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Summary

In this episode, David Rhodus, founder and CEO of Permissionless Labs, shares his journey from AWS to Web3 infrastructure. He talks about launching Pipe Network, a decentralized content delivery network (CDN) designed to tackle video latency using a network of incentivized node operators. David breaks down the role of the POP client, explains how tokenomics will drive adoption, and reflects on building a two-sided marketplace that serves both streaming services and infrastructure providers. He also hints at future plans to go beyond video and support other data-heavy use cases like AI.

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Takeaways

— David’s time at AWS shaped his approach to building hyper-resilient systems.

— Pipe Network addresses video latency by using a decentralized CDN model.

— The POP client lets everyday users contribute bandwidth as node operators.

— Token incentives are key to driving participation and long-term network growth.

— The team is focused on product execution more than hype or community right now.

— Feedback from streaming companies helps iterate and improve the service.

— Web3 enables new coordination models that are ideal for global infrastructure.

— The vision goes beyond video—future use cases could include AI workloads and more.

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Timeline

(00:00) From Amazon to Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned

(03:01) The Journey into Crypto: Early Experiences

(05:57) Building Pipe Network: Addressing Video Streaming Challenges

(08:57) Innovating with Blockchain: The Role of CDN

(11:56) Hyperlocal Edge Nodes: Reducing Latency in Streaming

(14:55) The Multi-CDN Strategy: Competing in the Streaming Market

(17:57) Incentivizing Node Operators: The POP Client and Tokenomics

(21:05) Ensuring Security: Zero Knowledge Proofs in Streaming

(23:51) Future of Pipe Network: Permissionless and Global Impact

(25:22) The Power of Streaming and Community Nodes

(29:26) Innovating Beyond Video: Expanding Use Cases

(32:18) Tokenomics and the Burn-Mint Equilibrium Model

(35:44) Becoming a Node Operator: The Onboarding Process

(38:04) Preparing for Full Production and Revenue Generation

(39:57) Skepticism in Web3: A Different Perspective

(43:20) The Role of Crypto in Coordination and Innovation

(44:28) Targeting Node Deployment: Meeting Customer Needs

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