Technology

The Rollup

Where digital assets and finance converge. Live from the financial capital of the world.

Website: https://therollup.co/

Latest Episodes:

Can Solana Replace NASDAQ? With Max Resnick and Logan Jastremski Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

What kind of infrastructure do we actually need to support real, global trading onchain?

In today's episode, we dig into the debate between high-throughput blockchains and modular approaches with Logan and Max, both vocal Solana supporters. They share why they believe monolithic scaling is the way to go, and why Solana is aiming to replace NASDAQ, not Ethereum. (Yes!)

We discuss how global data synchronization at the speed of light could lead to fairer markets with tighter spreads, potentially beating traditional exchanges. We also cover MEV extraction on Solana, its evolving social layer following the Trump coin surge, and why the recent inflation reduction proposal didn't succeed.

Let's dive in.

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The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥: 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘍𝘪 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬, 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. 𝘈𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮, 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘴.

Ram Kumar on AGI, Specialized Intelligence, and Agent Infrastructure Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Now that the Crypto AI peak of inflated expectations has passed, what’s actually built to last?

In today's episode, we are looking at the real infrastructure needed for long-term AI projects.

We sit down with Ram Kumar of OpenLedger to explore how their team is building AI that actually understands crypto, not just slapping ChatGPT onto existing apps. OpenLedger is designing intelligence that’s native to DeFi and blockchain, not retrofitted for it.

This shift from generic AI to systems that truly grasp DeFi mechanics and blockchain architecture isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a necessity. And it opens the door for something bigger: specialized AI agents that collaborate with each other in real time.

Let's jump in.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

Are Stablecoins & RWAs Crypto’s Main Use Case? with Chris Yin Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Crypto has always been a game of extremes. On one end, a memecoins casino and speculative madness; on the other, an attempt to build something more sustainable.

In today's episode, we sit down with Chris Yin, co-founder and CEO of Plume Network, to cut through the noise around RWAs. Chris explains why most RWA projects are just "TradFi people doing TradFi stuff on chain" and why that approach is missing the point entirely.

From the reality behind BlackRock's crypto plays to why stable coins remain the only RWA that truly matters, Chris shares an insider's perspective on building infrastructure that brings real-world value on chain - the right way.

We also dive into the challenges of building sustainable crypto products, why bottom-up adoption beats institutional onboarding, and what assets beyond T-bills actually make sense to tokenize.

Let's get into it.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

Is Crypto's Biggest Payment Problem Already Solved? With Paul Faecks Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

While everyone's attention has been focused the current market volatility, stablecoins have been thriving.

In today's episode, we take a look at Plasma and uncover what their team has been working on for stablecoins. Rather than creating another all-purpose blockchain, they've developed something specifically for stablecoin payments. Zero fee USDT transfers in a system built for speed, affordability, and high volume.

We spoke with Paul, founder of Plasma, about USDT's growing dominance in global payments, the daily transfer limitations of networks like Ethereum and Tron, and Plasma's overall approach. Paul also shares valuable insights on institutional adoption of stablecoins as well as how Bitcoin could become involved.

The next step for stablecoins is just around the corner.

Let's dive in.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

Why A 'Return To Fundamentals' in Crypto Is Imminent with YQ Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

What makes crypto so different in the East and the West?

In the U.S. and Europe, teams typically focus on building the foundation: rollups, restaking, scaling solutions. In Asia, markets drive adoption, trading volume, and unique market trends.

We sat with YQ, founder of AltLayer, to dive deeper. Western builders think ahead, prioritizing scalability and decentralization. Eastern markets excel at liquidity, with efficient capital flow and rapidly emerging trends.

This global dynamic shapes both development and investment strategies. Understanding it is essential for anyone interested in crypto.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

Berachain's DeFi Summer 2.0 Playbook with Smokey the Bera Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

What if DeFi value flowed back to its users?

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the Berachain ecosystem with its founder, Smokey The Bera, to dive into this idea and talk about the chain’s rapid growth.

Berachain is different. It’s built on a unique symbiotic relationship between the chain, validators, and apps. By using game theory, it lets users create strategies based on the tokens they want to optimize and their risk preferences.

We also dig into how Berachain's flow mechanism works, where apps revenue flows straight back to BGT holders, and touch on things like pre-deposit vaults, the formation of ecosystem alliances, unexpected institutional interest, and how PayPal USD is finding a new home on Berachain.

Let's dive in.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

Why An Explosion of User-Owned AI Is Coming with Illia Polosukhin Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

An AI agent with no hidden motives or data harvesting. Dream or reality?

In today's episode, we talk with Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol, about the idea of having your own AI.

That's exactly what NEAR has created with their AI Transaction Protocol (AITP). They have an open ecosystem where AI systems can communicate and transact while you maintain complete control.

NEAR isn't just developing better AI technology, they're also ensuring that automated systems remain open, verifiable, and in your hands rather than locked behind corporate walls.

Join us on how NEAR's blockchain foundation enables user-owned AI and why this matters moving forward.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

Alex Gluchowski and Sreeram Kannan on Their Collaborative Scaling Vision Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

ZK needs decentralized proving networks, or we're just moving trust to a new bottleneck.

Same goes for L2s.

In today's episode, we cover how EigenLayer attempts to create a new way to coordinate decentralized proving networks so no single entity controls the backbone of ZK systems.

We sit down with zkSync co-inventor, Alex Gluchowski and EigenLayer founder, Sreeram to cover how modular scaling works, why decentralizing proof generation matters, what this means for DeFi builders wanting flexibility without sacrificing security, and more.

This conversation drills into modular design and the future of verifiable computation.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

How Initia’s Interwoven Economy Is Defying Traditional Multi-Chain Design with Zon Mar 15, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, we sit down with Intia co-founder, Zon, to talk about what Initia is cooking.

The Initia team has been busy building their interwoven rollup ecosystem with 15 publicly announced rollups and a massive $26 million invested. Rollups on Initia have raised more than even Initia itself, showing clear interest.

We look into Initia's VIP Program, why high staking rates are hurting DeFi ecosystems, how Initia plans to boost economic velocity, and why they believe purpose-built chains will win over the "we're faster than everyone else" crowd.

Are we finally seeing a shift from speculation-driven approaches to systems that reward actual usage?

Let's explore.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl

Terence Kwok on Digital Identity, Proof of Personhood, and Eastern Crypto Markets Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

The line between real humans and bots is blurring.

In today’s episode, we chat with Terence Kwok, the founder of Humanity Protocol, to explore how they're balancing privacy and accountability. Humanity is using technology to read palm prints and vein patterns for verification, all without storing biometric data.

This approach could offer a way for users to prove they’re not bots without compromising their personal information. We look into Humanity Protocol's approach, technology, and place in the evolving landscape.

Let's get into it.

Join The Rollup Edge: https://members.therollup.co

Website: https://therollup.co/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..

Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcast

Follow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollup

Follow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandy

Join our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBh

The Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-discl