Introducing Layer One: Poker Logic Meets Crypto Reality

The Block is proud to introduce our newest podcast: Layer One — created in collaboration with Avalanche. Hosted by The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha Founder Steven Gates, Layer One explores the people, ideas, and technologies shaping the future of crypto. In this inaugural episode, Kelvin and Steven are joined by Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly, and Sean Lippel, General Partner at Fintech Collective. Together, our dive into their origins in the world of poker — and how the decision-making frameworks, risk management skills, and psychological insights they developed at the table carry over into crypto, trading, and investing. Host/Guest links: Haseeb Qureshi - https://x.com/hosseeb Sean Lippel - https://x.com/seanlippel Steven Gates - https://x.com/stvngts Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 1:07 Poker-to-Crypto Pipeline 5:36 Biggest Risks & Bad Beats 11:38 Poker Brains, VC Games 17:08 Reading the Market Regime 21:54 Betting on 2029 25:09 DeFi Growing Pains 31:44 Institutions Meet DeFi 37:17 Stablecoins, RWAs, Alts 46:13 DATs, Staking & Yield 54:47 The Avalanche Thesis 1:00:44 Vertically Integrated Moments 1:06:52 Pump.Fun & Sign-Off ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters! 🚨 Breaking News 👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis 📈 Market Insights Subscribe now 👉 https://www.theblock.co/newsletters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hiring in crypto? 🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block! ✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test ⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 https://theblock.co/campus