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Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedMichael Heinrich | Founder of 0G Labs: Building the First Modular AI ChainMichael Heinrich shares his journey from high school boredom to founding 0G Labs, the first modular AI blockchain platform. He discusses how spiritual practices like meditation shaped his leadership style and contributed to his success as a founder.Michael explains the potential of decentralized AI infrastructure and the importance of a community-owned approach for the future of AI and data. 0G Labs develops advanced AI blockchain tools and applications that connect decentralized networks to unlock data infrastructure and storage through machine learning solutions for businesses.Join hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra for...2025-08-0249 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedMichael Heinrich | Founder of 0G Labs: Building the First Modular AI ChainMichael Heinrich shares his journey from high school boredom to founding 0G Labs, the first modular AI blockchain platform. He discusses how spiritual practices like meditation shaped his leadership style and contributed to his success as a founder.Michael explains the potential of decentralized AI infrastructure and the importance of a community-owned approach for the future of AI and data. 0G Labs develops advanced AI blockchain tools and applications that connect decentralized networks to unlock data infrastructure and storage through machine learning solutions for businesses.Join hosts Kenzi Wang, Sachi Kamiya, and Diksha Dutta for...2025-08-0149 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedEthan Sun | Co-Founder of MyShell: Empowering Creators at the Blockchain-AI CrossroadsEthan Sun shares his journey at the intersection of Blockchain and AI, and the founding story of MyShell. He explains how MyShell aims to make AI models accessible to non-technical creators, sparking a new wave in the creator economy.Ethan also discusses the transition from Web2 to Web3, the role of blockchain in MyShell’s platform, and the unique perspective on crypto and AI from China. MyShell is building an AI consumer layer that connects users, creators, and open-source AI researchers.Join hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra for an in-depth conversation about Et...2025-08-0155 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedDC Builder | Research Engineer at Worldcoin Foundation: Proving Personhood in a Digital EraDC Builder, Research Engineer at the Worldcoin Foundation, shares insights into the project’s mission to democratize digital identity and finance worldwide while promoting fair wealth distribution. He discusses the challenges involved in verifying personhood through web of trust and biometrics, highlighting the innovative use of the Semaphore protocol.The conversation also explores the emerging field of Zero-Knowledge Machine Learning (ZKML) and other cutting-edge crypto-AI projects reshaping the digital landscape.Join hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra for an in-depth discussion about DC Builder’s Web3 journey.2025-08-0157 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedAnna Kazlauskas | CEO and Co-Founder of Vana: Solving AI’s Data DilemmaAnna Kazlauskas shares her journey from traditional finance to pioneering decentralized AI with Vana, a platform empowering people to own their data and contribute it to AI models. She highlights the critical role of tokenomics in Vana’s ecosystem and the challenges of building a Web3 company, emphasizing the importance of hiring mission-aligned team members.Anna explores the AI data shortage and how Vana addresses it through decentralized data ownership and data DAOs. She also explains the differences between data DAOs, trusts, and unions, the value of private data, and lessons learned from projects like the Reddit Da...2025-08-0156 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJay Jog | Co-Founder of Sei Labs: The EVM’s Dominance and Its LimitationsIn this episode, Jay Jog from Sei Labs draws parallels between established cities and virtual machines, highlighting the difficulty of displacing dominant systems like the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). He shares his journey from traditional finance at Robinhood to building Sei Network in Web3, emphasizing the importance of user feedback and the demand for higher throughput in blockchain technology.Jay introduces parallelization as a key solution to current blockchain limitations and reflects on the cultural role of memecoins in driving community movements.Enjoy his insightful Web3 founder journey with hosts Kenzi Wang, Sachi Kamiya, and...2025-08-0143 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRon Bodkin | CEO and Co-Founder of Theoriq: Understanding Agent Collectives in AIIn this episode, Ron Bodkin explores the convergence of AI and crypto, highlighting the importance of responsibility, governance, and the transformative potential of Web3. He shares his journey from leadership roles at Google to founding Theoriq and ChainML, reflecting on the transition from corporate AI to startup innovation.The discussion dives into agent collectives, the challenges of AI standardization, and how to measure success in decentralized AI systems. Ron introduces Proof of Contribution and Collaboration as key mechanisms for building trust in AI networks, alongside Theoriq’s foundational pillars: interoperability, composability, and decentralized innovation.He al...2025-08-0148 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedKaran Sirdesai | Co-Founder and CEO of Mira Network: Building Reliable AI on the BlockchainIn this episode of the Beacon Podcast, Karan Sirdesai, Co-Founder and CEO of Mira Network, shares his journey and the mission to build a decentralized AI infrastructure platform focused on creating reliable and safe artificial intelligence.Karan discusses how Mira addresses the critical challenge of AI hallucinations, enhancing trustworthiness for high-stakes applications in finance, healthcare, and beyond. He reflects on his non-linear founder journey, from hustling during university and collaborating with Balaji Srinivasan, to founding Mira with a team of deep AI and crypto experts.Listeners will learn about Mira’s breakthrough “aha” moment, discovered throug...2025-08-0148 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedDavid Minarsch | Co-Founder & CEO of Valory: The Rise of Autonomous Agents and the Future of Web3Join David Minarsch as he delves into the concept of autonomy and its transformative impact on human-machine relationships. He shares his journey through the crypto and AI spaces, including his work with Fetch.ai and the founding of Valory and OLAS.This conversation explores the rise of autonomous agents, their practical use cases, and the challenges faced in the evolving Web3 AI landscape. David also highlights the importance of mission-driven teams and the open-source ethos behind OLAS, which is designed to efficiently coordinate decentralized autonomous agents.Tune in to hear David’s founder journey with ho...2025-08-0153 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedUma Roy | Co-Founder of Succinct Labs: Why Zero Knowledge is Key to Scaling CryptoIn this episode, Uma Roy, Co-Founder of Succinct Labs, shares her journey into the Web3 space and the vision behind founding Succinct Labs. She highlights the critical role of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in enhancing the scalability and privacy of crypto projects.Uma discusses the origins and growth of Succinct Labs in San Francisco, emphasizing the team’s preference for in-person collaboration. She also dives into the technical challenges they faced while developing SP1, a zero-knowledge virtual machine, and how they overcame those obstacles.Join hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra for an in-depth conversation about Um...2025-08-0147 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRushi Manche | Co-Founder of Movement Labs: Inside the Mind of a Gen Z Web3 FounderIn this episode, Rushi Manche, Co-Founder of Movement Labs, shares his inspiring journey from a young coder to a pioneering crypto innovator. He talks about the value of investing your time and skills to build experience, the rise and impact of meme coins, and how Gen Z marketing is reshaping the crypto landscape.Rushi also explains how Movement Labs is making Ethereum more secure and accessible through the introduction of the Move language and technology. The conversation dives deep into what Gen Z founders need to succeed in the rapidly evolving Web3 space.Join hosts...2025-08-0144 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedGabby Dizon | Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games: Tokenomics and In-Game EconomiesIn this episode, Gabby Dizon, Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG), shares his journey from a PC gamer to a Web3 pioneer. He discusses the challenges and future of Web3 gaming, highlighting the transformative potential of AI and the essential qualities founders need to succeed in this space.Gabby provides insight into the evolution of YGG, including their innovative on-chain guilds, and explores what it will take for Web3 games to achieve mainstream adoption.With over 18 years in the gaming industry, Gabby co-founded Yield Guild Games, a play-to-earn gaming guild and decentralized autonomous organization (DAO...2025-08-0145 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedGreg Osuri | Founder of Akash Network: Liberty, Community, and the Future of Decentralized AIIn this episode, Greg Osuri, Founder and CEO of Akash Network, dives into the meaning of liberty, sovereignty, and freedom in the context of the decentralized web. He shares his founder journey, the obstacles he’s overcome, and why community remains at the heart of Web3 innovation.Greg reflects on the experience of building in Web3, the shift from Web2 models, and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a founder. He also discusses the power of open-source technology, the growing relevance of decentralized AI, and how governments may shape its development moving forward....2025-08-011h 18Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRichard Ma | Co-Founder & CEO of Quantstamp: Securing the Future of Web3In this episode, Richard Ma, Co-Founder and CEO of Quantstamp, shares his transition from the hedge fund world to Web3, and the founding story behind one of the most prominent blockchain security firms in the space. He breaks down how Quantstamp operates, the evolving nature of its customer base, and what truly sets successful Web3 startups apart in the long term.Quantstamp is a global leader in blockchain security, dedicated to securing the future of Web3. The company has performed over 500 audits, securing more than $200 billion in digital assets from potential exploits and vulnerabilities.Before...2025-08-0150 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedDavid Tse | Co-Founder of BabylonChain: Scaling Bitcoin to Secure a Decentralized WorldIn this episode, David Tse, Co-Founder of BabylonChain, discusses how staking can unlock a new era for Bitcoin by expanding its role in the broader decentralized ecosystem. He shares the founding story of BabylonChain and his journey from academic research to becoming a Web3 founder.BabylonChain enables Bitcoin holders to earn yield on their idle BTC—securely and without third-party trust or bridging to other chains. By locking their Bitcoin in a self-custodial manner, users gain the ability to validate Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chains and earn rewards in return.David Tse is a renowned professor at St...2025-08-0145 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSergey Gorbunov | Co-Founder of Axelar Network: Scaling Interoperability in BlockchainIn this episode, Sergey Gorbunov, Co-Founder of Axelar Network, discusses the future of blockchain interoperability, the founding journey of Axelar, and what drives him to keep innovating in the Web3 space.Axelar is a programmable Web3 interoperability platform that enables seamless cross-chain communication, aiming to scale the next generation of internet applications to billions of users.Sergey brings a strong academic and technical background to the space. He’s also an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, a former founding team member at Algorand, and holds a Ph.D. from MIT, where he was a...2025-08-0142 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedVictor Ji | Co-Founder of Manta Network: Building Real-World Use Cases with Zero KnowledgeIn this episode, Victor Ji, Co-Founder of Manta Network, explores the power of Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs and how Manta is redefining the developer experience for ZK applications. He walks through key milestones in Manta's journey and shares what it takes to succeed as a Web3 founder.Manta Network is focused on building a secure, interoperable future using ZK technology, with a mission to provide the best developer experience for creating and deploying zero-knowledge applications.Before founding Manta in 2020, Victor worked as a Research Assistant at Harvard’s Belfer Center, where he developed deep expertise in in...2025-08-0158 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSandy Peng | Co-Founder of Scroll: Building Layer 2 Solutions Aligned with the Ethereum RoadmapIn this episode, Sandy Peng, Co-Founder of Scroll, dives into the world of Layer 2 scaling solutions in Web3, sharing the founding story of Scroll and her approach to building successful blockchain projects by staying focused on execution.Scroll is a community-first, native zkEVM Layer 2 solution—an open-source initiative that operates at the cutting edge of zero-knowledge (ZK) research. Sandy brings a wealth of experience across research, business development, and strategy. With a background as both a startup founder and blockchain investor, she offers rare insights into the development, regulation, and real-world application of blockchain and open-source technologies....2025-08-0147 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedChris Spadafora | Founder of BadgerDAO: Bringing Bitcoin to DeFiIn this episode, Chris Spadafora, founder of BadgerDAO, shares insights into decentralized governance, the challenges of crypto tribalism, and his mission to bring Bitcoin into the DeFi ecosystem.BadgerDAO is an open-source, decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) focused on enabling the use of Bitcoin as collateral across decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. The platform is governed by its native token, BADGER, which empowers community members to vote on key proposals. Voting power is proportional to the amount of BADGER held, and approved proposals are implemented directly by the DAO.Chris also reflects on the origin and evolution...2025-08-0158 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedEli Ben-Sasson | Founder of StarkWare: Scaling Blockchain with Zero-KnowledgeEli Ben-Sasson, the co-founder and President of StarkWare, shares insights into his journey into the Web3 space, the challenges of blockchain scalability, and how StarkWare is working to onboard the next billion users onto the blockchain. StarkWare is pioneering the use of zero-knowledge proof technology to compress data, addressing some of the fundamental scalability issues that blockchains face today.Before co-founding StarkWare, Eli's academic career was marked by notable achievements, including earning a Ph.D. under Abel Prize laureate Avi Wigderson. He then completed his postdoctoral work at both MIT and Harvard, focusing on probabilistically checkable proofs...2025-08-0147 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSreeram Kannan | Founder of EigenLayer: Blockchain Brings Trust to Tech InnovationIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we sit down with Sreeram Kannan, Co-Founder and CEO of EigenLayer, as he shares his unique journey from academia to building impactful blockchain products. Sreeram delves into why he chose to leave his academic career behind and embark on an entrepreneurial journey in the Web3 space, driven by a deep belief in the power of blockchain technology to democratize innovation and empower individuals to create value.Sreeram explains, "This idea that as an innovator, you don’t need to bring trust. You only need to bring your innovation, and that the bl...2025-07-311h 00Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedAniket Jindal | Co-Founder of Biconomy: Building Tools to Make Web3 Accessible to EveryoneIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we sit down with Aniket Jindal, Co-Founder of Biconomy, as he shares his journey into the Web3 space and the qualities that define successful Web3 founders. Aniket discusses the dynamics of bear markets, the critical role of community management, and why user experience (UX) is key to the success of blockchain technology.Biconomy is a multi-chain relay infrastructure and transaction network designed to make Web3 more user-friendly, accessible, and affordable. Aniket walks us through the challenges of crypto adoption, and how Biconomy is simplifying the user experience to make it easier...2025-07-3156 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedBeryl Li | Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games: From Games to Guilds - Navigating the Web3 JourneyIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we sit down with Beryl Li, Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG)—the largest decentralized network of gaming guilds in the Web3 space. Beryl takes us through her unique journey into Web3, sharing her insights on how guilds are reshaping the future of blockchain gaming, and how education and community play a crucial role in driving the adoption of blockchain technology.YGG has revolutionized the gaming landscape, offering a platform that connects both gamers and blockchain enthusiasts while focusing on Web3 education and blockchain games. As the guild continues to grow, Be...2025-07-3152 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRyan Kim | Partner at Hashed: Cracking the Code on Web3 Investments in AsiaIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we speak with Ryan Sungho Kim, a Partner at Hashed, a leading blockchain firm in Asia. Ryan specializes in Web3 investments across Asia, focusing on applications, corporate finance, and enterprise solutions.Before joining Hashed, Ryan successfully exited his company, LOOKET—a mobile solution for SMEs—selling it to Recobell, a big data company. His work on developing recommendation systems in his previous venture revealed deep vulnerabilities in the data space, which ultimately led him to explore blockchain technology. This passion for decentralized solutions played a pivotal role in his decision to co-f...2025-07-3148 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJeff “Jiho” Zirlin | Co-Founder of Axie Infinity: Turning Your Web3 Community into True EvangelistsIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra chat with Jiho about his early days in the Web3 space, and the journey of building Axie Infinity and Sky Mavis with co-founders Trung Nguyen, Tu Doan, Aleksander Larsen, and Andy Ho. Jiho reflects on the early challenges of building in a bear market—when they were “small and unrecognized” but still confident in their vision, team, and community.A central theme of their journey was creating a Web3 community that not only rewarded technical knowledge but also encouraged learning. Jiho sums up their...2025-07-3153 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedYat Siu | Co-Founder of Animoca Brands: The North Star of Web3 is Digital OwnershipIn this episode, Yat Siu, Co-Founder of Animoca Brands, takes us through his fascinating journey from aspiring musician to tech entrepreneur and Web3 pioneer. From his early days writing software on his Atari ST in the 1980s to his ventures that shaped the digital landscape, Yat’s story is a testament to innovation and perseverance.Coming from a family of musicians, Yat initially trained to be a musician. However, his passion for technology led him to create software to read music notations. While it didn’t win him any praise from his teachers, it quickly found an audi...2025-07-311h 20Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedLily Liu | President of The Solana Foundation: Why Blockchain Ecosystems Are More Like Cities Than CompaniesIn this episode, we’re joined by Lily Liu, the President of the Solana Foundation and a seasoned entrepreneur and investor in the cryptocurrency space. Lily brings a wealth of experience from her roles as a CFO and operating executive across the US, China, and emerging markets. She is also the Co-Founder of Anagram, part of the founding team of Osmosis, and an advisor to Brave. Previously, she co-founded Earn.com, which was acquired by Coinbase in 2018.Lily's perspective on blockchain ecosystems is one that challenges traditional views. She believes that blockchain ecosystems are more like cities th...2025-07-311h 05Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJaynti Kanani | Co-Founder of Polygon: From Underdog to ChampionPolygon’s rise in the world of crypto is nothing short of extraordinary—a true underdog story that has become one of the biggest success tales in the tech industry. In this episode, Jaynti "JD" Kanani, Co-Founder of Polygon, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to building one of the most influential blockchain ecosystems.At the heart of JD's belief in Web3 is a simple but powerful philosophy: all you need is a laptop and an internet connection to build anything. As JD puts it, “You don’t need to be out there; you don’t have to pu...2025-07-3153 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedIllia Polosukhin | Co-Founder of NEAR Protocol: Scaling an L1 in a Bear MarketIn this week’s episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra chat with Illia Polosukhin, Co-Founder of NEAR Protocol, to explore the journey of building a next-gen Layer 1 blockchain. Illia dives deep into the creation of NEAR, its vision for true scalability in Web3, and how the protocol is designed to overcome the challenges of mass adoption.He also shares his insights on navigating and building through a bear market, offering valuable lessons on staying resilient and focused while the industry faces downturns. Whether you're building an L1 or working in the Web3 ecosystem, th...2025-07-3153 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedAlex Svanevik | Co-Founder of Nansen: From Data Scientist to Web3 FounderIn this episode, Alex Svanevik, Co-Founder of Nansen.ai, takes us through his journey from data scientist to Web3 founder. Alex shares how his background in data science laid the foundation for building Nansen, a powerful on-chain analytics platform that helps users make informed decisions in the world of Web3. He dives into the business model behind Nansen, detailing how the platform combines cutting-edge data insights with user-centric design to scale successfully in the Web3 space.2025-07-3148 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedMatthew Gould | Founder & CEO of Unstoppable Domains: Building a Web3 Unicorn Without a TokenIn this episode of Web3Unchained, Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra speak to Matthew Gould, the CEO of Unstoppable Domains. He discusses building a digital identity-focused Web3 company, what founders need to focus on for fundraising, and why he thinks token funding may be harmful to protocols. Here is a deep dive into the conversation, featuring edited excerpts from the podcast. 2025-07-3150 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedHarsh Rajat | Founder of Push Protocol: Web3 Market Sentiment, Raising Funds, & L1 WarsIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Diksha Mehra, and Sachi Tanaka sit down with Harsh Rajat, the Founder of Push Protocol, a groundbreaking communication protocol designed for Web3. Push Protocol enables cross-chain notifications and messaging for dapps, wallets, and services tied to wallet addresses, allowing seamless communication across decentralized ecosystems.Harsh shares the journey of Push Protocol, including how they approached the Ethereum Foundation for funding and the critical lessons learned in the process of community building. He also touches on the dynamics of the Layer 1 (L1) wars and how different ecosystems are shaping...2025-07-311h 22Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJack Lu | Co-Founder of Magic Eden: Going Multi-Chain, Building for Web3, and the Future of NFTsIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Diksha Mehra, and Sachi Tanaka sit down with Jack Lu, CEO and one of the four co-founders of Magic Eden, the leading NFT marketplace that has quickly become a household name in the Web3 space.Before launching Magic Eden, Jack worked at industry giants like FTX, Google, and Boston Consulting Group. With his wealth of experience, he co-founded Magic Eden in September 2021, initially focused on Solana-based NFTs. However, recognizing the rapidly evolving space, Magic Eden made a strategic pivot to become multi-chain, integrating Ethereum and, later in November 2022...2025-07-3156 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedChris Gonsalves | CEO of Community Gaming: Web3 Gaming Ecosystems and eSportsIn this week’s episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra sit down with Chris Gonsalves, CEO of Community Gaming, to explore the intersection of Web3 and eSports. Chris takes us through the origins of Community Gaming, how the Web3 gaming ecosystem is reshaping the landscape of competitive gaming, and what sets it apart from traditional eSports models.He also shares his thoughts on how Web3 gaming will evolve in the future, offering a glimpse into the potential of decentralized gaming platforms and what they mean for players, developers, and fans alike.2025-07-311h 04Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSandeep Nailwal | Co-Founder of Polygon: Setbacks, Community Building, and Rebranding PolygonIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra sit down with Sandeep Nailwal, Co-Founder of Polygon, to explore his remarkable journey in the world of Web3. Sandeep shares how he first got into crypto, the challenges and setbacks faced along the way, and how Polygon evolved from a scaling solution into one of the most recognized names in blockchain.He also opens up about his deep commitment to the developer community, the strategic rebranding of Polygon, and his vision for the future of Web3. Whether you're a founder, builder, or enthusiast, this conversation...2025-07-3153 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedLucas Vogelsang | Co-Founder of Centrifuge: The Future of DeFiIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra sit down with Lucas Vogelsang, CEO and Co-Founder of Centrifuge, a pioneer in bringing Real World Assets (RWAs) into DeFi since Ethereum’s early days. The conversation dives deep into the evolving landscape of decentralized finance, the potential of the Polkadot ecosystem, and what it takes to build and sustain a Web3 startup during a bear market.Lucas’s journey began with a lifelong passion for computers and coding. After spending seven years in the tech industry, he had a bold vision in 2017: to transform trad...2025-07-3155 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedNischal Shetty | Founder of Shardeum: Building in Web3 and the Importance of CommunityIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra speak with Nischal Shetty, Founder of WazirX and Shardeum, about decentralization, building strong communities the right way, and succeeding in the Web3 space.Before launching WazirX and Shardeum, Nischal began his entrepreneurial journey in 2010 with a social media management platform. What started as JustUnfollow later evolved into Crowdfire. At the time, Nischal was a full-time software developer who dedicated weekends and spare hours to building his app. The idea behind it was simple but powerful: help users manage all their social media accounts—like Instagram an...2025-07-311h 26Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedEthan Sun | Co-Founder of MyShell: Empowering Creators at the Blockchain-AI CrossroadsEthan Sun shares his journey at the intersection of Blockchain and AI, and the founding story of MyShell. He explains how MyShell aims to make AI models accessible to non-technical creators, sparking a new wave in the creator economy.Ethan also discusses the transition from Web2 to Web3, the role of blockchain in MyShell’s platform, and the unique perspective on crypto and AI from China. MyShell is building an AI consumer layer that connects users, creators, and open-source AI researchers.Join hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra for an in-depth conversation about Et...2025-07-3055 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedDC Builder | Research Engineer at Worldcoin Foundation: Proving Personhood in a Digital EraDC Builder, Research Engineer at the Worldcoin Foundation, shares insights into the project’s mission to democratize digital identity and finance worldwide while promoting fair wealth distribution. He discusses the challenges involved in verifying personhood through web of trust and biometrics, highlighting the innovative use of the Semaphore protocol.The conversation also explores the emerging field of Zero-Knowledge Machine Learning (ZKML) and other cutting-edge crypto-AI projects reshaping the digital landscape.Join hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra for an in-depth discussion about DC Builder’s Web3 journey.2025-07-2657 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedAnna Kazlauskas | CEO and Co-Founder of Vana: Solving AI’s Data DilemmaAnna Kazlauskas shares her journey from traditional finance to pioneering decentralized AI with Vana, a platform empowering people to own their data and contribute it to AI models. She highlights the critical role of tokenomics in Vana’s ecosystem and the challenges of building a Web3 company, emphasizing the importance of hiring mission-aligned team members.Anna explores the AI data shortage and how Vana addresses it through decentralized data ownership and data DAOs. She also explains the differences between data DAOs, trusts, and unions, the value of private data, and lessons learned from projects like the Reddit Da...2025-07-2256 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJay Jog | Co-Founder of Sei Labs: The EVM’s Dominance and Its LimitationsIn this episode, Jay Jog from Sei Labs draws parallels between established cities and virtual machines, highlighting the difficulty of displacing dominant systems like the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). He shares his journey from traditional finance at Robinhood to building Sei Network in Web3, emphasizing the importance of user feedback and the demand for higher throughput in blockchain technology.Jay introduces parallelization as a key solution to current blockchain limitations and reflects on the cultural role of memecoins in driving community movements.Enjoy his insightful Web3 founder journey with hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and...2025-07-1943 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRon Bodkin | CEO and Co-Founder of Theoriq: Understanding Agent Collectives in AIIn this episode, Ron Bodkin explores the convergence of AI and crypto, highlighting the importance of responsibility, governance, and the transformative potential of Web3. He shares his journey from leadership roles at Google to founding Theoriq and ChainML, reflecting on the transition from corporate AI to startup innovation.The discussion dives into agent collectives, the challenges of AI standardization, and how to measure success in decentralized AI systems. Ron introduces Proof of Contribution and Collaboration as key mechanisms for building trust in AI networks, alongside Theoriq’s foundational pillars: interoperability, composability, and decentralized innovation.He al...2025-07-1448 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedKaran Sirdesai | Co-Founder and CEO of Mira Network: Building Reliable AI on the BlockchainIn this episode of the Web3Unchained Podcast, Karan Sirdesai, Co-Founder and CEO of Mira Network, shares his journey and the mission to build a decentralized AI infrastructure platform focused on creating reliable and safe artificial intelligence.Karan discusses how Mira addresses the critical challenge of AI hallucinations, enhancing trustworthiness for high-stakes applications in finance, healthcare, and beyond. He reflects on his non-linear founder journey, from hustling during university and collaborating with Balaji Srinivasan, to founding Mira with a team of deep AI and crypto experts.Listeners will learn about Mira’s breakthrough “aha” moment, discov...2025-07-0248 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedGabby Dizon | Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games: Tokenomics and In-Game EconomiesIn this episode, Gabby Dizon, Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG), shares his journey from a PC gamer to a Web3 pioneer. He discusses the challenges and future of Web3 gaming, highlighting the transformative potential of AI and the essential qualities founders need to succeed in this space.Gabby provides insight into the evolution of YGG, including their innovative on-chain guilds, and explores what it will take for Web3 games to achieve mainstream adoption.With over 18 years in the gaming industry, Gabby co-founded Yield Guild Games, a play-to-earn gaming guild and decentralized autonomous organization (DAO...2025-03-0245 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedDavid Minarsch | Co-Founder & CEO of Valory: The Rise of Autonomous Agents and the Future of Web3Join David Minarsch as he delves into the concept of autonomy and its transformative impact on human-machine relationships. He shares his journey through the crypto and AI spaces, including his work with Fetch.ai and the founding of Valory and OLAS.This conversation explores the rise of autonomous agents, their practical use cases, and the challenges faced in the evolving Web3 AI landscape. David also highlights the importance of mission-driven teams and the open-source ethos behind OLAS, which is designed to efficiently coordinate decentralized autonomous agents.Tune in to hear David’s founder journey with ho...2025-02-1053 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedGreg Osuri | Founder of Akash Network: Liberty, Community, and the Future of Decentralized AIIn this episode, Greg Osuri, Founder and CEO of Akash Network, dives into the meaning of liberty, sovereignty, and freedom in the context of the decentralized web. He shares his founder journey, the obstacles he’s overcome, and why community remains at the heart of Web3 innovation.Greg reflects on the experience of building in Web3, the shift from Web2 models, and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a founder. He also discusses the power of open-source technology, the growing relevance of decentralized AI, and how governments may shape its development moving forward....2025-02-031h 18Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedUma Roy | Co-Founder of Succinct Labs: Why Zero Knowledge is Key to Scaling CryptoIn this episode, Uma Roy, Co-Founder of Succinct Labs, shares her journey into the Web3 space and the vision behind founding Succinct Labs. She highlights the critical role of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in enhancing the scalability and privacy of crypto projects.Uma discusses the origins and growth of Succinct Labs in San Francisco, emphasizing the team’s preference for in-person collaboration. She also dives into the technical challenges they faced while developing SP1, a zero-knowledge virtual machine, and how they overcame those obstacles.Join hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra for an in-depth conversation about Um...2025-01-3047 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRushi Manche | Co-Founder of Movement Labs: Inside the Mind of a Gen Z Web3 FounderIn this episode, Rushi Manche, Co-Founder of Movement Labs, shares his inspiring journey from a young coder to a pioneering crypto innovator. He talks about the value of investing your time and skills to build experience, the rise and impact of meme coins, and how Gen Z marketing is reshaping the crypto landscape.Rushi also explains how Movement Labs is making Ethereum more secure and accessible through the introduction of the Move language and technology. The conversation dives deep into what Gen Z founders need to succeed in the rapidly evolving Web3 space.Join hosts...2025-01-1244 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRichard Ma | Co-Founder & CEO of Quantstamp: Securing the Future of Web3In this episode, Richard Ma, Co-Founder and CEO of Quantstamp, shares his transition from the hedge fund world to Web3, and the founding story behind one of the most prominent blockchain security firms in the space. He breaks down how Quantstamp operates, the evolving nature of its customer base, and what truly sets successful Web3 startups apart in the long term.Quantstamp is a global leader in blockchain security, dedicated to securing the future of Web3. The company has performed over 500 audits, securing more than $200 billion in digital assets from potential exploits and vulnerabilities.Before...2024-10-2750 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedDavid Tse | Co-Founder of BabylonChain: Scaling Bitcoin to Secure a Decentralized WorldIn this episode, David Tse, Co-Founder of BabylonChain, discusses how staking can unlock a new era for Bitcoin by expanding its role in the broader decentralized ecosystem. He shares the founding story of BabylonChain and his journey from academic research to becoming a Web3 founder.BabylonChain enables Bitcoin holders to earn yield on their idle BTC—securely and without third-party trust or bridging to other chains. By locking their Bitcoin in a self-custodial manner, users gain the ability to validate Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chains and earn rewards in return.David Tse is a renowned professor at St...2024-09-2545 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSergey Gorbunov | Co-Founder of Axelar Network: Scaling Interoperability in BlockchainIn this episode, Sergey Gorbunov, Co-Founder of Axelar Network, discusses the future of blockchain interoperability, the founding journey of Axelar, and what drives him to keep innovating in the Web3 space.Axelar is a programmable Web3 interoperability platform that enables seamless cross-chain communication, aiming to scale the next generation of internet applications to billions of users.Sergey brings a strong academic and technical background to the space. He’s also an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, a former founding team member at Algorand, and holds a Ph.D. from MIT, where he was a...2024-09-0942 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedVictor Ji | Co-Founder of Manta Network: Building Real-World Use Cases with Zero KnowledgeIn this episode, Victor Ji, Co-Founder of Manta Network, explores the power of Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs and how Manta is redefining the developer experience for ZK applications. He walks through key milestones in Manta's journey and shares what it takes to succeed as a Web3 founder.Manta Network is focused on building a secure, interoperable future using ZK technology, with a mission to provide the best developer experience for creating and deploying zero-knowledge applications.Before founding Manta in 2020, Victor worked as a Research Assistant at Harvard’s Belfer Center, where he developed deep expertise in in...2024-08-1458 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSandy Peng | Co-Founder of Scroll: Building Layer 2 Solutions Aligned with the Ethereum RoadmapIn this episode, Sandy Peng, Co-Founder of Scroll, dives into the world of Layer 2 scaling solutions in Web3, sharing the founding story of Scroll and her approach to building successful blockchain projects by staying focused on execution.Scroll is a community-first, native zkEVM Layer 2 solution—an open-source initiative that operates at the cutting edge of zero-knowledge (ZK) research. Sandy brings a wealth of experience across research, business development, and strategy. With a background as both a startup founder and blockchain investor, she offers rare insights into the development, regulation, and real-world application of blockchain and open-source technologies....2024-07-2347 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedChris Spadafora | Founder of BadgerDAO: Bringing Bitcoin to DeFiIn this episode, Chris Spadafora, founder of BadgerDAO, shares insights into decentralized governance, the challenges of crypto tribalism, and his mission to bring Bitcoin into the DeFi ecosystem.BadgerDAO is an open-source, decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) focused on enabling the use of Bitcoin as collateral across decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. The platform is governed by its native token, BADGER, which empowers community members to vote on key proposals. Voting power is proportional to the amount of BADGER held, and approved proposals are implemented directly by the DAO.Chris also reflects on the origin and evolution...2024-07-1258 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedEli Ben-Sasson | Founder of StarkWare: Scaling Blockchain with Zero-KnowledgeEli Ben-Sasson, the co-founder and President of StarkWare, shares insights into his journey into the Web3 space, the challenges of blockchain scalability, and how StarkWare is working to onboard the next billion users onto the blockchain. StarkWare is pioneering the use of zero-knowledge proof technology to compress data, addressing some of the fundamental scalability issues that blockchains face today.Before co-founding StarkWare, Eli's academic career was marked by notable achievements, including earning a Ph.D. under Abel Prize laureate Avi Wigderson. He then completed his postdoctoral work at both MIT and Harvard, focusing on probabilistically checkable proofs...2024-06-2947 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSreeram Kannan | Founder of EigenLayer: Blockchain Brings Trust to Tech InnovationIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we sit down with Sreeram Kannan, Co-Founder and CEO of EigenLayer, as he shares his unique journey from academia to building impactful blockchain products. Sreeram delves into why he chose to leave his academic career behind and embark on an entrepreneurial journey in the Web3 space, driven by a deep belief in the power of blockchain technology to democratize innovation and empower individuals to create value.Sreeram explains, "This idea that as an innovator, you don’t need to bring trust. You only need to bring your innovation, and that the bl...2024-06-161h 00Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedAniket Jindal | Co-Founder of Biconomy: Building Tools to Make Web3 Accessible to EveryoneIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we sit down with Aniket Jindal, Co-Founder of Biconomy, as he shares his journey into the Web3 space and the qualities that define successful Web3 founders. Aniket discusses the dynamics of bear markets, the critical role of community management, and why user experience (UX) is key to the success of blockchain technology.Biconomy is a multi-chain relay infrastructure and transaction network designed to make Web3 more user-friendly, accessible, and affordable. Aniket walks us through the challenges of crypto adoption, and how Biconomy is simplifying the user experience to make it easier...2024-05-3156 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedBeryl Li | Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games: From Games to Guilds - Navigating the Web3 JourneyIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we sit down with Beryl Li, Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG)—the largest decentralized network of gaming guilds in the Web3 space. Beryl takes us through her unique journey into Web3, sharing her insights on how guilds are reshaping the future of blockchain gaming, and how education and community play a crucial role in driving the adoption of blockchain technology.YGG has revolutionized the gaming landscape, offering a platform that connects both gamers and blockchain enthusiasts while focusing on Web3 education and blockchain games. As the guild continues to grow, Be...2024-05-1452 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedRyan Kim | Partner at Hashed: Cracking the Code on Web3 Investments in AsiaIn this episode of Web3Unchained, we speak with Ryan Sungho Kim, a Partner at Hashed, a leading blockchain firm in Asia. Ryan specializes in Web3 investments across Asia, focusing on applications, corporate finance, and enterprise solutions.Before joining Hashed, Ryan successfully exited his company, LOOKET—a mobile solution for SMEs—selling it to Recobell, a big data company. His work on developing recommendation systems in his previous venture revealed deep vulnerabilities in the data space, which ultimately led him to explore blockchain technology. This passion for decentralized solutions played a pivotal role in his decision to co-f...2024-04-1648 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJeff “Jiho” Zirlin | Co-Founder of Axie Infinity: Turning Your Web3 Community into True EvangelistsIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra chat with Jiho about his early days in the Web3 space, and the journey of building Axie Infinity and Sky Mavis with co-founders Trung Nguyen, Tu Doan, Aleksander Larsen, and Andy Ho. Jiho reflects on the early challenges of building in a bear market—when they were “small and unrecognized” but still confident in their vision, team, and community.A central theme of their journey was creating a Web3 community that not only rewarded technical knowledge but also encouraged learning. Jiho sums up their...2024-04-0853 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedYat Siu | Co-Founder of Animoca Brands: The North Star of Web3 is Digital OwnershipIn this episode, Yat Siu, Co-Founder of Animoca Brands, takes us through his fascinating journey from aspiring musician to tech entrepreneur and Web3 pioneer. From his early days writing software on his Atari ST in the 1980s to his ventures that shaped the digital landscape, Yat’s story is a testament to innovation and perseverance.Coming from a family of musicians, Yat initially trained to be a musician. However, his passion for technology led him to create software to read music notations. While it didn’t win him any praise from his teachers, it quickly found an audi...2024-02-181h 20Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedLily Liu | President of The Solana Foundation: Why Blockchain Ecosystems Are More Like Cities Than CompaniesIn this episode, we’re joined by Lily Liu, the President of the Solana Foundation and a seasoned entrepreneur and investor in the cryptocurrency space. Lily brings a wealth of experience from her roles as a CFO and operating executive across the US, China, and emerging markets. She is also the Co-Founder of Anagram, part of the founding team of Osmosis, and an advisor to Brave. Previously, she co-founded Earn.com, which was acquired by Coinbase in 2018.Lily's perspective on blockchain ecosystems is one that challenges traditional views. She believes that blockchain ecosystems are more like cities th...2024-02-041h 05Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJaynti Kanani | Co-Founder of Polygon: From Underdog to ChampionPolygon’s rise in the world of crypto is nothing short of extraordinary—a true underdog story that has become one of the biggest success tales in the tech industry. In this episode, Jaynti "JD" Kanani, Co-Founder of Polygon, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to building one of the most influential blockchain ecosystems.At the heart of JD's belief in Web3 is a simple but powerful philosophy: all you need is a laptop and an internet connection to build anything. As JD puts it, “You don’t need to be out there; you don’t have to pu...2023-12-0153 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedIllia Polosukhin | Co-Founder of NEAR Protocol: Scaling an L1 in a Bear MarketIn this week’s episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra chat with Illia Polosukhin, Co-Founder of NEAR Protocol, to explore the journey of building a next-gen Layer 1 blockchain. Illia dives deep into the creation of NEAR, its vision for true scalability in Web3, and how the protocol is designed to overcome the challenges of mass adoption.He also shares his insights on navigating and building through a bear market, offering valuable lessons on staying resilient and focused while the industry faces downturns. Whether you're building an L1 or working in the Web3 ecosystem, th...2023-11-1453 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedAlex Svanevik | Co-Founder of Nansen: From Data Scientist to Web3 FounderIn this episode, Alex Svanevik, Co-Founder of Nansen.ai, takes us through his journey from data scientist to Web3 founder. Alex shares how his background in data science laid the foundation for building Nansen, a powerful on-chain analytics platform that helps users make informed decisions in the world of Web3. He dives into the business model behind Nansen, detailing how the platform combines cutting-edge data insights with user-centric design to scale successfully in the Web3 space.2023-10-2948 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedMatthew Gould | Founder & CEO of Unstoppable Domains: Building a Web3 Unicorn Without a TokenIn this episode of Web3Unchained, Kenzi Nakamura, Sachi Tanaka, and Diksha Mehra speak to Matthew Gould, the CEO of Unstoppable Domains. He discusses building a digital identity-focused Web3 company, what founders need to focus on for fundraising, and why he thinks token funding may be harmful to protocols. Here is a deep dive into the conversation, featuring edited excerpts from the podcast. 2023-10-1450 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedHarsh Rajat | Founder of Push Protocol: Web3 Market Sentiment, Raising Funds, & L1 WarsIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Diksha Mehra, and Sachi Tanaka sit down with Harsh Rajat, the Founder of Push Protocol, a groundbreaking communication protocol designed for Web3. Push Protocol enables cross-chain notifications and messaging for dapps, wallets, and services tied to wallet addresses, allowing seamless communication across decentralized ecosystems.Harsh shares the journey of Push Protocol, including how they approached the Ethereum Foundation for funding and the critical lessons learned in the process of community building. He also touches on the dynamics of the Layer 1 (L1) wars and how different ecosystems are shaping...2023-09-291h 22Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedJack Lu | Co-Founder of Magic Eden: Going Multi-Chain, Building for Web3, and the Future of NFTsIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura, Diksha Mehra, and Sachi Tanaka sit down with Jack Lu, CEO and one of the four co-founders of Magic Eden, the leading NFT marketplace that has quickly become a household name in the Web3 space.Before launching Magic Eden, Jack worked at industry giants like FTX, Google, and Boston Consulting Group. With his wealth of experience, he co-founded Magic Eden in September 2021, initially focused on Solana-based NFTs. However, recognizing the rapidly evolving space, Magic Eden made a strategic pivot to become multi-chain, integrating Ethereum and, later in November 2022...2023-09-1556 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedChris Gonsalves | CEO of Community Gaming: Web3 Gaming Ecosystems and eSportsIn this week’s episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra sit down with Chris Gonsalves, CEO of Community Gaming, to explore the intersection of Web3 and eSports. Chris takes us through the origins of Community Gaming, how the Web3 gaming ecosystem is reshaping the landscape of competitive gaming, and what sets it apart from traditional eSports models.He also shares his thoughts on how Web3 gaming will evolve in the future, offering a glimpse into the potential of decentralized gaming platforms and what they mean for players, developers, and fans alike.2023-08-221h 04Web3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedSandeep Nailwal | Co-Founder of Polygon: Setbacks, Community Building, and Rebranding PolygonIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra sit down with Sandeep Nailwal, Co-Founder of Polygon, to explore his remarkable journey in the world of Web3. Sandeep shares how he first got into crypto, the challenges and setbacks faced along the way, and how Polygon evolved from a scaling solution into one of the most recognized names in blockchain.He also opens up about his deep commitment to the developer community, the strategic rebranding of Polygon, and his vision for the future of Web3. Whether you're a founder, builder, or enthusiast, this conversation...2023-08-1553 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedLucas Vogelsang | Co-Founder of Centrifuge: The Future of DeFiIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra sit down with Lucas Vogelsang, CEO and Co-Founder of Centrifuge, a pioneer in bringing Real World Assets (RWAs) into DeFi since Ethereum’s early days. The conversation dives deep into the evolving landscape of decentralized finance, the potential of the Polkadot ecosystem, and what it takes to build and sustain a Web3 startup during a bear market.Lucas’s journey began with a lifelong passion for computers and coding. After spending seven years in the tech industry, he had a bold vision in 2017: to transform trad...2023-08-0855 minWeb3UnchainedWeb3UnchainedNischal Shetty | Founder of Shardeum: Building in Web3 and the Importance of CommunityIn this episode of Web3Unchained, hosts Kenzi Nakamura and Diksha Mehra speak with Nischal Shetty, Founder of WazirX and Shardeum, about decentralization, building strong communities the right way, and succeeding in the Web3 space.Before launching WazirX and Shardeum, Nischal began his entrepreneurial journey in 2010 with a social media management platform. What started as JustUnfollow later evolved into Crowdfire. At the time, Nischal was a full-time software developer who dedicated weekends and spare hours to building his app. The idea behind it was simple but powerful: help users manage all their social media accounts—like Instagram an...2023-07-311h 26