web3 with a16z crypto a16z

with @guywuolletjr @eddylazzarin @smc90

"Which blockchain should I build in?" Is a very top of mind question for builders in web3, but also relevant to anyone interested in tech innovation and the evolution of infrastructure. So how does one decide among all the chain choices out there, particularly given how fast-moving the crypto and web3 space is? We sketch out the landscape, why it matters, tradeoffs; and then address common questions, a framework for deciding, different technical specs, and other factors such as community, marketing & ecosystem support, security, custody, programming languages, and more.

This all-new deep-dive, hallway-style chat features Solana co-founder and Solana Labs CEO Anatoly Yakovenko. The first half of the episode is a discussion/ debate blockchain architectures -- including of course Solana & Ethereum, the themes of monolithic vs. modular, et cetera -- but really is about what are the tradeoffs, and what should one optimize for (or not!), depending on what you’re building, and to make crypto happen at scale (now and in the future). The second half of the episode covers company-, community-, and ecosystem-building -- including discussing the nuances of leadership in open source; and wherefore messiahs/ prophets?! -- as well as touching on engineering hiring, devrel (developer relations), governance; the Solana phone, and some of the Solana backstory as well. What are the differences between hardware and software innovation? And how does innovation play out, in theory versus practice?

with @davidmarcus @smc90

A wide-ranging conversation on company building, big to small (including what cadence and when is the right "time" to ship); the relationship between centralization, decentralization, platforms, and financial freedom; moving from web2 to web3 in both crypto AND payments; why bitcoin, views on remote work, and much much more.

with @alive_eth @danboneh @smc90

The convergence of two important, very top-of-mind trends: artificial intelligence & blockchains/ crypto. The conversation covers everything from deep fakes and bots and proof-of-humanity in a world of AI, to big data, LLMs like ChatGPT, user control, governance, privacy and security, zero-knowledge machine learning, MEV, media and generative art, and and much, much more.

with @mclader @smc90

On how to think about business strategy (& competition) in a world of open source and decentralized finance; product vs. protocol innovation; talent from hiring to organizational structure & collaboration; metrics, community engagement, app store policies, and much much more with Uniswap Labs COO MC Lader.

with @skominers @smc90

A deep dive and tour through key business concepts -- from competitive advantage and Porter's Five Forces, to network effects and moats -- as builders of all kinds navigate business strategy in open source, and especially web3. How does one compete when you're building (and competing) in the open?