EPISODE · Mar 10, 2026 · 41 MIN
The state of Web3 in 2026: What's working and what's broken in Ethereum
from Decentralized Voices · host Daria Volkova
In this episode, Daria sits down with Mashal Waqar, CMO at Octant, Forbes 30 Under 30 Middle East honoree, and co-author of the State of Web3 Grants Report.Mashal shares her unconventional journey — from cybersecurity and co-founding a media platform with millions of readers, to launching the first femtech startup in the Middle East, and ultimately becoming a leading voice in Ethereum public goods funding.They unpack what it means to be Ethereum-aligned in 2026, how Octant's DeFi Vaults are redefining sustainable Web3 funding, and why the definition of a "public good" matters more than ever when allocating grants.Mashal also opens up about being an introvert in a loud crypto space, the cultural gap between women founders in the Global South vs. Western markets, and why she refuses to let AI write for her.Highlights:🔸 What Octant does and how its new DeFi Vaults model funds Ethereum's ecosystem without depleting treasury🔸 How to define "public good" in a grants context, and why vagueness kills impact🔸 The AI + blockchain convergence thesis🔸 The culture of failure: Middle East vs. American entrepreneurship🔸 Why less than 3% of VC capital reaches women-led startups in the Middle EastEnjoy this episode and share it with your friends who want to learn about Ethereum public goods, women founders, and staying human in the AI era🔔 Subscribe to Decentralized Voices for more insights about people shipping in web3 and AI tech.Mashal Waqar, Octant CMO: https://x.com/arleryDaria Strategy, podcast host and DecentWealth co-founder: https://x.com/DariaStrategyPodcast website: https://decentralizedvoices.xyz
What this episode covers
In this episode, Daria sits down with Mashal Waqar, CMO at Octant, Forbes 30 Under 30 Middle East honoree, and co-author of the State of Web3 Grants Report.Mashal shares her unconventional journey — from cybersecurity and co-founding a media platform with millions of readers, to launching the first femtech startup in the Middle East, and ultimately becoming a leading voice in Ethereum public goods funding.They unpack what it means to be Ethereum-aligned in 2026, how Octant's DeFi Vaults are redefining sustainable Web3 funding, and why the definition of a "public good" matters more than ever when allocating grants.Mashal also opens up about being an introvert in a loud crypto space, the cultural gap between women founders in the Global South vs. Western markets, and why she refuses to let AI write for her.Highlights:🔸 What Octant does and how its new DeFi Vaults model funds Ethereum's ecosystem without depleting treasury🔸 How to define "public good" in a grants context, and why vagueness kills impact🔸 The AI + blockchain convergence thesis🔸 The culture of failure: Middle East vs. American entrepreneurship🔸 Why less than 3% of VC capital reaches women-led startups in the Middle EastEnjoy this episode and share it with your friends who want to learn about Ethereum public goods, women founders, and staying human in the AI era🔔 Subscribe to Decentralized Voices for more insights about people shipping in web3 and AI tech.Mashal Waqar, Octant CMO: https://x.com/arleryDaria Strategy, podcast host and DecentWealth co-founder: https://x.com/DariaStrategyPodcast website: https://decentralizedvoices.xyz
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The state of Web3 in 2026: What's working and what's broken in Ethereum
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