The Defiant

Latest Episodes:

Every Company Will Be a Crypto Company: Expert Insights with Sandy Kaul from Franklin Templeton Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

What happens when traditional finance and decentralized finance collide? Join us in this insightful interview with Sandy Kaul, Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton, as we explore the firm’s groundbreaking crypto experiments, DeFi-enabled opportunities, and the future of tokenized money market funds.

Key Topics Covered

Franklin Templeton’s onchain money market fund
How evolving crypto infrastructure is reshaping TradFi
New TradFi products enabled by crypto
Tokenization vs. stablecoins
Supply chain and enterprise resource management powered by DeFi
Regulation, obstacles, and the merging of TradFi and DeFi

Get a front-row seat to how one of the world’s leading financial institutions is driving innovation in the space.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

01:04 Introduction to Sandy Kaul, Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton

06:56 Franklin Templeton experimenting with crypto to save costs

08:11 Franklin Templeton’s onchain money market fund

09:26 Evolving crypto infrastructure from 2019 to today

11:42 What do institutions look for when planning to launch a product onchain?

13:41 Choosing blockchains based on use cases

16:15 Three new TradFi offerings enabled by crypto

19:56 Additional applications for DeFi: supply chain management

21:56 Additional applications for DeFi: enterprise resource management systems

22:49 Tokenized money market funds vs. stablecoins

25:11 Product bundles and asset classes

28:31 Obstacles to offering more crypto products

31:26 What clarity are you looking to regulation for?

34:16 Complex DeFi products being accepted in TradFi

35:13 DeFi and TradFi need to support one another

37:04 Regulation will open up new pools of assets and value

38:56 What will the merging of TradFi and crypto look like?

41:10 Will the back of house for these firms move onchain?

42:55 Consumer demand for crypto products

47:15 Payments outside of fiat

48:34 Incorporating crypto into Franklin Templeton model portfolios

50:35 What is the demand for current crypto offerings?

54:30 What does success look like for Franklin Templeton?

55:30 Closing Remarks

NFC Lisbon Recap: Art, Finance, and Digital Economies with Alex Estorick Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Defiant Podcast, Vinny speaks with Alex Estorick, Editor in Chief of Right Click Save, about the evolving landscape of NFTs and digital art. They discuss the convergence of art and technology, the financialization of culture, and the role of artists in a world where art and finance are increasingly intertwined. The conversation also touches on the emergence of meme coins as cultural artifacts, the diversity within the crypto community, and the challenges artists face regarding royalties in the NFT space.

Highlights of this episode include:

The convergence of art and technology
The emergence of meme coins as cultural artifacts
Diversity and challenges within the crypto and NFT space
Opportunities for artists in DeFi and Web3
The role of AI, tokenized data, and decentralized ownership in the future.

00:00 Episode Intro

03:08 Introduction to Alex Estorick and the NFT Revolution

04:55 Financialization of Art and Culture

08:37 The Role of Artists in a Financialized World

12:13 Cultural Moments and Meme Coins

15:38 Diversity of Habits and Politics in the Crypto Community

17:40 Takeaways from Conversations at NFC

19:10 Is the Battle for Blockchain Dominance Necessary?

20:25 Renewed Bullishness on Ethereum

22:45 Reactions to the Debate Around Royalties

28:30 The Evolution of Value in Digital Art

30:20 Exploring DeFi Opportunities for Artists

35:35 The Intersection of Crypto and AI

37:25 Tokenizing Personal Data and Personhood

42:01 Decentralized AI and Data Ownership

45:05 The Future of Crypto in a Dystopian Landscape

48:15 Navigating the Complexities of Web3 and Digital Economy

50:15 Closing Remarks

Ethereum's Next Moves: Insights from Tomasz Stańczak and the Ethereum Foundation Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Camila Russo interviews Tomasz Stanczak, Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation, discussing the evolution of Ethereum, addressing criticisms, and the foundation's strategic initiatives. They explore the importance of communication, the restructuring of the foundation, and the focus on scaling Ethereum through L1 and L2 dynamics.

Tomasz shares insights on the vision for Ethereum as a global economy, balancing user needs with core values, and the foundation's treasury management and DeFi strategies. The conversation concludes with a look at future developments and milestones for Ethereum.

Takeaways:

Ethereum has evolved significantly since its inception, focusing on scaling and communication.
The Ethereum Foundation has faced criticism regarding its communication strategies.
Restructuring within the foundation aims to enhance protocol development and management.
Funding and support for developers are crucial for the ecosystem's growth.
The relationship between L1 and L2 is vital for Ethereum's scaling strategy.
Ethereum aims to position itself as a global economy hub.
User needs and core values must be balanced for long-term success.
Treasury management strategies are evolving to include DeFi protocols.
The foundation is committed to transparency and community engagement.
Future milestones include significant scaling and security improvements.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:07 Episode Teaser

01:24 Hero Quote

01:35 Introduction to Tomasz Stańczak, Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation

03:18 Community Criticism and Foundation Response

06:45 Strategic Actions by the Ethereum Foundation

09:39 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Developers

13:50 The strengths of Ethereum as a Network

17:17 Scaling Ethereum: L1 and L2 Dynamics

20:55 The One Trillion Security Initiative

23:00 Specific Milestones in the Short Term

25:53 Navigating the Tension: World Computer vs. Store of Value

29:15 Ethereum as a Global Economy

30:43 Will Solana Become An Ethereum L2?

32:43 User Priorities: Decentralization vs. Usability

37:02 Treasury Management and ETH Sales

36:55 The Role of Stablecoins in Ethereum's Future

39:55 The Impact of Ethereum Foundation's DeFi Allocations

42:00 Guiding DeFi Protocols Towards Security and Decentralization

51:10 The Future of Ethereum: Use Cases and Community Expectations

54:50 Upcoming Milestones for Ethereum

56:50 Closing Remarks

Zero Knowledge Proofs: The Game-Changer for Digital Privacy You Need to Know, Featuring Rob Viglione Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

This week, we spoke with Rob Viglione, Co-founder and CEO of Horizen Labs, to explore the groundbreaking potential of Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) in safeguarding digital privacy, bridging TradFi and DeFi, and creating income streams for consumers that empower them through the ownership of their own digital data.

From balancing transparency and onchain privacy to the intersection of AI and Web3, Rob dives into the critical role cryptography will play in reshaping how we share and protect data. Learn how ZKPs can combat data misuse, empower individuals to monetize their information, and reimagine compliance as we step into a world where privacy is a fundamental human right.

Key Highlights:

1. How ZKPs protect medical records and financial history

2. Will banks adapt, or become irrelevant?

3. The role of cryptography in privacy-centric AI systems

Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion packed with insights on the future of data, privacy, and decentralized innovation.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:07 Podcast Teaser

00:52 Hero Quote

00:59 Introduction to Rob Viglione

01:34 The beauty of ZKPs

02:40 How to balance transparency and privacy onchain

04:00 Why it’s so easy to overshare data

04:50 Living in an age of constant data leaks

06:34 The concept of wealth is fundamentally different now

07:33 Google adopts ZKP to verify age

09:00 A world of a trillion proofs

09:30 How can Web3 handle growing volumes of proofs?

10:09 Will Web2 relinquish their chokehold on our data?

11:52 Monetizing data as an incentive to online privacy

12:45 New opportunities for earning a living by monetizing your data

14:14 The intersection of crypto and AI

16:17 ZKPs and data protection

18:00 ZKPs and AI in medical records and financial history

20:18 How can ZKPs act as a safeguard against misuse in AI

22:15 Hackers and scammers are a certainty; how do we fight them?

22:36 Cryptography, ZKPs, and privacy-centric AI systems?

25:13 Why is privacy a human right?

26:25 Institutions, privacy, and Web3

26:45 Institutions coming onchain

28:30 Better communicating privacy as a human right in the context of Web3

30:30 Will ZKPs change the way people interact with the internet?

32:11 Marketing in the age of AI

33:24 ZKPs and KYC

35:40 Why ZKPs are bad for bad actors

37:38 Government regulation vs. Web3 companies regulating the industry themselves

39:00 It doesn’t make sense for politicians to be anti-crypto anymore

41:53 Can ZKPs redefine compliance and how it’s enforced?

43:13 How can ZKP tech support institutional privacy and consumer data?

44:45 TradFi onchain as a stepping stone to DeFi

46:39 Lightning round! Favorite existing use case for ZKP

46:54 Lightning round! Favorite potential use case for ZKP

48:04 Lightning round! Best advice for keeping your data safe online

48:49 Closing statements and where to follow Rob

How Payroll, Stablecoins & Regulation Are Reshaping Global Economies | Megan Knab May 31, 2025

Show notes

Explore the world of crypto payroll and stablecoins with Megan Knab, cofounder and CEO of Franklin. From tackling crypto volatility to how stablecoins can reshape global economies, this episode dives into the challenges and opportunities for crypto-native payment infrastructure.

Megan Knab shares her insights on crypto’s role in building a better financial ecosystem. We discuss everything from stablecoin-backed paychecks to how DeFi tools enhance accessibility. Tune in to understand why this innovative tech could be the foundation for a healthier society.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:07 Teaser

00:28 Pull Quote

00:36 Introduction to Megan Knab

01:08 The path from Wall Street to crypto

03:31 Building back offices within Web3

04:53 How to tackle crypto’s volatility with payroll and paying bills in fiat

06:00 Labor laws and crypto

06:41 ERC-20 tokens in payroll

07:35 Eliminating intermediaries in the payroll business

09:12 Benefits to employers and employees beyond cross-border payments

10:54 Payroll as a building block for a healthy society

11:39 How do you calculate a paycheck?

13:14 The GENIUS bill and the future of stablecoins

15:02 Reserve of assets to back up the value of issued stablecoins

16:22 Fixed income and payment giants getting into crypto

16:55 The effects of big brands getting into stablecoins

18:05 Backwards views of crypto adoption

19:12 Democratic backlash to the GENIUS bill

20:25 The need for more effective crypto regulation

22:29 The points for and against crypto regulation

23:18 Crypto is not a political technology

23:52 The biggest winners in crypto have been lawyers

26:10 How do you determine which stablecoins to utilize for business?

28:36 MakerDAO as a major crypto innovation

29:33 How DeFi makes financial tools more accessible to the public

31:33 Stablecoin infrastructure in developing economies

33:30 Stablecoins as a means of USD dominance worldwide

35:09 Challenges for governments having assets onchain

36:06 Future legislation in crypto and investment

39:55 Lighting round!
Music: Future Highway by Picratio is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.

AI Agents, Meme Coins, and a Better Future for Investing: Insights from Shaw Walters May 16, 2025

Show notes

Explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, cryptocurrency, and startup culture in our latest episode. We spoke with Shaw Walters, Founder of Eliza Labs, about the exciting possibilities and challenges of AI agents in digital worlds, the crypto ecosystem, and token launches. Discover how these technologies are shaping a fairer, more inclusive future for investing and why real products and vision matter more than hype.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant introduction

00:07 Episode summary

00:54 Introduction to Shaw Walters and Eliza Labs

02:27 AI agents in digital worlds

10:56 Eliza as a framework for providing what GPT doesn’t

11:25 Writing actions for AI agents

14:10 Use cases for AI agents

14:55 Moving from one-on-one to group settings

16:33 Connecting Eliza to the crypto ecosystem

19:20 Pros and cons of AI agents in financial services

21:25 AI agents as an interface

24:53 auto.fun and launching AI agents

30:08 Fairer than fair token launch

31:58 A new age of investing in startups

32:32 The government does not trust you with your own money

34:33 Crypto workarounds for investing in startups

35:43 The Trump administration and our path to regulation

36:57 Changing laws around investing in startups

38:32 Decentralized AI and opening investment to the public

39:30 What will bring AI agents back to the forefront?

44:25 How to structure better launchpads for startups

46:00 Crypto markets in their current state are casinos

49:24 Jeffy Yu and Zerebro

53:36 Why the crypto culture needs to change

55:31 Real products and real vision

58:00 Closing remarks

The Fight for Digital Privacy Decentralized AI and the Future of Freedom with Patrick Amadon May 15, 2025

Show notes

This week, we spoke to Patrick Amadon about the complex intersections of digital privacy, surveillance, censorship, and the potential of decentralized AI. Amadon offers a critical perspective on some of the most pressing issues in technology, from the role of digital disobedience to the regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

Key topics include:

The potential of decentralized AI and Ethereum's pivotal role
The impact of censorship on free speech in the digital era
How AI and blockchain technology can empower individuals and artists
Risks posed by centralized AI and the push for decentralization
Strategies for protecting digital privacy and countering AI surveillance

Amadon also examines how the framework for success in the digital age is shifting, emphasizing the importance of data ownership and financial independence. This conversation offers valuable insights for those interested in the evolving relationship between technology, freedom, and the pursuit of a decentralized future.

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:07 Decentralized AI is a win for Ethereum

01:30 Introduction to Patrick Amadon

02:08 Digital disobedience and decentralized ecosystems

04:10 Challenges in modern discourse

07:40 “No Rioters” and threats to free speech

10:10 The place for disruption

12:00 The paths to success are changing

13:05 Crypto and data ownership

13:32 Meaningful AI Legislation

14:20 The race to AGI and why we need to beat China

16:48 Regulating crypto and AI

18:34 The failure of the stablecoin bill

22:08 “Passive Observer” and the role of the public in geopolitical events

27:50 Art as resistance to homogenizing the narrative

30:10 When crypto starts making sense to normies

30:55 The fight to decentralize AI

33:25 The risks of centralized AI

35:40 Our lack of digital security and privacy

37:32 Why should AI belong to the people?

38:00 AI’s effects on the job market

41:25 How to get under the hood of AI

45:00 AI lowers the barrier to entry for art, technology, and more

46:30 AI and the arts

49:20 The pros and cons of decentralization

50:32 Decentralized infrastructure, currency, and economy

52:15 The Pectra update

54:35 The power of owning your own currency

55:18 How will wallets as smart contracts affect artists?

55:40 The NFT art space only works as it imagines a new art world

58:00 Pectra and the future of meaningful technologies

58:55 A digital renaissance

01:00:58 Counter AI surveillance technology

01:05:00 Why is digital privacy so important?

01:12:15 VeilPNG and hiding data

01:13:20 Closing remarks

Beyond the Hype: Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Crypto with Gus Grillasca May 09, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode with cypherpunk and artist Gus Grillasca, we explore the intricate crossroads of cryptocurrency and global economics. From the propaganda of inflation to Bitcoin Ordinals and the NFT controversy, this episode challenges conventional narratives and opens up new perspectives. Hear Gus' insights on navigating the Ethereum ecosystem, the financialization of Bitcoin, and privacy coins in the digital age.

We also talk about the evolving role of crypto in Latin America, reflect on the surprising dynamics of meme coins, and uncover gaps in financial literacy that could shape the next chapter of blockchain adoption. Whether you’re captivated by the promise of stablecoins, intrigued by NFT permanence, or pondering crypto’s place in an unstable world, this episode offers thought-provoking insights and artistic freedom at its core.

INFLARE: https://scarce.city/goods/inflare

Fierro Viejo: https://superrare.com/artwork/eth/0xb932a70A57673d89f4acfFBE830E8ed7f75Fb9e0/34374

Chapters:

00:00 Defiant Intro

00:10 Inflation is bankers’ propaganda

00:50 Introduction to Gus Grillasca

01:38 Gus’ Journey into blockchain

02:35 Banking challenges for travelors

04:44 Rare Pepes, Ethereum NFTs, and Bitcoin Ordinals

07:44 Changing views on the Ethereum ecosystem

09:04 Bitcoin Ordinals, memes, and the NFT Controversy

10:30 Bitcoin Ordinals and NFT permanence

14:53 The controversy around updates to the Bitcoin protocol

16:28 “INFLARE” and The Space by Art of Freedom

17:25 Inflation as a monetary phenomenon

21:06 Global inflation, purchasing power, and the role of crypto in an unstable world

25:37 Is the financialization of Bitcoin good or bad for crypto?

27:25 Bitcoin Reserve and the Digital Asset Stockpile

30:36 Thoughts on $TRUMP and other meme coins

34:45 Changing expectations of investing in NFT

38:18 Crypto’s role in Latin America

45:35 “Fierro Viejo,” NFTs and intellectual property

50:00 A gap in financial literacy

53:18 Ethereum’s changing roadmap

57:25 Privacy coins

59:40 The need for privacy in the digital age

01:03:05 Stablecoins, financial products, and exciting prospects in crypto

01:05:56 Final Thoughts

Will Crypto ETFs Transform the Market? Expert Insights from Matt Hougan, Bitwise CIO May 07, 2025

Show notes

Are crypto ETFs set to reshape the investing landscape? Join us on The Defiant as we dive deep into the future of crypto assets, the evolving regulatory environment, and the rise of index-based investing. Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise, shares his expert insights on what these changes mean for investors and how crypto ETFs could revolutionize access to digital assets.

Chapters:

00:00 The Defiant Intro

00:10 Why tariffs could be bullish for Bitcoin

00:41 Intro to Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise

01:35 The impact of U.S. interest rates on crypto markets

04:00 Tariffs and their effects on crypto

08:24 How USD fluctuations affect global crypto trends

10:15 Investor reactions to a weaker dollar

11:58 Bitcoin as a hedge against volatility

14:58 The role of traditional investors in driving Bitcoin’s price

20:54 Regulatory insights and which assets stand to gain

22:10 Crypto ETFs

24:50 What sets Bitwise apart in the crowded ETF space

26:52 The rise (and slow start) of Ethereum ETFs

29:00 How will ETH staking play into demand?

30:21 How will an ETH staking fund be structured?

32:30 Top crypto assets to watch for the next wave of ETFs

35:25 How index funds are influencing the future of crypto investing

36:50 Crypto native investors

38:38 Index funds and the SEC

40:11 Ethereum’s coming of age and shifting goals

43:45 What can get 1000x users on Ethereum?

46:28 Ethereum vs. Solana and the next big trends

48:31 Where and how different blockchains thrive

51:30 Predictions for 2025

53:10 Closing Remarks

Insights on DePIN, Web3 Policy, and More | Amira Valliana from Solana Foundation Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Immerse yourself in the future of decentralized infrastructure in this exclusive interview with Amira Valliana from the Solana Foundation. Perfect for Web3 enthusiasts, this episode unpacks how onchain solutions are redefining physical networks, policy, and global collaboration.

Chapters & Key Topics:

00:00 Introduction to decentralized infrastructure onchain
00:33 Podcast & guest welcome
03:16 Amira Valliana’s policy work at Solana Foundation
09:19 Shaping blockchain policy and its real-world impact
12:31 What is DePIN? (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks)
15:25 Case Study spotlight: Geonet
18:19 Current tech limits for onchain assets
20:21 Experiments in tracking real-world objects via blockchain
22:00 Supply chain challenges and onchain opportunities
24:08 Using crypto to coordinate worldwide networks
25:38 Helium Network deep-dive
29:00 Future applications for Helium
31:05 Exploring Hivemapper
34:15 Bridging DePIN and AI innovation
38:27 Decentralized AI and infrastructure synergy
42:32 Macro trends (interest rates, tariffs, resources, and more) and their effect
45:43 What’s next for decentralized physical infrastructure?

If you’re curious about DePIN, policy in Web3, or the next wave of decentralized AI, you’ll get actionable insights and real-world examples to fuel your curiosity.

Subscribe and hit the bell for more interviews with leaders shaping the decentralized future!

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