Crypto Nuggets - Exploring the most innovative projects in blockchain

Joe Hoffend

Exploring the most innovative crypto projects in the space. We talk with teams and investors, focusing on the problems these products actually solve, and how they can serve users. Too often in crypto we see projects with cool tech that don't actually have a purpose in the world or solve a real problem. On Crypto Nuggets, we focus on the customer, users, problem to solve, why it matters, what value it provides, and what success looks like. Topics include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), NFTs, Liquid Staking, Decentralized Compute, Layer 1, Layer 2, DAOs

Episodes

  1. 11/12/2025

    Why DATs Exist And Why Most Will Fail: A Candid Interview With DFDV’s CEO Joseph Onorati

    In this episode of Crypto Nuggets, Joe Hoffend talks with Joseph Onorati, CEO of DeFi Development Corp (NASDAQ: DFDV). Joseph explains why DATs exist, how they differ from ETFs and margin products, and how DFDV generated 11.4% organic yield in Q3 through validator operations, stake looping, and Solana-focused strategies. The conversation covers DFDV’s approach to leverage, yield generation, convertible debt, preferred offerings, and why SOL-per-share is the company’s guiding metric. Joseph also addresses real concerns around liquidation risk, market cycles, consolidation, and how he sees the DAT landscape evolving. Whether you're a Solana user, a yield seeker, or a DAT skeptic, this episode gives one of the clearest breakdowns of how a digital asset treasury really operates. Episode Outline Introduction What DFDV is Why they chose Solana Fundraising and validator setup Why DATs Exist Access to crypto via stocks Cheaper, safer leverage models Response to DAT Critiques The “doing hard things” idea Validator operations and financial engineering Yield Strategy Locked Alameda SOL Stake looping and DFDV SOL (LST) Interest rate risk management Partnerships Gauntlet, Drift vault, Loopscale LOI Co-marketing and incentive structures Holding Non-SOL Tokens TGE rewards Converting back to SOL Yield Targets 10% target Impact of locked SOL Dividends and Preferred Shares Why no standard dividends Goals for preferred offerings SOL-Per-Share Why it’s the core metric Management alignment NAV, Buybacks, and Dilution When raising capital helps or hurts Buyback conditions Target Audience Retail seeking leveraged Solana exposure Elevator Pitch DFDV’s goal to out-yield other DATs Liquidation Concerns What would force selling Dissolution or acquisition scenarios Raising in Bull Markets Why DATs often buy near cycle peaks The 2026 Vision Becoming a key Solana ecosystem participant Growing SOL-per-share Closing Notes Website and blog mention

    41 min

  2. 12/03/2024

    Truebit Head of Product Blane Sims - Verifiable code and compute for both onchain and offchain

    Joe sits down with Blane Sims, Head of Product at Truebit. They discuss: What is Truebit More folks are talking about verified compute, who are your competitors and how are you different? Where does the compute come from?  Where will demand come from? What does usage look like today?  What is the fundamental use case? Who is going to use this and where? Discussing use cases How Truebit can help with AI Roadmap - - Follow Joe Hoffend: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/joehoffend⁠⁠ Follow Blane Sims: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blane-sims-711149/ Follow Truebit: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Truebitprotocol Website: https://truebit.io - - Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/lwpAQjvSxRE?si=UrN2FPXkhydI6ibJ⁠⁠ Subscribe on Apple: ⁠⁠https://apple.co/3GMB9KX⁠⁠ Subscribe on Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6CN3Tx4LYXv0MUi2pcZulb⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠https://www.cryptonuggets.xyz⁠⁠ - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Crypto Nuggets is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Joe and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

    27 min

  3. 22/01/2024

    Space and Time CTO Scott Dykstra - Decentralized Data Warehouse & Verifiable Compute Layer for Web3

    Joe sits down with Scott Dykstra, Co-Founder and CTO of Space and Time. They discuss: What is Space and Time What is a Data Warehouse? Why does there need to be a decentralized Data Warehouse? What problem does Space and Time solve (and not)? Proof of SQL The verify everything future Web3, Web4, Web5, Web6 When Token - - Follow Joe Hoffend: ⁠https://twitter.com/joehoffend⁠ Follow Scott Dykstra: ⁠https://twitter.com/chiefbuidl Follow Space and Time: ⁠https://twitter.com/SpaceandTimeDB - - Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/lwpAQjvSxRE?si=UrN2FPXkhydI6ibJ⁠ Subscribe on Apple: ⁠https://apple.co/3GMB9KX⁠ Subscribe on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6CN3Tx4LYXv0MUi2pcZulb⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.cryptonuggets.xyz⁠ - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Crypto Nuggets is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Joe and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

    43 min

  4. 19/12/2023

    Akash Network founder Greg Osuri - Building a Decentralized Computing Marketplace

    Joe sits down with Greg Osuri, Founder of Akash Network and CEO Overclock Labs. They discuss: How Akash Network started How to build a successful marketplace Who are the users of Akash network - Supply and Demand sides for compute and GPUs Where can Akash Network help when it comes to Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence? Teasing some big announcements for 2024 and the roadmap The role of the AKT token Greg's thoughts on the Bitcoin network (!!!) - - Follow Joe Hoffend: https://twitter.com/joehoffend Follow Greg Osuri: https://twitter.com/gregosuri Follow Akash Network: https://twitter.com/akashnet_ - - Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lwpAQjvSxRE?si=UrN2FPXkhydI6ibJ Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3GMB9KX Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CN3Tx4LYXv0MUi2pcZulb Website: https://www.cryptonuggets.xyz - - Disclaimer: Nothing said on Crypto Nuggets is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Joe and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

    1h 1m
  5. Welcome to Crypto Nuggets

    SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Welcome to Crypto Nuggets

    Exploring the most innovative crypto projects in the space. We talk with teams and investors, focusing on the problems these products actually solve, and how they can serve users. Too often in crypto we see projects with cool tech that don't actually have a purpose in the world or solve a real problem. On Crypto Nuggets, we focus on the customer, users, problem to solve, why it matters, what value it provides, and what success looks like. Topics include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), NFTs, Liquid Staking, Decentralized Compute, Layer 1, Layer 2, DAOs Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/joehoffend Follow me on Medium: https://medium.com/@joehoffend Follow me on Mirror: https://mirror.xyz/joehoffend.eth Disclaimer: Nothing said on Crypto Nuggets is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Joe and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

    23 sec

Trailer

About

Exploring the most innovative crypto projects in the space. We talk with teams and investors, focusing on the problems these products actually solve, and how they can serve users. Too often in crypto we see projects with cool tech that don't actually have a purpose in the world or solve a real problem. On Crypto Nuggets, we focus on the customer, users, problem to solve, why it matters, what value it provides, and what success looks like. Topics include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), NFTs, Liquid Staking, Decentralized Compute, Layer 1, Layer 2, DAOs

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