Bell Curve - podcast cover

Bell Curve

Blockworksblockworks.co
Bell Curve breaks down the most important themes in crypto for people who, like us, are confined to the middle of the bell curve. Each season explores a different thesis that we'll test and refine through debate with crypto's best. If you're a crypto native, degen or investooor, this podcast is for you. Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ Join the Bell Curve Telegram group: https://t.me/+nzyxAvQ0Xxc3YTEx
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Episodes

Ethereum’s Path Forward: Aligning Security and Monetary Policy | S8 E6 | Hasu & Justin Drake

In this episode, Hasu and Justin Drake joined us to discuss restaking, preconfs, Minimum Viable Issuance, and the future of Ethereum. We dive into the effects Ethereum monetary policy has on the validator set, the current market for restaking, and our thoughts on attester-proposer separation and proposer-builder separation. Finally, we cover what we’re most excited about in the future of Ethereum. Thanks for tuning in! -- Namada is the shielded asset hub rewarding you to protect the multichain. ...

Jul 02, 20241 hr 31 min

Harnessing the Untapped Potential of Bitcoin Staking | S8 E5 | David Tse

In this episode, David Tse, Co-founder of BabylonChain, joins us to explore the latest developments in the Bitcoin ecosystem. We dive into the transformative impact of Bitcoin staking, the innovative role of Babylon, and the broader technological and cultural shifts in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Finally, David provides insight into the Bitcoin staking market, and his outlook for its future. Thanks for tuning in! -- Namada is the shielded asset hub rewarding you to protect the multichain. Enabling da...

Jun 25, 20241 hr 20 min

How ZK Accounts Expand dApp Limits | John, Uma, & Zaki

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of ZK accounts and their potential. Uma, Zaki, and John, unpack ZK accounts, the trade-offs involved in design decisions, and the political landscape. We explore how ZK accounts enable trustless interoperability, enhance scalability, and unlock a dimension for dApps. The conversation also touches upon the convergence of blockchain design and the shift from infrastructure development to application-focused innovation, as ZK technology becomes more acce...

Jun 18, 202458 min

Will the Fed Cut Rates in 2024? | Roundup

In this episode, we discuss FOMC, previous rate cutting cycles over the years, and if the FED will cut rates prior to the presidential election. We also breakdown the differing approaches blockchains take when dealing with MEV, and the ways networks and applications can monetize. Finally, we dive into how Trump’s stance towards crypto has affected regulatory policy. Thanks for tuning in! -- Namada is the shielded asset hub rewarding you to protect the multichain. Enabling data protection for any...

Jun 14, 202459 min

How AVSs Enable Scalable, Secure and Customizable Execution | S8 E4 | Ludwig & Muto

In this episode, Ludwig from Sorella Labs and Muto from Ethos, two AVS builders, join to discuss the potential of restaked ETH and attributable security to revolutionize DeFi. They dive into how AVSs offer a scalable alternative to rollups by leveraging restaking to enable customizable off-chain execution while preserving the benefits of shared L1 liquidity. The discussion covers topics like preconfirmations, MEV, quorum design, costs of security, and Eigen Layer's role in enabling this new desi...

Jun 11, 20241 hr 34 min

Crypto's Great Rate Cut Cycle | Roundup

In this jam-packed episode, we dive into Starkware's million dollar initiative to scale Bitcoin with ZK tech, debate the implications of looming ETH ETF approvals, and discuss how the largest rate cutting cycle of our lifetimes could supercharge crypto. We also break down Coinbase's new Web3 wallet, the convergence of crypto infrastructure, and why Bitcoin DeFi faces an uphill adoption battle. Thanks for tuning in! - - Sei Labs believes the EVM is here to stay. By providing the fastest time to f...

Jun 07, 202454 min

Exploring Crypto's Modular Path | Rex & NoSleepJon

In this special episode, the Jason and Mike announce the launch of Expansion, a new Blockworks podcast focusing on the modular blockchain ecosystem. Expansion hosts Rex and NoSleepJon aim to explore the modular design concepts and architectural principles in the blockchain space. They highlight the benefits and challenges of modularity, the cultural and technical aspects, and how this new ecosystem is poised to disrupt existing technologies. Thanks for tuning in! - - Subscribe on YouTube: https:...

Jun 06, 202448 min

The Modular Integration Spectrum | Keone & Zon

In this episode, Keone from Monad and Zon from Initia to discuss the spectrum between modular and integrated blockchain designs. They explore the tradeoffs in decentralization, performance and scalability between the two approaches. They explore AppChains, rollups, composability challenges in modular systems, EVM compatibility, and when to scale blockchains horizontally vs vertically. To close out Keone and Zon also share valuable insights on building Web3 communities organically. Thanks for tun...

Jun 05, 20241 hr 4 min

The Power Dynamics of Liquid Restaking | S8 E3 | Sam, Krane, & Clayton

In this episode, we dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of liquid restaking. Our expert panel unpacks the history and rise of Liquid Restaking Tokens, exploring LRT design, yield strategies, the leverage dynamics between LRTs and Eigen Layer, and the potential impact of introducing multi-assets like Bitcoin. We examine the challenges posed by duration mismatches, the institutional appetite for liquid restaking, and the evolving market structure. Thanks for tuning in! -- Follow Sam: https:/...

Jun 04, 20241 hr 13 minSeason 8Ep. 3

Is Crypto Bipartisan Now? | Roundup

In this episode, the guys debate whether Democrats can reverse course before the upcoming election. They also discuss the rise and fall of meme coins, despite Iggy Azalea's recent token launch. The conversation then shifts to the challenges facing Bitcoin's L2 development, OpenAI's legal battles over celebrity rights and employee NDAs, and Nvidia's AI-fueled stock surge. Finally, they highlight Jito's launch of Stakenet on Solana and compare the diverging paths of Ethereum and Bitcoin L2s. Enjoy...

May 31, 20241 hr 6 min

Exploring EigenLayer and The Future of Ethereum Security | S8 E2 | Sreeram Kannan

In this episode we are joined by Sreeram Kannan, founder of EigenLayer, to discuss the current state and future potential of restaking. The conversation covers Eigenlayer's rapidly growing ecosystem of actively validated services (AVS), the different types of security guarantees made possible by restaking, and how restaking can benefit both external protocols and Ethereum itself. Sreeram shares his vision for how Eigenlayer fits into the broader Ethereum scaling roadmap and addresses some key op...

May 28, 20241 hr 51 min

How ETH ETFs Will Reshape Crypto | Roundup

In this episode, the crew dives into discuss the 75% odds of an ETH ETF approval this month. They unpack the implications of ETH ETFs on crypto market structure and institutional adoption. The conversation also covers the evolving regulatory landscape and the backlash against Yuga Labs over their CryptoPunks moves. Finally, they debate the future outlook for NFTs, the return of retail, and the potential of ETH to power new web3 applications. - - Sei Labs believes the EVM is here to stay. By prov...

May 24, 20241 hr 5 min

Restaking's Renaissance: The Next Generation of Blockchain Security | S8 E1

This episode takes a deep dive into the evolving landscape of restaking and shared security. Mike and Myles trace the history of restaking from early iterations like Polkadot and Cosmos to the rise of specialized providers like Eigen Layer. They break down the market structure, analyzing the supply and demand sides, and exploring how new entrants plan to challenge Eigen Layer's dominance. The discussion also unpacks restaking's dual identities in exporting security to other chains versus upgradi...

May 21, 20241 hr 8 min

The Growing Partisan Divide in Crypto | Roundup

In this episode, the guys discuss the recent prosecution of the Tornado Cash developer, the potential partisan nature of crypto regulation, and the ongoing vote on SAB 121. They delve into the history of asset seizure in the US, the shifting political attitudes towards crypto, and the potential implications for the industry. The conversation also touches on the recent GameStop saga and the return of 'Roaring Kitty', as well as the exploit engineered by 'Low Carb Crusader' and the subsequent lega...

May 17, 20241 hr 16 min

The Solana End Game | Anatoly Yakovenko & Lucas Bruder

Gm! This week we invite Anatoly Yakovenko & Lucas Bruder to the show for a discussion on the current state of Solana. We deep dive into the transaction problem as on chain volumes have exploded in recent months. Toly & Lucas explore the solutions that could help to increase chain performance & what's next for Solana. Enjoy! -- Follow Anatoly: https://twitter.com/aeyakovenko Follow Lucas: https://twitter.com/buffalu__ Follow Mert: https://twitter.com/0xMert_ Follow Dan: https://twitte...

May 14, 20241 hr 12 min

Will Crypto Leave the US? | Roundup

In this episode, the crew discusses the current state of crypto regulation and political candidate support in the US. They explore the viability of meme coins and the challenges of annualizing returns in the crypto space. The conversation also debates crypto-native gaming, the importance of crypto remaining a key industry in the US, and the technical improvements and institutional interest that could fuel a resurgence in Ethereum. Thanks for tuning in! - - Wormhole is a decentralized interoperab...

May 10, 20241 hr 7 min

Interoperability's Product-Market Fit | Deep Dive

In today's episode, Michael chats with Nikhil Suri from the Wormhole Foundation about the future of multichain and interoperability in crypto. They discuss the challenges of creating a seamless user experience across different chains, the role of general message passing protocols like Wormhole, and the potential impact of zero-knowledge proofs on scaling and security. Nikhil also shares his thoughts on the social challenges of interoperability standards adoption and the current product-market fi...

May 08, 202451 min

Eigen's Dual Staking Dilemma: Eth vs Eigen Security | Roundup

In this episode, Mike and Myles dive into Eigen Layer's major announcement, unpacking the details and implications of the Eigen token airdrop, the Eigen Foundation, and the positioning of Eigen as an "intersubjective work token". They discuss the community's mixed reaction to the airdrop details and geo-fencing, the objectives and considerations around airdrops in general, and the innovative tokenomic design of the Eigen token in enabling a dual staking system with ETH to secure Eigen Layer and ...

May 03, 20241 hr 16 min

Crypto's Multichain Masterplan | S7 E8

Season 7 | Episode 8 In this wrap-up episode of Season 7, Mike and Hart dive deep into the multichain endgame of crypto. They discuss how the user and developer experience might evolve in a multichain future, the role of ZK tech in enabling interoperability, and the importance of standardization across chains. They explore the potential for L1 assets to become commodities, the challenges of achieving sub-second finality, and the ultimate goal of reinventing global financial infrastructure throug...

Apr 24, 20241 hr 33 min

Solana: State Of The Network | Mert Mumtaz, Dan Smith | Lightspeed

Gm! Bell Curve's season 7 will be back soon. This week our friends Mert and Dan from the Lighspeed discuss the state of the network, MarginFi drama, Uniswap vs the SEC, airdrops, Monad's $225 million raise & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Mert: https://twitter.com/0xMert_ Follow Dan: https://twitter.com/smyyguy Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq -- Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/43o3Syk Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3OhiXgV Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3OkF...

Apr 23, 20241 hr 3 min

Bitcoin's Renaissance: Inside Runes, Ordinals, and Transaction Revenue | Roundup

In this week's round up the Mike and Vance dive into the recent Bitcoin correction, discussing the narratives surrounding interest rates, politics, and the upcoming halving. They explore the launch of Runes on Bitcoin and its potential impact on the ecosystem. The conversation also delves into the merging of Bitcoin and Ethereum, the challenges faced by Solana, and the importance of L1 performance for L2 functionality. They discuss the concept of profits and fees for L1s, the growth of restaking...

Apr 19, 20241 hr 10 min

Inside the Crypto Options and Derivatives Boom | Nick Trileski

In this episode, Mike is joined by Nick Trileski, a crypto options trader at Cumberland DRW, for an in-depth discussion on the current state of the crypto options and derivatives market. They explore the growth of options trading, the psychology around all-time highs, and the increasing institutional demand as evidenced by rising open interest. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of perps versus options, the risks and opportunities in basis trades like Athena, and the potential for con...

Apr 16, 202455 min

The Battle of Restaking Platforms & Alt L1s | Roundup

In this week's round up the Mike, Michael, and Vance break down Uniswap's fight with the SEC over a Wells notice and the implications for DeFi, as well as Bearchain's massive $100M raise. The risks of hedging altcoin investments using perpetual futures contracts are explored, along with the significance of Circle and BlackRock uniting to bridge traditional finance and DeFi. They also dissect the implosion at lending protocol MarginFi and the fierce competition heating up between Eigen and Carric...

Apr 12, 20241 hr 3 min

Solana's MEV Inflection Point: Users vs Protocol | Deep Dive | Eugene & Lucas

In today's episode, Mike is joined by Eugene from Ellipsis Labs and Lucas from Jito to discuss the current state and future of MEV on Solana. The trio dives into the philosophical divergence between Solana and Ethereum's approaches to mitigating MEV, with Solana prioritizing user experience and low fees while Ethereum focuses on incentive compatibility and decentralization. They explore the challenges Solana faces with record volumes, network congestion, and the ongoing debate surrounding transa...

Apr 09, 20241 hr 27 min

The Evolution of Crypto Venture Funds | Roundup

In this week's round up the Mike, Michael, and Vance examine the new market structure emerging as fresh capital starts to flow back into the space and debate whether this could break the traditional crypto market cycles. They also discuss the impact of early liquidity on founders and teams through token launches. Additionally, they analyze the impressive growth and revenue numbers from Coinbase's layer 2 Base. Finally, they explore the role of collateral and yield in the crypto ecosystem compare...

Apr 05, 20241 hr 6 min

Network Effects and Value Accrual in Crypto | S7 E7 | Kyle Samani

Season 7 | Episode 7 In today's episode Kyle Samani from Multicoin Capital joins Michael and Hart to discuss the complex dynamics of network effects in the blockchain ecosystem. The conversation dives deep into the different types of network effects at play, the phenomenon of anti-network effects caused by high gas fees, and the potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize global finance. Kyle shares his insights on the end state of L1 blockchains, the role of interoperability, and where...

Apr 02, 20241 hr 20 min

Are Crypto Market Cycles Changing for Good? | Roundup

In this week's round up the Mike, Michael, and Vance examine the new market structure emerging as fresh capital starts to flow back into the space and debate whether this could break the traditional crypto market cycles. They also discuss the impact of early liquidity on founders and teams through token launches. Additionally, they analyze the impressive growth and revenue numbers from Coinbase's layer 2 Base. Finally, they explore the role of collateral and yield in the crypto ecosystem compare...

Mar 29, 20241 hr 9 min

Credible Commitments: How Pre-Confirmations Unlock L2 Interoperability | S7 E6 | Jonas & Murat

Season 7 | Episode 6 In today's episode Mike and Hart are joined by Jonas from Chainbound and Murat from Prime to dive deep into the emerging world of pre-confirmations on Ethereum L2s. They discuss the current challenges facing L2s including centralized sequencers and limited composability, and explain how pre-confirmations act as credible commitments to include transactions, enhancing both UX and usability. Different pre-confirmation models are explored, such as builders or L1 proposers issuin...

Mar 26, 20241 hr 22 min

Restaking and Shared Security: Lessons from Cosmos, Polkadot, and Beyond | Roundup

In today's episode, Mike is joined by Myles and special guest Jim Parillo from Figment Capital to explore the latest developments in the restaking ecosystem. They dive into lessons learned from shared security models in Cosmos and Polkadot. The conversation also touches on the differences between liquid staking tokens (LSTs) and liquid restaking tokens (LRTs), as well as the emergence of Solana L2s and their potential implications for the future of the network. Stay tuned for all of this and muc...

Mar 22, 20241 hr 21 min

Dencun: The Catalyst for Ethereum's L2 Vision | Roundup

In this week's round up the Mike, Michael, and Vance discuss the impact of the Dencun hard fork on Ethereum L2s, which has lowered fees and opened up new opportunities for L2 business models and applications. The conversation also covers Maker's DSR hike, the return of meme coin mania, Jito's decision to end its mempool product, the AI investing craze, and whether this crypto cycle will be fundamentally different from previous ones. - - Wormhole is a decentralized interoperability platform power...

Mar 15, 20241 hr 11 min
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