Lightspeed

Latest Episodes:

Macro Updates, Industry Narratives & Big Tech Coming For Crypto | Permissionless IV Recap Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

This week, we're excited to share with our community a bonus episode which recaps PERMISSIONLESS IV, which just took place this past week in Brooklyn, NY. This episode features some of the biggest names in the Blockworks podcast family and we hope you enjoy all the alpha!

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Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

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Crypto’s Path Forward In The Next 10 Years Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This is a live episode recorded at Permissionless 2025 with Tzvi (Baxus), Luca (Pudgy Penguins), Armani (Backpack) & Santi (Inversion). We deep dive into how to acquire users in crypto, finding PMF, why it's time to build great apps & more. Enjoy!

Follow Tzvi: https://x.com/web4O

Follow Luca: https://x.com/LucaNetz

Follow Armani: https://x.com/armaniferrante

Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel

Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave

Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq

Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

Katana is a DeFi-first chain built for deep liquidity and high yield. No empty emissions, just real yield and sequencer fees routed back to DeFi users.

Pre-deposit now: Earn high APRs with Turtle Club [https://app.turtle.club/campaigns/katana] or spin the wheel with Katana Krates [https://app.katana.network/krates]

Ledger, the global leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors the Lightspeed podcast. As Ledger celebrates 10 years of securing 20% of global crypto, it remains the top choice for securing your Solana assets. Buy a LEDGER™ device now and build confidently, knowing your SOL are safe.

SOL lovers, grab your Ledger Flex Solana Edition now at:

https://ecommerce-shop-frontend.stg.ldg-tech.com/products/ledger-flex-solana-edition-sol-eligibility

(00:00) Introduction

(01:26) Acquiring Users In Crypto

(06:46) Crypto’s Path Forward In The Next 10 Years

(13:52) Katana Ad

(14:45) Ledger Ad

(15:15) Finding PMF In Crypto

(20:05) The Next Evolution Of Crypto Exchanges

(29:13) Katana Ad

(30:05) Ledger Ad

(30:35) Why Build Consumer Apps?

Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mert, Jack, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Solana's Path To Decentralized Nasdaq | Max Resnick Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Max Resnick to discuss Solana's path towards achieving a decentralized Nasdaq. We deep dive into what is Anza, Alpenglow, how to disrupt TradFi, SOL inflation, steps to improve Solana & more. Enjoy!

Follow Max: https://x.com/MaxResnick1

Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave

Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq

Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTExAre you bullish or bearish on these tokens over a 12 month time horizon? - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemxnAfdIvNRM6nLtyKTH01GlZKobvVUFHgs5FeFv9YIQmOpw/viewform

Katana is a DeFi-first chain built for deep liquidity and high yield. No empty emissions, just real yield and sequencer fees routed back to DeFi users.

Pre-deposit now: Earn high APRs with Turtle Club [https://app.turtle.club/campaigns/katana] or spin the wheel with Katana Krates [https://app.katana.network/krates]

Zenrock is a permissionless, decentralized custody network backed by 1RoundTable Partners, 10T, Maven11, and Spartan. Live on Jupiter, $ROCK is the native token for transactions within the Zenrock ecosystem and secures Zenrock’s decentralized custody network.

The first application launching on Zenrock is zenBTC – yield-bearing Bitcoin on Solana. zenBTC will be live in April 2025. Visit zenbtc.io to learn about earning yield with Bitcoin on Solana.

Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

(00:00) Introduction

(03:29) What Is Anza?

(05:43) Will Alpenglow Launch This Year?

(07:25) Solana: 2020 vs Today

(10:30) Katana Ad

(11:22) Zenrock Ad

(12:12) Solana’s Path To Decentralized Nasdaq

(20:04) Multiple Concurrent Leaders

(22:08) Are CLOBs The Best Design?

(30:36) How To Disrupt TradFi?

(32:36) How To Improve Market Structure On Solana

(39:14) Katana Ad

(40:08) Zenrock Ad

(40:57) MEV On Solana

(59:11) SOL Inflation

(01:08:21) How To Improve Solana

The Rise Of Crypto's App Ecosystem Mike Dudas Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Mike Dudas to discuss the current state of crypto venture. We deep dive into the 6MV origin story, liquid vs venture investing, Solana's app ecosystem & more. Enjoy!

Follow Mike: https://x.com/mdudas

Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave

Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq

Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx

Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

SOL lovers, grab your Ledger Flex Solana Edition now at:

https://ecommerce-shop-frontend.stg.ldg-tech.com/products/ledger-flex-solana-edition-sol-eligibility

(00:00) Introduction

(02:03) The 6MV Origin Story

(06:42) The Revenue Meta

(08:15) Liquid vs Venture Investing

(14:05) Ledger Ad

(14:35) Crypto’s Token Problem

(26:03) Solana’s App Ecosystem

(31:45) Ledger Ad

(32:14) What We’ve Learned From Hyperliquid’s Success

(38:22) Pump Fun’s ICO

(43:49) The IPO Window Is Open

(48:49) Is Trump Good Or Bad For Crypto?

Empire | Introducing The Token Transparency Framework Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode from the Empire podcast, Blockworks unveils its new Token Transparency framework—an initiative designed to close the information gap and bring much-needed clarity to the crypto space. Dan Smith, Head of Data at Blockworks, explains how this framework will reshape how token projects operate and why transparency is the key to crypto’s future. Enjoy!

Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross.

Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts

-- Follow Felipe - https://x.com/TheiaResearch

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Follow Dan: https://x.com/smyyguy

Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh -- Chapters:

(00:00) Token Transparency

(02:25) The Token Market & Lemons

(11:40) Equity vs Token Risk

(14:18) Structural Token Issues

(17:12) How Did We Get Here?

(22:57) Token Horror Stories

(31:50) Token Launches

(56:50) Best Case Scenario

(01:02:38) Impact On Token Prices

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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Solana ETFs Are Coming With Carlos Gonzalez Campo Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Carlos Gonzalez Campo to discuss the recent Solana ETF filings. We deep dive into what this means for SOL in 2025, takeaways from Circle's IPO, CLOBs vs AMMs, should pump compete with Hyperliquid & more. Enjoy!

Follow Carlos: https://x.com/0xcarlosg

Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave

Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq

Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

The first application launching on Zenrock is zenBTC – yield-bearing Bitcoin on Solana. zenBTC will be live in April 2025. Visit zenbtc.io to learn about earning yield with Bitcoin on Solana.

Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

(00:00) Introduction

(01:50) Solana ETFs Are Coming

(06:04) Are Treasury Companies Better Than ETFs?

(09:39) Zenrock Ad

(10:28) Will Solana ETFs Include Staking?

(17:14) Will Solana ETFs Be Successful?

(18:22) CLOBs vs AMMs

(26:35) Zenrock Ad

(27:25) Should Pump Compete With Hyperliquid?

(31:56) Can Solana DEXs Compete With Hyperliquid?

(38:03) Takeaways From Circle’s IPO

Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation.

Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mert, Jack, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Standard Chartered: The Bull Case For Solana | Geoff Kendrick Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Geoff Kendrick to discuss the investment thesis for Solana. We deep dive into the bull vs bear case for SOL, how to value L1s, Geoff's crypto outlook (BTC, ETH & SOL), how institutions view Solana & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx -- Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Ledger, the global leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors the Lightspeed podcast. As Ledger celebrates 10 years of securing 20% of global crypto, it remains the top choice for securing your Solana assets. Buy a LEDGER™ device now and build confidently, knowing your SOL are safe. Buy now on https://shop.ledger.com/?r=1da180a5de00.

(00:00) Introduction

(03:52) The Bull vs Bear Case For Solana

(07:43) Meme Coin Trading On Solana

(12:44) Ledger Ad

(13:37) The Investment Thesis For Solana

(17:51) How To Value L1s?

(29:02) Ledger Ad

(29:48) The Outlook For BTC, ETH & SOL

(40:12) How Do Institutions View Crypto?

Crypto's Fastest Payments App, Only Possible On Solana | Ted Livingston Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Ted Livingston to discuss the launch of Flipcash. We deep dive into what is Flipcash, how to turn physical cash digital, the micropayments unlock, launching on Solana & more. Enjoy!

Follow Ted: https://x.com/ted_livingston

Follow Mert: https://x.com/0xMert_

Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave

Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq

Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx

Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv

Built for Solana investors, developers and community members. Subscribe to the Lightspeed Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

The first application launching on Zenrock is zenBTC – yield-bearing Bitcoin on Solana. zenBTC will be live in April 2025. Visit zenbtc.io to learn about earning yield with Bitcoin on Solana.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:59) What Is Flipcash?

(05:43) Only Possible On Solana

(08:58) Zenrock Ad

(09:47) Turning Physical Cash Digital

(17:30) How Does Flipcash Work?

(20:40) Privacy With Digital Payments

(22:26) Launching With Stablecoins

(27:19) Finding Product Market Fit In Crypto

(32:19) Zenrock Ad

(33:09) Micropayments

(45:00) What’s Next For Flipcash?

(47:47) A New Era For Crypto In The U.S.

How Will Pump Fun's Token Impact Solana? | Weekly Roundup Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're back with another weekly roundup joined by Ryan Connor. We deep dive into the Pump Fun token launch, why does Pump want to raise $1B, Alpenglow, how to scale Solana & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Mert: https://x.com/0xMert_ Follow Ryan: https://x.com/_ryanrconnor Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed

Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx -- Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Ledger, the global leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors the Lightspeed podcast. As Ledger celebrates 10 years of securing 20% of global crypto, it remains the top choice for securing your Solana assets. Buy a LEDGER™ device now and build confidently, knowing your SOL are safe. Buy now on https://shop.ledger.com/?r=1da180a5de00.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:50) Pump Fun’s Token Launch

(07:29) Ledger Ad

(08:21) What Is The Pump Fun Strategy?

(18:12) Why Does Pump Want To Raise $1B?

(29:00) Will Pump Launch A Chain Or Exchange?

(33:56) Ledger Ad

(34:48) Will Pump Fun Remain On Solana?

(45:11) Questions From The Audience

(49:18) Alpenglow

(53:00) How To Scale Solana?

Alpenglow: Solana's Largest Protocol Upgrade Ever | Brennan Watt, Anza Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Brennan Watt to discuss Solana latest upgrade Alpenglow. We deep dive into the Anza origin story, Alpenglow's impact on the Solana network, how to reduce malicious MEV, the past, present & future of Solana & much more. Enjoy! -- Follow Brennan: https://x.com/bw_solana Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed -- Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Zenrock is a permissionless, decentralized custody network backed by 1RoundTable Partners, 10T, Maven11, and Spartan. Live on Jupiter, $ROCK is the native token for transactions within the Zenrock ecosystem and secures Zenrock’s decentralized custody network. The first application launching on Zenrock is zenBTC – yield-bearing Bitcoin on Solana. zenBTC will be live in April 2025. Visit zenbtc.io to learn about earning yield with Bitcoin on Solana.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:40) What Is Anza?

(03:26) Alpenglow: Solana’s Latest Upgrade

(08:27) ZenRockAd

(09:16) How Does Solana Work Today?

(15:34) How Does Alpenglow Achieve Faster Finality?

(20:32) Alpenglow’s Impact On Network Security

(22:47) Liveness On Solana

(28:49) Doubling Blockspace

(34:09) ZenRock Ad

(34:58) Alpenglow’s Impact On Solana’s Economics

(38:18) The Incentive To Run A Solana Relayer