Web3 with Sam Kamani

EPISODE DESCRIPTION 
In this episode, I sit down with Baron, a 20-year veteran of the oil and gas industry who started his career as a trader at Petronas and has spent decades working across crude oil, fuel oil, refined petroleum products, and derivatives. Baron is writing a book called The Litro Standard, and his thesis is fascinating: instead of anchoring money to gold or the US dollar, we should be anchoring digital finance to verified energy. We dig into how the current commodity settlement system is broken , why it takes 90 days to get paid for oil you sold today, why buyers never actually know the price they'll pay, and how tokenizing energy could compress that into an instant. We also get into the real-world oil market dynamics most people miss: why the Brent crude price hasn't exploded despite the Strait of Hormuz crisis, why China is the single biggest factor keeping oil below $100, and what would actually need to happen for oil to hit $130. This is one of those conversations where I genuinely felt like I was downloading years of insider knowledge in under an hour. 
DISCLAIMER
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. 
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/
 CONNECT 
Baron LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baron-idriss-lamarre-00a390169/
Baron Twitter/X: https://x.com/Baron_Lamarre
Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/
 KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS 
• [00:00] Sam introduces Baron and the Litro Standard , the idea of pegging digital money to verified energy instead of gold or the dollar
• [02:00] Baron shares his background: 20 years in oil and gas, starting at Petronas in 2003 as an oil trader, covering crude, fuel oil, refined products, and derivatives
• [03:53] What is the Litro Standard? Linking digital money to verified, audited energy , crude oil, natural gas, electricity , as collateral for settlement and trade
• [05:17] Key benefits: energy-producing nations can anchor their currency to an asset they control, reducing dependence on the dollar
• [08:20] How tokenizing oil in the ground works , buyers get direct access to producers, cutting out intermediaries
• [10:13] The 90-day settlement problem: sell oil today, get paid in October , and the invoice price is not the price you agreed on
• [13:52] The Strait of Hormuz problem and how the Litro Standard's location swap mechanism could reroute cargo through pooled reserves
• [16:38] What is broken in today's financial system: trust is slow, costly, and politically fragile; Swift and correspondent banking have become geopolitical chokepoints
• [20:20] The historical lesson people miss , monetary systems follow infrastructure revolutions, not the other way around
• [25:35] Who really controls the oil price today: 80% is determined by financial markets and speculators, not producers
• [27:01] Common misconceptions about the oil market , it is not as opaque or elite as people think, and refineries sometimes run at a loss just to keep operating
• [30:43] Why Brent crude is still around $80 despite the Strait of Hormuz crisis , China's strategic reserve, alternative routes, and the $100 demand destruction threshold
• [33:04] China as the buyer of last resort and how ADNOC leaving OPEC and joining the Shanghai Energy Exchange is reshaping price benchmarks
• [38:33] Baron's boldest prediction: the next monetary revolution will not begin in central banks , it will begin in commodity markets, transaction by transaction
• [40:27] Baron's ask: read the book, question assumptions, and join the conversation about the convergence of energy, technology, and money

EPISODE DESCRIPTION 
In this episode, I sit down with Joao Lobo, founder of Kute Wallet , a Bitcoin-only, non-custodial wallet built for the next generation of crypto users. Joao walks me through his journey from discovering Bitcoin on 4chan forums in 2013, to building a PIX-integrated wallet for Brazil, to now targeting the European market with a product designed to feel as simple as a banking app. We dig into what makes Kute different , from Lightning-powered Polymarket integration to upcoming Hyperliquid stock exposure and Morpho lending features , and why he believes the future of finance is a seamless blend of non-custodial crypto and traditional banking. We also get into the brutal reality of customer acquisition costs, why MetaMask and Phantom overwhelm new users, and the advice Joao has for any founder building in this space right now. 
DISCLAIMER
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. 
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/
 CONNECT 
Kute Wallet Website: https://kutewallet.com/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/kutewallet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kutewallet?igsh=azVtbmc5NDQ5b3Zx&utm_source=qr
Joao Lobo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joao-pedro-miranda-0ba478a7/?locale=en
Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz
 KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS 
• [00:00] Sam introduces the episode and guest Joao Lobo, founder of Kute Wallet
• [01:36] Joao's origin story: first hearing about Bitcoin on 4chan in 2013, buying in 2019, and eventually committing his career to crypto
• [04:21] How Joao went from working at a gambling company to founding a Bitcoin wallet for Brazil (SAT Sales), then pivoting to Kute Wallet for Europe
• [05:11] Why Joao integrated Polymarket directly into Kute via Lightning rather than building a competing prediction market
• [08:06] What makes Kute Wallet different: Bitcoin-only, Lightning-powered, clean UI, and cross-chain swaps via Sideshift and Orchestra
• [11:24] Upcoming features: Hyperliquid integration for ETFs and stocks, Morpho for USDC yield and Bitcoin-backed loans, and an in-app AI assistant called Sal
• [13:40] The long-term vision: combining a non-custodial crypto wallet with a fiat bank account to close the full financial loop
• [14:11] Target demographic: 18 to 30 year olds open to new financial technology and risk
• [18:18] How Kute tackles complexity , using plain language instead of crypto jargon and an AI mascot to explain features in context
• [22:18] The biggest challenge: customer acquisition costs rising rapidly across all software, and how founder-led community building is the counter-strategy
• [26:18] The biggest misconception about crypto wallets: most people outside the space don't understand custodial versus non-custodial
• [29:27] How stablecoins and blockchain rails are already powering global trade and payments, especially in emerging markets
• [37:23] Technical architecture of Kute: BDK, Breeze for Lightning, Sideshift, Orchestra, and direct Polymarket and Hyperliquid integrations via private key
• [40:08] Current stage: Android live, iOS App Store approval imminent, part of Antidot Bitcoin incubator in London, seed round targeting September close
• [42:53] Joao's advice for founders: use AI tools aggressively now while they are subsidised, iterate fast, build a social presence, and make human connection your moat

EPISODE DESCRIPTION 
I sit down with Martin Pokorski from Skynet Trading , one of the earliest market makers in the space, operating since 2019 , to pull back the curtain on what's really happening inside token markets. Martin breaks down what founders consistently get wrong about liquidity, why checking CoinGecko every day is not a liquidity strategy, and what a proper liquidity audit actually reveals that surface-level metrics will never show you. We talk about the infamous "Houdini liquidity" trick, why some billion-dollar market cap projects have no product, and why thinking liquidity-first before your listing strategy could be the most important decision you make as a founder. If you're a VC, an investor, or a builder with a token live or in the pipeline, this conversation gives you the framework to understand what healthy markets actually look like , and how to get there. 
DISCLAIMER
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. 
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/
 CONNECT 
Skynet Trading Website: https://skynettrading.com/
Skynet Trading Twitter/X: https://x.com/SkynetTrading_
Skynet Trading LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skynet-trading/
Martin Pokorski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinpokorski/
Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/
 KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS 
• [00:00] Introduction to Martin Pokorski and Skynet Trading , what they do and why liquidity matters for token projects
• [01:42] Martin's origin story , how a university LAN party in Australia in 2014 sparked his crypto career
• [03:48] Running one of the first Bitcoin OTC desks in Australia with over 6,000 clients
• [04:45] What Skynet Trading does: market making for token issuers and designated market making for exchanges
• [06:26] What Martin is seeing on the ground , token launches are still happening, and the current market is actually an advantage for serious projects
• [07:39] The RWA narrative and why sovereign funds and traditional finance firms are quietly exploring tokenization
• [09:21] The first question Martin asks every founder: do you actually need a token?
• [10:49] Why the GameFi opportunity is still real but requires patience , and lessons from the AAA gaming world
• [15:52] What Skynet's liquidity audit reports cover , spread, depth, consistency across venues, and price dislocations
• [17:41] Why checking CoinGecko is not a liquidity strategy and what the data actually reveals
• [19:43] The biggest misconception founders have about liquidity
• [22:00] Key warning signs in token markets , pulled liquidity, blown spreads, and "Houdini liquidity" explained
• [24:23] The questions Martin asks early-stage founders and what the liquidity masterclass covers
• [26:27] How Skynet Trading grew almost entirely through word of mouth and referrals
• [28:02] Where the industry is in the current cycle and why Martin is optimistic for the next few years
• [32:05] The single most important piece of advice for founders with a live token: think liquidity-first
• [34:30] Why your token price becomes a daily public proxy for how your entire business is perceived
• [37:04] What's being built quietly during the current crypto winter , and why the next bull run could feature far stronger products
• [40:26] Martin's offer to run a free liquidity audit report for any founder who heard him on this podcast

EPISODE DESCRIPTION
I sat down with Rohit, Richard, and Carlos from CAAN , three veterans with decades of experience across Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns, BlackRock, and Deutsche Bank , to break down what is really happening in markets right now. We get into why Bitcoin has gone quiet, where all the volatility has migrated to, and what the bond market breaking down could mean for everyone. More importantly, we dig into what CAAN is building: liquid alternative strategies that give everyday investors access to the kind of sophisticated, uncorrelated returns that were previously locked behind institutional walls. Richard also shares a raw and refreshingly honest take on wealth, happiness, and why borrowing money to impress people is a trap. This one covers a lot of ground , macro, crypto, derivatives, and life advice , and I think you will find it genuinely useful. 
DISCLAIMER
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. 
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/
CONNECT
CAAN Website: https://caanam.com/
CAAN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caan-alternative-asset-management/
Rohit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-gadkar-070172/
Carlos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-flores-otero-083280/
KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS
• [00:00] Rohit, Richard, and Carlos share their backgrounds
• [02:13] Richard explains how he moved from building trading systems at investment banks to crypto options in 2017
• [03:04] Carlos describes how CAAN was born from a career in liquid alternative strategies and a gap he saw in the market
• [05:10] Rohit shares his journey from early BlackRock employee to co-founding CAAN
• [08:00] The team explains why they focus on liquid alternatives over the saturated private equity and private credit space
• [10:26] Carlos makes the case for decorrelatio
• [15:18] CAAN's gold-standard approach to regulatory compliance and institutional-grade infrastructure
• [16:01] How CAAN structures products to lower minimum entry tickets and democratize access
• [18:52] Richard breaks down the three types of Bitcoin holders
• [23:22] Why Bitcoin volatility has compressed and where that volatility has gone , meme stocks, AI names, and prediction markets
• [25:39] Richard on why periods of low Bitcoin volatility have always preceded explosive moves
• [28:04] Richard's blunt take on hyperfinancialization, inequality, and why markets are structurally inefficient
• [30:27] Carlos draws parallels between today's market psychology and the run-up to the 1929 crash
• [31:40] Richard on the dot-com bubble, infinite money printing, and why the next crash might be the real one
• [33:22] Rohit explains why the bond market is the only real check on government spending , and what happens if it breaks
• [35:11] The Bitcoin bull case: hyperinflation, a monetary reset, and growing mistrust of the dollar
• [39:12] Richard explains why he sees volatility as a more reliable asset class than any other
• [40:54] How CAAN's Digital Assets Absolute Return strategy trades volatility rather than direction to generate smoother returns
• [43:34] Carlos breaks down how combining a volatility sub-strategy with a momentum sub-strategy creates resilience
• [46:57] Richard on the biggest misconception retail investors have about digital assets
• [48:43] Richard's single most important chart or metric for understanding Bitcoin over time
• [50:09] Final advice from all three: start early, diversify, stay invested, do not time the market, and find uncorrelated strategies
• [54:39] Richard's unconventional life advice , stop borrowing, stop chasing status, become happy first and then figure out money
• [56:40] CAAN's current ask: raising capital, scaling distribution, and building partnerships across jurisdictions

EPISODE DESCRIPTION 
I sat down with John O'Connor from RealFi to dig into one of the most overlooked problems in crypto , the fact that the $350 billion sitting in stablecoins is doing almost nothing for the people who hold it. Tether and Circle pocket the yield while you hold a digital dollar that just sits there. John walks me through exactly how RealFi flips that model, channeling your stable coins directly into real world credit markets and passing the returns back to you. We talk about USDR and sUSDR, how they manage liquidity risk and redemptions, why DeFi security is an existential threat right now, and why John actually wants RealFi to be called boring. We also get into the future of decentralised neo-banking in emerging markets, what lessons he carried over from his time as the first hire at Cardano, and why product market fit today matters more than a promised roadmap. 
DISCLAIMER
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. 
Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/
 CONNECT 
Website: https://realfi.co
RealFi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-fi/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/realfi_co
RealFi Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Real_Fi
John O'Connor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjtoconnor/
John O'Connor Twitter/X: https://x.com/jjtoconnor?lang=en
Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/
 KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS 
• [00:00] Sam introduces John O'Connor from RealFi and the topic of productive stablecoins
• [01:02] John shares his origin story , from Eve Online in-game currencies to Bitcoin to Cardano as its first hire
• [02:54] The core problem: $350 billion in stablecoins sitting idle while Tether and Circle keep all the yield
• [04:21] Who the primary users are , institutional allocators, trading collateral, and protocol treasuries
• [07:05] Explaining USDR and sUSDR , the base stablecoin versus the staked, yield-accruing version
• [08:28] How RealFi manages liquidity risk and redemption mismatches across two separate books
• [11:27] Why RealFi is not competing with Tether and USDC but playing in a different and faster-growing lane
• [13:24] The hardest challenge , bridging TradFi asset management with the crypto world and navigating global regulation
• [15:32] Why DeFi security is an existential question right now and how AI is changing the exploit landscape
• [17:40] Exploring smart contract insurance and the challenge of underwriting in a fast-moving risk environment
• [21:59] North Star metrics , TVL growth, stickiness of capital, and being proud to be called boring
• [25:54] Lessons from Cardano applied to RealFi , focus on product market fit today, not five years from now
• [28:05] Companies John admires , Athena for tokenising the funding rate trade and neo-banking startups going after idle corporate balances
• [31:37] What needs to happen for productive stablecoins to go mainstream , regulation, decentralised account recovery, and a full neo-banking stack
• [35:59] The ask , RealFi is launching on Cardano and EVM Mainnet imminently and wants partners, users, and testers