The Optimism Show

Optimism has officially selected Etherfi as its liquid staking partner for OP Mainnet, positioning weETH as a core asset across the ecosystem. After a full review comparing liquidity depth, yield, risk, and long-term alignment, the Optimism Collective determined that Etherfi offered the strongest risk-adjusted profile.

This upgrade means weETH is now primed for deep integration across OP Mainnet — from DEXs and lending markets to custodial platforms and institutional workflows. Builders gain a liquid staking token designed for higher security, transparency, and compatibility with the OP Stack.

At the same time, Optimism is maintaining a multi-protocol ap...

Horizen has officially launched its EVM-native Layer-3 on Base and migrated ZEN into an ERC-20 — moving from a standalone PoW chain to a privacy-focused rollup that now benefits from Base liquidity, OP Stack tooling, and Ethereum finality. ZEN trading is live on major DEXs and exchanges, with staking set to return and potentially reshape token utility on Base.

The new L3 is built with partners including Caldera, LayerZero, Stork, Den, Goldsky, and zkVerify, and comes with a 1M ZEN (~$8.8M) builder fund with Thrive Protocol. Horizen’s roadmap features privacy-first apps (private DeFi, payroll, verifiable ads) and a Co...

CoinsPaid CryptoProcessing has added Base and Arbitrum support, letting merchants accept and settle USDC, USDT, and other crypto payments with lower fees and faster confirmations. This upgrade strengthens Base as a real-world payment rail, improves stablecoin flows, and reduces friction for wallets, dapps, and merchants integrating on-chain payments.

By routing settlements over Layer 2s instead of Ethereum mainnet, businesses get cheaper transactions, quicker settlement times, and easier merchant onboarding. The impact depends on adoption: from modest increases in stablecoin activity on Base to meaningful payment-volume growth if merchants integrate at scale.

🎙️ About The Optim...

Base just introduced Base.meme, a no-code launchpad for creating memecoins on Base using bonding curves — designed to dramatically lower upfront liquidity requirements and reduce immediate rug risk. If you’re building, trading, or experimenting with token launches on Base, this is one of the most important tools to understand right now. Base.meme lets creators configure a bonding curve where roughly 80% of supply is sold through the curve, with the remaining 20% automatically migrated into a Uniswap liquidity pool. Creators can customize curve parameters, perform optional self-buys, upload assets, and push early demand through Twitter, Telegram, and Discord. With Base...

A Chainlink CCIP bridge between Solana and Base is now live — and that one line quietly rewires how assets, NFTs, and users can move between a major non-EVM chain and Coinbase’s Layer 2. If you build, trade, or run infra on Base, this isn’t just “another bridge announcement” — it’s a new liquidity corridor with very real security, UX, and routing tradeoffs.

In this episode of BASE Weekly, we break down four stories you actually need to make decisions on:

1️⃣ The new Solana ↔ Base bridge using Chainlink CCIP and what to test first.

2️⃣ Base openly ex...

What if every post you made online could actually pay you? If you create art, videos, writing, or even memes — this is the shift you’ve been waiting for.

Zora is quietly becoming one of the most important platforms in the onchain creator economy. Instead of posting into an algorithmic void, Zora lets creators mint their work as collectible, tradable assets — with full ownership, embedded royalties, and creator-first economics.

Your content becomes something people can collect, support, build on, and invest in. Zora isn’t just an NFT marketplace anymore.

In 2025, it’s a full eco...

Base just launched a direct bridge to Solana — a major step toward seamless cross-chain movement between Coinbase’s Layer 2 and one of the fastest ecosystems in crypto.

This upgrade lets users and builders move assets like SOL, ETH, and USDC between the two networks with far less friction, enabling deeper liquidity routing, better onboarding, and new cross-ecosystem opportunities for DEXs, wallets, and DeFi apps.

The new Base ↔ Solana bridge plugs Solana’s ultra-fast, low-fee execution environment into Base’s Ethereum-aligned tooling. Multiple teams are involved — from Base and Coinbase, to Solana ecosystem projects, bridge infrastructure providers, a...

The Superchain is starting to feel inevitable. Bedrock upgrades are live, the OP Stack is expanding across new rollups, Fusaka just unlocked a major data-availability leap, and OP Stack chains now drive nearly 60% of all L2 transactions.

Meanwhile, Base is dominating user growth, new bridges are redefining liquidity flows, and OP’s unlock schedule still determines how much fundamentals matter.

This episode breaks down how OP token economics, Base’s rise, and Metal DAO’s hard fork all connect — and what it means for builders, infra teams, and token holders ahead of the next incentive wave. Duration: 00:05:33

If you’ve ever wished you could “bet” on early-stage startups — or play VC on a micro-scale — this project will get your attention. ProductClank turns tiny memecoins into signals of early belief. Fans back products before they blow up, founders get their first users with zero ad spend, and everyone participates in the discovery loop.

ProductClank is basically Product Hunt with on-chain incentives — a tokenized growth engine where every product gets its own automatic memecoin, and communities earn through backing, promoting, and participating.

It’s a new coordination model for early traction, and a preview of how tokeniz...

If you believed Base was mostly a playground for speculation — this week shows its infrastructure moment has arrived. Two quiet but massive shifts are happening at the same time: JPMorgan has activated a regulated bank deposit token on Base, and AI agents are suddenly some of the chain’s biggest consumers of blockspace.

Add cross-architecture bridges into the mix, and the way liquidity, custody, and transaction flow works on Base is about to change dramatically.

What we’re seeing is the early formation of a Base economy where banks, bots, retail traders, and cross-chain capital all co...

If you care about bringing millions of everyday users into DeFi — or you’re building on the Superchain — this breakdown is essential. Ink is Kraken’s bold move into onchain finance. Not a meme chain, not a marketing play — a purpose-built OP Stack chain designed to make DeFi feel safe, intuitive, and human. Instead of throwing newcomers into a jungle of DEXes, gas fees, and confusing pop-ups, Ink aims to become the first chain where normal people can actually understand what’s happening. At the same time, Ink positions itself as the bridge between Centralized and Decentralized Finance — a clean, well-li...

If you care about cross-chain liquidity — or you build on Base — this breakdown is essential.

Apex Fusion is building a cross-architecture bridge designed to connect Base with other rollups and alternative chain designs. Not a simple token tunnel — a full interoperability layer aimed at reducing friction when moving assets and composable positions across heterogeneous L1s and L2s.

At the same time, Apex is positioning its bridge to unlock smoother routing for DEXs, better flows for ETH/USDC, and easier integrations for builders working across different rollup stacks — potentially reshaping how liquidity moves into and out...

If you care about the future of on-chain creator monetization — or you’re building on Base — this breakdown is essential. purrLabs and District have announced a partnership to build tokenized intellectual property (IP) capital markets on Base.

Not speculative NFT hype — a real attempt to turn licensing rights, royalty flows, and IP ownership into liquid, tradable on-chain assets. At the same time, this move positions Base as a hub for creator-economy infrastructure across the Superchain — from tokenized licensing primitives to royalty-stream markets and provenance-verified IP assets for studios, creators, and rights holders.

This is your clear brea...

If you care about the future of AI agents — or you’re building on Base — this breakdown is essential. SKALE just launched a new Layer-3 deployment on Base designed specifically for agent workloads. Not a speculative meme narrative — a practical L3 built for low-latency execution, inter-agent payments, and real on-chain utility for SKL and USDC.

At the same time, SKALE is positioning its Expand flow and built-in credits as the payment layer powering gasless-feeling agent interactions — offering a new path for AI-native micro-transactions across the Base and Superchain ecosystems.

This is your clear breakdown of what SKALE...

If you care about the future of mainstream Web3 adoption — or you build anywhere on the Superchain — this update is essential.

Optimism’s CEO just hinted at a major shift: a fresh enterprise strategy aimed at bringing larger businesses onto the Optimism stack. Not a vague roadmap, not another dev-tool upgrade — a targeted go-to-market push that could reshape how companies adopt onchain infrastructure at scale.

At the same time, Optimism is positioning the Superchain as an enterprise-ready environment — tailored rollups, compliance-friendly integrations, and a more structured partnership motion that could unlock real production workloads and meaningful...

The Superchain is quietly turning into one of the most important financial layers in the entire industry. You have Kraken launching a high-speed CLOB exchange with millisecond execution. BOB transforming Bitcoin into a productive financial asset instead of passive cold storage.

And OP Mainnet leveling up into enterprise-grade infrastructure with serious reliability guarantees. Zoom out, and all these stories point in the same direction: The Superchain is attracting serious builders, institutions, and deep liquidity — not just experiments.

00:00 — Intro The Superchain’s evolution into core crypto financial infrastructure.

00:18 — Markets first Why the strongest momentum is in tr...

🔥 Base Just Hit a Critical Turning Point — Here’s What Actually Happened 🔥

Base is rapidly becoming the testbed for memecoins, agentic AI, and institutional rails — and this episode breaks down the one creator token launch that exposed exactly where things can still go wrong. Sniper bots, liquidity games, fairness failures… and what it all means for Base, Coinbase, and the Superchain.

00:00 — Jesse token meltdown: sniper bots, concentrated supply, fairness problems

01:10 — Why this matters: Base exploring a native token + the need for better launch tooling 02:05 — Base’s infra edge: sub-second txs, $0.01 gas, flashblocks

02:38 — How to fix l...

If you care about the future of mainstream Web3 adoption — or you build anywhere on the Superchain — this episode is essential.

One of the biggest entertainment companies on the planet just launched its own Layer 2 blockchain. Not a meme coin, not an NFT gimmick — a full OP Stack chain designed to bring millions of everyday users on-chain without them ever realizing they’re using crypto.

At the same time, Sony is positioning Soneium as a digital city for gamers, creators, and global fandoms — reshaping how entertainment, identity, and on-chain culture will evolve across Optimism, Base, and the wi...

If you’ve used Velodrome or Aerodrome recently — or build anywhere on the Superchain — this episode is critical.

A coordinated DNS front-end hijack drained user wallets and exposed a major weakness in the off-chain infrastructure that every DeFi protocol still relies on.

At the same time, the Aerodrome + Velodrome merger (AERO) and upcoming Optimism protocol upgrades are reshaping liquidity, routing, and developer economics across Optimism, Base, and the wider Ethereum L2 ecosystem.

This is your clear, technical breakdown of what actually happened, how to stay safe, and what’s coming next.

00:00 — Intro: Why...

In today’s Superchain Digest, two massive moves just reshaped where liquidity, power, and attention are heading next on the Optimism Superchain.

In this episode, we break down:

🚀 Why AERO matters for liquidity, governance, and MEV

🌉 How cross-rollup swaps could change the Superchain UX

📈 What actually caused Lisk’s price spike

🌐 How legacy chains joining the Superchain could shift the ecosystem

⚠️ The risks, timelines, and what builders/LPs/traders should watch next

🎙️ About The Optimism Show: Weekly deep dives into the tech, incentives, and market structure shaping the Sup...

In just 6 minutes, you’ll finally understand what the Optimism Superchain is — and why it’s shaping the future of Ethereum.

We’ll cover:

🚦 The main problem with Ethereum (and why it’s slowing down innovation)

🧱 What the Optimism Superchain actually is — in plain English

📊 Where the Superchain stands in 2025 with real data and adoption numbers

🌐 Why the Superchain matters for users, developers, and the entire crypto ecosystem

💡 Quick summary:

Ethereum is the secure base layer — but it’s crowded and expensive.

The Superchain is like turnin...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski and Vittorio unpack what’s worked for the show’s recent growth: using short-form as trailers, building automated repurposing systems, prioritizing psychographics over simple demographics, and treating companies as media-first businesses. They share concrete results (rapid YouTube growth), tactical playbooks (volume + automation + platform funnels), and why new socials and in-house media create durable advantages.

(00:00) — Episode intro: goals and overview

(00:43) — Vittorio’s first on-camera appearance and framing the conversation

(01:11) — YouTube growth update: from ~50K early views to 300K+ total

(03:10) — Short-form as trailer: why s...

Mini‑apps as growth: design for friction and share

Mini‑apps are the fastest way to test funnels and get users — if you build them as lead magnets.

Mini apps win when they are the easiest way into a product — fast, shareable, measurable.

Mini‑apps are tiny funnels, not tiny products. Treat each mini‑app as a single KPI engine: deposits, signups, or shares.

Here’s the shift: pick one metric and make every step aim at it. If you want transactions, cut the path to completion. Instant login, wallet-ready flows, and the fewest...

In this episode we sit with a Chris Carella experimenting with agentic tooling as the launchpad for a one-person startup studio. He shows how Claude Code becomes more than a code assistant — a writable context and a persistent chief-of-staff that replaces spreadsheets, drafts marketing plans, and preserves project memory across sessions. As he puts it, "this one tool can basically do everything," and that shift changes how non-technical founders prototype, organize work, and reuse their thinking.

He tests the idea by shipping tiny iOS apps as a way to get fast feedback: the App Store becomes a de...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski is joined by Adrienne and NounishProf—co-creators of GM Farcaster, a flagship onchain media brand—to explore what it really takes to build in public on Web3’s fastest-growing social protocol.

Together, they unpack the vision and mechanics behind GM Farcaster’s livestream-first approach, the power of community-driven podcasting, and how custom bots and Farcaster-native mini apps unlock new ways of engaging audiences. This isn’t just a conversation about content—it’s about redefining media itself, using the primitives of onchain coordination, open distribution, and community ownership.

They also...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris sits down with Lucas, the founder of Pods.media, to dive deep into the rapidly emerging world of onchain podcasting. Together, they unpack why moving podcasts and media onchain is more than just a trend—it’s a fundamental shift that empowers creators to monetize from day one, build direct relationships with their audiences, and experiment with new models that go far beyond traditional advertising.

Lucas explains how tools like NFTs, creator coins, and stablecoin-based payments are opening up fresh opportunities for podcasters of every size, from begi...

Chris Carella is back on the Optimism Show. He talks about how AI is changing the work that actually makes products people can use. The talk starts with real stories: making a full wireframe in one day, using Cursor to fix and edit code, and running small experiments with AI agents. Then it looks at the bigger idea: teams are doing work faster, job roles are mixing together, and small teams that do many things can move quicker than big groups.

Chris gives simple, helpful advice for people who build products. He says rapid prototyping with AI...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski sits down with Ruben from OB Dollar to explore the structural flaws in grant-based funding for onchain builders. The discussion highlights issues like OP token volatility, delayed payouts, and the overdependence on retroactive rewards.

Ruben outlines potential alternatives—including real-time funding streams via Drips and Superfluid, milestone-based incentives, and treasury-backed loans—that offer more predictable and sustainable support.

The conversation also touches on Superchain dynamics, funding politics, and the often-overlooked offchain work required to grow the ecosystem. A timely look at how funding models in Web3 are...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski explores the shifting landscape of media with Jarrod Dicker, an investor and seasoned media professional. From traditional media's trust challenges to the rise of on-chain solutions, they delve into the evolving dynamics between digital content creation and blockchain technology.

Connect with Jarrod Dicker:

- Farcaster: https://farcaster.xyz/darkstar

- Twitter: https://x.com/jarroddicker

Connect with Optimism Show:

- X: https://x.com/OptimismShow

- Newsletter: https://optimism.show/

- Farcaster...

Imagine a world where building on a blockchain doesn’t mean waiting forever for money. Meet OBUSD, the big helper for builders in 2025. Instead of making developers wait a long time for grant money, OBUSD offers a smart way to get needed money quickly.

Here's how it works: Builders put in stablecoins, like USDC, into OBUSD. It’s not just about keeping money safe—it’s about making more money through DeFi lending pools. The extra money made is shared with projects that need it, giving builders money when they need it most. "You don’t have to wait an...

Join us on the Optimism Show for a fun chat with Noah Bragg about his cool project, Stokefire, a game in the crypto world. We talk about how making a game like this is like a tricky puzzle, mixing fun and money in the right way. Noah tells us about the ups and downs, especially when the market changes, making the job even harder.

For Noah, making Stokefire was not just about playing; it was about finding ways to keep going, even when things got tough. We look at what makes players love crypto games, like the...

Dive into the evolving landscape of on-chain music with Michael DiVestia of Coop Records, as he unveils how blockchain is redefining artist-fan interactions and revenue streams. In a music industry heavily reliant on streaming, Michael shares how on-chain platforms offer a financially rewarding alternative, allowing artists to make "the equivalent of potentially millions of streams" through selling collectibles and engaging directly with their fanbase. The conversation explores how this new wave of music distribution provides both emerging and established artists a platform to open new doors and reclaim agency over their careers.

Beyond the numbers, the dialogue...

In this episode of the Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski sits down with Jacob from Atlas to explore the nuanced world of user-driven game development on open social networks. Jacob, known for his innovative approaches within the gaming space on Farcaster, shares his insights on building immersive and socially integrated gaming experiences. As he discusses how to captivate and retain users, Jacob emphasizes the importance of delivering an "entertaining experience that they love and want to share," underscoring his strategy that leverages user engagement and organic growth through social connectivity.

Together, they navigate the evolving landscape of game...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski explores the evolving landscape of blockchain social networks with Andrey Petrov, also known as @shazow.

They delve into the dynamics of creator economies on platforms like Farcaster, where smaller yet economically engaged audiences can sustain creators. The conversation highlights the tension between algorithm-driven platforms and the potential for on-chain identity sovereignty.

(00:00) Ownership and Audience in the Digital Age

(00:49) The Role of Algorithms in Social Media

(03:34) Bridging the Gap: Crypto Social Networks

(05:46) The Future of Decentralized Social Networks

(08:21) Governance...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski welcomes Will from Kingfisher Media to explore their pioneering Learn for Impact model. Will shares insights into transforming education through a learn-to-earn approach inspired by Web3 and the regenerative movement.

The conversation underscores a commitment to social impact and explores pathways for empowering the global south through collaboration with initiatives like Magenta DAO.

(00:07) Introduction to Will and Kingfisher Media

(00:50) Exploring the Learn for Impact model and its educational foundation

(02:44) Implementing learn-to-earn: Reimagining educational debt

(06:24) How Learn for Impact integrates with...

Will T dives into the future of decentralized media, lessons from Film3, and how Kingfisher Media is redefining education and publishing in Web3.

From fair creator royalties to sustainable advisory models, this episode explores why blockchain is uniquely positioned to transform media—and how it’s already happening. We also touch on the challenges of distribution and the power of giving creators full control.

Timestamps:

00:07 – The creator economy in Web3

00:29 – Moving beyond agency models and taking control

01:40 – The future of media is decentralized

02:42 – Film3: Surviving the bear mar...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Shane Mac, founder of XMTP, breaks down how the future of online identity might work — and why flexibility, not centralization, could win. He shares XMTP’s approach to universal identity, why user-owned identities could become cultural status symbols, and how messaging networks must adapt to a multi-identity world.

00:07 — How XMTP Thinks About Universal Identity

00:50 — Why XMTP Doesn’t Force a Single Namespace

01:36 — Importing and Using Any Identity

02:44 — Identities as New Social Status Symbols

03:30 — Community-Based Identity vs. Centralized Networks

04:15 — Building Flexible...

Shane Mac, founder of XMTP, joins Kris to explore how the largest decentralized messaging protocol is reshaping online communication. From testnet launches and encryption standards to AI, agents, and global privacy, Shane shares why messaging is the next frontier for Web3 and how open protocols are unlocking a wave of innovation for developers.

0:24 – What’s exciting at XMTP right now

1:15 – Why decentralization matters more than ever

2:20 – How XMTP handles regulation & backdoor demands

4:15 – Encryption vs ownership: who holds the key

5:50 – How apps built on XMTP can work with local laws <...

What happens when fintech meets Web3? In this episode, Kris Gligoroski sits down with Sinaver, the founder of PayFlow, to explore how onchain social payments are evolving—especially on platforms like Farcaster. From how he got started to the key differences between building on Lens vs. Farcaster, Sinaver shares honest lessons from the trenches of being a solo founder in a fast-moving ecosystem.

We cover how the idea for PayFlow came to life, what it's like building with minimal resources, and the future of decentralized social payments.

👉 Ideal for: builders, Web3 founders, and curious minds divin...

From startup lawsuits to DAO-powered launches, Willy (founder of Nounspace) shares his unfiltered Web3 founder journey. We talk about his early exits, how Nounspace evolved from a Nounish client into a full-blown platform, and the tough reality of building in crypto.

This episode dives into funding, pivots, community ownership, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in Web3—especially when things don’t go as planned.

00:42 — Startup lessons: from lawsuit to successful exit

01:50 — Launching Nounspace with Nouns DAO funding

02:38 — What changed in DAO governance & the challenge of sustainabi...

Would you let an AI run your community?

Meet Nounspace Tom — an autonomous cofounder who writes, governs, and builds, all without sleeping. In this episode, Willy from Nounspace breaks down how AI agents are being integrated not just as tools, but as collaborators in decentralized platforms.

From governance voting to building mini apps, Tom is a prototype of what’s coming next: AI agents with vision, voice, and value. This is the future of social coordination onchain — and it’s already here.

00:07 – The AI ticking clock: adapting before the landscape shifts

01:14...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski talks with Willy, founder of Nounspace, a customizable Farcaster client evolving into full-stack infrastructure for token communities, DAOs, and creators. Discover how Nounspace is giving every onchain community its own branded hub—combining social, governance, and token utility in one place. Learn why governance, UX, and community coordination still present massive challenges, and how AI and modular tooling could change everything. If you’re building a Web3 project or running a tokenized community, this episode is packed with insights on how to make your community thrive—onchain and beyond.

(00...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski talks with Philip Sheldrake, founder of Adresso, a project rethinking digital identity and how we relate to systems that manage who we are online. Philip argues that most decentralized identity systems today simply digitize bureaucracy—and that could be a massive mistake.

Discover how Web3 might be inheriting outdated concepts, why human identity is the number one challenge in computer science, and how biomimicry can inspire radically new ways of thinking about decentralization and digital trust.

(00:07) Why decentralized identity might be broken by design

(01:01) Bu...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski talks with Smoke and Ryan Kagy from TheCreators.com, a collective reshaping how creators collaborate, earn, and thrive in Web3. They discuss onchain creator empowerment, open-source tools for artists and developers, and ClankerCon—the biggest metaverse event for builders and creators on Base.

Learn how onchain tools can make creative work sustainable, why traditional creator platforms are failing artists, and how Web3 can decentralize creative industries and unlock new monetization models.

(00:07) Introduction to Smoke & Ryan from TheCreators.com

(01:05) ClankerCon: The biggest metaverse ev...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris talks with Hid.eth, founder of WebHash, about reshaping web ownership, decentralized hosting, and how Web3 is revolutionizing content provenance. WebHash enables seamless no-code website creation on Web3, turning ENS domains into fully functional sites and even tokenizing websites as NFTs.

Learn how Web3 can eliminate centralized hosting risks, empower creators with permissionless revenue, and create provable onchain ownership for digital content. (00:07) Introduction to Hid.eth & WebHash

(01:22) How WebHash started: Using ENS domains for real websites

(02:48) Why most ENS domains don’t have co...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski sits down with Tim Cox, the Partnerships Manager at PoolTogether, to discuss how Web3 projects can form high-impact partnerships without relying on traditional marketing playbooks.

From using meme coins to drive engagement to incentivizing deposits through gamified rewards, Tim shares unique insights into growth, collaboration, and relationship-building in crypto. Discover why partnerships work differently in Web3, how to create viral incentives for communities, and why building first, then pitching is the ultimate growth hack.

(00:07) How meme coin projects use PoolTogether to incentivize staking

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski talks with Philip Sheldrake, a professional engineer and social science researcher, to discuss how Web3's approach to digital identity is deeply flawed and what we can do to fix it.

Unlike traditional identity models, Web3 is unintentionally recreating bureaucratic structures, which could lead to surveillance risks, limited agency, and centralized control over decentralized systems. Philip breaks down why this is happening, the dangers of reusable KYC & social graphs, and how we can take a more human-centered approach to identity with solutions like Addresso.

(00:07...

Tim Cox, Partnerships Manager at PoolTogether, shares insights on leveraging PoolTogether to incentivize meme coin and crypto community engagement through prize pools and token rewards. He highlights practical, low-code strategies for creating token-based incentives and contrasts the flexible, relational nature of Web3 partnerships with traditional Web2 approaches.

In this episode, Tim Cox, Partnerships Manager at PoolTogether, joins us to discuss the power of partnerships in Web3, how AI is revolutionizing crypto marketing, and the unexpected role of meme coins. We explore guerrilla marketing strategies, creative incentives, and how PoolTogether is making saving fun with its no-loss prize model.

00:00 - Intro: Meet Tim Cox & PoolTogether

01:00 - Tim’s journey from nonprofit marketing to Web3

03:00 - How PoolTogether gamifies savings & partnerships

05:30 - Integrating meme coins & creative incentives

08:00 - What makes Web3 partnerships unique vs. Web2

...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski talks with Wasabi, the founder of Kokonut Network, a DAO transforming real-world assets and agriculture through Web3. Unlike traditional RWA-backed crypto projects, Kokonut Network removes middlemen, empowers local farmers, and builds long-term, nature-backed value. Learn how coconut trees act as bear market-proof assets, why real-world agriculture could drive decentralized economies, and how non-technical founders can leverage blockchain tools to build powerful DAOs.

(00:41) What is Kokonut Network?

(07:21) Coconut trees as bear market-proof assets

(08:01) The problem with real-world assets in crypto today

(12:18) Decentralizing ownership...

Travis, known as Earth2Travis, is a core contributor at DAOHaus and the creator of Farcastle, a project transforming Farcaster channels into DAOs. In this episode, we discuss DAO challenges, unruggable crowdfunding, and how Farcaster can revolutionize decentralized coordination.

(00:07) Travis' Background & Journey into DAOs

(03:02) Lessons from Getting Rugged & Building Unruggable Crowdfunding

(06:46) Why DAOs Fail: Coordination Challenges & Governance Issues

(09:17) The Future of DAOs: Why They Should Function Like Bands

(10:18) Farcastle: Turning Farcaster Channels into DAOs for More Agile Coordination

(14:21) Crypto’s Execution Problem & Making DAOs More Action-Oriented

...

Garm is the co-founder of Glo Dollar, a stablecoin designed to fund public goods. In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of public goods funding, how builders can balance sustainability with impact, and why traditional models need to be reimagined.

Topics Covered & Timestamps

(00:07) Introduction: The Challenges of Public Goods Funding

(01:03) The Need for New Public Goods Funding Models

(05:32) Alternative Models: Bountycaster, Scout Game & Decentralized Incentives

(08:18) Balancing Public Goods & Profitability: Finding the Right Model

(11:56) Why Public Goods Funding is Always a Struggle

(14:18) The Power...

Lior Goldenberg is the founder of Covariance, Co-Owned Growth Studio, and most recently Product Clank. In this episode, we discuss how builders can fund experiments, the evolving venture funding landscape, and how Product Clank is bridging the gap between traders, builders, and users.

(00:07) Introduction & Lior’s Background

(04:41) The Zero-Cost Startup Era & The Future of Venture Funding

(06:26) Product Clank: The Vision for Distributing Ideas & Products

(11:10) Bridging the Gap Between Traders, Builders & Users

(13:17) The Challenge of Distribution & How Product Clank Solves It

(16:46) Reputation & Trust as a New Signal for St...

Trigs is a DAO veteran, governance researcher, and expert in grant ecosystems, working with projects like Octant and Coordinate to improve decentralized structures. In this episode, we dive into DAO governance, the future of decentralized organizations, and how to break out of the dark loop of the attention economy.

(00:07) Introduction & Trigs’ Background in DAOs

(02:20) The State of DAOs Today & Why Most Fail to Achieve True Decentralization

(06:01) Breaking Away from Plutocracy: The Future of DAO Governance

(10:18) The Six Pillars of Effective Decentralized Organizations

(17:02) Privacy, Data Control & The Role of Knowledge Ma...

Zeugh is a DAO aficionado and governance researcher, deeply involved in Juicebox DAO and governance security with Blockful. In this episode, we discuss DAOs, governance security, AI, and the evolving regulatory landscape.

Arnold Almeida is the Founder of Lighthouse and Signals, two innovative projects aimed at transforming the DAO governance ecosystem by enhancing communication, decision-making, and token governance.

(00:01) Introduction and background of Arnold Almeida

(02:01) How DAOs can use governance to reclaim power and enhance accountability

(07:04) Lighthouse: Transforming DAO communication

(14:33) The future of DAO governance and Lighthouse's role

(17:01) Signals: Revolutionizing ideation in DAOs

(25:39) Combatting DAO fatigue through prioritization tools

(29:26) Epoch-based token emissions for equitable distribution

(34:11) The evolution of onchain governance and human behavior

(47:46) Challenges...

Garm is the Co-Founder of Glo Dollar, a nonprofit stablecoin project designed to fund public goods and empower the crypto ecosystem through transparency and innovation.

Garm's DEVCON Speech: https://youtu.be/J2aw52g_OJI?si=ptKIVfdxMauk4vyy

(00:40) The vision of Glo Dollar as a nonprofit stablecoin

(03:04) Garm's journey from fintech to creating Glo Dollar

(08:06) Competing with giants like USDC and Tether in the stablecoin market

(14:40) Glo Dollar's strategy to scale and support the ecosystem

(19:47) How Glo Dollar funds public goods through user...

Navin Vethanyagam is the Chief Brain of IQ.wiki, the largest blockchain encyclopedia in the world. Their current focus is creating AI agents with sovereignty and composability for DeFi and beyond.

(00:07) The future of AI agents and their impact on DeFi and other industries

(01:30) How IQ ATP enables real-time data processing and sovereignty in AI agents

(05:01) Simplifying DeFi with AI agents to increase adoption

(13:03) The importance of composability in building ecosystems for agents

(25:02) Expanding AI agent capabilities beyond DeFi into other Optimism Superchain chains

(30:56) The long-term vision...

Jack is the Co-Founder of Icebreaker.xyz, a Web3 professional network that connects exceptional individuals and enables trust, collaboration, and interoperability across multiple platforms.

(00:39) Vision and goals of Icebreaker

(01:49) Why focus on the Farcaster audience

(03:59) The concept of a decentralized professional profile and identity verification

(08:18) The hyper network: Unifying and connecting multiple platforms seamlessly

(14:22) The journey of Icebreaker: From ZK advertising to building a hyper network

(24:25) Balancing future vision with present-day needs in product development

(25:25) Current priorities for Icebreaker: Hyper network, search functionality, and trust...

Lazar Bucan is the Community Leader of Wasiona Gaming Studio, a blockchain gaming company that focuses on community-driven development and partnerships to create engaging Web3 gaming experiences.

(00:26) The role of community building in the blockchain gaming industry

(01:23) Lessons Web3 projects can learn from gaming studios about community management

(03:32) Strategies to incentivize OG members and keep communities active

(07:05) The importance of transparency and exclusivity in community building

(12:23) Revitalizing inactive communities vs. starting from scratch

(16:06) Organic growth strategies for Web3 communities

(20:15) Leveraging NFT partnerships for DeFi and...

Carlos Juarez is the CTO of Aragon, a decentralized governance company that provides tools to build and manage DAOs. Carlos has a strong background in blockchain, having co-founded Guesser, which was acquired by Gemini. He has helped establish over 7,500 DAOs and focuses on pushing governance and decentralization forward in the blockchain ecosystem.

Kory is the Co-Founder of Stably and a core contributor to dTrinity, a DeFi protocol that is innovating in the space by launching the first subsidized lending platform on the Fraxtal L2 network.

(00:08) Introduction and Journey in Web3 Kory shares his journey from trading crypto, co-founding Stably, and navigating the stablecoin wars of 2018.

(14:30) What is dTrinity? An overview of dTrinity's unique model as a subsidized lending protocol, redirecting stablecoin yield to borrowers to incentivize DeFi activity.

(32:52) The Evolution of DeFi and What’s Next Kory discusses how the DeFi space will ev...

Jonny Mack is the Founder of Hypersub, a membership platform that helps creators and communities monetize and build together using programmable crypto assets.

Hypersub gives you access to your own payment solution, so you can never get banned.

(00:08) The challenge of early adoption: viral growth through community-driven value

(00:50) Building sustainable products vs. fast cash in crypto

(03:25) Timing in crypto: balancing innovation and market readiness

(06:07) Conviction as the ultimate competitive advantage for founders

(08:19) Why building on-chain is critical for crypto projects

(11:39) Hard truths about...

Sam Kazemian is the Founder of Frax, a blockchain protocol focusing on creating a decentralized bank, leveraging AI to shape the future of on-chain finance.

(00:09) Introduction to Sam's journey: From Everipedia to Frax

(01:20) The birth of Frax: The vision of a decentralized central bank

(10:37) The big chain thesis and its impact on Frax’s long-term goals

(11:21) The role of AI in Frax's 2030 vision

(18:49) Bringing the next billion users to blockchain through AI

(25:43) Sovereign roll-ups, interoperability, and Frax’s Universal Interface

(30:31) Transitioning to a sing...

Ivan from Xocolatl Finance is building a revolutionary stablecoin based on the Mexican peso, aimed at empowering local builders and creating a DeFi ecosystem in Mexico.

With a background in logistics and product management, Ivan shares his journey of building Xocolatl, navigating community-driven development, and leveraging grassroots efforts to create an impactful project without VC backing.

(00:07) Introduction to Ivan and Xocolatl Finance

(00:23) Ivan’s background and the journey from logistics to Web3

(04:49) Why Xocolatl was created: A stablecoin for the Mexican economy

(05:32) Benefits of Xocolatl for Mexican bu...

Limone.eth is a developer and co-founder of Urbe, a startup focused on innovating in the payments space, and a key figure in the ETH Rome community.

Limone.eth shares insights on turning hackathon projects into scalable real-world products, focusing on commitment, user research, and iterative development.

They highlight how hackathons can serve as a platform for experimentation, MVP testing, and feature expansion.

(00:08) How to move from building at a hackathon to scaling a real product

(00:24) Lessons learned from hackathons and commitment to projects

(04:49) Using hackathons as opportunities to...

Antimo is the Founder of /red, a design business helping web3 startups and companies scale by simplifying design while emphasizing creativity and efficiency.

In this episode we cover:

(00:07) Red Design Studio's scale and the value of non-compromise

(00:52) Distinction between design and art in web3

(06:10) Applying luxury strategy in design for unique branding

(09:08) Challenges and rewards of unique brand creation for founders

(11:27) Balancing growth with creativity in service agencies

(12:47) Long-term focus: what doesn’t change over time

(16:26) Steady iterations on Farcaster

...

Colin is the Co-Founder of Ponder, a web3 survey platform that provides unique insights and innovative polling features to help users gather meaningful data and drive engagement in real-time.

Discussion:

(00:36) How to effectively approach distribution with limited resources

(04:19) The importance of building in public and crafting a consistent narrative

(05:15) Balancing founder intuition with user feedback

(08:47) Launching predictive polling and its impact on user insights

(12:02) Key strategies for collecting actionable user feedback

Connect with Colin:

Farcaster: https://warpcast.com/cojo...

In this episode of The Optimism Show, Kris Gligoroski chats with Nikita Kolmogorov, aka Borodutch, a crypto veteran and founder of Lunchbreak.com.

Nikita shares his journey in crypto, tips for fundraising during a bear market, and advice on staying relevant to VCs by aligning with trends.

(00:08) Nikita’s journey in crypto and the story behind Lunchbreak.com

(02:33) How the funding landscape has changed from past bull markets

(04:28) Current trends for Web3 companies raising funds

(07:27) How Web3 companies can attract VC attention during bear markets

(09:27) Th...

Pedro Oliveira is the Co-Founder of Talent Protocol. The protocol works with trusted data sources - like GitHub, Coinbase or LinkedIn - to bring reputation onchain as verifiable credentials and as a reputation score.

With data from 1M+ builders already indexed, Talent Protocol is being adopted as the industry standard by top players like Base, and within 3 months of launch 25+ apps have integrated the Talent API, reflecting growing interest from recruiters, job platforms, and developers.

The $TALENT token encourages all participants to continuously improve the data that powers the protocol, making sure that finding and...

Nikita Kolmogorov( Borodutch) is the Founder of Lunchbreak, a platform revolutionizing attention by enabling direct payments to individuals for their engagement, eliminating traditional ad middlemen.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:15) How Lunchbreak redefines paying for attention directly

(04:45) Key insights from building and launching Lunchbreak in a bear market

(10:57) The rapid iteration strategy and adapting to market trends with Lunchbreak

(13:24) The importance of gamification and the value of points within Lunchbreak’s ecosystem

Connect with Nikita:

Farcaster: https://warpcast.com/warpcastadmin.eth

We...

Antimo is the Founder of /red, a design business helping web3 startups and companies scale by simplifying design while emphasizing creativity and efficiency.

In this episode we cover:

Connect with Antimo:

Connect with Kris:

In this episode, Chris Carella, CoFounder of CharmVerse, shares insights into the evolution of CharmVerse from DAO-focused software to a grants management powerhouse. He discusses the concept of retroactive funding, the introduction of CharmVerse’s innovative “Scout Game,” and how the future of work is shaping up for open-source developers. Carella highlights the potential for decentralized work ecosystems, how gamification can boost developer motivation, and the vision for a self-sustaining, crypto-enabled support system for builders

In this episode, we cover:

(00:07) The origins of CharmVerse and its commitment to the future of work through DAOs and open-s...

Pedro Oliveira is the Co-Founder of Talent Protocol. The protocol works with trusted data sources - like GitHub, Coinbase or LinkedIn - to bring reputation onchain as verifiable credentials and as a reputation score.

With data from 1M+ builders already indexed, Talent Protocol is being adopted as the industry standard by top players like Base, and within 3 months of launch 25+ apps have integrated the Talent API, reflecting growing interest from recruiters, job platforms, and developers.

The $TALENT token encourages all participants to continuously improve the data that powers the protocol, making sure that finding and...

Jonny Mack is the Founder of Hypersub, a membership platform that helps creators and communities monetize and build together using programmable crypto assets.

Hypersub gives you access to your own payment solution, so you can effectively build your community and never get banned.

In this episode we cover:

(00:09) How to describe Hypersub and its unique offerings

(00:23) The concept of minting time on-chain and its implications (

02:45) Use cases and success stories from creators on Hypersub

(06:16) Strategies for creators to grow their subscription base

(07:08) The importance of...

Chris Carella is the Co-Founder of Scout Game and the Head of Product at Charmverse. He is a key figure in the crypto and web3 ecosystem, offering insights into funding strategies and sustainable business models for founders building on the Optimism Superchain.

In this episode we cover:

Simone (Limone) Staffa is the co-founder of Urbe, a developer community in Italy, and the driving force behind ETH Rome, an Ethereum hackathon that is growing the Web3 ecosystem in Italy.

In this episode we cover:

(00:07) How ETHRome was built from the ground up

(01:30) Bridging the gap in Web3 hackathons in Italy

(03:50) Organizing an international event with limited resources

(04:45) The success of local Italian teams at the hackathon

(06:30) Key projects from ETHRome: Fluidkey and ZeroKey

(07:45) Tips for others thinking about organizing similar events

<...

Limone.eth (Simone Staffa) is the Founder of Urbe Hub and ETH Rome, a blockchain community that fosters innovation and collaboration by bringing together developers and startups to push the boundaries of Web3, despite challenges in Italy’s innovation ecosystem.

In this episode we cover:

(00:00) The impact of Italy’s new Bitcoin tax regulations on blockchain developers

(00:37) How Urbe Hub is thriving despite a lack of local support

(06:02) The power of small, dedicated communities in driving innovation

(07:38) Why international collaboration is key for Italian founders

(12:24) Building meaningful, in-p...

Chris Carella is the CoFounder of Scout Game and the Head of Product at Charmverse, he is a key figure in the crypto and web3 ecosystem, offering insights into funding strategies and sustainable business models for founders building on the Optimism Superchain.

In this episode we cover:

(00:00) How founders can build businesses that don’t rely on grants

(00:39) The two types of grants: retroactive and proactive funding

(02:49) Common mistakes founders make when applying for grants

(05:13) Strategies to avoid relying on inconsistent grant funding

(07:21) Tips for improving your gr...

David (Dawufi) is the Head of Growth at Opacity Network, a company that enables verifiable data across the internet, helping businesses unlock new opportunities. He is also a key member of the Farcaster community, known for fostering authentic connections and empowering builders in the web3 space.

In this episode we cover:

Charlie is the Founder of FarWorld Labs, a Web3 gaming company focused on building hyper-casual games with deep blockchain integrations. FarWorld Labs is on a mission to onboard billions of users into Web3 through gaming experiences that seamlessly blend fun and financial incentives.

In this episode we cover:

Noah is the Founder of Poolfish, a crypto platform that helps liquidity providers on decentralized exchanges make data-driven decisions to maximize their earnings.

In this episode we cover:

Check the key notes: insights.optimism.show

ChrisCoCreated is a Web3 artist and founder of CoOwn Growth Studio, where he helps build community-driven art and meaningful collaborations with brands using Web3 technology.

In this episode we cover:

Check the key notes: insights.optimism...

Tim is the Founder of Kiwi News, a Web3 media platform focused on community-driven, decentralized news and content curation.

In this episode we cover:

...

Cameron Armstrong is the Founder of Seemore, a platform that helps creators automate their business management and make money with less effort, allowing them to focus on creating content they love.

In this episode we cover:

Check the key notes: insights.optimism.show<...

In this episode of the Optimism Show, host Kris Gligoroski interviews Tanishq (Tani), a product developer and founder of Intelligent, a platform for tracking social metrics on Farcaster. They discuss the evolution of blockchain, the importance of user experience in product design, and the balance between utility and beauty in creating successful products. Tani shares insights on whether to bootstrap or seek funding for blockchain startups, emphasizing the need to understand the target audience and simplify the user journey.

In today’s episode, we cover:

Max Segall is the Co-Founder of Privy, a blockchain infrastructure company that simplifies user onboarding for crypto apps, making it easier for both crypto-native and mainstream users to engage seamlessly.

In today’s episode, we cover:

Find the key points discussed in this episode on: insights.optimism.show

Where to find Kris:

Where to find Max:

Samuel Huber is the Founder of dTech, a blockchain company that helps building or scaling existing products by providing a seamless user experience that drives engagement and retention.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

* Is Farcaster the future of social media?

* Can simplifying your blockchain app speed up success?

* What are the main reasons most blockchain startups fail to get users and how to fix them?

Find the summary and actionable steps you can take today at: optimism.show/insights

Where to fi...

Welcome to the Optimism Show. Podcast focused on the Optimism Superchain covering ambitious founders, exciting projects, and consumer crypto.

Launching 19th of September 2024