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Latest Episodes:

Sandeep Nailwal: Building Polygon, the AggLayer, and the Future of DePIN and AI Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

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Connor and Sal sit down with Sandeep Nailwal of Polygon. Sandeep reflects on challenges faced by founders, including tough decisions around layoffs, project management, and preserving company culture during rapid growth, emphasizing the importance of character-building in difficult times. The conversation explores the Polygon ecosystem's evolution, addressing regulatory hurdles, market shifts, and the critical role of the AggLayer in enabling a trustless internet with up to a million interconnected chains. Sandeep also shares insights on the potential of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and their place within Polygon’s strategy, expressing optimism about their future despite industry challenges. This episode offers an in-depth look at blockchain’s dynamic landscape, adaptability in leadership, and Polygon’s vision for a decentralized future.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:14 - Reflections on Building Character Through Adversity

01:45 - The Impact of Regulatory Changes on the Crypto Ecosystem

03:40 - Polygon's Journey and Internal Challenges

05:46 - Leadership Transition: Finding the Right CEO

12:13 - Focusing on Growth: The Role of the Chairman

13:44 - The Evolution of Polygon's Product Strategy

19:09 - Understanding Polygon's Core Products

29:29 - The Vision for a Trustless Internet

36:37 - Competition Landscape: Who is Polygon Up Against?

41:24 - The Future of DePIN and Its Importance to Polygon

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Building Financial Services for Crypto-Natives with Collar Protocol | J. Paul Meyer Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

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Mahesh and John Wu, President of Ava Labs, are joined by J. Paul Meyer, founder of Collar Network, to explore innovative solutions in decentralized finance (DeFi). J. Paul shares how Collar Network, a smart contract-based lending protocol, helps crypto investors borrow against their holdings in a hedged, non-liquidatable manner—addressing challenges like tax implications and liquidity. Drawing from his Goldman Sachs background, J. Paul discusses the need for financial services tailored to crypto's emerging wealthy class and the risks of replicating traditional finance's mistakes. They also touch on regulation, market behavior, and the future of Bitcoin, AI in finance, and Web3 value capture.

Check out Collar's beta platform at beta.collarprotocol.xyz

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:16 - The Role of ETFs in Tokenization

03:10 - Discussion on Goldman Sachs and Its Relevance

06:35 - The Impact of Technology on Financial Services

08:51 - The Consolidation of the Banking Sector

10:19 - Competing with Large Financial Institutions

13:27 - Weaknesses of Large Financial Institutions

17:02 - Overview of Collar Networks and Its Mission

20:32 - Comparison with Traditional Margin-Based Borrowing

22:44 - User Experience in Financial Products

24:51 - Future Product Development at Collar

26:20 - Finding Liquidity in DeFi Markets

28:10 - Working with Major Financial Institutions

30:57 - Concerns About Repeating Past Financial Mistakes

33:02 - Future Strategies for Collar Network

36:54 - Political and Regulatory Considerations

38:27 - Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions

41:02 - Closing Remarks

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Introducing Gekko: An AI Agent for Trading Jan 15, 2025

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Mahesh welcomed back Ash Ahmed, founder of Axal, to discuss exciting developments at his company and the broader implications of AI agents in crypto. Ash highlighted Axal’s rapid growth, the launch of their new product, Gekko—a virtual agent for trading—and its integration with the Autopilot platform to simplify crypto portfolio management. He emphasized the importance of a "fair launch" for the Gekko token, with no team allocation, to build trust and align value with functionality. The conversation also explored AI agents as a new asset class, the role of community engagement in Axal's growth, and Ash’s advice for founders to act boldly and prioritize transparency.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:11 - Overview of Axal's Vision and Team Growth

02:49 - Diverse Team and Guerrilla Marketing Strategies

03:41 - Podcasting and Content Creation Efforts

05:25 - Introduction of Gecko and Its Purpose

08:34 - Understanding the Value of Agents

09:22 - Fair Launch Concept Explained

10:16 - Community Engagement and Investor Reactions

12:15 - Utility and Future Plans for Gecko

14:21 - The Future of Agent Tokens in the Market

17:06 - Launching Gekko: Technical Insights

20:28 - Advice for Founders Considering Token Launches

22:46 - Navigating Investor Relations and Legalities

25:50 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Powering Data Collection at the Edge with 375ai | Harry Dewhirst Jan 13, 2025

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Connor spoke with Harry Dewhirst, CEO and co-founder of 375ai, formerly known as Zeppelin, about his journey from founding a data company sold to Singtel to leading 375ai’s efforts in building decentralized networks for data collection. Harry shared insights into the company’s ambitious goal of identifying over 10 million vehicles daily through their AI-powered hardware, the 375 Edge, and their partnership with Outfront Media. They also discussed the launch of 375ai’s incentivized testnet, allowing users to earn tokens through the 375Go app by contributing passive data. Harry explained the significance of the company’s name, linked to Nevada’s extraterrestrial highway, and how the data could be used by hedge funds for market analysis. Additionally, they explored 375ai’s decision to build on the Solana blockchain and their tokenomics.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:00 - Harry's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey

02:40 - Transition from Zeppelin to 375ai

04:20 - Zeppelin's Initial Mission and Partnerships

06:30 - Deployment Strategies and Learning Experiences

08:40 - Significance of the Name 375ai

09:50 - Testnet and Community Engagement

12:00 - 375 Edge Devices and Their Functionality

15:00 - Future Plans for 375 Street Devices

17:00 - Real-World Applications of Collected Data

19:00 - Building on the Solana Ecosystem

21:00 - Tokenomics and Incentive Structures

24:00 - Quality Control and Data Demand Strategies

25:30 - Call to Action and Community Engagement

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Building a DePIN for Flight Tracking with Wingbits | Robin Wingardh Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

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Connor and Sal spoke with Robin from Wingbits, a company revolutionizing the aviation and drone industries with advanced flight data solutions. Robin discussed the $22 billion ADS-B market, Wingbits' innovative hardware for tracking flights and drones, and plans for a token-incentivized model to enhance data quality. With 2,000 live stations globally and an upcoming mainnet launch, the conversation also highlighted their partnership with Geodnet to improve location data and their vision of integrating Web3 principles into a sustainable business model.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:38 - Exploring Productivity with Wearable Tech

02:28 - Winter Sports Brand and VC Discussions

04:54 - Understanding Wingbits Impact on Aviation Data

07:40 - Advanced Flight Data Technologies

11:09 - Incentivizing Flight Data Contributions

15:40 - Targeting the Web3 Community in Flight Tracking

21:47 - Future of ADS-B Technology in Aviation

26:00 - The Wingbits Network Expansion

27:12 - Update on Wingbits Network and Upcoming Launch

Disclaimer:

The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

The Future of Blockchain Interoperability with Omni | Austin King Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod Mahesh and guest host John Wu sit down with Austin King, CEO of Omni Labs, to explore the future of cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi). Austin shares his journey from Harvard College to building and selling his first company to Ripple, reflecting on the lessons from the 2017 crypto boom that shaped his vision for blockchain interoperability. He discusses innovative design trends like "intents and solvers," which simplify cross-chain transactions for users, and Omni Labs’ mission to abstract blockchain complexities, enabling seamless participation in the on-chain economy. Austin also opens up about leadership challenges, including pivoting after significant fundraising, and emphasizes the value of transparency, collaboration, and a strong support network. The conversation concludes with insights into the evolving crypto landscape and Austin's vision for a neutral and open economic system.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:31 - Introduction to Omni and Solvernet 01:30 - Austin King's Journey from Harvard to Crypto 03:02 - Identifying the Need for Interoperability 05:20 - The Ripple Acquisition Story 06:43 - Understanding the XRP Community 10:19 - Misunderstandings About XRP and Ripple 14:24 - Cults and Communities in Crypto 16:21 - Building Omni and Its Vision 20:56 - The Importance of Interoperability 23:24 - Pivoting After Fundraising 28:01 - Support Networks for Founders 30:33 - Conviction in Decision-Making 33:37 - Overview of the Omni Token and Network 39:04 - Defining Success in the Crypto Space 41:34 - Long-Term Vision for Crypto Development Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Redefining IOT Meets Blockchain with Staex | Dr. Alexandra Mikityuk Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

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Sal sits down with Alexandra from Staex, a company redefining IoT through a trusted, decentralized network. They discuss the inefficiencies of traditional network protocols for modern IoT and how Staex’s approach re-architects infrastructure to reduce overhead and enhance security. Alexandra highlights Staex’s impact, including saving a U.S. client with 2,000 charging stations $100,000 annually by optimizing data transmission. She also shares use cases like anchoring battery data on-chain for regulatory compliance and using drones to measure electromagnetic fields. The conversation reveals Staex’s shift from a decentralization-first pitch to a focus on efficiency and cost savings, and Alexandra invites builders to join the evolution of DePIN and the machine economy. This episode offers a compelling look at how IoT, blockchain, and regulatory compliance are converging to reshape industries.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:31 - Overview of Staex and IoT Challenges

01:40 - Alexandra's Background in IoT Networking

05:26 - The Monolithic Approach of Staex

08:09 - Evolving the Pitch to Enterprises

10:33 - Understanding Cost Savings in IoT

12:12 - Industrial Use Cases for Staex

15:19 - Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

17:19 - Current Stage and Future Plans for Staex

20:16 - Alexandra's Aspirations Beyond Staex

21:47 - Call to Action for Builders and Collaborators

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

$TAO as the King of Crypto x AI Dec 30, 2024

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Connor welcomes Sami, former co-host of the Building in Public podcast, to explore Bittensor, a decentralized AI platform revolutionizing how intelligence is developed and shared. They discuss Bittensor’s potential to challenge centralized AI models like OpenAI, its unique decentralized approach with specialized subnets, and the importance of financial incentives for open-source innovation. Sami highlights the challenges of emission distribution and the community's dedication to improving the protocol, expressing optimism about Bittensor’s future.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:19 - Recap of Previous Bittensor Episode

02:05 - Sami's Experience with Bittensor

03:03 - What Bittensor Means for the Average Person

05:17 - Importance of Decentralized AI

06:36 - Open Source and Financial Incentives

08:43 - The Power of Open Source Innovation

10:07 - Crowdsourcing Intelligence in AI

12:33 - Comparing Kaggle and Bittensor

14:32 - Incentives for Contributors in Bittensor

15:14 - Challenges and Improvements in Bittensor

18:00 - Community Commitment to Bittensor

20:16 - The Future of Bittensor and AI

21:11 - Sami's Journey and Conviction in Bittensor

25:47 - Closing Remarks and Resources

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Nils Pihl: Machine Perception, AR/VR’s Future, and DePIN’s Role in Capitalism Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpod Sal sits down with Nils, founder and CEO of Auki Labs, to explore the future of spatial intelligence, machine perception, and augmented reality. Nils shares how his journey began with a vision for AR overlays in tabletop games like Warhammer, ultimately leading to breakthroughs in spatial computing. They discuss the potential of DePIN to make AI more accessible, drawing parallels between AR's evolution and human language. Nils addresses the limitations of current AR tech, such as battery life and processing power, and proposes new types of wearable devices as a solution. The conversation also delves into Auki's token system, which incentivizes contributions to a decentralized machine perception network. This episode offers a compelling look at the future of AR, robotics, and human-machine interaction. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:37 - Sponsor Message: Polygon 01:00 - Introduction to Nils and Auki Labs 02:02 - Inspiration Behind Auki and Spatial Computing 05:36 - DePIN: AI and Its Resources 06:52 - Terence McKenna and the Evolution of Language 09:58 - Augmented Reality as Humanity's Oldest Project 10:50 - The Future of Robotics and Human Language 14:32 - Decentralized Mapping and Positioning 15:57 - The Inevitable Global Movement of DePIN 16:27 - Memetic Engineering: A Career Overview 20:27 - The Concept of Memes and Their Impact 25:41 - Auki's Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy 27:30 - AR Notes and Communication in Retail 30:53 - AI's Role in Retail Efficiency 33:44 - Form Factors for Spatial Computing 40:03 - Decentralized Collaborative Spatial Computing 41:51 - Auki's Token and Crypto Strategy Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Building a PC-Powered Compute DePIN with Koii | Al Morris Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

Sal talks to Al, the founder of Koii, about their platform that lets users run decentralized apps on personal computers. They discuss Koii’s new feature allowing token staking and rewards, creating an open marketplace for developers and users. Al shares his journey from blockchain education to building Koii, driven by a passion for technology’s impact, particularly in medicine. The conversation highlights how Koii simplifies decentralization, making it accessible even to those with little technical knowledge. Al emphasizes Koii's mission to lower barriers for developers and promote community-driven projects.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:15 - Background and Journey to Koii

06:07 - User Experience and Node Installation

08:55 - Financial Incentives vs. Community Engagement

12:57 - Developer Token Integration and Ecosystem

13:36 - Comparison with Other Crypto Projects

18:57 - Decentralization and Node Sales Discussion

24:52 - Closing Thoughts and Future of Decentralized Products

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.