Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a podcast for those interested in how crypto can solve real problems and create products users love. It's a callback to the garage days of Silicon Valley, where builders pushed the limits of hardware and software to build world-changing products. We interview the projects and founders that will make this same impact today.

Episodes

The Future of Finance Starts Onchain | Armani Ferrante

Gm! In today's episode, we're joined by Armani Ferrante, founder and CEO of Backpack, to discuss the evolution of Backpack, tokenized equities, regulatory strategy, and building a crypto-native financial institution. We also..

Is DePIN Entering Its Next Growth Phase?

Gm! In this episode, we break down the latest developments in tokenized equities, including Backpack’s stock offerings on Solana and growing competition from Base. We also discuss the rise of social trading..

Future-Proof Money on Solana | Hardhat Chad

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Hardhat Chad, Foreman at ORE, to discuss the origins and evolution of ORE Protocol, including its transition from proof-of-work mining on Solana to its current..

From Memecoins to Markets: Solana’s Next Trade

Gm! In today’s episode we cover prediction market activity around major sporting events, growing interest in tokenized equities following recent IPOs, the role of platforms like Backpack in bringing stocks onchain, liquidity..

Flash Trade Is Reinventing Perps on Solana | Anas Khader

Gm! In this episode, we’re joined by Anas Khader, Founder of Flash Trade, to discuss the protocol’s journey from building alongside Mango Markets to launching a Solana-native perpetuals exchange. We cover Flash..

Blockworks Acquires Messari

In this special episode, Blockworks announces its acquisition of Messari and unpacks what it means for crypto’s next phase. Michael and Jason explore why Messari’s breadth of data, APIs, and research complement..

Solving Sol Value Accrual

Gm! In today’s episode, we discuss Solana’s value accrual challenges, including proposed tokenomics changes, fee burn mechanisms, inflation reduction, and network upgrade timelines. We also examine the release of Anthropic’s Claude Fable..

The Era of Tokenized Yield Strategies | Ben Nadareski

Gm! In this episode we’re joined by Ben Nadareski, Co-Founder and CEO of Solstice, to discuss his background in traditional finance and crypto, the development of Solstice’s tokenized yield infrastructure on Solana,..

US Crypto Perps Arrive, Solana Rethinks Fees

Gm! In today’s episode we discuss recent developments in U.S. cryptocurrency perpetual futures regulation, including CFTC approval of Bitcoin perpetual contracts and implications for centralized and decentralized trading platforms. We also cover..

Building the Onchain Brokerage: Glider's Vision for Investing | Brian Huang

Gm! In this episode, we're joined by Brian Huang, Co-Founder of Glider, to discuss his journey from institutional trading and crypto custody to building an onchain investing platform. We explore the rise..

Why Crypto Needs Interest Rate Swaps | Thomas Lefort

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Thomas Lefort, Co-Founder of Exponent, to discuss the evolution of onchain interest rate markets, the limitations of Exponent’s first product iteration, and the launch of..

Raiku’s Vision for Solana Markets | Robin

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Robin, CEO and Founder of Raiku, to discuss his background in crypto and the development of Raiku’s Solana infrastructure products focused on faster, more predictable..