Building a Global, Multi-Strat Crypto Fund with Hypersphere Ventures | Jack Platts + Mehdi Farooq
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor and Sal are joined by guests Jack Platts and Mehdi Farooq to explore the evolving landscape of crypto investment, venture capital, and deep tech. They discuss strategies for unlocking value in crypto assets, the critical role of NAV in investment decisions, and the rise of micro strategies in deal-making. The conversation also covers the resurgence of ICOs, the importance of disciplined evaluation of investment vehicles, and the global perspectives shaping today’s crypto markets. Jack and Mehdi share insights on how podcasting drives research and networking, while emphasizing the transformative impact of deep tech on robotics and AI. The episode wraps with a look at why community building remains essential for startup success in decentralized ecosystems.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:47 - The Value of Podcasting 03:12 - Podcasting as a Platform for Founders 04:11 - Jack's Perspective on Podcasting 05:47 - Micro Strategy and Investment Trends 06:18 - Understanding Capital Markets 07:56 - Evaluating Investment Vehicles 11:07 - Natural Buyers for Investment Vehicles 16:00 - Long-term NAV Multiples 20:50 - 21 Capital Investment Insights 24:02 - Expanding Beyond Bitcoin 30:53 - Global Investment Perspectives 34:09 - Lessons from Polkadot 40:06 - The ICO Meta and Community Building 46:04 - DePIN Investments and Future Outlook Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.
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DePIN Roundtable Ep.2 with Helium | Amir Haleem, Santiago Santos, Jason Badeaux, Mahesh Ramakrishnan, Connor Lovely
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor, Mahesh, Santi, and Jason are joined by Amir Haleem of Helium to explore the evolving landscape of decentralized networks. They dive into Helium’s impressive revenue growth - from $400K to $2.7M per month - driven by its mobile subscriber base, and discuss the complexities of blending off-chain and on-chain revenue. The conversation covers tokenized equity, sustainable business models beyond token sales, and the convergence of crypto with traditional finance. Amir shares how Helium has shifted from a crypto-first approach to prioritizing service delivery and user satisfaction, offering key lessons in product distribution, user retention, and innovative tokenomics.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:25 - Microstrategy and Digital Asset Accumulation 03:42 - Market Trends: Crypto and Wall Street 05:03 - Santi's Perspective on Market Efficiency 06:19 - DePIN Projects and Public Market Strategies 06:41 - Helium's Potential for Going Public 08:50 - Cash Flow and Tokenomics in DePIN12:07 - Helium's Recent Revenue Growth 12:55 - PMF for DePIN Networks 18:03 - User Engagement and Helium's Growth 19:05 - Helium's Revenue Sources Explained 21:06 - Convergence of Off-Chain and On-Chain Revenue 24:12 - Learning from Helium's Evolution 25:03 - Focus on Distribution Over Product 27:27 - Daily Active Users and Their Interaction 31:26 - Valuable Users and Helium's Ecosystem 33:45 - Cloud Points and User Experience 36:44 - Retention Curves: Crypto vs. Traditional Users 39:59 - Aligning Token and Equity Interests Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.
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DePIN Tokenomics 101 with Tom Trowbridge | Fluence
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor speaks with Tom Trowbridge, co-founder of Fluence Labs and host of the DePIN Day & DePINEd Podcast about the evolving world of decentralized compute platforms and the broader DePIN ecosystem. Tom explains how Fluence operates as a “cloudless” service—open, resilient, and more cost-effective than traditional cloud providers—and outlines its innovative tokenomics, including fixed-dollar payments to contributors and a capped token supply to build investor trust. The discussion explores how DePINs offer unique advantages over centralized models like Uber and Airbnb, particularly the ability for early participants to benefit from token appreciation. Tom also touches on governance, buy-and-burn mechanisms, and how the convergence of hardware, open-source technology, and crypto economics is driving the future of decentralized infrastructure.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:54 - The Benefits of Podcasting05:10 - Overview of Fluence and Its Mission07:54 - Tokenomics Insights and Security Considerations10:01 - DePIN as Sharing Economy 2.012:32 - Marketing Dynamics in DePIN vs. Traditional Models14:10 - Payment Structures: Stablecoins vs. Native Tokens16:55 - Staking Rewards and Their Implications18:18 - Token Supply: Capped vs. Uncapped20:49 - Token Value Accrual Methods25:09 - Best Practices in Revenue Generation and Tokenomics29:29 - Future Opportunities in the DePIN Sector31:00 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.
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Onboarding the Next Billion Users with Galxe | Yumin Xia
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor speaks with Yumin, founder of Galxe, a crypto project focused on onboarding users through learning and earning rather than purchasing. They explore Yumin’s early experiences with technology in 2000s China, the evolving landscape for elite students, and the growing emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Yumin shares Galxe’s mission to make crypto more accessible through on-chain quests powered by zero-knowledge proofs, enhancing privacy and transparency. He also introduces Gravity Chain, Galxe’s high-performance blockchain designed to improve the multi-chain user experience, and discusses the Galxe Identity Protocol and Passport, which enable users to manage digital identities with privacy and control.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:09 - Yumin's Background in China's Tech Scene03:57 - Opportunities for Elite Students in Tech06:16 - Onboarding Users through Earning Crypto07:15 - Evolution of Quests: From Off-Chain to On-Chain09:24 - Implementing On-Chain Quests with zk Proofs12:36 - Introduction of Gravity Chain16:45 - Building a High-Performance Blockchain20:14 - Digital Identity in the Blockchain Space27:57 - Galxe's Revenue Model and Future Plans29:40 - Conclusion and Where to Find GalxeDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.
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Building a DePIN-powered Shazam for Media with Rumi | Niko Cunningham and Mateusz Poreda
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageConnor and Sal spoke with Mateusz Poreda and Niko Cunningham, co-founders of Rumi, a company reimagining media consumption through contextually aware AI agents that enhance viewer engagement. Niko shared how his upbringing in Detroit sparked his passion for technology, while Mateusz discussed how his background in consulting and tech helps navigate Rumi’s complex challenges. They announced Rumi’s $5 million pre-seed round, co-led by EV3 and A16Z CSX, and outlined their vision to turn passive media into interactive experiences. The conversation touched on Rumi’s contributor rewards model, potential for creators and advertisers, and concluded with advice for aspiring founders, encouraging listeners to explore Rumi and join the growing community.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:56 - What is Rumi?03:50 - Niko's Journey and Early Influences08:33 - Mateusz's Background and Career Path10:20 - The Importance of Diverse Experiences13:16 - Rumi's Supply Side and Community Contribution14:04 - Transforming Media Consumption18:01 - Privacy and Data Handling20:05 - Maximizing Points and Engagement22:04 - Exploring Demand for Rumi27:08 - Unlocking New User Experiences29:07 - Nielsen vs. Rumi: A New Era of Analytics34:39 - Advice for Founders on Fundraising38:26 - How to Get Involved with RumiDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.
Netherlands