How Proximity Labs is Scaling AI Agents & Bitcoin DeFi on NEAR

In this episode of the Building Web3 Podcast, we sit down with Kendall, co-founder of Proximity Labs, to dive deep into how NEAR Protocol is shaping the future of AI agents, cross-chain transactions, and Bitcoin DeFi. Kendall provides insights into NEAR’s innovative blockchain architecture, its approach to horizontal scaling through sharding, and how it enables seamless interoperability across different networks.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NEAR and Proximity Labs
05:55 Bitcoin Integration and Smart Contracts
09:04 NEAR's Focus on AI and Agent Technology
14:11 Security and Trust in AI-Powered Blockchain Systems
15:10 Future of AI Agents and Blockchain Integration
17:06 Challenges in AI and Prompt Injection Risks
20:23 The Role of AI in Decentralized Finance
20:55 NEAR Ecosystem and Developer Experience
22:24 Chain Abstraction and Cross-Chain Development
26:10 Why Builders Are Choosing NEAR for AI and DeFi
28:28 The Need for High-Quality Assets in Crypto
30:05 Expanding Web3 with Real-World Assets
32:33 How to Get Involved with NEAR and Proximity Labs

One of the key topics of discussion is Chain Signatures, a groundbreaking technology that allows NEAR smart contracts to sign transactions on any blockchain, making it possible to interact with networks like Bitcoin in a truly decentralized and trust-minimized way. This opens up new possibilities for Bitcoin DeFi, including lending, trading, and yield generation, all while maintaining the core principles of decentralization and security.

Kendall also introduces Based Agents, a new product designed to bring fully trustless and verifiable AI agents to the blockchain ecosystem. These autonomous agents operate within a cryptographically verified environment, ensuring that AI-powered decisions are transparent and accountable. By leveraging trusted execution environments and on-chain verification, Based Agents enable new applications in DeFi, AI-driven trading, and automated financial operations.

The conversation explores how NEAR has positioned itself as a leader in the AI-blockchain space, providing developers with the infrastructure to build scalable, secure, and interoperable applications. With a strong focus on user experience and cross-chain compatibility, NEAR is empowering builders to create Web3 applications that seamlessly interact with different ecosystems, including Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin.

Kendall discusses the broader implications of chain abstraction, explaining how Proximity Labs is working to remove the complexities of blockchain interactions, allowing developers to focus on building without being tied to a single chain. He shares insights into NEAR’s thriving ecosystem, highlighting projects that are leveraging the network for applications ranging from DeFi to AI-driven marketplaces.

The episode also touches on the importance of high-quality assets in the crypto space, with Kendall emphasizing the need for real-world asset tokenization and new financial primitives that go beyond speculative trading. He provides an outlook on upcoming milestones for NEAR and Proximity Labs, including developments in agent payments, AI infrastructure, and the broader expansion of cross-chain DeFi.

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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 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. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

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