Episodes
In this spirited debate podcast episode, Tommy is joined by Kyle Samani, Co-Founder of Multicoin Capital, and Nick White, COO of Celestia Labs, to discuss the future of blockchain infrastructure. Kyle lays out the case for integrated blockchain platforms like Solana and Aptos that optimize for scalability, while Nick argues for the flexibility of modular networks like Celestia. They dive deep into the core philosophies underpinning modular versus monolithic designs when it comes to topics...
Published 09/01/23
In this episode, Tommy speaks with James Seyffart, Scott Johnsson, and Hal Press about the latest developments in the long-running saga to get Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) approved by the SEC. They discuss the current filings from major players like Grayscale, BlackRock, and ARK Invest, provide analysis on Grayscale's lawsuit against the SEC, and debate the timeline and likelihood of approval. The experts also examine the potential market impact and discuss how an ETH...
Published 08/23/23
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of blockchain security and the intersection of artificial intelligence with the crypto space. Join us for an insightful conversation with the co-founders of Test Machine, a company dedicated to making smart contracts safer by utilizing advanced AI technology for vulnerability detection. Matt and Andrew share their experiences, insights, and expertise in the realm of smart contract security. They discuss the challenges of identifying...
Published 08/10/23
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we discuss the mysteries surrounding Large Language Models (LLMs) and their implications for the future of artificial intelligence (AI) with Stephen Wolfram, creator of Mathematica, Wolfram | Alpha & Wolfram Language. We dive into the fascinating world of Large Language Models (LLMs) and their surprising capabilities. He also discusses the underlying scientific principles behind LLMs, including the concept of computational irreducibility, and...
Published 07/27/23
Podcast description In this episode we talk to Jesse Pollak, Head of Protocols at Coinbase where he leads the development of Base, Coinbase’s L2 built on the OP Stack. Prior to leading Protocols, he led retail engineering at Coinbase for many years, building Coinbase, Coinbase Pro, and Coinbase Wallet. We explore how Base went from idea to product inside of Coinbase, how Base and Coinbase will reconcile their differences in technical and social centralization, how Base compares to other...
Published 07/24/23
In this episode, we discuss the impact of AI with Andriy Mulyar, co-founder of AtlasAI and creator of GPT4All. We explore how running local private language models can provide competitive benefits over using public models like ChatGPT without confidential data. Additionally, we delve into the importance of embeddings in AI and their potential impact on understanding data semantically. Finally, Andriy shares his thoughts on crypto/AI overlap, specifically focusing on data provenance as a key...
Published 06/22/23
In this episode of the Delphi podcast, host Tommy interviews Emad, the CEO of Stability.ai, an open source AI company dedicated to democratizing access to AI tech. Emad explains how his company handles the rapidly evolving field of AI and machine learning, including their curation filtering priority setting process and the importance of building all types of models. The discussion also touches on the potential threat of artificial general intelligence to humanity. [00:01:32] Artificial...
Published 06/13/23
We sit down with Brian Retford, founder of RISC Zero, to discuss the vision and potential of zero-knowledge (ZK) technology and its impact on the world. ZK technology, although currently in its early stages and with high costs, has the potential to fundamentally change trust assumptions and enable privacy and scalability. RISC Zero's thesis is centered around making cloud computing universally accessible, privacy-focused, and owned by users. By removing barriers imposed by profit-driven...
Published 06/09/23
In this captivating episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jake Brukhman, an expert in OpenAI and large language models (LLMs), to discuss the interplay between AI and crypto. We dive into various thought-provoking topics, starting with the concept of moats in AI and whether they are sustainable in the long term. Jake shares his insights on the limits of LLMs and their future, highlighting their impressive ability to continue text but also shedding light on their inherent limitations. We...
Published 06/06/23
Sei is a Layer 1 blockchain built for trading. It was co-founded by Jay, who was inspired to create a decentralized trading platform after working at Robinhood during the GameStop trading fiasco. Sei is designed to offer the best trading experience possible, with fast finality, high throughput, and specialization for its core focus. Sei achieves its goals through a number of innovative technologies. These include frequent batch auctions, twin turbo consensus, and parallelization. Frequent...
Published 05/25/23
In this episode, Jose Macedo offers an inside look into the world of Delphi Labs' recently launched Incubator and valuable advice for startups. Episode Overview Insights into project selection process Delphi Labs' multi-decade commitment to lasting legacy Comparison between Delphi Labs Incubator and Y-Combinator model Technical process to guide projects towards success Jose provided valuable insight into the decision-making process behind selection projects for incubation, touching...
Published 05/09/23
Henry de Valence, one of the deepest thinkers of privacy and the founder of Penumbra joins the podcast for a comprehensive discussion on privacy. Can Gurel, a research lead at Delphi Digital, joins as a co-host given his recent in-depth Privacy report.  In this episode, we covered: The importance of privacy for humans and in crypto Financial privacy as a human right The limits of what can be built on a fully transparent chain Different ways teams deal with regulation in the...
Published 05/02/23
Karate Combat is UFC for the next generation and is built on crypto rails. Co-Founder OnlyLarping joins the podcast to discuss the fight league, tailoring the entire sport for short and engaging experiences, catering to online fans of a younger demographic, bucking the trend by not signing exclusive distribution agreements so the sport is available everywhere and the token dynamics around UpOnly Gaming. This conversation was a ton of fun, we hope you enjoy it. Special thanks to Paul...
Published 04/25/23
Hugh Karp⁠, Founder and CEO of Nexus Mutual, and Robert Forster, executive director of Ease, join to discuss the future of Crypto Insurance. With billions in hacks and new code released every day, insurance will be crucial for the future of Crypto. We talk about why crypto insurance hasn't taken off, how insurance should be priced, the risks of insurance, and more. Social Links ⁠Hugh Karp ⁠Rober Forster ⁠Host Tommy Shaughnessy⁠ Follow Delphi Digital Website:...
Published 04/12/23
Sreeram Kannan, Founder of EigenLayer, joins this episode to talk about the innovative power that EigenLayer is bringing to Ethereum. In this episode we discuss EigenLayer’s data availability layer for ETH L2s to roll down to, which saves costs and solves congestion issues and EigenLayer’s re-staking layer which allows ETH stakers to opt in to support new use cases, earning more yield while accepting more slashing conditions, instead of apps having to roll their own security.  Sreeram is...
Published 03/28/23
Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, is one of the most passionate guests we’ve ever had on the podcast. In this episode we discuss: The regional banking crisis Outlook for the U.S. Dollar The government blocking deposit only banks that don’t lend out assets FDIC insurance only backing 1% of deposits Hyperinflation in Weimer Germany and comparisons to the U.S. and much more.  Social Links Commissioner Peirce Gabriel Shapiro Tommy Shaughnessy Follow...
Published 03/22/23
SEC Commissioner Peirce joins for a conversation centered around her views on the SEC’s approach to Crypto. The conversation covers the current regulation by enforcement strategy, other countries having a more conducive regulatory environment, Commissioner Peirce’s dissenting opinions and much more. This episode is co-hosted by Gabriel Shapiro, GC of Delphi Labs, who offers his deep legal and regulatory knowledge in the crypto space. Social Links Commissioner Peirce Gabriel Shapiro  ...
Published 03/16/23
In this episode, Delphi Co-Founder and VC Tommy hosts Anatoly Yakovenko, Co-founder of Solana, for an in-depth and energetic episode centered around the core thesis for Solana in the face of other L1 and L2 ecosystems.  Social Links Anatoly Yakovenko Tommy Shaughnessy Follow Delphi Digital Website: https://members.delphidigital.io/home Twitter: https://twitter.com/Delphi_Digital Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Delphi_Digital Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational...
Published 03/13/23
In this episode, we're joined by Nic Carter, General Partner at Castle Island Ventures for a far reaching discussion around Nic’s thesis on Operation Choke-Point 2.0; the effort of every U.S. financial regulator to deny crypto firms access to banking services. Social Links Nic Carter Tommy Shaughnessy Follow Delphi Digital Website: https://members.delphidigital.io/home Twitter: https://twitter.com/Delphi_Digital Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Delphi_Digital Disclosures: This...
Published 02/28/23
On this episode Miller Whitenhouse-Levine the CEO of DeFi Education Fund, Marisa T Coppel Policy Counsel at Blockchain Association and Sarah Brennan GC of Delphi Ventures join host Tommy for the definitive episode on crypto regulations. About The Guests Miller Whitenhouse-Levine CEO at DeFi Education Fund The DeFi Education Fund is a nonpartisan research and advocacy group working to explain the benefits of DeFi, achieve regulatory clarity for the future of the global digital economy,...
Published 02/21/23
Delphi Ventures Podcast host and co-lead for Delphi Ventures Tom Shaughnessy sits down with Can Gurel and Ceteris of Delphi Digital Research's Infrastructure team to discuss their Year Ahead for Infrastructure Report. Themes covered include  Recreating the centralized exchange experience on chain. Modular vs monolithic App-specific vs general purpose Developers choosing which chains to build on and why Developer vs consumer build mismatch IBC and the future of bridging.  IBC to...
Published 02/08/23
Tom Shaughnessy, host of The Delphi Ventures Podcast and Co-lead for Delphi Ventures brings on Ashwath Balakrishnan, VP of research at Delphi Digital, and Jordan Yeakley, Research Analyst at Delphi Digital, to cover their Year Ahead for DeFi report. Access the report: The State of DeFi and Where It’s Going We cover: Pushing DeFi Forward: Themes for the Future Theme #1: Tailwinds for DEXs -- A Loss of Trust in Centralized Platforms Theme #2: DeFi Blue Chips Rise From the Ashes Theme #3:...
Published 01/11/23
Tommy Shaughnessy continues the crypto venture capital series with Santiago Santos and CMS Holdings. We discuss the FTX fallout, the VC world post-FTX, the core tenets of crypto, and more. This episode was originally hosted on Twitter Spaces.  More 📺 Watch Video Interviews 💬 Follow Delphi Podcast on Twitter ✅ Follow Delphi Digital on Twitter 🧠 Access Delphi's Research Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation...
Published 12/29/22
Co-Founder and Co-lead of Delphi Ventures Tom Shaughnessy hosts Ryan Zurrer the founder of Dialectic and Jake Brukhman the Co-Founder and CEO of Coinfund. Ryan and Jake are experienced VCs who have been in crypto for a combined 21 years, have invested into hundreds of projects worth collectively tens of billions of dollars.  The three discuss: AI Global Macro  The bear Markets Genesis and DCG solvency Web3 UI, incentives and architecture Issues with DAOs and the goal of...
Published 12/22/22
This week on Full Disclosure, Gabe and Sarah are joined by Stephen Palley, a digital commerce partner at Brown Rudick. We discuss whether crypto and law are inherently political industries and Ooki DAO’s defense against the CFTC. Show Notes: (00:00:00) – Introduction. (00:00:34) – Is crypto inherently political? (00:04:13) – Analysis of CFTC suing Ooki DAO. (00:09:34) – Regulators picking on the small guy. Social links: Gabe’s Twitter Sarah’s Twitter Palley's Twitter More 📺...
Published 11/15/22