into the creator of an entire ecosystem powered by the OP Stack.Sam breaks down the idea of the “Superchain” and many others share both technology and revenue. It's a model that combines customization with the security of shared, battle-tested infrastructure, creating a powerful network effect.You'll also hear his take on enterprise adoption and the rise of what he cleverly calls “DeFi Mullets” — familiar, traditional-looking financial products with decentralized rails underneath. Sam explains why users often trust brands like Coinbase over abstract decentralization, while still stressing the need for “escape hatches” to protect blockchain's core values.For builders in web3, this conversation offers a compelling vision: how institutions managing trillions could drive the next wave of adoption, and how enterprise solutions, better infrastructure, and interoperability are shaping that path.Ready to explore how open-source infrastructure is reshaping Ethereum and the broader blockchain landscape? Tune in and discover why the future may belong to those building bridges rather than walls between ecosystems.

The blockchain world is undergoing a fundamental shift. What once seemed possible—scaling Web3 to internet size with a single chain—is now recognized as unrealistic. The future belongs to specialized chains that excel at specific tasks while seamlessly communicating with one another.This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Mark Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, to discuss the next chapter in open source development and explore how the Aggregation Layer is unlocking a new era of blockchain interoperability. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on wrapped assets, the Aggregation Layer leverages zero-knowledge proofs to verify chain states and enable secure cross-chain transactions—solving critical issues with settlement control and reorganization risks that have long plagued current solutions.Boiron also unpacks the rapid evolution of zero-knowledge development. What experts once predicted would take 5–10 years has already been achieved in just two, hinting at an even greater wave of breakthroughs to come—both within and beyond blockchain.Rather than framing chains as competitors, Boiron envisions an ecosystem of collaboration, where specialized networks focus on their strengths—whether payments, gaming, or DeFi—while remaining interconnected. Even chains often seen as rivals, like Solana, could eventually integrate into this unified experience as demand for cross-chain assets grows.Ready to rethink blockchain scaling and interoperability? Tune in now to discover why the next era of Web3 won't be about competition between chains, but collaboration across them.Website: https://polygon.technology/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What happens when a computer science PhD specializing in AI pivots to blockchain technology? For Radha Dasari, Lead Technical Advocate at the Web3 Foundation, it was a journey fueled by a mission to combat digital misinformation and bring fairness to the internet.In this eye-opening episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Radha to explore how Polkadot has evolved since its early days of parachain auctions. He breaks down the move to Agile Coretime—a major innovation that dramatically lowers entry barriers for developers while keeping Polkadot's integrated security model intact. Unlike other multi-chain ecosystems where chain security varies, Polkadot's validator shuffling ensures uniform security across all parachains—a true differentiator in the blockchain space.The most fascinating part of our discussion emerges at the intersection of AI and blockchain. Drawing from his academic background in artificial intelligence, Radha explains how deepfakes and digital misinformation pushed him toward seeing blockchain as an “anchor for truth.” He shares exciting developments in content authenticity solutions built on blockchain technology and introduces us to Jam Protocol—a Gavin Wood project creating a decentralized supercomputer capable of running programs indefinitely.Radha's vision for Web3 goes far beyond financial applications—his passion lies in designing digital spaces rooted in fairness, authenticity, and trust.

What happens when you combine addictive gameplay with blockchain technology? According to Rick Johanson and Dan Peng, Founding Partners at Arbitrum Gaming Ventures, the answer isn't simply "add a token and hope for the best." Their refreshing approach prioritizes the core gameplay experience first, with blockchain features thoughtfully layered in only when they truly enhance the player experience.The gaming landscape is undergoing a profound transformation at the intersection of Web3 and artificial intelligence. As Dan Peng explains, "The core loop is ultimately what matters about a game, and then features built on top that offer benefits attached to crypto could make sense." This player-centric philosophy marks an evolution from earlier crypto gaming efforts that often prioritized tokenomics over fun.Where blockchain truly shines is in enabling verifiable user-created content, cross-game asset ownership, and new collaborative models between publishers and players. Meanwhile, AI tools are dramatically accelerating development cycles—what once took months or years can now be prototyped in days or even hours. Alex shares his experience vibe-coding an entire game prototype and viral marketing system in mere days using tools like Codex, demonstrating how these technologies are democratizing game development.This technological democratization creates what Rick Johanson calls "a window of opportunity where anyone, regardless of their technical proficiency, can turn ideas into action." Yet with this new power comes a surprising shift in competitive dynamics: "It's all go-to-market," Alex Kehaya notes, "Distribution is really the only thing that matters." As creation barriers fall, reaching and engaging users becomes the primary challenge.Arbitrum Gaming is addressing these evolving needs through their "Project Easy Mode" initiative, providing tailored support to different developer personas. Whether you're an established Web2 developer exploring blockchain or an indie creator pushing boundaries, their unconventional venture model offers flexibility and resources beyond mere funding.Curious about the future of gaming, AI, and blockchain? This conversation offers valuable insights for developers, investors, and players navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. The winners of tomorrow will be those who can harness these powerful tools while staying laser-focused on creating genuinely compelling player experiences.Arbitrum Gaming: https://arbitrum.io/X; https://x.com/arbitrumShow LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What happens when we can no longer trust the performance claims of AI model creators?That's the challenge driving LayerLens, an innovative platform bringing transparency and practical evaluation to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.In this episode, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Archie Chaudhury, Co-founder of LayerLens, to explore how blockchain-powered benchmarking can cut through the hype and deliver verifiable, real-world AI performance metrics. Unlike traditional academic benchmarks focused on abstract intelligence scores, LayerLens enables practical evaluations that reflect the real use cases businesses care about.Archie explains how the platform's integration with EigenLayer makes every step of the evaluation process transparent — every question, every answer, and whether the model got it right or wrong — removing the need to rely on self-reported claims from model creators.We also dig into LayerLens' vision for democratizing benchmark creation, empowering subject matter experts across industries to design their own domain-specific evaluations. This community-driven model builds a diverse library of practical tests that can better reflect the complexity of real-world challenges.From decentralized evaluation to the broader “Open Intelligence” stack — decentralized data, compute, training, and inference — this conversation reveals how LayerLens is shaping the future of AI accountability at a critical moment in the technology's evolution.Whether you're building with AI, investing in the space, or simply curious about how we can trust the systems making decisions on our behalf, this episode pulls back the curtain on what's really under the hood of your favorite AI models.

What if staking could be seamless, secure and DeFi-friendly? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Michael Repetny, Co-founder and CEO of Marinade Finance, the largest staking protocol on Solana with over $1.5 billion in crypto assets under management.Michael shares the remarkable journey behind Marinade—from a scrappy Solana hackathon project to a cornerstone of Solana's infrastructure. Built by a team that turned down VC funding and acquisition offers, Marinade's community-first ethos helped it scale organically while staying aligned with Solana's mission of decentralization.To help demystify staking, Michael breaks it down with an easy-to-grasp analogy: Solana is a representative democracy—validators act as political parties processing transactions, while token holders are citizens who delegate their voting power. Marinade leveled up this system with liquid staking, empowering users to earn staking rewards while staying active in DeFi. It's like earning yield without locking up your assets—having your cake and eating it too.The conversation also dives into Marinade's evolving product suite:mSOL – the OG liquid staking tokenMarinade Native – a no-smart-contract solution that stakes directly with validatorsMarinade Select – tailored for institutions prioritizing compliance and transparencyThese innovations are positioning Marinade as the go-to staking partner as Solana matures, financial institutional interest grows, and ETF discussions heat up.Whether you're building in Solana, buying tokens, or just want your assets to work harder—this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

What's stopping DeFi from going mainstream—and how can better UX, infrastructure, and automation unlock its full potential? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Vikram Arun, Co-founder of Superform, about building the future of on-chain wealth management. After managing a $100B DeFi book at BlockTower, Vikram saw a clear problem: if even institutional investors struggled with yield strategies, how could everyday users stand a chance?That insight led to Superform, a cross-chain platform now offering over 1,000 yield opportunities across 60 protocols and 12 chains. Vikram explains why many experienced users now prefer to delegate yield decisions—SuperVaults alone make up 60–70% of SuperForm's TVL—and how simplifying this process opens DeFi to a wider audience. He also shares the story behind “Piggy,” their AI Telegram assistant that started as a meme and evolved into a real tool for portfolio monitoring and personalized yield recommendations.The conversation dives into the tech stack behind Superform's growth, including how Ethereum standards like ERC4626 enabled composability, and what it would take to expand to ecosystems like Solana. Vikram also shares his take on the regulatory landscape, especially the momentum around stablecoin clarity and what that could mean for developers building in the space.Looking ahead, Vikram previews Superform V2—featuring smart accounts with email logins and passkeys, one-click DeFi actions, upgraded SuperVaults, and new "super assets" like SuperUSD and SuperBTC that automatically optimize yield across chains.If you're building in DeFi, thinking about composability, or looking for real-world insights on scaling cross-chain infra, this episode is for you. 

How do you build a DePIN network with 2.7M+ devices, zero CAC, and data streams optimized for AI—without draining batteries or compromising user trust?In this episode of The Index, Alex Kehaya sits down with Jesse Adams, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Uprock, to unpack how they're building the world's first mobile-first DePIN for AI.Jesse's journey spans building an adult app store, launching an encrypted browser (Tenta, acquired), and now scaling Uprock—a decentralized physical infrastructure network designed to deliver real-time, geo-distributed data for AI/ML. Instead of relying on always-on proxies, Uprock's task-based architecture wakes mobile devices only when needed, performs lightweight actions (like scraping or uptime checks), and puts them back to sleep—keeping performance high and energy use low.We explore:Why location-specific data is critical for LLMs and autonomous agentsHow Uprock scaled to 2.7M devices with zero paid acquisitionTheir crypto micropayment model for rewarding bandwidth contributionAI-driven dev workflows for code review, QA, and marketing at speedIf you're building in DePIN, Web3 infra, or AI tooling—this convo is packed with ideas from the frontier.

Ever wondered what happens to those domain names gathering digital dust in your GoDaddy account? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Michael Ho, Co-founder of D3, to explore how blockchain technology is transforming the overlooked world of domain trading and ownership.The domain industry hasn't changed much since the '90s. Selling a valuable name still involves clunky escrow services, manual transfers, and broker fees that can eat up 25% or more of your sale. D3 is changing that—by tokenizing domains as programmable digital assets on-chain.What makes D3's approach unique is its seamless integration. Instead of building a new siloed system, they're bringing Web3 functionality directly to where domain owners already are—through familiar registrar interfaces. Soon, you'll be able to tokenize, trade, lease, or fractionalize your domains with just a few clicks.At the heart of it all is Doma, the first DNS-compliant blockchain network. D3's DomainFi platform runs on Doma, bridging traditional Web2 domains with Web3 ecosystems. The result? New sources of liquidity, distribution, and innovation—unlocking value in what's currently a $350B+ real-world asset class.The biggest surprise? Half of all domains aren't even being used—just sitting idle. D3's technology brings those names to life, enabling domain holders to tap into new financial use cases, from collateral to leasing and beyond. And with the recent launch of .sol as an official top-level domain on Solana, the bridge between Web2 and Web3 is getting stronger by the day.Whether you're a domain investor, builder, or simply curious about the next wave of internet infrastructure, this conversation reveals what's possible when the world's original digital assets go decentralized.

What if you could rebuild telecom from the ground up—open, decentralized, and powered by crypto? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya chats with Frank Mong, COO of Nova Labs, the team behind Helium Mobile—the decentralized wireless network now partnering with AT&T and Telefónica.Helium started with a bold idea: replace legacy cell towers with a community-powered network. The key unlock? Blockchain incentives. After years of experimentation, they figured out how to bootstrap real wireless coverage—starting indoors, where traditional carriers fail.Frank breaks down how modern buildings kill cell signal, and how Helium turns everyday Wi-Fi routers into indoor cell towers using open-source tools and a crypto-powered incentive model. Now users and businesses can earn rewards while improving service—no billion-dollar infrastructure required.Even more interesting? Helium's data lives on Solana. That transparency gives enterprise partners real-time visibility into network quality—something they can't get from legacy providers.And for users, the payoff is real: free phone plans (3GB/month, no credit card), plus affordable upgrades that save families hundreds.We also dive into:Why blockchain is the missing link for decentralized wirelessHow Helium's staking and incentive model worksWhat it means to build infrastructure at startup speedIf you're building in Web3, care about real-world utility, or just want better phone service, this one's for you.Helium Mobile: https://heliummobile.com/X Channel: https://x.com/helium_mobileShow LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What if you could bring Solana's speed to every major blockchain—and onboard millions of new users with zero friction?In this new episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya welcomes back Joanna Zeng, Co-founder & CEO of SOON, for an exciting update on how her team is breaking down the walls between blockchain ecosystems and building the infrastructure for a more unified Web3.Soon is pioneering a decoupled SVM architecture—separating Solana's execution layer from its consensus layer—to deliver Solana-level performance on Ethereum, BNB Chain, Base, and beyond. The result? Developers can build once and deploy everywhere, while users get high-speed dApps without switching ecosystems.Joanna also shares how Soon has evolved from pure infra to application builder. Their new platform, Simp for Fun, brings together AI-powered copy trading and livestreaming to create an experience that feels like Twitch for traders—a smart, user-friendly entry point for onboarding the next wave of users into Web3.We also cover:Three SVM rollups live in productionOver 40 applications deployed on mainnet (half incubated by the Soon team)A 51% token allocation to the communityEmerging market traction and grassroots growthFrom technical breakthroughs to real-world adoption, this episode shows how Soon is executing at startup speed while building for long-term impact.Subscribe to The Index for weekly interviews with builders pushing the edge of crypto, AI, and Web3 infrastructure. 

The future of AI needs a new internet. Coinbase is laying the foundation. In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Nemil Dalal, Head of Coinbase's Developer Program, about how Coinbase is building crypto-native infrastructure to power the next generation of applications, starting with autonomous AI agents.Nemil shares his background in crypto, from meeting Brian Armstrong at Y Combinator to helping scale USDC from $10 million to $1 billion in market cap. Today, he's focused on making blockchain development more accessible by reducing friction around payments, APIs, and onboarding.A key part of that effort is X402—Coinbase's implementation of the long-dormant HTTP 402 "Payment Required" status code. X402 allows AI agents and applications to autonomously pay for API access using cryptocurrency, without the need for API keys, credit cards, or manual account setup.We break down how X402 works under the hood:API requests return a 402 response when payment is requiredAgents can immediately respond with a signed crypto transaction to unlock accessJust one line of JavaScript is needed to enable itThis simple standard opens the door to a wide range of use cases—from AI agents accessing paid services to developers integrating crypto-powered paywalls with minimal overhead.If you're building in Web3, working with AI, or developing APIs, this episode offers a practical look at how Coinbase is creating tools that make decentralized development more seamless and scalable.

What if launching a decentralized network didn't require reinventing tokenomics or compromising on trust and security?This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Misha Putiatin, Co-founder of Symbiotic, to explore how their novel approach to universal staking is changing the game for protocol builders. Instead of issuing a new token to bootstrap security, Symbiotic enables networks to leverage existing assets like ETH, providing deep, native trust from day one.What makes Symbiotic particularly fascinating is its versatility. After thousands of customer conversations, one insight stood out: networks needed more than just security. They needed customizable staking infrastructure for use cases like insurance, complex collateral systems, and highly specialized validator requirements.Just weeks after launching on Ethereum mainnet, Symbiotic is already securing 14+ networks and hundreds of millions in value, proving that the future of staking isn't one-size-fits-all, but modular, open, and composable.Misha also unpacks why open-source remains core to their mission (despite the risk of vampire attacks) and how permissionless infrastructure creates the conditions for real innovation.If you're building in crypto, this conversation is a masterclass in how to architect trust at scale.→ Learn more at symbiotic.fi and follow the team on X. → Subscribe to The Index for weekly conversations with the builders shaping blockchain's next frontier.Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube