Proof of Coverage

Latest Episodes:

How DePIN Protects Your Internet Privacy Better Than VPNs with Anyone Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

In today's episode, Mahesh sat down with Neuratic, COO of Anyone, to discuss internet privacy and how current solutions lag behind growing awareness. Neuratic explained "privacy washing," where companies claim to protect data while exploiting it for profit, with Google as an example. We explored how the Anyone Network tackles these issues through decentralization, fragmenting user data across relay operators for enhanced privacy, unlike traditional VPNs. The team also shared insights into their unique pseudonymous structure, their rebranding from ATOR after tensions with the Tor Project, and plans for the Anyone Router hardware. We wrapped up with thoughts on tokenomics, Bittensor, OpenAI, and the cultural impact of The Matrix, highlighting Anyone’s commitment to a safer online world.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:30 - Sponsor Message

01:00 - Guest Introduction

01:40 - Importance of Privacy

05:30 - Privacy Washing

06:30 - Global Privacy Rights

07:30 - Founders' Qualifications

08:30 - Anonymity in the Team

09:30 - Anyone Network Overview

11:40 - Protocol and VPN Use

13:30 - Emerging Applications

15:30 - Relationship with Tor

18:30 - Rebranding to Anyone

20:30 - Community and Trust

22:30 - Token Utility

24:30 - Fair Launch Concept

26:30 - Hardware Introduction

36:00 - Lightning Round

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 the L1 for the Machine Economy with Peaq Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Sal interviews Leonard from Peaq, a layer-1 blockchain aimed at revolutionizing global infrastructure through decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). Leonard shares Peaq’s journey from a Berlin-based IoT consultancy in 2017 to a vast ecosystem with millions of onchain devices and $25 million in tokenized machines. They discuss Peaq’s appeal to DePIN builders, driven by its scalable architecture, enterprise connections, and a robust toolbox supporting machine IDs, data access, payments, rewards, and more. With over 50 projects on Peaq, Leonard envisions a community that emphasizes real-world applications over speculative projects, tackling trillion-dollar industries like energy, mobility, and robotics. Key timestamps cover topics such as Peaq’s DePIN toolbox, modular architecture, and an upcoming token launch. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:35 - Origins of Peaq 05:25 - Why DePIN Builders Choose Peaq 08:23 - Peaq’s DePIN Toolbox 10:40 - Modular vs Monolithic Architecture 12:50 - DePIN vs RWAs 17:20 - Machine DeFi 18:10 - Peaq’s Upcoming Token Launch 21:00 - DePIN Energy

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

How Blockchain Makes You a Better Pet Owner with Petastic Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

In this podcast, Sal interviewed Carlos Herrera, co-founder of Petastic. They discussed how Petastic’s decentralized identity network for pets aims to transform the pet care industry through a tokenized ecosystem. He highlights the platform’s ability to predict pet owners’ needs, streamline customer engagement, and support shelters with sustainable revenue models, ultimately benefiting pets and their owners. Carlos also shares his vision for expanding personalized pet care and enhancing animal welfare worldwide.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:32 - Introduction to Petastic and Market

Overview

02:05 - Petastic's Vision and Unique Approach

07:17 - Building Relationships with Shelters and Rescues

11:00 - Understanding Customer Needs and Predictive Analytics

14:41 - Future Goals and Expansion Plans

17:27 - Upcoming Initiatives 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.

Incentivizing Net New Solar with David Vorick of Glow Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

In this podcast, Connor and Sal spoke with David Vorick, co-founder of Glow, about the company's innovative model for funding new solar infrastructure using donations to build solar farms that generate revenue for further projects. Focused on large-scale solar installations in cost-effective regions like India, Glow emphasizes the additionality of carbon credits, ensuring contributions actively reduce emissions. David also highlighted Glow’s robust audit system for carbon credits and discussed its growth trajectory, hinting at future government interest in Glow’s decentralized, sustainable energy approach.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Glow and Its Mission

00:30 - Explaining Glow to the Unfamiliar

02:11 - Focus on Large-Scale Solar Farms

03:51 - The Shift from Residential to Industrial Solar

04:41 - Cost Efficiency and Competitive Advantage

05:45 - New Solar vs. Existing Solar

06:27 - The Importance of Additionality in Carbon Credits

08:30 - Carbon Credits as a Revenue Model

10:42 - Why Solar is a Good Fit for Crypto

12:18 - Low Operational Costs of Solar Farms

13:23 - DePIN Verification and Audit Process

20:18 - Scaling the Supply Side and Incentives

24:14 - Demand Side and Revenue Insights

26:30 - Revenue Accrual to Token Holders

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 an Enterprise-Grade DePIN for Compute with Aethir Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

In today’s episode, Connor is joined by Mark Rydon, a key figure in the decentralized infrastructure space, particularly focusing on Aethir and its innovative approach to DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). They discussed how Aethir has built a robust revenue-generating model centered around enterprise-grade AI and gaming solutions.

Mark shared insights into the growing importance of GPUs in the AI landscape, highlighting the global compute scarcity and how Aethir addresses this challenge by allowing enterprises to reconnect idle compute resources. This model is akin to Airbnb, where companies can monetize their unused GPUs, creating a win-win situation for both suppliers and consumers.

They also discussed the recent success of Aethir's checker node sale, which generated nearly $130 million, showcasing the strong community support and the utility of these nodes in maintaining trust within the network. Mark explained how these nodes act as the "police" of the network, ensuring that contributors are providing the resources they claim.

Additionally, they explored Aethir's focus on enterprise clients, which has led to impressive revenue growth, with $36 million in annual recurring revenue and a steady month-over-month increase. Mark emphasized the importance of this enterprise focus, contrasting it with the challenges faced by other DePIN projects that target consumer equipment.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Building a Revenue-Generating Machine

00:35 - Understanding DePIN

00:57 - The Evolution of DePIN

04:49 - Aethir's Value Proposition

09:15 - Tapping into Latent Supply

10:04 - AethirEdge Devices

14:37 - Checker Node Sale Success

20:13 - Revenue Growth and Customer Profiles

26:56 - Keeping Up with Aethir

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 Drone Mapping with Spexi Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

Connor sat down with Alec Wilson, the COO of Spexi Network, a groundbreaking drone mapping company that is revolutionizing the earth imaging space. They spoke about how Spexi is leveraging the vast number of underutilized drones to create an ultra-high-resolution base layer of earth imagery, which is significantly more detailed than what satellites and planes can provide.

Alec explained the mechanics of the Spexi Network, where drone pilots can easily capture imagery by using a mobile app that guides them through a hexagon-based system called "Spexagons." This innovative approach not only allows for high-quality data collection but also provides an opportunity for drone enthusiasts to earn money while doing something they love.

They discussed the current state of the network, including the onboarding process for pilots and the demand from various sectors, such as municipalities, government agencies, and even metaverse and AI companies. Alec shared insights into how they are currently compensating pilots with cash and points, with plans for a future token distribution.

The conversation also touched on the challenges of coordinating a decentralized network of drone pilots and the importance of regulatory clarity as they navigate the evolving landscape of crypto economics. Overall, it was an enlightening discussion about the potential of Spexi Network to create a new data set that can benefit both drone pilots and customers seeking high-resolution earth imagery.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:28 - Sponsor Message

01:02 - Explaining Spexi to the Average Person

01:30 - The Earth Imaging Market

02:43 - The Role of Drones in Earth Imaging

03:48 - How the Spexi Network Works

05:01 - Benefits of Spexi for Drone Pilots

06:17 - Creating New Data Sets

07:32 - Growing the Supply Side

09:13 - Spexi’s Pilot Selection Process

10:57 - Payment Structure for Spexi Drone Pilots

12:36 - Integrating Token Economics into the Spexi Network

14:55 - Demand Side Overview

16:00 - Customer Segments

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 the First Programmable Datachain with Irys Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Connor welcomes back old co-host Sami Kassab (now a Partner at OSS Capital) and guest Josh Benaron, founder of Irys, a next-generation data provenance and storage L1. They delved into the evolution of Irys from its origins as Bundlr, an L2 solution for Arweave, to its current status as a programmable data chain. Josh shared his insights on the importance of storytelling and writing for founders, emphasizing how effective communication can significantly impact hiring, fundraising, and overall success.

They explored Josh's unique journey, including his decision to drop out of university to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions in the crypto space. He discussed the vision behind Irys, which aims to unify data services on-chain and support applications that rely heavily on data. Josh also addressed the differences between Irys and other projects like Filecoin, highlighting how Irys enables programmability at the data level, which he believes is crucial for mass adoption.

As they wrapped up, they touched on the future of decentralized applications (dApps) and the potential of DePIN networks. Josh expressed his bullish outlook on the DePIN space, noting its significant market fit despite being less hyped compared to other sectors like AI. They also discussed the upcoming token for Irys, with Josh hinting at a thoughtful approach to tokenomics that prioritizes community strength and sustainability.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:23 - The Importance of Writing and Storytelling for Founders

04:11 - Josh's Decision to Drop Out of University

06:54 - Transition from Bundler to Irys

10:04 - Irys vs. Filecoin: Differentiating Approaches

14:05 - Incentivizing Builders on Irys

16:57 - The Future of DeFi and Deepin

19:32 - Unified Layer for Permanent and Non-Permanent Data

21:14 - Tokenomics and Future Plans for Irys

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

DePIN is Booming Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Co-hosts Connor and Mahesh discuss the rapidly evolving world of DePIN and the broader implications for the crypto sector. They discuss whether they should be concerned about the proliferation of projects labeling themselves as DePIN and whether it's time to create more specific subcategories within the sector.

Connor shares insights from a recent real-world DePIN event hosted by IoTeX, highlighting the excitement and attendance that reflects the growing interest in this space. They explore the current landscape, noting that while the number of projects is booming, the quality of founders entering the space is becoming more varied. This shift is reminiscent of the early days of DeFi, where the barrier to entry lowered, leading to a surge of new projects.

They also touch on the importance of maintaining a big tent approach for the DePIN community, allowing for inclusivity and self-definition among founders. As DePIN transitions from subculture to pop culture, they recognize the need for a unified term like DePIN to attract attention and investment.

The conversation shifts to the physical versus digital aspects of DePIN projects, with a debate on the merits of hardware-based solutions versus software-centric models. They agree that both have their advantages and that the future will likely see a blend of both approaches.

Finally, they discuss the upcoming election and its potential impact on the crypto landscape. While there are concerns about the political climate, they remain optimistic about the future of DePIN and crypto as a whole, emphasizing the importance of innovation and community support.

00:00 - Introduction

00:26 - Sponsor Message: Polygon Labs

00:45 - The Boom of DePIN

02:08 - Quality and Quantity in DePIN Projects

03:34 - DePIN’s Transition from Subculture to Pop Culture

04:05 - IoTeX's Real World DePIN Event

05:30 - DePIN Terminology

07:56 - The Big Tent Philosophy10:03 - Physical vs. Digital DePIN

15:07 - Market Dynamics and Token Launches

16:10 - Election Concerns and Market Impact

17:32 - Political Predictions and Crypto

20:52 - The Future of Governance and Crypto

Breaking into DePIN with Shaan from XNET Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

Connor had the pleasure of speaking with Shaan Chaudhari, his college friend and Chief Growth Officer at XNET. They reminisce about their early days in the DePIN space, particularly during the challenging bear market when investor interest was low and token prices were down. Shaan shared his journey and his pivot from potentially attending dental school to fully committing to the crypto industry, motivated by PoC co-hosts Sal and Mahesh, who encouraged him to take risks while he was young.

They discussed the importance of community building in crypto, especially during tough times. Shaan emphasized that showing conviction and leadership is crucial for inspiring others to join you on the journey, regardless of market conditions. He highlighted the sacrifices made by founders and the need for authenticity when reaching out to industry leaders, especially for newcomers looking to break into the space.

As they wrapped up, Shaan reflected on the growth of the DePIN community over the past few years and expressed excitement for the future.

00:00 - Introduction

00:36 - Taking Risks in Your Career

01:59 - The Excitement of DePIN

02:51 - Lessons from the Bear Market

03:44 - Building a Convicted Community

04:34 - Advice for Newcomers to Crypto

06:04 - Reflections and Future Outlook

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 Improved GPS Accuracy with Geodnet Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

In today’s episode, Sal and Connor had an insightful discussion with Mike from Geodnet about their recent move to become a multi-chain platform. They explored the motivations behind this decision, particularly how it allows Geodnet to tap into different Web3 communities and enhance adoption of their utility token, GEOD. Mike shared that Geodnet is already wrapped on IoTeX and is set to expand onto Solana, which he believes has a strong DeFi ecosystem.

They delved into the benefits of going multi-chain, including the ability to meet Web3 users where they are and the potential for increased liquidity. Mike emphasized that while some may worry about fragmenting liquidity, established projects like Geodnet can successfully navigate this challenge.

The conversation also touched on Geodnet's impressive on-chain revenue generation, which ranks among the top in the DePIN space. Mike explained how their B2B focus has led to significant customer adoption across various industries, including automotive and agriculture. They discussed the competitive advantages Geodnet has, such as its extensive global RTK network, which offers unmatched accuracy and ease of use compared to existing solutions.

They also explored the tokenomics of Geodnet, where every dollar spent on their services directly contributes to buying back GEOD tokens, with a significant portion being burned to create a deflationary effect. Mike highlighted their goal of decentralization, aiming to establish Geodnet as a fully decentralized protocol for high-accuracy data.

Towards the end of the episode, they discussed Geodnet's plans for a mobile app that will enhance consumer GPS navigation and improve accuracy in challenging environments like tunnels. Mike explained the technology behind this, including sensor fusion techniques that combine GPS with inertial measurement units for better performance.

Overall, this episode provided a comprehensive look at Geodnet's innovative approach to high-precision location services and their commitment to building a decentralized future.

00:00 - Introduction

00:32 - Introduction to Multi-Chain Strategy

02:00 - Geodnet's Multi-Chain Expansion

04:30 - On-Chain Revenue Generation

06:30 - Adoption Drivers for Geodnet

08:30 - Cost Savings with Geodnet

10:30 - Tokenomics and Revenue Accrual

14:00 - Decentralization Goals

17:00 - Scaling Supply Side

20:30 - Geodnet Token Incentives for Miners

22:30 - Mobile App Development

24:30 - Enhancing GPS Accuracy