Guests:

• Jeroen Develter, COO of Persistence One
• Chandra Duggirala, Founder of Portal to Bitcoin
• Jake Gordon, Co-Founder of Nexio

Top 3 Key Takeaways from Our Guests

1. Bitcoin dominance is reshaping market dynamics.

The speakers started the conversation by diving deeper into how DePin impacts other traditional industries outside of Web3. All speakers highlighted how DePIN technologies are set to challenge established companies such as NVIDIA, Google, and Amazon. Mehdi from Animoca Brands also mentioned that projects like Wing Bits and Geodnet successfully offer decentralized models that monetize user contributions (e.g., flight tracking) and improve GPS accuracy. He also emphasized that these innovations can significantly impact sectors ranging from autonomous vehicles to consumer robotics.

2. Technical maturity is powering new use cases

Beyond market sentiment, each speaker highlighted the significant leaps in technical capability across the Bitcoin ecosystem. Jeroen explained how Persistence enables secure, seamless asset swaps across the dozens of emerging BTC variants—without relying on risky bridges. Their intent-based solution creates a new paradigm for interoperability across Bitcoin L2s, improving composability and user experience.

Chandra described how Portal is solving the long-standing problem of trustless cross-chain trading. Portal enables exchange-like speed without custody or bridge-based vulnerabilities by building on atomic swaps and implementing channel factory-based scaling. Jake, meanwhile, discussed Nexio’s mission to bring familiar tooling and development environments to Bitcoin, empowering builders to deploy DeFi protocols using the Move VM and scaling frameworks typically found on more developer-friendly chains.

3. The Ecosystem is growing—quietly but powerfully

What surprised the guests most over the past year was the speed at which Bitcoin’s narrative and infrastructure have matured. Chandra acknowledged that he initially underestimated the cultural and technical impact of Ordinals and BRC-20s, which have evolved from a novelty into a major driver of attention and experimentation within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Jake pointed to the rise of treasury strategies among publicly traded companies, highlighting that more firms are beginning to follow MicroStrategy’s playbook and treat BTC as a strategic reserve asset. Meanwhile, Jeroen reflected on the unexpected surge in Bitcoin staking and yield-generating mechanisms, particularly around the Babylon ecosystem. What once seemed incompatible with Bitcoin’s architecture—staking, DeFi, and cross-chain liquidity—is now becoming foundational for its next growth phase.

The Future of Networking

• Guest: Ignacio Palomera, Founder of Bondex
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Comms Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. Bondex is Transforming Professional Networking with Web3 Principles.

The conversation starts with Ignacio sharing his journey into the crypto world and how Bondex aims to disrupt traditional recruitment platforms, particularly LinkedIn. He emphasizes the inefficiencies in the current labor market, laden with middlemen that ultimately diminish value for talent and employers alike. Bondex's goal is to create a decentralized professional network that empowers users to manage their identities and connections without the burdens of traditional intermediaries.

2. The Introduction of Bondex ID and Reputation Features Takes User Trust to New Heights.

Ignacio discusses the recent Bondex ID and Reputation features launch, designed to verify users and create a trust layer across platforms. These features allow individuals to aggregate their professional achievements and social presence, creating a comprehensive reputation score that enhances their credibility. Bondex aims to combat spam and fake accounts by integrating existing social media profiles, particularly important in the evolving digital landscape filled with bots and unreliable identities.

3. The Future of Work is Fractionalized, and Bondex is Leading the Charge.

Highlighting the changing nature of work, Ignacio asserts that the gig economy is here to stay, and users need to monetize their skills flexibly. The platform's design facilitates this by offering various micro-task opportunities beyond typical full-time positions. With the integration of gamification mechanics, users can earn rewards while boosting their reputations, directly aligning individual contributions with community-driven economic incentives.

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Thanks to our guests for an insightful conversation. We host monthly Twitter Spaces Roundtables and Live Podcasts featuring inspiring individuals from across the crypto space. Follow us on Twitter to set a reminder for our next event so you don't miss out!

Unlocking New Experiences for Web3 Builders & Gamers

• Guest: Chris Zu, CEO of Sonic
• Host: Njani Ruetsch, Senior Comms Manager at Morningstar Ventures

Top 3 Takeaways from Our Guest:

1. Sonic SVM Celebrates A Successful TGE

Chris Zu kicked off the conversation by highlighting Sonic’s successful TGE of $SONIC, marking one of the first major launches of the year. With a market valuation of $3 billion and a current valuation of $1.8 billion, Chris shared how the team exceeded expectations despite facing market volatility shortly after the launch. He reflected on key lessons learned, including the importance of preparation and adaptability in the ever-changing crypto landscape, emphasizing that such milestones not only validate Sonic's vision but also set the stage for future growth.

2. Harness TikTok for Community Growth and Engagement

A significant portion of the interview revolved around Sonic’s innovative approach to integrating with TikTok. Chris detailed how the platform serves as a powerful tool for building community engagement, notably through the tap-to-earn model designed to reward users for their participation. This strategy has successfully driven user acquisition, with Sonic onboarding 300,000 new wallets via airdrops in a short timeframe. Chris also emphasized the need for tailored marketing approaches across different regions, recognizing TikTok’s diverse user base and strategically tapping into various local gaming interests.

3. Build a Robust Ecosystem Through Developer Incentives

Chris further elaborated on Sonic’s commitment to fostering a vibrant developer ecosystem. Through grant programs and co-investment initiatives, Sonic aims to attract and support talented teams building on its platform. By incentivizing developers, Sonic is creating a pipeline for high-quality gaming projects that can thrive within its infrastructure. Chris underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation, stressing that developing a sustainable ecosystem capable of attracting diverse talent is essential for long-term success in the blockchain space.

Thanks to Chris and the Sonic team for sharing their insights and journey! We look forward to future developments of Sonic SVM. Join us for our next Twitter Spaces discussion to stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in Web3.