Web3 with Sam Kamani

Sam Kamani

"Web 3.0 with Sam Kamani" is all about Web 3 and how it is going to change the world. If you are interested in learning more about the 4th Industrial revolution then this podcast is for you. Web 3.0 or Web 3 is often hailed as the technology that will usher in the 4th industrial revolution. This revolution is going to affect every industry, business, government and person on this planet. Web 3.0 is a collection of technologies that are going to change how we collaborate with each other and interact with our environment. Let's uncover the opportunities and risks of the new version of Web.

  1. 399: From Bitcoin ATMs to 100K Users: How CryptoDispenser Is Bootstrapping the Future of Cash On-Ramps with guest speaker Firas Isa

    1d ago

    399: From Bitcoin ATMs to 100K Users: How CryptoDispenser Is Bootstrapping the Future of Cash On-Ramps with guest speaker Firas Isa

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION  I sat down with Firas Isa, the founder of Crypto Dispenser, a bootstrapped and profitable company that has been quietly building Bitcoin on-ramp infrastructure since 2017. Firas started with a single Bitcoin ATM, partnered with GreenDot Bank to place cash deposit points across 100,000 retail stores like CVS and Walmart, and has grown to over 100,000 registered users , all without taking a penny of outside investment. In this conversation, we dig into why cash is still the purest way to buy Bitcoin, the brutal reality of getting bank accounts shut down repeatedly, and why Firas believes Bitcoin is the world's most peaceful revolution against currency debasement. If you have ever wondered how to buy Bitcoin without going through a big exchange, or you are a founder trying to understand what it actually takes to survive a decade in the crypto space on a bootstrap budget, this episode is for you.  DISCLAIMER Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.  Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/  CONNECT  Crypto Dispenser Website:https://www.cryptodispensers.com/ Crypto Dispenser Twitter/X: https://x.com/cryptodispenser Firas Isa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/firas-isa/ Web3 with Sam Kamani Podcast: https://www.web3pod.xyz  KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS  • [00:01] Sam introduces Firas Isa and Crypto Dispenser , a bootstrapped, profitable Bitcoin on-ramp with 100K+ users • [01:43] Firas explains how Crypto Dispenser started in 2017 with one Bitcoin ATM and has since pivoted to an online platform supporting debit, credit, ACH, wire, and PayPal • [02:32] Firas shares his origin story , studying political science at Loyola University and learning about money printing, the petrodollar, and empire collapse • [05:30] Discussion on the US gold standard, the Federal Reserve, and Voltaire's warning that fiat currency eventually goes to zero • [10:19] How Bitcoin Pop (Bitcoin Point of Payment) works , generating a barcode inside the Crypto Dispenser account and loading cash at CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens • [12:19] Why Crypto Dispenser is non-custodial and why that matters , users own their Bitcoin the same day they buy it • [13:43] Why cash remains the only true way to buy Bitcoin without relying on the traditional banking system • [20:34] The brutal reality of maintaining bank accounts as a crypto startup , banks shutting them down every six to eight months • [23:23] The rise of neo-banks like OneSafe (backed by Coinbase) and how they have helped but still face the same de-risking pattern • [26:13] How Crypto Dispenser differentiates through hands-on customer support against giants like Coinbase and Strike • [30:56] Trends Firas is watching , prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, and what they say about younger generations seeking financial freedom • [37:46] Firas's vision for the next two to three years , scaling the business, potentially bringing on VC capital, and continuing to grow organically • [39:15] North Star metrics , 100K registered users, approximately 2,000 monthly paying users • [41:45] Firas's ask , give Bitcoin a chance, and reach out if you are a developer or investor who wants to help scale

    48 min
  2. 398: From JP Morgan Trading Floor to Bootstrapped Fintech Giant: OpenPayd's Lux Thiagarajah on the Future of Payments

    3d ago

    398: From JP Morgan Trading Floor to Bootstrapped Fintech Giant: OpenPayd's Lux Thiagarajah on the Future of Payments

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION  I sat down with Lux, Chief Commercial Officer at OpenPayd, and this conversation genuinely surprised me. Lux started out as an FX trader at JP Morgan , the guy who once typed 'Bitcoin is a Ponzi scheme' into a Bloomberg chat , and now he's helping build one of the most quietly impressive fintech infrastructure companies out there. We got into how OpenPayd has grown to over 1,200 institutional clients, processed over $200 billion in volume annually, stayed cash flow positive for five years, and never taken a single round of funding. We talked about why financial institutions are now OpenPayd's fastest growing vertical, what the stablecoin sandwich actually means for cross-border payments, and whether crypto is really dead or just maturing. Lux also shared his contrarian take on why the era of 150% Ethereum weeks is probably behind us , and why that's actually a good sign. If you're in fintech, payments, or crypto infrastructure, this one is worth your time.  DISCLAIMER Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.  Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/  CONNECT  OpenPayd Website: https://www.openpayd.com/ OpenPayd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openpayd/ Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/  KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS  • [00:06] Sam introduces Lux from OpenPayd , a bootstrapped fintech with 200+ employees and $200B+ annual volume • [01:30] Lux's origin story: FX trader at JP Morgan who called Bitcoin a Ponzi scheme in 2009, then missed it, then got into Ethereum • [03:20] How joining a payments firm opened Lux's eyes to the real problem crypto companies face with banking access • [05:09] The divergence between crypto and stablecoins , and why stablecoin market cap is no longer correlated to Bitcoin price • [06:06] What OpenPayd is built on: providing financial infrastructure to underserved industries and incorporating blockchain into payments rails • [09:35] The Innovator's Dilemma in banking , why incumbents like HSBC still charge 1.7% on FX when the actual spread is near zero • [11:00] How Revolut and Nubank disrupted banking without reinventing the wheel , and what that means for crypto adoption by banks • [13:18] How OpenPayd differentiates: speed, product, tech, licensing, and becoming a one-stop-shop across fiat and blockchain rails • [18:03] The biggest trend at OpenPayd: financial institutions have become the number one vertical in under 15 months, driven by stablecoin adoption • [20:50] Running a bootstrapped company: the nice headache of keeping up with growth while staying compliant across 1,300+ institutional clients • [22:19] Lux's contrarian take: crypto isn't dead , the market has just matured because institutional money behaves differently than retail • [27:19] Why AI investment and geopolitical uncertainty have pulled capital away from crypto , and why that rotation will eventually reverse • [31:05] Lux's biggest challenge as CCO: reducing churn, staying relevant, and keeping one eye on short-term revenue and one on scalable growth • [32:49] OpenPayd's 2-3 year roadmap: US expansion later this year, then Latam and Asia , building both sides of the stablecoin sandwich • [34:41] On fundraising: profitable for five years, no need to raise, but never ruling it out

    38 min
  3. 397: Why Your Employees Want to Get Paid Every Day , And How Crypto Makes It Possible with guest speaker Brian Gerrard from Payslice

    6d ago

    397: Why Your Employees Want to Get Paid Every Day , And How Crypto Makes It Possible with guest speaker Brian Gerrard from Payslice

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION  I sat down with Brian Gerrard, founder of PaySlice, who spent seven years living across Latin America before building one of the most human-centered fintech startups I have come across. Brian started by connecting friends in emerging markets with remote jobs, then realized they were losing massive chunks of their income to inflation and bad exchange rates. That led him to build PaySlice , a platform that lets workers access their earned wages daily and get paid in stablecoins instead of a depreciating local currency. We talk about how he grew to nearly 10,000 users mostly through word of mouth, why he chose payroll over remittances, how he is embedding PaySlice into gaming and credit apps with zero customer acquisition cost, and where he sees this going as one point two billion people receive a paycheck every month. This is a real conversation about real problems, real traction, and what it actually takes to build something that matters.  DISCLAIMER Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.  Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/  CONNECT  PaySlice Website: https://www.payslice.com Brian Gerrard LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjgerrard/ Brian Gerrard Email: mailto:brian@payslice.com Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/  KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS  • [00:01] Sam introduces Brian Gerrard from PaySlice and the show's focus on payment infrastructure innovation • [01:36] Brian shares his background , leaving San Francisco to explore Latin America, which turned into a seven-year journey • [02:59] How Brian's staffing agency workers in Argentina, Colombia, and Jamaica asked to be paid daily and in USD, sparking the PaySlice idea • [03:58] PaySlice launches and grows to nearly 10,000 employees on the platform • [05:04] Why stablecoins have real product-market fit , stablecoin transaction volumes now surpassing Visa and Mastercard combined • [07:18] The B2C and B2B sides of PaySlice and which industries are gaining traction, including staffing agencies and payroll companies • [09:30] How traditional payroll tools force-convert currencies and silently take 3.5% from employees without employers knowing • [12:08] How PaySlice acquired most of its users through word-of-mouth and a referral boost mechanic • [13:21] Plans for a physical card launch in 18 countries in Q3 or Q4 • [16:34] Brian's growth marketing background at Twitch, where he scaled to 25 million monthly active users • [17:44] Using paid advertising in English and Spanish to target the US-Latin America remittance corridor • [19:08] How analyzing user transaction data via Plaid led to zero-CAC distribution deals with credit repair and mobile gaming companies • [21:03] Companies Brian admires , Revolut and Wise for solving currency frustration at scale • [22:22] The most misunderstood part of crypto-powered payroll and why employers need more empathy toward employees in unstable currencies • [23:05] Founder advice: listen to the market, hold beliefs loosely, and recognize the difference between good struggle and the wrong fit • [30:29] Brian's 10-year vision , getting 1.2 billion monthly paycheck recipients paid every day instead of once a month • [31:27] PaySlice's current seed raise, embedded finance partnership opportunities, and revenue share model

    34 min
  4. 396: Building the Hyperliquid of Sports: Inside Pred's On-Chain Prediction Exchange with guest speaker Amit Mahensaria from Pred

    Jun 4

    396: Building the Hyperliquid of Sports: Inside Pred's On-Chain Prediction Exchange with guest speaker Amit Mahensaria from Pred

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION I sat down with Amit Mahensaria, co-founder of Pred, to explore why the $500 billion sports betting industry is ripe for disruption. Amit isn't a typical Web3 founder , he came in as a degen, a 22-year sports trader who got tired of the house always winning. In this episode, we dig into how Pred is building a trustless, peer-to-peer sports prediction exchange on Base, why live sports demand a completely different architecture than general prediction markets like Polymarket, and what it really takes to build an on-chain order book that can keep up with a goal being scored in real time. We also get into the state of the prediction market industry, who's going to win the space, and why Amit believes the Hyperliquid of sports trading hasn't been built yet , until now.  DISCLAIMER Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.  Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ CONNECT Pred Website: https://www.pred.app/trade/fif-cdr-den-2026-06-03 Twitter/X - Pred: https://x.com/predofficial Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/ KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS • [00:02] Sam introduces Amit Mahensaria, co-founder of Pred, a sports-native prediction exchange at the intersection of AI, crypto, and blockchain • [01:11] Amit shares his background , not a typical Web3 founder, but a 22-year sports trader and DeFi degen since the 2020 DeFi Summer • [02:32] His co-founder is a Web3 OG and former product and design head of Binance India • [03:38] The origin story: Amit built a peer-to-peer sports trading community 7 years ago after getting frustrated with sportsbook middlemen always taking a cut • [05:43] The core thesis , middlemen are being removed from every industry, and sports betting is one of the last frontiers where the house still always wins • [07:16] Why general-purpose prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are not designed for sports UX or speed • [10:27] The biggest technical challenges: building an off-chain order book with on-chain matching, achieving 10x lower latency than competitors, and managing correlated multi-outcome order books in real time • [14:44] The Venn diagram problem , crypto users and frequent sports traders overlap by around 40%, poker bettors and crypto users by 60% • [16:29] How Pred abstracts crypto complexity away for mainstream users, and partnerships with fund.xyz and swap.com for on-ramping • [17:47] Key product learnings from 200-250 beta users over 8 weeks , sports UX must look nothing like a financial trading terminal • [19:47] Why Pred chose to build on Base , speed via Flash Blocks, distribution, and a roadmap conversation with Jesse Pollak • [21:55] The prediction market landscape has over 120 projects, but the space is still very early , the Hyperliquid of prediction markets hasn't emerged yet • [25:54] Pred is coming out of invite-only beta and opening to the public by end of month, starting with soccer only • [28:46] Advice for Web3 founders , do not launch a points program before you have PMF; GTM too early will kill you • [32:22] Long-term vision: a trustless, globally accessible sports trading exchange where users own the platform and trust every trade • [34:09] Liquidity management strategy , a transparent algo-driven vault similar to Hyperliquid's HLP, plus easy API onboarding for sports-focused market makers • [38:20] Current asks: users who want to trade and give feedback, sports-focused market makers, and a larger fundraise planned post-public launch

    43 min
  5. 395: From VC to Founder: Building a Trading Platform That Actually Serves Traders with Guest speaker Harvey Liu from LeveX

    Jun 3

    395: From VC to Founder: Building a Trading Platform That Actually Serves Traders with Guest speaker Harvey Liu from LeveX

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION I sat down with Harvey Liu, co-founder of LeveX Exchange, to dig into what it really takes to build a crypto trading platform from the ground up. Harvey's journey is fascinating , from studying computer science in China, to getting his MBA at INSEAD, to becoming an early Bitcoin investor when BTC was around $100, to backing the founders of Huobi and OKCoin as a VC, and now building his own exchange in Singapore. We talk about why he designed LeveX around social trading, how features like multi-trade and KOL-driven tournaments set them apart from Binance and OKX, and the honest truth about what works and what doesn't in crypto marketing. Harvey also shares what he looks for as a VC when evaluating Web3 startups in a bear market , and why founders with failure experience often outlast the ones who only know wins. DISCLAIMER Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ CONNECT LeveX Exchange: https://www.levex.com LeveX Twitter/X: https://x.com/levex Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS • [00:01] Sam introduces Harvey Liu, co-founder of LeveX Exchange, and outlines the episode topics: building an exchange, growth, and VC lessons • [01:25] Harvey shares his background , computer science in China, five years at a Canadian internet company, MBA at INSEAD, then back to China for VC • [03:13] Harvey's first exposure to Bitcoin in 2013 as a VC, meeting the founders of Huobi and OKCoin, and buying BTC at around $100 • [04:38] Moving to Singapore during COVID, joining a Singapore VC firm, and spotting the gap in social features on major trading platforms • [06:42] The founding idea behind LeveX: a platform built by traders, for traders, with a social layer that bigger exchanges lacked • [08:38] Who LeveX was designed for , seasoned traders, KOLs, and retail , and how user feedback shaped the product • [11:05] Gamification on the platform: quests, bonus milestones, KOL-run tournaments, and exclusive content areas for followers • [13:39] Current stats: over 400,000 registered users, focus on improving UX before aggressive marketing, and plans for Token 2049 Singapore • [15:35] User geography , mostly Europe and Asia, with Sam highlighting Southeast Asia (Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia) as a massive growth opportunity • [18:35] Harvey's VC framework for evaluating Web3 startups in a bear market: team track record including failures, revenue traction, real utility, and exit strategy • [22:49] The biggest challenge building LeveX: rebuilding trust post-FTX, and how proof of reserves, bug bounties, and penetration testing address that • [26:06] Growth experiments , what worked (deep KOL partnerships) and what didn't (expensive Google and Meta paid ads with low conversion) • [30:13] LeveX's standout feature: multi-trade, which lets traders open multiple simultaneous positions on the same trading pair at different prices, directions, and leverage levels • [33:12] Vision for the next two to three years: reach top 20 global trading platform, expand into prediction markets and AI tools, and time the next bull run right • [34:51] Harvey's ask: strategic marketing and branding partners to help with the next bull run, and an open invitation for listeners to try the platform

    38 min
  6. 394: $48M Raised, 500K Users, and a Huge Announcement Coming: Astranova's Vaibhav Tells All

    Jun 1

    394: $48M Raised, 500K Users, and a Huge Announcement Coming: Astranova's Vaibhav Tells All

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, I sit down with Vaibhav from Astranova, the AI-driven entertainment IP studio that has been quietly building one of the most ambitious ecosystems in Web3. Vaibhav walks me through everything from their half a million ecosystem users, their high-profile partnerships with brands like Shiba Inu, Simon's Cat, and Mansory, to how they have raised $48.6 million and what they are doing with it. We dig into the RVV token buybacks, the real utility being built across gaming, comics, and social platforms, and why Vaibhav believes the market is massively underestimating this project. He also drops a teaser about a major RVV utility announcement coming very soon, so you will want to tune in and follow their socials closely after this one. DISCLAIMER Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ CONNECT Astranova Website:https://astranova.world/ Twitter/X - Astranova: https://twitter.com/AstranovalP Telegram - : https://t.me/AstraNovaPortal Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/ KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS • [00:00] Sam introduces Vaibhav from Astranova and outlines what the episode will cover • [01:08] Vaibhav shares his background in crypto, including time at CoinStore, Unix Gaming, and two years building Astranova • [02:35] Astranova explained: an AI-driven entertainment IP studio with comics, gaming, UGC, and community platforms • [04:39] Adoption metrics revealed: close to half a million ecosystem users, over 250K on their social platform • [06:21] The reasoning behind $6-7 million in on-chain RVV token buybacks and what it signals to the community • [08:02] High-profile partnerships with Shiba Inu, Simon's Cat, Mansory, and Imaginary Ones and how they were built • [10:40] Why Vaibhav believes the market is undervaluing Astranova by a huge margin • [12:02] RVV utility today and where it is heading: hotels, flights, gift cards, staking, and more • [13:45] Why the intersection of AI, entertainment, gaming, and community is such a powerful long-term position • [15:04] $48.6 million raised and how it is being deployed across the ecosystem • [16:14] What is coming in Phase 3: eSports with RVV prize pools, Creator Economy, NovaToonz IP expansion, and Blacklist Season 3 • [17:25] A teaser dropped: a major RVV utility and adoption announcement is coming soon • [19:45] Future vision: RVV as the connective layer of the whole ecosystem, BNB integration, and massive growth ahead

    23 min
  7. 393: Why Web3 Games Failed, And How to Fix It with Guest Speaker Chris Hewish from Xsolla

    May 31

    393: Why Web3 Games Failed, And How to Fix It with Guest Speaker Chris Hewish from Xsolla

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION I sat down with Chris Hewish from Xsolla , a company that has been powering the gaming industry for over 20 years , to dig into why Web3 games crashed and burned, what needs to change, and why Web2 games are the real gateway to bringing the next billion users on chain. Chris breaks down the allergy traditional gaming studios have to Web3 language, how Xsolla's web shop product disrupted the 30% Apple and Google tax, and why removing friction , not pushing wallets and blockchain jargon , is the only path to mass adoption. Whether you are a game developer, a Web3 founder, or just someone trying to understand where gaming and blockchain collide, this episode is packed with honest, experience-backed insight from someone who has been in the trenches for decades. DISCLAIMER Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ --- CONNECT --- Xsolla Website: https://xsolla.com Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/ Sam Kamani LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/samkamani KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS • [00:01] Sam introduces Chris Hewish from Xsolla and sets up the episode's core themes: Web3 gaming failures, Xsolla's 20-year journey, and bringing the next billion users on chain • [01:24] Chris shares his origin story , starting in the mail room at Games Workshop and working his way into the business side of gaming before joining Xsolla six years ago • [03:18] The founding problem Xsolla set out to solve: limited global payment options for game developers, which locked out players who simply could not pay • [05:13] How Xsolla helps game studios at every stage , from pre-launch community building to post-launch marketing tech, loyalty programs, and live service tools • [07:44] Why Web3 gaming failed: trying to build infrastructure and ecosystem simultaneously, unsustainable play-to-earn economies, speculation over gameplay, and rug pulls • [09:50] The so-called Web3 community was never large or loyal enough to sustain a game ecosystem on its own • [11:23] The allergic reaction traditional Web2 studios have to Web3 language , and how removing that language entirely changed partner conversations from rejection to sign-ups • [13:13] A concrete example of on-chain value: paying players $5 in stablecoin to play during a game's launch weekend, cheaper than paid user acquisition • [17:17] The web shop innovation , how Xsolla created a whole new sector by letting mobile games transact outside the App Store, cutting fees from 30% down to around 7% • [20:04] The Epic vs Apple and Google battle over Fortnite and what it exposed about the duopoly controlling mobile gaming • [21:49] The Nike analogy: why game companies need multiple distribution channels just like any other consumer brand • [24:22] Advice for gaming startup founders: take go-to-market strategy seriously from day one, not just near launch • [30:42] Why Web2 games , with 3.3 billion players already , are the ecosystem that will bring the first billion users on chain • [31:31] The key to mass adoption: remove Web3 language, embed wallets invisibly into existing account systems, and let players receive value without knowing the infrastructure behind it • [33:29] Xsolla is already live on testnet, self-funded, and will be sharing real data later in the year

    35 min
  8. 392: The Company Putting Bitcoin on Kroger Shelves and Into Your Paycheck with Guest Speaker Will Reeves from Fold

    May 30

    392: The Company Putting Bitcoin on Kroger Shelves and Into Your Paycheck with Guest Speaker Will Reeves from Fold

    --- EPISODE DESCRIPTION --- I sat down with Will Reeves, CEO of Fold, and walked away genuinely excited about what they are building. Will breaks down how Fold is putting Bitcoin into the hands of everyday Americans — not by convincing them to buy it, but by letting them earn it as a reward on their normal spending. We talk about why airlines and banks can never truly compete with this model, how Fold customers have earned $70 million in Bitcoin rewards, and the wild insight that led to Bitcoin showing up on shelves at Kroger. Will also shares hard-won lessons on building a team, finding product-market fit, and why naivety combined with passion is actually a superpower for founders. This is a story about solving a real financial problem for real people — and the results are speaking for themselves. Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ --- CONNECT --- Fold Website: https://foldapp.com/ Twitter/X: Will Reeves: https://twitter.com/WillReeves Twitter/X : Fold: https://twitter.com/Fold_app Web3 with Sam Kamani : Website: https://www.web3pod.xyz/ Twitter/X : Sam Kamani: https://twitter.com/samkamani --- KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS --- • [00:01] Sam introduces Will Reeves from Fold and sets the scene from Bitcoin Vegas 2026 • [01:21] Will shares his origin story — growing up in California, graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, and falling in love with startups in the Bay Area • [03:21] The core problem Will wanted to solve: restoring paths to financial stability using Bitcoin as the vehicle • [06:10] How Fold's rewards model works — turning everyday spending into Bitcoin savings using the familiar cash-back habit • [08:01] Why Bitcoin rewards beat cash back and airline miles over the long term due to appreciation versus inflation • [09:20] Why traditional banks and credit card companies can't copy Fold — the innovator's dilemma explained • [14:53] Fold has hundreds of thousands of users and has given away $70 million in Bitcoin rewards • [16:02] Removing barriers to Bitcoin: physical gift cards at Kroger and employee bonuses at Steak and Shake powered by Fold • [19:06] The pivot moment — from "spend Bitcoin at Starbucks" to "earn Bitcoin on your normal card" and the hockey stick that followed • [23:29] Why airlines desperately need Bitcoin as a rewards off-ramp — and the COVID liability crisis that exposed the flaw • [26:46] The hardest part of making Bitcoin mainstream: overcoming short-term thinking and fear of volatility • [28:54] Best growth channel for Fold: word of mouth, not paid ads, plus strategic distribution deals like Kroger • [31:04] Founder lessons — staying naive and passionate, hiring for grit over credentials, and not holding the reins too long • [32:23] The hardest role to hire for: marketing and growth, and why hunger beats credentials every time • [34:33] Long-term vision: Fold as a great American financial institution that sends value back to the customer • [36:07] The ask — use Fold, get on the credit card waitlist, and reach out to Will on X at @WillReeves

    39 min
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About

"Web 3.0 with Sam Kamani" is all about Web 3 and how it is going to change the world. If you are interested in learning more about the 4th Industrial revolution then this podcast is for you. Web 3.0 or Web 3 is often hailed as the technology that will usher in the 4th industrial revolution. This revolution is going to affect every industry, business, government and person on this planet. Web 3.0 is a collection of technologies that are going to change how we collaborate with each other and interact with our environment. Let's uncover the opportunities and risks of the new version of Web.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Kamani
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    401
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sam Kamani
  • Show Website
    Web3 with Sam Kamani

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