Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

In this episode, hosts Sebastien Couture, Brian Crain, and Friederike Ernst gather for their annual wrap-up to discuss the end of the "infinite money glitch": the era where tokens traded at billions without proven product-market fit. They explore the 2025 "spring cleaning" that devastated the altcoin market and the quiet, efficient entry of web2 incumbents like Revolut and Stripe. The discussion centers on the industry's maturation into a space where protocols are finally judged on their ability to generate real revenue and growth.The team analyzes the 2025 "spring cleaning" of altcoins alongside Polymarket’s mainstream breakout. As giants like Stripe and Revolut scale crypto integrations, the hosts debate if consolidating distribution power is diluting the original promise of decentralized agency. Finally, they address the existential quantum threat to Bitcoin and share their 2026 "hot takes.Topics00:00 Intro & Notable Memories 04:30 The Bybit Hack & Price Action 08:15 Polymarket & The Mainstream Breakout 12:00 The Altcoin "Spring Cleaning" 18:45 Axelar & The Circle Acquisition 25:30 Incumbents: Back-end Upgrades vs. Values33:15 Social Media & The Economics of Attention 42:00 Staking Consolidation & Distribution Power 50:30 The Quantum Threat to Bitcoin 58:45 2026 Predictions: RWAs & PerpsLinks Sebastien on X: https://x.com/seb3point0 Brian on X: https://x.com/crainbf Friederike on X: https://x.com/tw_tter Gnosis: https://gnosis.io/Sponsors: Gnosis: Gnosis has been building core decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem since 2015. With the launch of Gnosis Pay last year, we introduced the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Start leveraging its power today at http://gnosis.io

In this episode, host Sebastian Couture is joined by Ismael Hishon-Rezaizadeh, CEO of Lagrange, to explore the intersection of frontier cryptography and national security. Ismael discusses the transition of zero-knowledge (ZK) technology from a "token-centric" crypto tool to a vital component of defense, specifically focusing on its role in securing autonomous drone swarms and closing the hypersonic missile gap.They delve into Deep Proof, Lagrange's ZK-machine learning library, which facilitates verifiable AI execution while protecting sensitive model intellectual property and private input data. Ismael introduces the concept of "Accountable Autonomy," arguing that cryptographic proofs are necessary to ensure that lethal "kill chain" decisions are made by the correct models under verified inputs, removing the risks inherent in "black box" AI decision-making. Finally, the conversation touches on the geopolitical competition with China, the importance of domestic chip manufacturing, and why the US market's ability to align private sector innovation with military needs is a decisive strategic advantage.Topics00:00 Intro & Context04:15 ZKML vs. Venice09:30 Protecting Model IP15:00 Dual-Use Defense Pivot21:45 The Palantir Comparison27:10 US-China Chip Race35:20 Drone Swarm Consensus42:15 Accountable Autonomy Explained49:00 Kill Chain Verifiability55:30 EU vs. US DefenseLinksIsmael on X: https://x.com/Ismael_H_R Lagrange Labs: https://www.lagrange.dev/Anduril Industries: https://www.anduril.com/Gnosis: https://gnosis.io/Sponsors: Gnosis: Gnosis has been building core decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem since 2015. With the launch of Gnosis Pay last year, we introduced the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Start leveraging its power today at http://gnosis.io

Fresh off the launch of the Ignition Chain and a successful community-led $61M token sale, Aztec Network co-founder Zac Williamson joins Friederike Ernst to unpack the "existential" journey of building programmable privacy. Zac opens up about the "sacrificial altar" moment where the team decided to kill their live product, Aztec Connect which had 60k users because they realized true decentralized privacy required rebuilding from scratch rather than iterative upgrades.They dive deep into the architecture of the new network, which utilizes a hybrid state model (encrypted UTXOs for privacy, public accounts for transparency) to enable composable applications. Zac challenges the cryptographic dogma of "don't roll your own crypto," arguing that for pioneers, relying on "battle-tested" libraries is impossible. He explains why decentralized sequencers are not just a moral choice but a security necessity to prevent government-mandated backdoors. Finally, Zac contrasts the chaotic but decentralized resistance to surveillance in the US with the increasing top-down control in the UK and Europe, framing Aztec as essential "defense in depth" for the digital age.Topics00:00 Intro 03:45 The "Sacrificial Altar": Killing Aztec Connect10:15 Hybrid Architecture: UTXOs vs. Accounts16:30 Why You Must "Roll Your Own Crypto"22:00 Decentralization as a Defense Against Backdoors28:15 Performance: Throughput & Latency Trade-offs34:40 Private Smart Contracts: Gaming & Identity41:00 The Macro View: US vs. EU SurveillanceLinksGnosis: https://gnosis.io/Zac Williamson on X: https://twitter.com/Zac_AztecAztec Network: https://aztec.networkNoir Language: https://noir-lang.orgSponsors: Gnosis: Gnosis has been building core decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem since 2015. With the launch of Gnosis Pay last year, we introduced the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Start leveraging its power today at http://gnosis.io

Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin joins Friederike Ernst to discuss why we are at the "end of a supercycle," a chaotic transition period where legacy institutions are finally adopting blockchain rails not just for efficiency, but for survival. They explore the "inevitable convergence" where the US government may actively rely on stablecoins to absorb debt, effectively using crypto to extend the lifespan of the dollar. At the same time, banks scramble to compete with self-custodial wallets. Joe also details the structural evolution of Consensys, from an "organic blob" incubating projects like Gnosis to a focused software powerhouse. He differentiates Linea from competitors by highlighting its commitment to permissionless innovation where anyone can deploy a rollup without a "sign-off". He shares his vision for MetaMask evolving into a user-owned "full-service bank. Topics00:00 Intro & Paradigm Shift04:15 Crypto-Anarchy vs. Enterprise10:30 Banks & Stablecoins16:00 The Economic Supercycle24:45 Consensys History & Spin-outs33:20 Linea & Decentralization42:15 L1 Scaling & ZK48:00 Permissionless Rollups55:30 Future OptimismLinksJoe Lubin on X: https://twitter.com/ethereumJosephConsensys: https://consensys.ioLinea: https://linea.buildMetaMask: https://metamask.ioGnosis: https://gnosis.io/ Sponsors: Gnosis: Gnosis has been building core decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem since 2015. With the launch of Gnosis Pay last year, we introduced the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Start leveraging its power today at http://gnosis.io

Quantum computing is often dismissed as a distant sci-fi future, but Ethereum OG John Lilic and Oxford physicist Stefano Gogioso argue the timeline is shrinking fast with roadmaps converging around 2030. In this episode, they break down the "woeful" state of quantum readiness in crypto, explaining how Shor's algorithm could eventually shatter the elliptic curve cryptography protecting Bitcoin and Ethereum.They also explore the terrifying concept of "harvest now, decrypt later," which implies that encrypted data and privacy coins like Monero may essentially be compromised already. Finally, they introduce "Quantum Money," a revolutionary form of digital cash developed by Stefano’s startup NeverLocal, which relies on the laws of physics rather than blockchain consensus to prevent double-spending.Topics00:00 Intro03:00 John’s Quantum Awakening08:00 Defining Quantum Computing13:30 Logical Qubits Explained18:15 Crypto’s "Woeful" Readiness23:30 "Harvest Now" Threat28:45 Monero’s Privacy Risk33:15 What is Quantum Money?40:00 Investment & HedgingLinksJohn Lilic on X: https://x.com/LilicJohnStefano Gogioso on X: https://x.com/StefanoGogiosoNeverLocal: https://neverlocal.com Quantum.info: https://quantum.infoGnosis: https://gnosis.io/Sponsors: Gnosis: Gnosis has been building core decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem since 2015. With the launch of Gnosis Pay last year, we introduced the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Start leveraging its power today at http://gnosis.io