From Wallets to Super Apps: The Internet's New Interface (with Phantom CEO)

with @BChillman @jay_drainjr @rhackettCrypto wallets are no longer just wallets. They’re the front door to a decentralized internet.In this episode, Phantom CEO Brandon Millman joins a16z crypto Investment Partner Jay Drain and host Robert Hackett to unpack how crypto wallets are evolving into full-blown consumer finance platforms — and why they may be the most credible candidates to become the internet's next super apps.We explore Phantom’s journey from a Solana-first wallet to a multi-chain platform, why wallets are uniquely positioned to win trust around money, and how features like onchain trading, perps, social feeds, prediction markets, and payments are reshaping what people expect from a consumer finance app.The conversation also dives into:Why starting with finance may be a better path to a super app than starting with socialHow Phantom thinks about UX, trust, and security in cryptoThe rise of perpetual futures (perps) and prediction marketsWhat the FTX collapse meant for Solana — and the counterintuitive silver liningWhether AI agents could one day replace apps and browsersIf you’re curious about where crypto, fintech, and consumer apps are headed next — and why wallets may become the most important interface on the internet — this episode is for you.Highlights01:32 – The evolution and role of crypto wallets2:42 – Wallets vs. browsers: the right mental model12:03 – Phantom’s origin story and the Solana bet19:05 – Perps, trading, and product-market fit26:08 – UX, trust, and consumer finance30:52 – Social feeds, discovery, and network effects35:21 – Crypto as "black hole" absorbing finance37:09 – AI agents and the future of walletsFollow a16z crypto on...XLinkedInSpotifyApple PodcastsYoutube📩 Subscribe for more industry reports, trend updates, news analysis, builder guides, and other resources: 🎙️ Like, subscribe, comment, share the show.***As always, none of the following should be taken as investment, business, legal, or tax advice. Please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information, including a link to a list of our investments. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.