Lightspeed

Latest Episodes:

The Solana Incubator: Finding Crypto's Next Breakthrough App | Emon Motamedi May 30, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Emon Motamedi to discuss the Solana incubator. We deep dive into how to find great ideas, building in crypto, finding product market fit, advice for founders, what is cohort 3 & more. Enjoy!

Follow Emon: https://x.com/EmonMotamedi

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

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

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

Find out more about the Solana Incubator: https://x.com/incubator

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

(02:14) Post Accelerate Takeaways

(11:55) Ledger Ad

(12:47) How To Find Great Ideas

(19:41) Building In Crypto

(22:43) What Has PMF In Crypto?

(29:32) Ledger Ad

(30:25) Should Founders Launch Tokens?

(35:30) Real World Use Cases In Crypto

(39:25) Advice For Founders

(44:53) Examples From The Solana Incubator

(52:56) The Stablecoin Business Model

(55:50) What Is Cohort 3?

(58:59) Outro

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.

The State Of Solana DeFi With Kyle Samani & Chris Heaney May 27, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Kyle Samani & Chris Heaney to discuss the state of Solana DeFi today. Enjoy! -- Follow Kyle: https://x.com/KyleSamani Follow Chris: https://x.com/crispheaney 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

(02:36) The State Of Solana DeFi

(05:38) Market Making Onchain

(10:10) Zenrock Ad

(10:59) Solana Network Upgrades

(17:56) The Axiom Success Story

(21:30) Competing As A Perps DEX

(23:26) The Future Of Tokenization

(29:42) Zenrock Ad

(30:31) Bitcoin

(34:30) Solana: The L1 vs Apps

(39:51) Why Does DeFi Matter? -- 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.

Crypto's Next DePIN Catalyst With David Rhodus, Pipe Network May 23, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by David Rhodus to discuss the future of Pipe Network. We deep dive into what is a CDN, DePIN's major unlock, how to scale a DePIN network, competing with the big infrastructure providers & more. Enjoy! -- Follow David: https://x.com/DavidRhodus 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/ -- 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

(01:48) What Is A CDN?

(07:49) Ledger Ad

(08:41) How Does Pipe Network Work?

(16:28) How To Reduce Latency

(18:37) How To Scale A DePIN Network

(22:14) Tokenomics As A DePIN Network

(25:56) How To Build A Successful CDN Network

(31:10) Ledger Ad

(32:02) Building On Solana

(38:57) The Opportunity For Disruption In CDNs

(45:39) The Future Of Pipe Network

(47:12) AI

(50:41) Advice For Founders

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.

The Microstrategy Of Solana Playbook With Dan Kang May 20, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Dan Kang to discuss DeFi Dev Corp & it's Solana playbook. We deep dive into the Solana treasury company strategy, why do treasury companies trade at a premium to NAV, the volatility flywheel, Dan's long term Solana thesis & more. Enjoy!

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

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

(02:37) The Solana Treasury Company Playbook

(05:18) Why Do Crypto Treasury Companies Trade At A Premium To NAV?

(10:43) Zenrock Ad

(11:33) The Volatility Flywheel

(18:56) Increasing SOL Per Share

(25:07) Why Narrative Matters?

(29:04) Why DeFi Dev Corp Is Focused On Solana

(38:26) Zenrock Ad

(39:16) The Long Term Solana Thesis

(42:32) Meme Coins

(48:39) Acquiring Solana Validators

(51:33) Why Are Treasury Companies Different Than ETFs?

(57:31) How Does This Strategy Scale?

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

The Solana Token Launchpad Coming for Venture Capital | Ryan Connor May 16, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Ryan Connor to discuss the launch of the Believe app. We deep dive into is Believe a new model for VC, the memeification of capital markets, finding product market fit, Pump's sniping problem & more. Enjoy!

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

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/

Buy now on https://shop.ledger.com/?r=1da180a5de00.

(00:00) Introduction

(00:47) Solana’s Latest Launchpad

(04:25) A New Model For Venture Capital?

(14:39) Ledger Ad

(15:25) The Memeification Of Capital Markets

(17:38) Does The Zora Model Make Sense?

(20:33) Regulatory Arbitrage

(30:46) Does Believe Have PMF?

(32:15) Ledger Ad

(33:01) Pump.fun’s Sniping Problem

(37:47) Final Thoughts

1inch Co-Founder: Launching On Solana | Sergej Kunz May 13, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Sergej Kunz to discuss 1inch's recent launch on Solana. We deep dive into building on the EVM vs SVM, 1inch's path forward, powering cross chain liquidity, how to improve execution & more. Enjoy!

Follow Sergej: https://x.com/deacix

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/

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

(01:24) Launching 1inch On Solana

(08:15) Zenrock Ad

(08:58) Execution On Solana

(17:42) Building On The EVM vs SVM

(20:58) Sandwich Attacks

(28:17) Zenrock Ad

(29:00) Building A DEX Aggregator Business

(35:55) The Path Forward For 1inch

(36:57) Cross Chain Liquidity

(43:23) What’s Next For 1inch?

Can Ethereum Scale The L1? | Weekly Roundup May 09, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're back with another weekly roundup. We deep dive into Solana;s recent bug fix, Ethereum's big pivot, how to build the most performant L1 & more. Enjoy!

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

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/

Buy now on https://shop.ledger.com/?r=1da180a5de00.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:24) Solana’s Bug Fix

(13:00) Ledger Ad

(13:45) Ethereum’s Big Pivot

(19:18) Can Ethereum Scale The L1?

(28:49) Ledger Ad

(29:34) Solana’s DEX Landscape

(40:48) The Most Performant L1 Will Be The Most Decentralized

Ex Jane Street Veteran's Journey To Crypto | Thomas Uhm May 06, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Thomas Uhm to discuss his journey to joining Jito. We deep dive into the institutional demand for crypto, treasury companies vs ETFs, crypto's market making problem & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Thomas: https://x.com/ThomasUhm Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed -- 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

(04:45) Institutional Demand For Jito

(12:56) Zenrock Ad

(13:40) How Does Jito Capture Value?

(21:28) Solana Treasury Companies vs ETFs

(25:00) Zenrock Ad

(25:44) The Investment Thesis For Solana

(37:09) Crypto’s Market Making Problem

Solana's DeFi Super App: The Jupiter End Game | Kash Dhanda May 02, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Kash Dhanda live at Solana Crossroads to discuss the end game for Jupiter. We deep dive into building crypto's DeFi super-app, Jupiter's revenue breakdown, Solana vs app revenue, what's next for Jupiter & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Kash: https://x.com/kashdhanda Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed -- 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. -- 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

(01:26) The Jupiter End Game

(07:40) Growing Market Share

(12:02) Ledger Ad

(12:48) Jupiter’s Revenue Breakdown

(21:46) Does Jupiter Have A Moat?

(24:52) Is The AMM Model Doomed?

(30:40) Ledger Ad

(31:26) Solana vs App Revenue

(37:54) The JUP Token

The Future Of Solana, DoubleZero & The Firedancer Impact | Austin Federa Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Gm! This week we're joined by Austin Federa live at Solana Crossroads to discuss the latest happening with Solana & DoubleZero. We deep dive into the importance of speed for capital markets, the rise of alt L1s, how to remain competitive as a blockchain & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Austin: https://x.com/Austin_Federa Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed -- 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

(01:23) An Update On DoubleZero

(09:00) Zenrock Ad

(19:25) The Rise Of Alt L1s

(24:51) Firedancer

(27:10) Zenrock Ad

(27:54) How To Remain Competitive?

(31:50) Hyperliquid

(33:56) Does Decentralization Actually Matter?

(37:48) Tokenization -- 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.

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