Avsnitt
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In Episode 15 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and co-host Ava Labs President John Wu are joined by Blockchain Capital General Partner Spencer Bogart. The conversation explores stablecoins, prediction markets, token value accrual, privacy, public versus private blockchains and why the most valuable crypto applications of the future may not even exist today.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
02:01 - Things That Don't Exist
05:25 - Token Buybacks
09:11 - Privacy Challenge
11:06 - Regulation vs Privacy
12:17 - Value Accrual Debate
13:59 - Public vs Private Chains
17:43 - The Great Repricing
20:42 - Stablecoin Adoption
28:06 - Prediction Markets
45:18 - Crypto's Next OpportunityGuest links:
Spencer Bogart - https://x.com/CremeDeLaCrypto
Blockchain Capital - https://x.com/bcapHost links:
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
John Wu - https://x.com/John1wu
The Block - https://x.com/TheBlockCo
Ava Labs - https://x.com/avalabs
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In Episode 14 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and co-host Ava Labs President John Wu are joined by OpenTrade CEO David Sutter and Mercury Partner Samantha Lewis to break down the rapid growth of stablecoins and why yield infrastructure could become one of the most important layers of the onchain financial economy.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
01:26 - Bitcoin Origins
02:46 - Mercury’s Thesis
06:09 - Stablecoins Win
08:47 - Yield Infrastructure
11:58 - OpenTrade’s Model
20:59 - Stablecoin Adoption
31:32 - Clarity Act
38:07 - AI and Blockchain
51:46 - Bear Market Builders
55:31 - Closing ThoughtsGuest links:
David Sutter - https://x.com/btc_dave
Samantha Lewis - https://x.com/sjolewis
OpenTrade - https://x.com/opentrade_io
Mercury - https://x.com/mercuryfundHost links:
John Wu - https://x.com/John1wu
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
The Block - https://x.com/TheBlockCo
Ava Labs - https://x.com/avalabs
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In Episode 13 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and co-host Ava Labs President John Wu are joined by Anna Wroblewska, Chief Business Officer at Dinari, to break down how tokenized equities are expanding access to U.S. capital markets globally.
She explains Dinari’s custodial model, how liquidity is sourced across traditional and onchain markets, and why infrastructure, not speculation, is the real unlock.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
01:32 - What Dinari Is
03:21 - Institutions Arrive
06:01 - Tokenized Trades
08:38 - 24/7 Markets
13:24 - Why B2B Rails
16:18 - Regulation and Access
24:31 - Global Investor Demand
30:29 - S&P Digital Index
47:54 - DeFi and CollateralGuest links:
Anna Wroblewska - https://x.com/annabelleacta
Dinari - https://x.com/DinariGlobalHost links:
John Wu - https://x.com/John1wu
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
The Block - https://x.com/TheBlockCo
Ava Labs - https://x.com/avalabs
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After appearing in recent episodes, Ava Labs President John Wu officially joins Layer One as co-host. 🥳
In Episode 12, he joins Kelvin Sparks alongside Andre Frank, COO of Tassat, and Jerald David, CEO of Lynq, to discuss how Tassat and Lynq are rebuilding financial infrastructure with real-time settlement and yield-bearing assets on Avalanche.
The conversation covers the shift from legacy banking rails to always-on blockchain systems, capital efficiency through “yield in transit,” and the growing demand from institutions for compliant, risk-managed solutions.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - Tassat Background
03:37 - What Lynq Is
05:55 - Episode Overview
06:42 - Avalanche Migration
08:48 - Why Avalanche
10:57 - Institutional Adoption
17:15 - Regulation and Compliance
25:23 - Yield in Transit
36:59 - Real-World Use CasesGuest links:
Andre Frank - / andre-frank
Tassat - https://x.com/tassatgroup
Jerald David - / jerald-david
Lynq - https://x.com/Lynq_NetworkHost links:
John Wu - https://x.com/John1wu
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
The Block - https://x.com/TheBlockCo
Ava Labs - https://x.com/avalabs
Avalanche - https://x.com/avax---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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In Episode 11 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and special co-host Ava Labs President John Wu are joined by Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise, to discuss the launch of the Avalanche ETP and how institutional investors are approaching crypto exposure.
He breaks down the rapid expansion of tokenized real-world assets, the role of ETFs in onboarding capital, and why this cycle may differ from previous ones.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
01:40 - Avalanche ETP Overview
02:45 - ETF Differentiation
04:34 - Staking and Yield
06:19 - Institutional Strategy
09:04 - Competing L1 Models
14:22 - Bitcoin Price Thesis
18:49 - Dual Market Narratives
21:57 - Institutional Capital Flows
30:02 - AI and Crypto FutureGuest links:
Matt Hougan - https://x.com/Matt_Hougan
Bitwise - https://x.com/Bitwise
Ava Labs - https://x.com/avalabsHost links:
John Wu - https://x.com/John1wu
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
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In Episode 10 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and special co-host Ava Labs President John Wu are joined by Carlos Domingo, CEO of Securitize, to discuss the rapid rise of tokenized financial assets and what it takes to bring them into regulated markets.
The conversation also covers regulatory clarity, BlackRock’s role in accelerating the space, and how tokenized assets will reshape capital markets over the next decade.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Background and Origins
01:45 - First Tokenized Securities Trade
03:30 - Early Institutional Adoption
04:36 - NYSE Tokenization Partnership
07:05 - Why Public Equities First
09:57 - From Why to What
11:10 - Why Avalanche Was Chosen
12:48 - Compliance and Settlement
17:15 - What Drove AdoptionGuest links:
Carlos Domingo - https://x.com/carlosdomingo
Securitize - https://x.com/Securitize
John Wu - https://x.com/John1wu
Ava Labs - https://x.com/avalabsHost links:
Steven Gates - https://x.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
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In Episode 9 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha founder Steven Gates were joined by Nicholas Kunkel (Chronicle) and Rhett Shipp (Avant) to break down the current state of DeFi and what’s actually holding the industry back. They argue that core primitives are already built, and the real unlock lies in tokenized assets, improved liquidity, and seamless integration with traditional finance.
The conversation also explores stablecoin economics, DAO limitations, on-chain credit markets, and what founders need to succeed in crypto today.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Intro
01:11 - Getting Into DeFi
04:38 - Early MakerDAO Days
08:43 - Where Value Accrues
12:23 - Yield and Stablecoins
17:56 - How DeFi Yield Works
23:34 - SubDAOs and Governance
30:33 - Do We Need New Primitives
36:25 - Tokenized Assets Unlock
53:55 - Founder AdviceGuest links:
Rhett Shipp - https://x.com/RhettShipp
Avant - https://x.com/avantprotocol
Niklas Kunkel - https://x.com/nomos_paradox
Chronicle - https://x.com/ChronicleLabsHost links:
Steven Gates - https://x.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
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In Episode 8 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha founder Steven Gates were joined by Santiago R. Santos of Inversion Capital. He explains why many crypto token valuations are structurally flawed and outlines his framework for investing in durable, cash-flow-supported adoption, with a focus on B2B stablecoin use cases.
The group debates how to value crypto beyond tribal narratives, arguing that many token prices overpay for a future that still requires regulatory clarity and real demand for blockspace.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Intro
00:00:27 - Scope and disclaimer
00:01:41 - FDV and investor framing
00:04:02 - Valuation bias
00:12:23 - Investing through cycles
00:21:44 - Choosing Avalanche infrastructure
00:28:29 - Retrofitting real businesses
00:35:46 - Who’s building this model
00:41:52 - Writing, thinking, first principles
00:50:16 - Fieldwork beats theory
00:52:53 - Asking the right questions
01:00:23 - TGE and FDV reality
01:07:30 - Final takeawaysHost/Guest links:
Santiago R Santos - twitter.com/santiagoroel
Inversion Capital - twitter.com/inversion_cap
Steven Gates - twitter.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparks
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In Episode 7 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha founder Steven Gates were joined by Charles Yoo-Naut, co-founder of Rain, and John Gomez, co-founder and former CEO of Uptop.
The group discussed the convergence of stablecoin payments and on-chain loyalty infrastructure, why rewards plus payments are becoming table stakes, and how sports and IP are driving real-world adoption.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Intro
03:58 - What is Rain
04:30 - Uptop + acquisition fit
06:01 - Fundraise & M&A lessons
12:43 - Why rewards matter
16:29 - Stablecoin “aha” moment
25:26 - Regulation, timing, builders
33:53 - Lifestyle banking & IP
41:59 - Marketplaces, on-ramps, costs
47:35 - Why raise $250M
50:11 - Stablecoins in 3 years
51:56 - Proliferation of issuers
53:59 - Closing remarksHost/Guest links:
Charles Yoo-Naut - twitter.com/cnaut
Rain - twitter.com/raincards
John Gomez - linkedin.com/in/john-timoney-gomez-a64b669b/
Uptop - twitter.com/uptop_xyz
Steven Gates - twitter.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparks
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In episode six of Layer One, The Block's Kelvin Sparks and Hypha Founder Steven Gates were joined by Ava Labs's VP of Business Development of Onchain Finance, Morgan Krupetsky and VanEck's Head of Digital Asset Research Matthew Siegel. Together, the group discussed what actually drives institutional conviction in crypto. Siegel explained why VanEck chose Avalanche for its first alt-L1 ETF, citing product-market fit, economic clarity, and an active BD team onboarding real institutions. The conversation covers DATs vs ETFs, the innovator's dilemma facing banks, and why market downturns are exactly when serious builders separate from tourists.
Host/Guest links:
Matthew Siegel - twitter.com/matthew_sigel
VanEck - twitter.com/vaneck_us
Morgan Krupetsky - twitter.com/MorganKrupetsky
Ava Labs - twitter.com/AvaLabsSteven Gates - twitter.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparks
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In episode five of Layer One, The Block's Kelvin Sparks and Hypha Founder Steven Gates were joined by Ava Labs General Counsel Lee Schneider and Plume General Counsel Salman Benaei, to discuss how the Senate bill turns crypto's legal foundation from sand to stone, and what that means for the next generation of builders.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
01:28 - Salman's Path: CFTC to Crypto
05:52 - Lee on Token Sales & Legal Structures
08:17 - RWA Rights & Disclosures
12:26 - What Buyers Should Care About
15:15 - Pre-IPO Tokenized Shares
18:49 - The Governance Token Question
22:03 - The Decentralization Test Debate
28:13 - What Clarity Means for Builders
36:41 - TradFi's Crypto Play
44:31 - Open vs Closed Networks
51:20 - Outro
Host/Guest links:
Salman Banaei - https://x.com/banamlas
Lee Schneider - https://x.com/leelaughs5x
Steven Gates - twitter.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparks
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In episode four of Layer One, The Block's Kelvin Sparks and Hypha Founder Steven Gates were joined by Kite AI's Head of Business Development and Strategy, Lei Lei, to discuss why AI agents need dedicated blockchain infrastructure rather than general purpose blockchains. The trio also touch on the recent hype around Claude Code, why enterprise giants are panicking about AI disruption, and how the X-402 payments protocol did $600M in volume last year.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
01:13 - Claude Code
04:26 - Why Avalanche
09:40 - X-402 Explained
13:01 - General Purpose Chains
19:37 - Swarms Gone Rogue
26:53 - Crypto-Native Enterprises?
30:03 - $600M & Counting
37:04 - Big Name Backers
42:07 - Winners & Losers
47:30 - Outro
Host/Guest links:
Lei Lei - https://x.com/lei_lei0904
KiteAI - https://x.com/GoKiteAI
Steven Gates - twitter.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparks
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In episode three of Layer One, The Block's Kelvin Sparks and Hypha Founder Steven Gates were joined by The Arena CEO Jason DeSimone to discuss the platform’s revival and two-year growth, creator monetization via ticket rails, and the future of SocialFi, M&A, and AI-driven content.
Host/Guest links:
Jason DeSimone - x.com/jasonmdesimone
The Arena - x.com/TheArena
Steven Gates - twitter.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparksOUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction02:03 - Arena’s Takeover Story07:08 - Lessons from SocialFi Craze09:39 - Arena’s Feature Stack12:13 - Tickets, Identity, Monetization15:49 - Arena’s Growth Strategy19:20 - Competing with SocialFi Rivals24:42 - Community, Culture, Moats31:24 - Tokens, Equity, Exits40:07 - AI Agents and SocialFi’s Future
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In episode two of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha Founder Steven Gates, were joined by guest co-host and Ava Labs President John Wu, and Skybridge Founder and Managing Partner, Anthony Scaramucci to discuss we are in the crypto cycle, how Avalanche is positioned to facilitate institutional adoption, and how upcoming U.S. regulation like the Clarity Act could unlock the next wave of onchain finance.
Host/Guest links:
Anthony Scaramucci - https://x.com/Scaramucci
John Wu - https://x.com/John1wu
Steven Gates - https://x.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
01:05 - Scaramucci’s Background
04:25 - FTX, Abu Dhabi & Leadership Lessons
08:58 - Why Avalanche Wins Institutions
12:24 - Project Crypto, Policy & Partisanship
17:04 - The Clarity Act & Tokenization Boom
25:39 - Stablecoins vs Traditional Payments
32:24 - DeFi, RWAs & Liquidity
47:23 - Where We Are in the Cycle
49:41 - Fed, Macro Outlook & Closing
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The Block is proud to introduce our newest podcast: Layer One — created in collaboration with Avalanche.
Hosted by The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha Founder Steven Gates, Layer One explores the people, ideas, and technologies shaping the future of crypto.
In this inaugural episode, Kelvin and Steven are joined by Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly, and Sean Lippel, General Partner at Fintech Collective.
Together, our dive into their origins in the world of poker — and how the decision-making frameworks, risk management skills, and psychological insights they developed at the table carry over into crypto, trading, and investing.
Host/Guest links:
Haseeb Qureshi - https://x.com/hosseeb
Sean Lippel - https://x.com/seanlippel
Steven Gates - https://x.com/stvngts
Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks
OUTLINE
00:00 Introduction
1:07 Poker-to-Crypto Pipeline
5:36 Biggest Risks & Bad Beats
11:38 Poker Brains, VC Games
17:08 Reading the Market Regime
21:54 Betting on 2029
25:09 DeFi Growing Pains
31:44 Institutions Meet DeFi
37:17 Stablecoins, RWAs, Alts
46:13 DATs, Staking & Yield
54:47 The Avalanche Thesis
1:00:44 Vertically Integrated Moments
1:06:52 Pump.Fun & Sign-Off
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