WuBlockchain Podcast

WuBlockchain Podcast

A podcast from professional media brand WuBlockchain that discusses and analyzes important news in the crypto world, with a special focus on Asia. https://twitter.com/WuBlockchain

  1. 26 AGO

    EP-39 With WLFI CEO & COO: Dismantling Banking Hegemony

    This interview with WLFI co-founder Zach Witkoff and WLFI COO, co-founder Zak Folkman examines World Liberty's origins; the growth and applications of the USD1 stablecoin; plans for RWA tokenization; team structure and capital deployment; and the company's approach to regulatory engagement and regional market development. Zak stated that their goal is to serve user groups underserved by traditional finance through an integrated application--remittances, spending, crypto trading, and card payments--built around the USD1 stablecoin. Zach Witkoff emphasized that there is no equity or formal partnership with Binance, and the demand for USD1 on the BNB Chain is primarily driven by the market itself. He also mentioned facilitating a $2 billion cross-border settlement and noted that ALT5 Sigma plans to acquire $1.5 billion in WLFI tokens to support the ecosystem. The team operates with a lean but efficient configuration of about 30 members. On the policy front, Zach believes the new regulations provide clearer rules for the U.S. industry and will focus on expanding the community and activities in Asia, including in regions like Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore. Text summary Timeline: 00:00 Reason for Entering the Industry and Zach's Personal Background 02:12 The Origins and Early Development of the World Liberty Project 06:14 How World Liberty Helps Users Without Bank Accounts 10:06 Misunderstanding About USD1 Stablecoin's Partnership with Binance 13:43 How the World Liberty Team Advances Their Work 15:55 How ALT5 Sigma Helps the World Liberty Ecosystem 17:31 What Positive Impact Will Trump's Policies Have on the Entire Crypto Industry 20:05 Will World Liberty Hold More Activities or Community Building in Asia

    24 min
  2. 18 AGO

    EP-38 Hyperliquid: How 11 people built "Binance onchain"?

    Hyperliquid is one of the most successful projects in this cycle. With a team of only 11 people, it has already captured more than 75% of the decentralized perpetual market share, with user assets reaching approximately US$6.2 billion. The project token market value is nearly US$16 billion, ranking 13th. It is even considered by the community to be the next Binance. In this episode, Jeff Yan, the founder of Hyperliquid, shares insights into the journey of building the decentralized Layer 1 blockchain. He discusses the importance of self-funding, rejecting venture capital, and the focus on user-driven growth. Jeff explains Hyperliquid's vision for a decentralized financial future, the rationale behind not pursuing token listings on centralized exchanges, and Hyperliquid Labs’ commitment to a small, efficient team. He also offers his perspective on the future of crypto startups, leadership in the crypto space, and how cultural values play a role in his approach to business. Text summary. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction and Jeff's Background 03:45 Jeff's Early Days in Building Hyperliquid and Its Success 05:18 Why Hyperliquid Was Self-Funded 08:10 Not Listing on Centralized Exchanges 09:57 Advice for Crypto Startups: Funding and Listing Strategies 11:37 The Role of Market Makers in Hyperliquid's Development 13:19 Hyperliquid's Core Team and Hiring Strategy 14:23 Future Team Growth and Vision 15:46 Investing in Ecosystem Projects 17:04 Hyperliquid's Roadmap 18:59 Hyperliquid's Role in the Future of Decentralized Finance 21:18 Hyperliquid's Success Compared to Larger Teams 22:53 Jeff's Management Style and Leadership 23:29 Leadership Philosophy and Importance of Team Dynamics 25:33 Advice for Entrepreneurs in the Crypto Space 28:21 Jeff on His Cultural Background and Its Impact on Hyperliquid 32:19 Jeff's Message to the Chinese Community

    36 min
  3. 3 AGO

    EP-37 xStocks: Unlocking Global Equity through Tokenization

    In this podcast episode, Valentin Gui, General Manager of xStocks at Kraken, discusses the potential of equity tokenization, differentiating from competitors like Robinhood, navigating regulatory hurdles, and future expansion plans. xStocks aims to provide global users, especially those without direct equity access, with synthetic exposure to stocks through fully collateralized tokens. Valentin emphasizes the platform's permissionless, multi-chain capabilities, its inclusive partnership model, and long-term ambitions to become a foundational infrastructure for Web3 financial systems. Text summary. Timeline: 00:00 Opening 00:43 Clarifying xStocks' Connection to Previous Ventures and Ensuring Token Collateralization 02:16 Why xStocks Chose Stock Tokenization: Expanding Financial Inclusion through Synthetic Equity Exposure 03:20 How Kraken's Interest in RWAs and Strategic Partnerships Accelerated xStocks' Adoption 05:57 Differentiating xStocks from Robinhood through Permissionless, Multi-chain Tokens 07:11 Competitive Strategy: Welcoming Binance and Coinbase as Potential Partners 07:57 Addressing Liquidity Challenges across Centralized and Decentralized Exchanges 09:24 Regulatory Challenges and Strategy: How xStocks Avoids the Pitfalls Faced by FTX and Binance in the U.S. 10:17 Impact of SEC's Regulatory Approach on Tokenized Securities and xStocks' EU Launch via Cyprus Entity 11:21 Major Regulatory Hurdles: Educating Regulators on Classifying Tokenized Equities 12:22 Exploring Opportunities in Tokenizing Pre-IPO Equity 12:42 xStocks' 2025 Roadmap: Geographic Expansion, Increased Token Utility, and Scaling Offerings 13:57 The Potential of Perpetual Contracts and Derivatives on Tokenized Stocks 14:17 Growth Outlook: Significant Expansion Anticipated due to Global Demand 15:06 Collaboration with Gate.io and Potential Partnerships including Hyperliquid 15:51 Discussing Potential Collaboration with Trump Family Projects 16:19 IPO versus Token Issuance: Backed's Potential Path Forward 16:44 Could Tokenized Equities Replace Traditional Stocks? 17:51 Expanding beyond US Equities: Prospects for Tokenizing Hong Kong and Chinese Stocks 18:26 Building a Cross-chain Ecosystem for Tokenized Stocks and Enhancing Utility 19:42 Accessibility as the Main Driver for Mass Adoption of Tokenized Equities 21:09 Long-term Vision: Positioning xStocks as Financial Infrastructure Rather than Just a Retail Product 22:36 Misconceptions about Market Potential and Global Demand for Tokenized Stocks

    24 min
  4. 21 JUN

    EP-36 Spark's Pivot: From DeFi Lending to RWA Deployment

    In this episode of WuBlockchain Podcast, Sam MacPherson, co-founder of Phoenix Labs, shares how Spark has evolved from a DeFi lending protocol into a capital allocator managing nearly $4B across DeFi, CeFi, and RWA. He explains the Spark Liquidity Layer's role in optimizing yield--especially through tokenized U.S. Treasuries--while maintaining a 25% cash reserve to ensure stability. Sam discusses the platform's modular governance via the Sky-Star system, its push into the APAC market, and the upcoming SPK token launch for staking and governance. Transparency and on-chain auditability remain Spark's core strengths over traditional finance. Text summary Timeline: 00:00 Opening & Brief Intro 01:40 Transition from Lending Protocol to Diversified Capital Allocator 03:26 Strategic Logic Behind the $1 Billion Tokenized Treasury Deployment 04:36 Market Conditions That Informed Timing of RWA Investment 06:06 Reconciling DeFi Decentralization with Centralized Custodians 07:48 Target Return Profile and Outperforming Treasury Yields 08:55 Reinvesting in Existing Treasury Partners and Negotiated Fees 09:30 Partner Selection Via Tokenization Grant Competition 10:28 Role of Tokenized Treasuries in Yield Stabilization 11:11 Competitive Advantage: Trust, Scale, and On-Chain Transparency 12:47 Liquidity Layer's Operation and Ecosystem Integrations 14:58 Managing Risk and Maintaining Yield Stability with High Cash Reserves 16:39 Protocol Resilience During Historical Market Crashes 17:38 Regulatory Compliance in RWA Interface and Protocol Design 18:51 Next RWA Target: Investment-Grade Corporate Debt 20:03 Community Outreach and Expansion Strategy in APAC 20:55 Modular Star System for Fast Governance and Scaling 22:23 Adapting to Macro Trends Like U.S. Interest Rate Shifts 23:47 Upcoming SPK Token Launch and Governance Utility

    25 min
  5. 15 ABR

    EP-35 Shardeum: Auto-Scaling Layer 1 with Dynamic Sharding

    In this episode, Shardeum CTO Srinivasan Parthasarathy shares how Shardeum is building an auto-scaling Layer 1 blockchain using dynamic state sharding and a blockless transaction model. The architecture enables linear scalability while keeping node requirements low, offering a unique balance between performance and decentralization. He also discusses lessons from testnet operations, key bug bounty findings, and the network's security approach, including a custom "Proof of Quorum" consensus that rotates node responsibilities every 60 seconds. As an open-source, community-driven project, Shardeum aims to launch its mainnet on May 5, with smart contract support and incentive programs to follow in a phased manner. Text summary Timeline: 00:00 Intro & Shardeum overview 01:47 How does Shardeum scale while keeping node access low? 07:44 What are the trade-offs of this scaling design? 10:29 What did you learn from the incentivized testnets? 13:28 What critical bugs were found in the bounty programs? 15:15 How will you handle security after mainnet launch? 16:36 How is your RPC layer different from other EVM chains? 21:07 Will you continue audits and bug bounty programs? 22:19 How are you growing the community and ecosystem? 23:28 What projects are being built on Shardeum now? 26:28 How will the token be used for staking and governance? 30:19 How do you ensure transparency and independence? 31:58 When is mainnet launching and why is it significant? 33:41 How will you engage and grow the contributor base?

    36 min
  6. 12 MAR

    EP-34 Jeff Garzik: Satoshi Ties & Hemi's Dual-Chain Tech

    In this podcast, Jeff Garzik, who was involved in the early development of Bitcoin, shared significant events and development obstacles in Bitcoin's early days and his experiences working with Satoshi. He then focused on introducing Hemi, which combines the security of Bitcoin and the programmability of Ethereum. Hemi enhances its functionality through unique mechanisms and is expected to expand its market after financing. Jeff also shared his views on Hemi's relationship with other projects and the challenges it faces. Timeline: 00:00 Opening and brief introduction 01:20 Early key events of Bitcoin 04:03 Early development difficulties of Bitcoin and their influence on current development 06:14 Experience of working with Satoshi and his decentralization concept 07:37 Satoshi's anonymity maintenance and unique Bitcoin development approach 09:21 Bitcoin's open-source development model and its fulfillment of expectations 10:26 Alignment of Bitcoin's development with Satoshi's vision 11:19 Current state of Bitcoin, ecosystem development and its relation with Layer 2 tools 12:33 Reasons for creating Hemi as a Bitcoin-Ethereum dual-chain solution 14:06 Debate on evolving Bitcoin core protocol or confining innovation to Layer 2 14:46 Origin of Hemi model: flaws in Bitcoin infrastructure? 15:53 Hemi's Proof of Proof mechanism and its enhancement of Bitcoin utility 17:14 Risks of the Proof of Proof mechanism 18:22 Role of Hemi Virtual Machine in Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems and its differences from other Layer 2 solutions 20:08 Relationship between Hemi and projects like Lightning and Stacks (competition or complement) 21:13 Hemi's interaction with existing infrastructure 22:22 Compatibility between EVM and Bitcoin and potential application scenarios 23:50 Hemi's financing and how partnerships aid its growth 25:23 Reasons for investors' choice to invest in Hemi 26:48 Non-financial support of Finance Lab for Hemi 27:21 Response to Bitcoin community's doubts about financed projects 28:51 Hemi's solutions for DeFi liquidity and scalability   29:44 Key milestones to attract more liquidity with $1B TVL   30:57 Testing phase insights for mainnet launch readiness   32:37 Challenges in launch plan and ensuring smooth rollout   33:41 Navigating regulations with Bitcoin security & Ethereum programmability   35:30 Attracting institutional investors to BTC & ETH   38:11 Bitcoin maximalism vs. multi-chain future--Hemi as a bridge

    40 min
  7. 17 FEB

    EP-32 Interview with MicroStrategy Founder Michael Saylor

    In this interview, Colin from WuBlockchain discussed the following topics with MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor, including: Will MicroStrategy continue acquiring Bitcoin indefinitely? Could MicroStrategy face risks in the future? How does he view the cyclical nature of cryptocurrencies and the potential upcoming bear market? Will MicroStrategy lend or stake Bitcoin to earn interest? What does he think about Asian companies imitating MicroStrategy? Will MicroStrategy develop its own Bitcoin network? How much Bitcoin does Michael personally hold, and why did he announce that he would destroy his private keys after his death? Does he still believe that "bank custody is safer than self-custody"? How does he view Trump's new policies and the idea of a national Bitcoin reserve? Is Bitcoin becoming too centralized in the U.S.? Is Bitcoin too expensive, accessible only to the wealthy and institutions? What are his thoughts on young people investing in memecoins? Is Bitcoin a religion? And what advice does he have for Chinese investors?  As of February 9, 2025, MicroStrategy holds 478,740 BTC, with a total acquisition cost of $31.1 billion and an average purchase price of $65,033, making it the largest Bitcoin-holding entity in the world. Text summary Timeline: 00:00 Introduce yourself and MicroStrategy 02:03 Will MicroStrategy keep buying Bitcoin? 03:23 Concerns about MicroStrategy's average purchase price 04:30 Thoughts on Bitcoin price cycles and a possible bear market 07:05 Will MicroStrategy lend or stake Bitcoin? 08:34 How do you see Asian miners adopting MicroStrategy's strategy? 09:45 Will MicroStrategy develop or support Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions? 11:22 How much Bitcoin do you personally own? Any other crypto? 12:02 Why not leave your Bitcoin to family or donate it after death? 15:02 Are banks safer than self-custody for Bitcoin? 19:55 How would Trump's election affect crypto? Would he create a national Bitcoin reserve? 21:10 Is Bitcoin still decentralized? 23:22 Are other cryptocurrencies worth considering? Thoughts on meme coins? 29:30 Is Bitcoin too expensive for average investors? 33:14 Will MicroStrategy continue promoting Bitcoin globally? 36:10 Will Bitcoin's protocol evolve? 38:45 Is Bitcoin a religion? How does it compare to meme coins? 41:24 Any message for Chinese investors?

    48 min

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A podcast from professional media brand WuBlockchain that discusses and analyzes important news in the crypto world, with a special focus on Asia. https://twitter.com/WuBlockchain