The Index Podcast

Index Studios
  • 5.0 (6)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What’s indexing this week in crypto, blockchain, and open-source AI? Find out on The Index, where we feature exclusive conversations that go beyond code. Each week, host and entrepreneur Alex Kehaya talks with founders, developers, and investors who are shaping the future of Web3. From startup advice to breakthrough strategies, our guests share their stories and take a deep dive into the decentralized future.

  1. Open Source, Cross-Chain Security & ZK Proofs | Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs

    8H AGO

    Open Source, Cross-Chain Security & ZK Proofs | Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs

    The blockchain world is undergoing a fundamental shift. What once seemed possible—scaling Web3 to internet size with a single chain—is now recognized as unrealistic. The future belongs to specialized chains that excel at specific tasks while seamlessly communicating with one another. This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Mark Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, to discuss the next chapter in open source development and explore how the Aggregation Layer is unlocking a new era of blockchain interoperability. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on wrapped assets, the Aggregation Layer leverages zero-knowledge proofs to verify chain states and enable secure cross-chain transactions—solving critical issues with settlement control and reorganization risks that have long plagued current solutions. Boiron also unpacks the rapid evolution of zero-knowledge development. What experts once predicted would take 5–10 years has already been achieved in just two, hinting at an even greater wave of breakthroughs to come—both within and beyond blockchain. Rather than framing chains as competitors, Boiron envisions an ecosystem of collaboration, where specialized networks focus on their strengths—whether payments, gaming, or DeFi—while remaining interconnected. Even chains often seen as rivals, like Solana, could eventually integrate into this unified experience as demand for cross-chain assets grows. Ready to rethink blockchain scaling and interoperability? Tune in now to discover why the next era of Web3 won’t be about competition between chains, but collaboration across them. Website: https://polygon.technology/ Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    33 min
  2. AI, Deepfakes & Open Intelligence | Radha Dasari, Web3 Foundation

    AUG 24

    AI, Deepfakes & Open Intelligence | Radha Dasari, Web3 Foundation

    What happens when a computer science PhD specializing in AI pivots to blockchain technology? For Radha Dasari, Lead Technical Advocate at the Web3 Foundation, it was a journey fueled by a mission to combat digital misinformation and bring fairness to the internet. In this eye-opening episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Radha to explore how Polkadot has evolved since its early days of parachain auctions. He breaks down the move to Agile Coretime—a major innovation that dramatically lowers entry barriers for developers while keeping Polkadot’s integrated security model intact. Unlike other multi-chain ecosystems where chain security varies, Polkadot’s validator shuffling ensures uniform security across all parachains—a true differentiator in the blockchain space. The most fascinating part of our discussion emerges at the intersection of AI and blockchain. Drawing from his academic background in artificial intelligence, Radha explains how deepfakes and digital misinformation pushed him toward seeing blockchain as an “anchor for truth.” He shares exciting developments in content authenticity solutions built on blockchain technology and introduces us to Jam Protocol—a Gavin Wood project creating a decentralized supercomputer capable of running programs indefinitely. Radha’s vision for Web3 goes far beyond financial applications—his passion lies in designing digital spaces rooted in fairness, authenticity, and trust. 👉 If you’re a developer, researcher, or just someone fascinated by the intersection of AI and blockchain, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Website: https://web3.foundation/ Polkadot: https://polkadot.com/ Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    39 min
  3. Next-Level AI & Web3 Game Development | Dan Peng & Rick Johanson, Arbitrum Gaming Ventures

    AUG 20

    Next-Level AI & Web3 Game Development | Dan Peng & Rick Johanson, Arbitrum Gaming Ventures

    What happens when you combine addictive gameplay with blockchain technology? According to Rick Johanson and Dan Peng, Founding Partners at Arbitrum Gaming Ventures, the answer isn't simply "add a token and hope for the best." Their refreshing approach prioritizes the core gameplay experience first, with blockchain features thoughtfully layered in only when they truly enhance the player experience. The gaming landscape is undergoing a profound transformation at the intersection of Web3 and artificial intelligence. As Dan Peng explains, "The core loop is ultimately what matters about a game, and then features built on top that offer benefits attached to crypto could make sense." This player-centric philosophy marks an evolution from earlier crypto gaming efforts that often prioritized tokenomics over fun. Where blockchain truly shines is in enabling verifiable user-created content, cross-game asset ownership, and new collaborative models between publishers and players. Meanwhile, AI tools are dramatically accelerating development cycles—what once took months or years can now be prototyped in days or even hours. Alex shares his experience vibe-coding an entire game prototype and viral marketing system in mere days using tools like Codex, demonstrating how these technologies are democratizing game development. This technological democratization creates what Rick Johanson calls "a window of opportunity where anyone, regardless of their technical proficiency, can turn ideas into action." Yet with this new power comes a surprising shift in competitive dynamics: "It's all go-to-market," Alex Kehaya notes, "Distribution is really the only thing that matters." As creation barriers fall, reaching and engaging users becomes the primary challenge. Arbitrum Gaming is addressing these evolving needs through their "Project Easy Mode" initiative, providing tailored support to different developer personas. Whether you're an established Web2 developer exploring blockchain or an indie creator pushing boundaries, their unconventional venture model offers flexibility and resources beyond mere funding. Curious about the future of gaming, AI, and blockchain? This conversation offers valuable insights for developers, investors, and players navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. The winners of tomorrow will be those who can harness these powerful tools while staying laser-focused on creating genuinely compelling player experiences. Arbitrum Gaming: https://arbitrum.io/ X; https://x.com/arbitrum Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    33 min
  4. AI Transparency: LayerLens & the Open Intelligence Stack | Archie Chaudhury

    AUG 8

    AI Transparency: LayerLens & the Open Intelligence Stack | Archie Chaudhury

    What happens when we can no longer trust the performance claims of AI model creators? That’s the challenge driving LayerLens, an innovative platform bringing transparency and practical evaluation to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. In this episode, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Archie Chaudhury, Co-founder of LayerLens, to explore how blockchain-powered benchmarking can cut through the hype and deliver verifiable, real-world AI performance metrics. Unlike traditional academic benchmarks focused on abstract intelligence scores, LayerLens enables practical evaluations that reflect the real use cases businesses care about. Archie explains how the platform’s integration with EigenLayer makes every step of the evaluation process transparent — every question, every answer, and whether the model got it right or wrong — removing the need to rely on self-reported claims from model creators. We also dig into LayerLens’ vision for democratizing benchmark creation, empowering subject matter experts across industries to design their own domain-specific evaluations. This community-driven model builds a diverse library of practical tests that can better reflect the complexity of real-world challenges. From decentralized evaluation to the broader “Open Intelligence” stack — decentralized data, compute, training, and inference — this conversation reveals how LayerLens is shaping the future of AI accountability at a critical moment in the technology’s evolution. Whether you’re building with AI, investing in the space, or simply curious about how we can trust the systems making decisions on our behalf, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s really under the hood of your favorite AI models. 🔗 Learn more: layerlens.ai | X (Twitter) Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    28 min
  5. Marinade Labs: Solana Hackathon to Billion-Dollar Staking Platform | Michael Repetny, Co-Founder

    AUG 1

    Marinade Labs: Solana Hackathon to Billion-Dollar Staking Platform | Michael Repetny, Co-Founder

    What if staking could be seamless, secure and DeFi-friendly? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Michael Repetny, Co-founder and CEO of Marinade Finance, the largest staking protocol on Solana with over $1.5 billion in crypto assets under management. Michael shares the remarkable journey behind Marinade—from a scrappy Solana hackathon project to a cornerstone of Solana’s infrastructure. Built by a team that turned down VC funding and acquisition offers, Marinade’s community-first ethos helped it scale organically while staying aligned with Solana’s mission of decentralization. To help demystify staking, Michael breaks it down with an easy-to-grasp analogy: Solana is a representative democracy—validators act as political parties processing transactions, while token holders are citizens who delegate their voting power. Marinade leveled up this system with liquid staking, empowering users to earn staking rewards while staying active in DeFi. It’s like earning yield without locking up your assets—having your cake and eating it too. The conversation also dives into Marinade’s evolving product suite: mSOL – the OG liquid staking tokenMarinade Native – a no-smart-contract solution that stakes directly with validatorsMarinade Select – tailored for institutions prioritizing compliance and transparencyThese innovations are positioning Marinade as the go-to staking partner as Solana matures, financial institutional interest grows, and ETF discussions heat up. Whether you’re building in Solana, buying tokens, or just want your assets to work harder—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen now to unlock the next chapter of crypto staking. 🔗 Marinade: marinade.finance 🐦 Marinade X: @MarinadeFinance  Ready to make your crypto assets work harder? Listen now to understand the future of digital asset yield generation. Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    30 min
  6. Superform Building the Future of On-Chain Wealth Management | Vikram Arun, Co-founder

    JUL 18

    Superform Building the Future of On-Chain Wealth Management | Vikram Arun, Co-founder

    What’s stopping DeFi from going mainstream—and how can better UX, infrastructure, and automation unlock its full potential? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Vikram Arun, Co-founder of Superform, about building the future of on-chain wealth management. After managing a $100B DeFi book at BlockTower, Vikram saw a clear problem: if even institutional investors struggled with yield strategies, how could everyday users stand a chance? That insight led to Superform, a cross-chain platform now offering over 1,000 yield opportunities across 60 protocols and 12 chains. Vikram explains why many experienced users now prefer to delegate yield decisions—SuperVaults alone make up 60–70% of SuperForm’s TVL—and how simplifying this process opens DeFi to a wider audience. He also shares the story behind “Piggy,” their AI Telegram assistant that started as a meme and evolved into a real tool for portfolio monitoring and personalized yield recommendations. The conversation dives into the tech stack behind Superform’s growth, including how Ethereum standards like ERC4626 enabled composability, and what it would take to expand to ecosystems like Solana. Vikram also shares his take on the regulatory landscape, especially the momentum around stablecoin clarity and what that could mean for developers building in the space. Looking ahead, Vikram previews Superform V2—featuring smart accounts with email logins and passkeys, one-click DeFi actions, upgraded SuperVaults, and new "super assets" like SuperUSD and SuperBTC that automatically optimize yield across chains. If you're building in DeFi, thinking about composability, or looking for real-world insights on scaling cross-chain infra, this episode is for you.  🌐 Explore Superform: superform.xyz 🐦 Follow Superform on X: https://x.com/superformxyz 📺 Subscribe: youtube.com/@theindexpodcast Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    28 min
  7. DePINs, Crypto Rewards & AI Tooling | Jesse Adams, Co-founder of Uprock

    JUL 7

    DePINs, Crypto Rewards & AI Tooling | Jesse Adams, Co-founder of Uprock

    How do you build a DePIN network with 2.7M+ devices, zero CAC, and data streams optimized for AI—without draining batteries or compromising user trust? In this episode of The Index, Alex Kehaya sits down with Jesse Adams, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Uprock, to unpack how they’re building the world’s first mobile-first DePIN for AI. Jesse’s journey spans building an adult app store, launching an encrypted browser (Tenta, acquired), and now scaling Uprock—a decentralized physical infrastructure network designed to deliver real-time, geo-distributed data for AI/ML. Instead of relying on always-on proxies, Uprock’s task-based architecture wakes mobile devices only when needed, performs lightweight actions (like scraping or uptime checks), and puts them back to sleep—keeping performance high and energy use low. We explore: Why location-specific data is critical for LLMs and autonomous agentsHow Uprock scaled to 2.7M devices with zero paid acquisitionTheir crypto micropayment model for rewarding bandwidth contributionAI-driven dev workflows for code review, QA, and marketing at speedIf you're building in DePIN, Web3 infra, or AI tooling—this convo is packed with ideas from the frontier. 🔗 Open beta: uprock.com 🐦 Follow Jesse: @jesseshappyhour Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    28 min
  8. Web3 Domains | Tokenizing Digital Assets with D3’s Co-founder, Michael Ho

    JUN 27

    Web3 Domains | Tokenizing Digital Assets with D3’s Co-founder, Michael Ho

    Ever wondered what happens to those domain names gathering digital dust in your GoDaddy account? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Michael Ho, Co-founder of D3, to explore how blockchain technology is transforming the overlooked world of domain trading and ownership. The domain industry hasn’t changed much since the ’90s. Selling a valuable name still involves clunky escrow services, manual transfers, and broker fees that can eat up 25% or more of your sale. D3 is changing that—by tokenizing domains as programmable digital assets on-chain. What makes D3’s approach unique is its seamless integration. Instead of building a new siloed system, they’re bringing Web3 functionality directly to where domain owners already are—through familiar registrar interfaces. Soon, you’ll be able to tokenize, trade, lease, or fractionalize your domains with just a few clicks. At the heart of it all is Doma, the first DNS-compliant blockchain network. D3’s DomainFi platform runs on Doma, bridging traditional Web2 domains with Web3 ecosystems. The result? New sources of liquidity, distribution, and innovation—unlocking value in what’s currently a $350B+ real-world asset class. The biggest surprise? Half of all domains aren’t even being used—just sitting idle. D3’s technology brings those names to life, enabling domain holders to tap into new financial use cases, from collateral to leasing and beyond. And with the recent launch of .sol as an official top-level domain on Solana, the bridge between Web2 and Web3 is getting stronger by the day. Whether you’re a domain investor, builder, or simply curious about the next wave of internet infrastructure, this conversation reveals what’s possible when the world’s original digital assets go decentralized. 🌐 Learn more at: https://d3.inc/ 🐦 Follow D3 on X: https://x.com/d3inc 🎧 Subscribe to The Index for more founder-led conversations at the frontier of Web3, AI, and open internet innovation. Show Links The Index X Channel YouTube

    28 min
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About

What’s indexing this week in crypto, blockchain, and open-source AI? Find out on The Index, where we feature exclusive conversations that go beyond code. Each week, host and entrepreneur Alex Kehaya talks with founders, developers, and investors who are shaping the future of Web3. From startup advice to breakthrough strategies, our guests share their stories and take a deep dive into the decentralized future.

Information

  • Creator
    Index Studios
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Index Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Index Podcast