Endgame with Amanda Cassatt

Everyone in crypto is chasing TPS. Eunice Giarta thinks that's the wrong race entirely. As co-founder of Monad Foundation, she spent four years building what she calls the Ethereum of high-performance blockchains, a chain with validators on six continents that doesn't sacrifice decentralization for speed. In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Eunice to break down what actually makes a blockchain worth building on in 2026, what the real killer use case for Monad looks like, and why bear markets build better products than bull markets. But the most unexpected part isn't the tech, it's the path. Eunice went from Merrill Lynch to Shutterstock to a pastry kitchen at Jean-Georges in New York. A Pi Day pandemic layoff sent her down the crypto rabbit hole. Four years later, she co-founded one of the most talked-about L1s in the space. What you'll take away: - Why TPS is a misleading and gameable metric - How Monad achieves real decentralization across 6 continents- The use case that truly requires Monad's architecture- How to measure genuine product market fit in crypto - Why bear markets produce better products than bull runs - What AI agents actually need from blockchain infrastructure - The most unexpected founder story in crypto right now

“A lot of users don’t need a bank. What they need is a wallet.”In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, for a conversation about what crypto actually became and whether that’s the right thing. Richard spent three decades in traditional finance, including the Central Bank of Singapore, before joining Binance in 2021. He doesn’t argue like a convert. He argues like someone who watched the old system fail for thirty years and decided the new one had to work differently.They start at the founding question: is crypto self-sovereign freedom tech or licensed infrastructure run by a handful of platforms? Richard’s answer is that the frame is wrong. Centralized exchanges aren’t a betrayal of the movement. They’re the interface the movement needs to reach the 1.4 billion people the financial system never bothered to serve. From there they move through Binance’s regulatory strategy in markets like Dubai, why the Genius Act sent stablecoin volume past Visa in under a year, and why regulatory clarity is the unlock for institutional capital, not just compliance overhead.Amanda pushes on financialization risk, tokenization of ownership, and whether crypto has run out of native narrative. Richard’s case for the SAFU fund, recovering assets sent to wrong chains, and what a financial super app means in frontier markets is the clearest argument for why centralization isn’t just commercially convenient but structurally necessary for the thing to work at all.Timestamps:00:00 - Is crypto still freedom tech or licensed infra?00:55 - 1.4 billion unbanked: why the system fails them03:00 - Why 65% quit after their first onchain transaction05:04 - What a bank actually does  and what replaces it07:30 - Binance as a financial super app for the excluded09:30 - Binance does more for inclusion than governments11:02 - China, protectionism and why countries need Binance13:52 - The Dubai story: building a crypto hub from scratch17:09 - Regulation as a moat vs regulation as a product19:32 - The Genius Act and the stablecoin explosion21:37 - Is compliance becoming incumbent protection?24:39 - Binance's approach to the US market26:29 - AI + Blockchain will rebuild every industry28:42 - Will AI suck all trading value to the biggest firm?33:11 - Binance AI Pro: what it actually does36:46 - Crypto out of ideas? RWAs and the next narrative39:14 - Why 24/7 trading changes everything41:38 - Invisible crypto and the abstraction risk45:58 - Hyperliquid vs Binance: who wins?48:47 - Where does Binance's growth actually come from?50:00 - The future: wallets replace banks52:16 - The SAFU fund: $1B to protect users54:23 - Crypto's real legacy: financial education56:00 - Do banks really create money from a spreadsheet?Stay ConnectedSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin_hq Links to Follow:Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45B9szUxVXEwfCDA6uRxwq?si=HT9XXqF9Q2CcM9hfLbmkVg   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Follow Richard https://www.instagram.com/tengrich/https://x.com/_RichardTeng

“The block explorer is your x-ray machine. Open it up, and you find rooms full of people.”In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Austin Federa, former Head of Strategy at Solana and co-founder of DoubleZero, for a rare, candid conversation shaped by shared history on opposite sides of the Ethereum–Solana divide.They unpack the real meaning of decentralization: is it a philosophy, a design choice, or just branding? The discussion moves from the Drift hack—revealing how a months-long social engineering attack exposed crypto’s underlying security culture—to broader questions about trust, control, and the human systems beneath supposedly autonomous technology.Along the way, they explore financial nihilism, the psychological impact of the internet on risk-taking, and whether blockchains should stand for anything beyond speed and efficiency. What happens to values like openness and censorship resistance once real money enters the system? And who carries the ideology when institutions drift from it?Timestamps:00:00 Crypto values and philosophy03:07 Speed and the evolution of blockchain design06:05 Decentralization vs. centralization08:58 Solana’s practical approach11:48 FTX and Solana’s resilience15:03 The role of decentralization in finance17:58 Meme coins and perceived value20:58 Financial nihilism and Gen Z30:15 The psychology of comparison online34:34 Roots of financial nihilism37:41 What money actually is41:21 The Drift hack and crypto security culture53:00 Building the future: DoubleZeroStay Connected:Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin_hq Austin on X: http://x.com/Austin_FederaDoubleZero on X: https://x.com/doublezeroLinks to Follow:Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45B9szUxVXEwfCDA6uRxwq?si=HT9XXqF9Q2CcM9hfLbmkVg   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  

In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt cuts through the AI hype to explore what happens when creation becomes free. The result isn’t less competition—it’s more noise. She unpacks a web flooded with AI content, misaligned platforms, and the rising value of curation, taste, and real skill.From the future of digital work to the surprising role of crypto—where AI agents, stablecoins, and frictionless UX may finally unlock DeFi—this conversation dives into the paradox of abundance and why judgment matters more than ever.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction 02:21 What People Get Wrong About AI Right Now04:36 Running to Stand Still: Skills and AI08:27 AI's Sybil Attack on Content and Platforms12:29 The Water Line Rising: Content Overload and Curation21:08 Finding Nutritious Content in a Sea of AI-Generated Material25:48 New Opportunities in Content Curation and Skill Sets26:36 AI and Crypto: Future Intersections33:14 Quantum Computing Risks and Opportunities36:07 The Fintechization of Crypto and Narrative Shifts38:01 Inextricable Values in TechnologyStay Connected:Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin_hq Links to Follow:Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45B9szUxVXEwfCDA6uRxwq?si=HT9XXqF9Q2CcM9hfLbmkVg   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  

“The scammy elements of crypto are turning people off—and that’s something we need to fix.”In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, to unpack crypto’s evolution—from idealism to hype cycles—and what comes next.They explore AI agents, the open metaverse, and who actually benefits as technology scales. Yat argues blockchain was built for a future of billions of AI agents—and we’re closer than we think.The conversation also dives into creativity, education, and what it means to stay human in an increasingly automated world.At its core, this episode asks: who owns the system—and is the future being built one worth living in?Stay Connected:Yat Siu on X: https://x.com/ysiuSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin_hq Links to Follow:Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45B9szUxVXEwfCDA6uRxwq?si=HT9XXqF9Q2CcM9hfLbmkVg   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Most of the people running the world are not evil masterminds; they are sincere operators trapped in an “epistemic maze.”In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Curtis Yarvin to explore why the rules-based international order was always fragile and how elite decision-makers operate on unexamined assumptions. They unpack Yarvin’s “interchangeable baby theory,” the 20th-century belief that human outcomes are largely interchangeable, and how this flawed idea shaped policy without ever being questioned.The conversation shifts to modern finance, where deposit insurance, bailouts, and informal guarantees create a tower of promises barely anchored in reality. From there, they tackle AI, arguing that machines could make most humans economically useless unless society redesigns work, introducing artificial constraints so humans retain meaningful roles.This episode examines the hidden assumptions in power, money, and labor, and what happens when technology exposes the gaps in a system built on faith and untested ideas.Timestamps: 00:00 Intro01:25 The Fate of the Rules-Based International Order08:47 Interchangeable Baby Theory and Its Implications17:58 The Stability of the US Dollar and Financial Systems29:34 AI, Technology, and the Future of Society34:07 The Craving for Violence in Media34:29 Artificial Difficulty in Gaming and Crafting34:57 Labor Supply and Demand in a Changing World36:07 The Economic Uselessness of the Majority36:38 Cultural Reflections on Indigenous Peoples and Welfare38:11 AI's Impact on Employment Across Professions38:34 The Dilemma of Meaningful Work vs. Automation39:41 Autarky and Competing Economies40:58 The Pursuit of Meaning Over Luxury43:01 The Role of Technology in Shaping Labor44:58 Cultural Stagnation and AI's Influence46:05 The Aesthetic of AI and Over-OptimizationStay Connected:George on X: https://x.com/realGeorgeHotz Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin_hq Links to Follow:Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45B9szUxVXEwfCDA6uRxwq?si=HT9XXqF9Q2CcM9hfLbmkVg   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

"If you are using technology to manipulate other people, you should be ashamed of yourself."In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with George Hotz to explore when technology empowers and when it traps. Using the framework of finite and infinite games, they define manipulation as placing someone in a system designed to extract from them without their awareness.They examine algorithmic trading, behavioral betting, and AI agents, asking where the ethical line lies between prediction and deception. The conversation moves from societal measures like GDP to electricity, steel, and Nvidia’s AI chip dominance, highlighting how software moats create real choke points of power.George and Amanda explore whether AI will create a cognitive divide between the upgraded and the monkey class, and whether opting into algorithmic comfort loops is a voluntary surrender of agency.This episode is about the ethics of control in a world where persuasion can be automated and scaled, and whether the games we build are infinite or finite, liberating or extractive.▶️TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro01:25 The Rise of AI Tools and Productivity03:02 The Evolution of Coding: From Direct Coders to Managers of Agents05:48 Democratization of Coding: Access and Quality08:24 The Impact of AI on Software Production and Value10:56 Cultural Manipulation and the Role of Technology13:48 The Perpetual Underclass: Fears and Realities16:14 The Future of Power Dynamics in AI18:52 The Cost of AI Development and Its Implications21:23 The Role of Culture in Addressing AI Challenges33:29 Cultural Responsibility and Advertising Ethics35:41 The Role of Technology in Manipulation38:40 Ethics of Control and Manipulation43:45 Market Fairness and Regulation46:18 The Future of Capitalism and Financial Products51:28 Electricity Production as a Measure of Progress53:08 NVIDIA and the Future of AI Chips56:30 Cultural Shifts and the Monkey Class01:01:41 The Liminal Space of AI and Culture

As artificial intelligence agents become the dominant interface to the web, the question is no longer just “Who are you?” but “Who is acting on your behalf?” In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Billions Network CEO Evin McMullen to examine the rapid shift toward agent-mediated internet use. At the end of last year, roughly one in every 31 website visits was conducted by a non-human actor, up sharply from just one in 200 earlier in the year. Increasingly, we are delegating our online activity to digital butlers.But delegation does not eliminate identity. It compounds it. Evin argues that we are moving beyond traditional KYC, Know Your Customer, into a new paradigm called KYA, Know Your Agent. If AI agents are making payments, accessing age-gated services, or interacting with financial and government systems, they must be able to prove who they represent. Identity becomes inheritable, and agents must cryptographically demonstrate the human or organization on whose behalf they act.This reframes the identity debate. The problem is no longer just login friction or platform data extraction. It is the structural need to bind autonomous systems to accountable humans. As armies of specialized sub-agents begin coordinating tasks across domains, payments, compliance, and trust all depend on pairing the person with the agent.Ultimately, identity becomes the backbone of the agentic internet. As humans step back from direct interaction and software takes the wheel, sovereignty shifts from logging in yourself to equipping your agents with portable, provable credentials so they can act and sign on your behalf.Timestamps00:00 Introduction 01:25 Understanding Identity in the Digital Age05:15 The Flaws of Current Identity Systems09:59 Reimagining Identity Workflows13:00 User Control and Data Ownership14:30 Incentives and the Future of Identity18:28 The Role of Crypto in Identity Management22:27 Proving Human Identity in a Digital World25:27 The Future of Agents and Identity30:23 Navigating the New Digital Landscape33:09 The Intersection of Technology and Regulation

As artificial intelligence becomes the dominant interface for work, creativity, and competition, some people are adapting to it far faster than others.In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Dragonfly Capital’s Haseeb Qureshi to explore a generational shift in technological advantage: the biggest winners of every major tech transition are not the most experienced, but the most “pluripotent.” Younger people, who haven’t yet locked themselves into fixed professional identities, are better positioned to experiment and use new tools as leverage.Haseeb explains how AI intensifies this dynamic. The key emerging skill is no longer traditional engineering or management, but the ability to talk to models. Younger builders are becoming fluent in prompting, cross-agent workflows, and systems where AI agents write, review, and coordinate each other, patterns discovered by people actively building, not by institutions.This reframes what talent and leadership mean. The edge now belongs to those who remain cognitively flexible and let technology reshape how they think and work. In an AI-native world, the most effective founders aren’t the best coders or managers, but the ones who can reason about complex systems and continuously adapt alongside fast-moving tools.Ultimately, AI becomes a generational filter. Those who grow up fluent in these systems will treat them as a natural extension of thought, while older cohorts experience them as something they must translate through. As with every technological shift, the people who adopt the medium as native are the ones who end up defining the future.Chapters:0:00 Intro01:23 The Intersection of AI and Crypto06:13 The Role of AI Agents in Software Development09:00 Shifting Profiles of Founders in Tech11:55 The Future of Knowledge Work and AI14:57 Decentralized AI and Security Concerns17:57 The Future of AI and Crypto Integration20:51 The Role of Stablecoins in the Crypto Ecosystem24:01 The Evolution of Legal Systems in Tech26:46 The Future of Labor and Capital in AI30:01 Global Perspectives on AI and Crypto32:54 The Future of Venture Capital in Tech35:59 The Intergenerational Wealth Transfer of Crypto39:01 The Future of AI and Crypto Regulation42:04 The Role of Innovation in CryptoIf this expanded your thinking, don’t forget to Like, Comment & Share. For future cities, global systems & bold ideas, Subscribe now!

Technology is the most powerful force in history, and whether it liberates or consumes us depends entirely on how aligned it is with human agency.For Amanda Cassatt, this belief underpins her techno-optimism: the conviction that progress must be actively built, not passively awaited. In this solo episode, she explains how she sees technology as upstream of culture, economics, and politics, and views optimism as a necessary stance for shaping systems that improve the future rather than accepting stagnation.In her view, one of AI’s most powerful use cases will be hyper-addictive entertainment and persuasion, with millions of intelligent agents optimized to capture attention, shape behavior, and extract value. But Cassatt argues that AI also holds the potential to act as a personal ally: an intelligent layer that enforces individual priorities, shields users from exploitative systems, and restores agency in an increasingly manipulative digital environment.As technology progresses, so will the need for “envelope technologies” and personal AI systems that protect users, preserve agency, and give people real control over the tools that mediate their lives. For Cassatt, the future of technology hinges on alignment and ownership, determining whether we build systems that mine human attention or systems that empower humans to shape their own trajectories.Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:31 Telling the Story of New Technology 05:13 Innovation or Financial Nihilism? 09:12 Birth of Two Markets15:38 Key to Successful Startups18:14 The Role of Brands27:06 Stories to Understand the World29:01 The AI Conundrum39:02 Is AI the Tool or Are We? 44:11 The Case for Techno OptimismSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Edge City on X: https://x.com/JoinEdgeCityTimour Kosters on X: https://x.com/timourxyzAmanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440 Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQIf this expanded your thinking, don’t forget to Like, Comment & Share. For future cities, global systems & bold ideas, Subscribe now!

As nation-states double down on borders, nationalism, and readiness for war, some people are choosing not to wait around to see how that ends.Amanda Cassatt sits down with Timour Kosters, who worked alongside Vitalik Buterin on Zuzalu, and co-founder of Edge City, a borderless pop-up society where highly driven builders, thinkers, and creators experiment with life beyond the nation-state. Emerging directly from the Zuzalu experiment in Montenegro, Edge City functions as a live prototype for post-national belonging, a place where identity, culture, and collaboration are designed deliberately rather than inherited by accident.Timour explains how Zuzalu shaped Edge City’s core philosophy: opting out of national identity, rejecting reflexive patriotism, and building high-trust communities that can survive disagreement without collapsing into tribalism. Edge City offers sovereignty within, giving people a way to escape inherited identities, nationalistic pressures, and the growing assumption that global conflict is inevitable.Heterogeneity and multidisciplinarity are intentional. Edge City incubates startups, launches new fields of inquiry, and partners with emerging cities and jurisdictions, turning the community itself into a platform for coordination and long-term impact. The result is a network that produces ideas, companies, and alliances that would be difficult or impossible to form inside traditional state structures.Edge City even tracks an unusual metric of success: children, and conceptions. Including families is not sentimental, it is strategic. It binds people to the community, creates continuity across generations, and embeds the next cohort inside a society actively experimenting with alternatives to nation-states. In a world increasingly organized around borders and conflict, Edge City is betting that opting out early is the real advantage.Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:05 Vitalik’s goal: a minimum viable “crazy thing” that’s long enough to become real life03:00 What Zuzalu was really for (and Timour’s role running the AI track)08:10 Edge City’s design goal: heterogeneity and multidisciplinarity (and the fault lines)10:40 AI safety vs accelerationism, crypto skeptics, political diversity—and why debate is hard16:50 Where Edge City fits in a world of geopolitical blocs19:40 Timour’s personal relationship to Russia and why he’s not a nationalist22:10 Can network societies become bridging nodes across spheres of influence?24:10 Historical parallel: the “International” before WWI—and what’s different now26:10 Fear as a political tool—and why hope is “really punk”32:00 The missing step in the Network State: kinship before land36:10 Startup example: Constellation and the compressed loop from idea → data → investors41:20 Working with towns and jurisdictions: Esmeralda, Bhutan, and “drop-shipping” talent47:10 Why kids are a North Star metric—and how families change the entire vibe49:30 “Conceptions” as an internal joke metric—and what it signals about community health51:00 Closing: building futures that feel livable, not hollowSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Edge City on X: https://x.com/JoinEdgeCityTimour on X: https://x.com/timourxyzAmanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What if aging and reproduction were engineering problems, not biological limits?In this episode, Amanda Cassatt sits down with AthenaDAO founder Laura Minquini to unpack how reproductive biotech could transform same-sex reproduction, family structures, and the future of population growth.Laura explains how AthenaDAO and the DeSci movement are using crypto to fund research that has previously not been prioritized by the FDA or mainstream pharma, arguing that reproductive biotech is one of the most consequential frontiers in modern science, from ovarian tissue cryopreservation and in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) to artificial wombs that could radically extend not just fertility, but women’s healthspan.She details how ovarian tissue cryopreservation works, a surgical procedure originally developed for cancer patients where ovarian tissue is removed, frozen, and later reimplanted to restore ovarian function. She describes how this technique is now being offered electively, what it realistically enables, and why it may be the most direct path to delaying menopause.The two dig into why menopause drives systemic aging, why women live longer but spend more years in disease, and how reproductive biology has been sidelined by traditional biotech funding.Timestamps:00:00 Why the future of biotech isn’t evenly distributed 02:05 Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and extending fertility 06:30 Why menopause affects the entire body—not just reproduction 10:45 Longevity, ovarian function, and why women live longer with more disease 15:10 Why women’s health research is so underfunded 19:40 Clinical trials, fertility risk, and why female data is missing 24:30 Artificial wombs: science fiction or near-term reality? 29:00 In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) and the future of egg creation 34:20 Radical reproductive unlocks and societal implications 39:30 Why controversial technologies need human-first framing 44:50 Decentralized science (DeSci) and crypto-funded research 49:20 Why crypto struggles with long-term scientific timelines 53:40 The AthenaDAO business model and token-equity hybrid approach 58:10 Menopause prediction, HRT, and what Laura uses personally 01:01:30 Moonshots, legacy, and redefining women’s reproductive futuresSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Laura on X: https://x.com/LauraMinquiniAthenaDAO on X: https://x.com/athena_DAO_Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What is the future of Arbitrum now that L1 Ethereum is becoming scalable?In this episode, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Offchain Labs and Arbitrum co-founder Steven Goldfeder. Arbitrum began as Ethereum’s scaling answer, borrowing its security to add more bandwidth, faster confirmations, and better UX. As Ethereum solves the scalability problem that was Arbitrum's original raison d’être, Steven explains Arbitrum's next frontier: customization and institutional onboarding onto Ethereum, by providing privacy and KYC that won't become available at L1 anytime soon.The two discuss the specific ways and regions Robinhood is already - though invisibly to users - using Arbitrum, the precise path RWAs are taking to gain consumer adoption, and which traditional financial products are poised to come onchain. Steven clarifies where he aligns and departs from Vitalik's articulation of what Ethereum is for, and he tells us what he believes will happen when Ethereum grows beyond its original decentralization-first vision.Times are evolving, and institutions aren’t guaranteed to take on the cypherpunk ideology, but so long as the core system is preserved, Goldfeder believes that there are a lot of benefits to mass onboarding.Timestamps: 00:00 Scaling Ethereum: The Role of Arbitrum09:29 Customization for Institutions: Arbitrum's Unique Offerings12:43 Compliance and Privacy: Institutional Needs in DeFi16:21 The Philosophy of Ethereum: Freedom vs. Compliance22:39 The Future of Ethereum: KYC and Institutional Adoption25:03 The Evolution of Use Cases on Arbitrum31:44 Arbitrum's DAO: Governance and Decision-Making43:50 Balancing Power: Democracy vs. Monarchy in DAOs55:24 The Future of Arbitrum: Growth and User ExperienceSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Steven on X: https://x.com/sgoldfedOffchain Labs on X: https://x.com/OffchainLabsAmanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What happens when crypto stops optimizing purely for profit and starts optimizing for people, planet, and long-term coordination?In this episode, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Gitcoin founder Kevin Owocki to discuss Ethereum’s public goods, swallowing the Green Pill, and what onchain coordination will look like in the future.Owocki maps the cultural fault lines inside Ethereum: the libertarian and cypherpunk roots, the rise of hyper-financialized degen culture, and the parallel effort to build something different: a regenerative ecosystem that funds public goods, sustains open source, and solves coordination failures instead of reproducing them.The two unpack what Green Pill really means and the choice it asks of builders, how Gitcoin funded $70 million in public goods and why grants and vibes aren’t enough anymore. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Regen and Degen02:57 The Green Pill Movement06:13 Public Goods in Ethereum09:10 Funding Challenges in the Ethereum Ecosystem12:07 Comparing Ethereum to Traditional Governments15:00 The Evolution of Public Goods Funding17:48 Incentive Alignment and the Tragedy of the Commons21:04 Building Proofs for Public Goods24:11 Ethereum's Unique Approach to Public Goods26:48 Meditations on Moloch and Coordination Failures29:39 Exploring Moloch and Ginsberg's Influence30:04 Addressing Coordination Failures in Ethereum34:48 The Future of Capitalism and Its Alternatives39:40 Balancing Different Forms of Capital45:03 Navigating Financial Nihilism Among Youth47:41 Success Stories in Building Parallel InstitutionsSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Kevin on X: https://x.com/owockiAmanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Crypto was supposed to be the escape hatch. So why does it increasingly feel like it’s being absorbed by the very systems it set out to challenge?In this candid conversation, Amanda Cassatt sits down with cyberpunk crypto lawyer Gabriel Shapiro about the “fintech-ization” of crypto, where the industry stands in the post-Gary Gensler era and the fading relevance of the four-year cycle.Is crypto a tool for resisting power, or just a more efficient version of traditional finance waiting to be regulated into submission? Regulation isn’t a complete negative for the space; Gabriel believes that certain aspects, such as antitrust law, are beneficial. But while some laws age like a fine wine, others aren’t as relevant as technology evolves.Amanda and Gabriel also discussed KYC and how it’s evolving, zero-knowledge proofs, and what Tornado Cash did wrong. Timestamps: 00:00 Current State of Crypto and Market Cycles02:53 The Debate on Decentralization vs. Centralization05:47 The Role of Government and Regulation in Crypto08:43 Crypto as an Alternative to Traditional Legal Systems11:49 The Impact of Incumbent Protection on Innovation15:03 The Future of Crypto in a Regulated Environment17:51 The Importance of Privacy and Programmability in Crypto26:18 The Imperative of Privacy in Crypto34:52 Navigating Legal Compliance and Privacy39:41 The Dilemma of Civil Disobedience46:24 The Future of KYC in Crypto48:40 Zero Knowledge Technology and Its Potential

Is crypto’s biggest rival artificial intelligence? As AI absorbs talent and capital, it’s not clear yet if crypto and AI are competing or converging but crypto’s focus on human agency may matter more than ever in an automated world.Amanda Cassatt is joined by Aaron Wright, crypto lawyer, former Wikia general counsel and CEO of Tribute Labs, to unpack the battle between crypto and AI and what the explosive growth of stablecoins actually means for the U.S. dollar as both institutions and corporations look to gain exposure to crypto. Outside of the technological battle we’re seeing, Aaron believes we’re also undergoing a structural shift that’ll see the separation of the U.S. dollar from U.S. banks. He discusses the slow erosion of smaller national currencies, and the rise of open, permissionless financial infrastructure that anyone can access. What looks incremental today may ultimately reshape who controls money and how power flows in a dollar-dominated world.The conversation spans across artificial intelligence, dollar hegemony, central bank authority, as well as the growing divide between institutional crypto and the onchain “trenches.”Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold Open: Stablecoins and the End of Dollar Hegemony05:00 – Splitting the Dollar from the Banks10:00 – Do Stablecoins Weaken Central Banks?15:00 – Should Local Currencies Even Exist?20:00 – The Paradox of American Decline25:00 – Regulation, Law, and Crypto’s Lost Years30:00 – Institutional Crypto vs. the Trenches35:00 – Is Crypto Still About Technology?40:00 – AI vs. Crypto45:00 – Open Systems, Wikipedia, and Internet Decay50:00 – KYC, Surveillance, and Enshittification55:00 – Identity, Reputation, and ZK Proofs1:00:00 – Crypto’s Endgame: Human AgencyResources: Follow Aaron Wright @awrigh01 https://x.com/awrigh01Learn more about Aaron's work: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2373233Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What if the biggest forces shaping crypto today are hidden behind VPNs?In this episode of Endgame, host Amanda Cassatt sits down with Mable Jiang, Trends co-founder, former Multicoin partner and founding member of the Solana Foundation Council,for a rare, unfiltered look at the Chinese and Asian crypto markets — the traders, the memes, the exchanges, and the invisible liquidity that moves the entire ecosystem.From the rise of Bybit and Binance to the cultural phenomenon of Chinese tickers and global “trenchers,” Jiang dives into the real size of the Chinese crypto market and why so much of that activity is “concealed” and never shows up in Western reports.Cassatt and Jiang explore Hong Kong’s resurgence and what’s led to it in comparison to the “Westworld effect” Singapore has. The two also touch on Solana’s “Lala” moment, creator-coin culture and what Western builders don’t understand about Asia.The US may have claimed the crypto capital for now, but Asia, and China, may dominate crypto’s next chapter.Timecodes: 00:00 The Evolution of Dance and Technology05:01 The Chinese Crypto Market Landscape11:18 Centralized Exchanges and Their Impact17:06 Institutional Participation in Crypto22:43 The Role of Education in Innovation27:23 The Gaokao System and Its Implications34:39 Stereotypes of Chinese Tech Culture39:02 Government Perspectives on Crypto43:09 Opportunities and Risks in Crypto Adoption50:44 Navigating the Chinese Market for Crypto ProjectsSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What happens when the country that taught the world inflation becomes the testing ground for the future of money?In this episode of Endgame, Amanda sits down with Camila Russo, author of The Infinite Machine and founder of The Defiant, to trace how growing up in Latin America shaped her understanding of money, power, and why crypto matters long before the West noticed. Before becoming one of crypto’s most influential journalists, Camila was a Bloomberg reporter living in Buenos Aires during the peso’s collapse, covering Argentina’s economy as her own salary evaporated under currency controls.Camila explains how living through Argentina’s currency controls made Bitcoin feel inevitable, why DeFi was the first time crypto felt real, and why stablecoins have become the economic backbone of everyday life across the region. She breaks down why LATAM became a proving ground for UX-driven financial apps, how its developers are quietly building one of crypto’s most important talent hubs, and why countries like Argentina and Brazil may define the next phase of mainstream adoption.This is a look at crypto through the eyes of someone who’s lived the problem before meeting the technology.Timestamps0:00 – How We Met & Crypto Beginnings1:37 – Working in Argentina & Bloomberg5:07 – Living Through Hyperinflation6:07 – Discovering Bitcoin11:43 – Crypto in Argentina vs US12:25 – Back to New York & Crypto Coverage14:41 – Choosing Ethereum for a Book16:37 – Early DeFi & Starting The Defiant21:19 – Crypto Media Landscape23:15 – Conflicts of Interest in Crypto Media26:53 – Global Media Insights31:54 – Broken Media Business Model36:36 – Incentivizing Investigative Journalism38:16 – Argentina Today & Crypto Use Case44:48 – Innovation in LatAm CryptoRESOURCES:Follow Cami: https://x.com/CamiRussoFollow The Defiant: https://x.com/DefiantNewsCheck out The Defiant: https://thedefiant.io/Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

In this episode of Endgame, Ethereum Foundation Co-Executive Director Tomasz K. Stańczak joins Amanda to discuss how the organization behind Ethereum is changing.Together they talk about why institutions on Wall Street are now asking for more decentralization, open source, and censorship resistance, and what it means for Ethereum to actively defend its values while staying credibly neutral. Tomasz also breaks down how the Foundation is preparing for AI, quantum, and agent-based finance, and the biggest risk he sees.Tomasz argues that If Ethereum “wins,” the world will look like intermediaries quietly melting into the network, basic financial functions trending toward zero fees, and the systems that run money, institutions, and governments become open source by default.Timestamps:00:00 Ethereum Foundation’s Changing Direction04:06 Reaching Institutions & Improving Communication07:43 Decision-Making, Decentralization, and Innovation12:32 Defending Core Ethereum Values15:51 Technology vs. Culture: Can Ethereum Stay True to Its Vision?18:36 Institutions Building Their Own Blockchains20:10 Ethereum as a Global Consensus Layer21:50 AI, Quantum, and the Future of Ethereum23:22 Proof of Stake, Security, and Governance24:35 Risks and Wins for Ethereum in 10 Years26:19 The Path to Zero-Fees & Open Source CoordinationRESOURCES:Follow Tomasz: https://x.com/tkstanczakSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

In this episode of Endgame, Milk Road’s Co-Owner and Head of Research, Kyle Reidhead, joins Amanda Cassatt to share his take on how crypto works today, across markets, media, and the broader tech cycle. Kyle outlines why he thinks crypto cycles follow global liquidity rather than the Bitcoin halving, and why he believes the surge in AI infrastructure spending could stretch this bull market longer than most assume.He also describes his perspective on how information moves through the industry, from the early signals on X to why he prefers creators and analysts who hold crypto over those who don’t. This episode dives deep into Kyle’s own mental model of markets, media, and where he thinks the next phase of adoption will come from.Timestamps:0:00 The Milk Road Origin Story5:00 Building a Fun Crypto Newsletter10:00 Crypto Transparency & Accountability15:00 Prediction Markets & Market Accountability20:00 Bull Markets, AI, and Liquidity Cycles25:00 AI Buildout & the Future of Tech Infrastructure30:00 AI Usage Explosion & Computing Demands40:00 Speculation on Space & the Future Beyond EarthRESOURCES: Follow Milk Road: https://x.com/MilkRoadFollow Kyle: https://x.com/KyleReidheadSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@amandacassatt?utm_source=about-page

What happens when the American empire goes offline?In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt sits down with Balaji Srinivasan to explore a world run by China and the internet.Balaji outlines the forces driving that shift, from America’s unacknowledged debt spiral and split into “Blue, Red, and Tech America,” to an approaching reality check that will reveal how much value the West has already lost.He argues the next global order won’t be decided by governments or currencies, but by code and that the ideals of liberty, capitalism, and equality before the law have already been backed up to the cloud.Together, they map what comes after collapse: the transition from nation-states to network states.Timestamps:00:00 Reflections on the Network State's Predictions09:12 The Global Competition for Tech Talent17:48 The Trifurcation of America: Blue, Red, and Tech29:57 Class Warfare and the Rise of Tech Resentment31:57 The Complexities of Capitalism and Technology34:57 Navigating the Disruption of AI38:10 The Mark to Market Dilemma41:30 The Shift of Economic Gravity46:42 The Future of Global Power Dynamics58:09 Restoring American Values in a Digital AgeRESOURCES: Follow Balaji: @balajis https://x.com/balajisSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@amandacassatt?utm_source=about-page

What happens when Ethereum staking outperforms U.S. Treasuries?In this episode of Endgame, Alluvial CEO Mara Schmiedt joins Amanda Cassatt to unpack how Ethereum staking evolved from a technical mechanism into the internet’s first native yield.They examine why traditional finance is starting to experiment with onchain systems, how liquid staking tokens are collapsing the boundary between DeFi and TradFi, and what it means when the world’s most risk-averse capital begins earning yield from a decentralized protocol instead of a central bank.Amanda and Mara compare staking to what search ads were to Google, a sustainable revenue engine for an entire ecosystem, and trace the macro implications of that idea. If protocol-native yield exists outside government debt and monetary policy, it redefines how value is created and who controls it.From ETF staking models to custodians bridging into DeFi, this episode unpacks how crypto’s yield engine is threading its way into the heart of global finance and what that might reveal about where the real change is happening.Timestamps:00:01 – Amanda & Mara Introduce the Episode00:12 – Mara’s Crypto Origin Story03:32 – What is Staking & Why It Matters10:04 – Non-Correlated Yield vs. TradFi11:27 – LSTs Explained19:15 – The Technology Behind Secure Staking27:31 – Defining “Institutional” in Crypto35:28 – Who’s Not Staking Yet?40:03 – Staking & DeFi Convergence43:52 – Vision for the Future of Open FinanceRESOURCES: Follow Mara: https://x.com/MaraSchmiedt Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@amandacassatt?utm_source=about-page

Silicon Valley is building AI on the wrong assumptions, says Microsoft economist and researcher Glen Weyl.Glen Weyl has spent his life at the intersection of tech and politics and sees a critical gap in tech driven by Bay Area culture, where the voices of religious and culturally grounded communities are almost entirely absent. He argues that this lack of perspective has shaped Silicon Valley’s AI culture, creating blind spots with enormous consequences.  Rather than viewing history through the "great man" lens, as driven by virtuosic leaders often acting unilaterally, Glen takes a systems view of what drives progress and his current work focuses on bringing religious conservatives into the conversation, balancing tech’s internal logic with the realities of the world it seeks to reshape. This week on Endgame, Glen joins Amanda to explore a future where AI may replace capitalism with a 'Gaia'-like system. He draws on examples from India and Taiwan, where tech and religion are integrated to drive innovation, design public infrastructure, and create neutral protocols that produce hyper-competitive markets, offering a model for how Bay Area–driven tech could close its own gaps.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 The Future of Labor and Capital05:18 Eschatology and AI Doomerism11:09 The Role of Religion in Technology17:01 Human Value in an AI-Driven World22:57 Rethinking Value and Hierarchies29:50 Global Perspectives on Innovation and Governance31:45 The Role of Individuals vs. Collective Systems37:09 Democracy in the Age of Information43:42 Balancing Spirituality and Technological Advancement50:59 Decentralization through Technology: The India Stack55:38 Government Intervention and Economic GrowthRESOURCES:Follow Glen: https://x.com/glenweylSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440 Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What if you could choose your child before they’re born?Noor Siddiqui, founder of Orchid, joins Amanda Cassatt to explore one of the most profound frontiers in biotech: genetically screening and selecting embryos during IVF. At the intersection of science, ethics, and the human desire for legacy, this conversation asks how far we’re willing to go to optimize health, reduce suffering, and rethink what it means to become a parent.They examine the promises and perils of “super babies,” a futuristic term quietly approaching reality. Once reserved for preventing rare genetic diseases, embryo testing is now exploring polygenic scoring, offering parents insight not only into potential health outcomes but also into cognitive traits such as IQ. With that insight comes questions about eugenics, equity, and where the line lies between informed choice and engineered outcomes.Noor shares how the burden of genetic disease shapes families and why she believes informed embryo selection can empower rather than control. Amanda and Noor also discuss the fertility crisis, the economic and cultural shifts reshaping family planning, and what it would take to build a world where having a child doesn’t demand superhuman effort or superhuman genes.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Orchid and IVF Technology02:57 Understanding Genetic Testing in Embryos06:08 The Concept of 'Super Babies' and Genetic Blessings09:03 Selection Pressure in Embryo Choices12:02 The Burden of Genetic Diseases14:43 Ethical Considerations in Genetic Selection17:49 The Future of Reproductive Technology20:49 Enhancements vs. Remediation in Genetic Technology23:36 The Role of Cost in IVF Accessibility26:32 The Future of Genetic Editing and CRISPR29:40 Conclusion and Future Outlook40:57 The Future of Reproductive Technology44:21 The Global Fertility Crisis48:40 Cultural Shifts in Parenthood51:24 The Purpose of Life and Parenthood55:53 Nature vs. Nurture in Child Development59:47 Personal Aspirations and Family Planning01:02:09 The Ethics of Genetic Selection01:08:54 Existential Questions and Identity

Crypto began as a rebellion against banks, bailouts, and surveillance. But what happens when the same forces it tried to outrun start reshaping the industry from within?Megan Knab, founder of Franklin, joins Amanda Cassatt on Endgame to examine where crypto may be drifting off course. She raises concerns about what happens when privacy disappears, how unbanking and financial exclusion play out in practice, and why stablecoins, if implemented incorrectly, could entrench the very systems crypto was meant to disrupt.From Tornado Cash and the prosecution of developers, to the ethical standards builders should hold themselves to, the conversation circles back to what it means to take cypherpunk values seriously in 2025. For Megan, that extends beyond manifestos and protocols, it’s about how anyone involved in crypto can carry those values forward in practice, from the tools they use to the way they choose to build, transact, and communicate.The lingering question: if crypto repeats the mistakes of legacy finance, what was the point of building it at all?TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Coinbase Military Parade Controversy03:02 The Origins of Cryptocurrency and Its Antithetical Nature to Government05:39 The Dangers of Government Involvement in Crypto08:49 The Unbanking Phenomenon and Its Implications11:52 Corporate Compliance and the Erosion of Cypherpunk Values14:51 Standards for Cryptocurrency Companies17:34 The Role of Privacy in Financial Transactions20:39 The Impact of Institutionalization on Crypto's Goals27:47 The Cypherpunk Values and Their Evolution31:33 Privacy Technology: Tornado Cash and Its Implications39:59 Stable Coins: Bridging Traditional Finance and Crypto45:36 The Future of Privacy in a Centralized World

➡️Like this episode? Leave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/endgameIt feels like crypto adoption is moving at lightning speed, but is anyone still "in it for the tech"?Eddy Lazzarin, CTO of a16z crypto, joins Amanda Cassatt on Endgame to explore the growing influence of capital markets, and government and regulatory access, in the current landscape, as well as the specific breakthroughs he anticipates in AI and privacy that would make technology once again the driver of progress.Touching on Tornado Cash, they discuss whether privacy technology has a future in an environment where governments are active players in the industry, the impact of the coming massive wave of asset tokenization, and how Eddy expects AI and crypto will actually converge and find product-market fit.From his vantage point at the intersection of new technology and venture investing, Eddy reflects on what real innovation looks like when the narrative is shaped as much by capital as it is by code.This conversation offers a window into how one of crypto’s most influential firms evaluates technology, risk, and opportunity.➡️Talking Points: 00:00 Understanding the Role of CTO at A16Z02:56 A16Z's Evolving Perspective on Venture Capital05:56 The Impact of Regulation on Technology Innovation08:46 Navigating the Intersection of Traditional Finance and Crypto11:46 The Future of Corporate Integration with Blockchain14:43 The Coexistence of Legacy Systems and New Technologies17:43 The Role of AI in Bridging Old and New Systems29:27 Trusting AI: Expanding Boundaries32:31 The Privacy Paradigm: Current Challenges and Future Solutions42:49 Navigating the Future: Privacy, Compliance, and User Experience55:31 Envisioning the Future: A Non-Custodial Financial Ecosystem➡️Show Links: Follow Eddy: https://x.com/eddylazzarinSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

How decentralized AI will win, according to NEAR Founder Illia Polusukhin.Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol, joins me on the latest episode of Endgame to challenge everything we think we know about AI.In this episode, Illia explains: - The dangers of AI being monopolized by corporate interests- Why a user-owned, decentralized model is the way forward- The role of blockchain and confidential computing in building a system that prioritizes privacy, transparency, and true user empowermentTIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Future of AI and the Internet02:57 The Dangers of Centralized AI06:07 User-Owned AI and Decentralization08:53 Challenges in AI Model Creation11:57 Blockchain's Role in AI Infrastructure14:57 Confidential Computing and User Privacy17:52 Data Center Dynamics and AI Demand21:00 Autonomous Agents and Their Potential23:54 The Spectrum of AI: Abundance vs. Doom26:53 The Future of Work and Automation29:42 The Role of Crypto in AI Development32:46 Real-World Applications of Blockchain and AI35:38 The Path Forward for Decentralization38:41 The Intersection of AI and Cybersecurity41:51 The Vision for a Utopian Future44:41 The Challenges Ahead for AI and CryptoRESOURCES:Follow Illia: https://x.com/ilblackdragonSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What does crypto look like when you strip away the noise and just follow the data?Fredrik Haga, co-founder of Dune, joins Amanda Cassatt for a conversation that cuts through the headlines and into the heart of what’s actually happening onchain. From the slow decline of NFTs to the real traction behind stablecoins and RWAs, Frederik offers an inside look into crypto’s shifting center of gravity and brings the data to prove it.This episode moves charts as Frederik shares the personal cost of building a billion-dollar company in Norway and why a tax on unrealized gains forced him to leave the country he was building in. This is a conversation about what's really working in crypto and what's still getting in the way.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 On-Chain Metrics and Market Dynamics03:03 The Rise and Fall of NFTs05:55 Stablecoins and Real World Assets08:54 Layer 2 Solutions and Their Impact11:56 The Middle Class of Crypto14:52 Mismatches Between Hype and Reality17:53 AI and Crypto Intersections20:54 The Founder’s Journey: Building Dune23:41 Norway's Economic Challenges and Opportunities29:40 Governance and Innovation in CryptoRESOURCES:Follow Fredrik Haga: https://x.com/hagaetcSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Ethereum has always been the foundation for the next financial system.Amanda Cassatt sits down with Grant Hummer, co-founder of Etherealize, to explore why Ethereum continues to be misunderstood, especially by institutions, and what it will take to change that.They go deep on Ethereum’s cultural and economic DNA, from early narrative missteps to what makes ETH uniquely positioned to dominate tokenization and programmable finance. Grant explains why rollups matter, how proof-of-stake has changed the game, and what Ethereum’s endgame could look like if it wins.Then they turn to Bitcoin. Grant lays out the case for why BTC, despite its mythology, faces real threats from its security model to the looming problem of quantum resistance. As Ethereum continues evolving while Bitcoin stands still, what happens next?This episode makes one thing clear: Ethereum isn’t playing catch-up, it’s playing for keeps.TIMECODES:00:00 The Genesis of Etherealize02:53 Bridging the Gap: Educating Wall Street on Ethereum05:53 Understanding Ethereum's Value Metrics09:11 The Role of Rollups in Ethereum's Ecosystem11:56 The Bull Case for Ethereum: Digital Oil vs. Digital Gold15:09 Ethereum's Future: Tokenization and Market Dynamics18:07 The Battle for Developer Hearts and Minds21:04 Navigating Regulatory Landscapes23:59 The Shift to Proof of Stake: A New Era for Ethereum27:00 Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: The Future of Digital Assets29:59 The Road Ahead for Etherealize and EthereumRESOURCES:Follow Grant: http://x.com/gphummer?lang=enSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What if the real threat to humanity isn’t death, but the belief that life needs to mean something?In this episode of Endgame, Amanda Cassatt and Bryan Johnson explore the architecture of a world where death is optional and meaning might be too. Rejecting first-principles thinking, the problem-solving method rooted in historical patterns and known truths, Bryan proposes zeroth-principles thinking: a framework that imagines human existence beyond inherited assumptions. In this future, meaning may vanish along with our drive for ambition, legacy, and identity.They discuss why accomplishment might be nothing more than preparation for death, how attachment to power, wealth, and status could undermine our survival, and why it’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. Bryan also explores a world beyond game theory, where humanity disables evolutionary instincts like competition and status-seeking, treating them as flaws in our biological code.This is a philosophical autopsy of mortality, meaning, and the psychological machinery we’ve built around being human.TIMESTAMPS: 02:56 Debating Life and Death: The Immortality Argument06:06 The Case Against Immortality: Societal Implications08:50 Wealth, Power, and the Future: A Generational Perspective11:51 The Role of Legislation in a Changing Society14:34 The Nature of Meaning: Life, Death, and Legacy17:35 The Evolution of Human Behavior: Risk and Sacrifice20:46 Post-Meaning: Redefining Existence in a New Era23:46 The Future of Innovation: Aging and Stagnation26:27 The Role of AI: Navigating Uncertainty and Change29:26 The Dilemma of Existence: Freedom vs. Attachment32:35 The Final Thoughts: Embracing Uncertainty and ChangeRESOURCES:Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440 Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Can a digitally native dollar outcompete the systems that built global finance?Sean Neville,  former Co-CEO and President of Circle, unpacks why stablecoins are not just a side note in crypto, they’re the financial infrastructure quietly reshaping global payments, remittances, and even central bank strategy.Together, Sean and Amanda explore how stablecoins are reshaping global finance, from reducing friction in traditional payment systems to creating programmable money with transparency and trust at the core. They dissect the promise of decentralization, the role of regulatory frameworks like the Genius Act, and how Circle’s long-term compliance strategy sets it apart from competitors like Tether. But the conversation doesn’t stop at crypto. Amanda and Sean dive deep into how AI-native institutions are already emerging, why AI agents may soon become primary economic actors, and what the financial world could look like when reliability matters more than cost. Today, Sean is Co-Founder and CEO of Catena Labs.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Understanding Stablecoins08:04 Infrastructure and Governance in Stablecoins13:24 The Evolution of Payment Systems16:33 Regulatory Clarity and the Genius Act21:20 Market Dynamics: Circle vs. Tether25:42 The Rise of Stablecoins29:39 AI Native Financial Institutions34:34 The Future of AI in Finance45:59 Navigating the AI Spectrum: Doomers to BloomersRESOURCESSean on X: https://x.com/psnevilleSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Do you think UBI is inevitable in an AI-driven world?Martin Köppelmann, co-founder of Gnosis, Gnosis Safe, and Circles, believes Universal Basic Income isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable. In a world where AI disrupts the job market, he says we won’t be able to rely on states or billionaires to deliver it.In this episode, Martin and Amanda unpack what “basic” income should really mean. He argues UBI should be simple, universal, and free from government control, biometric scans, or eligibility checks and believes crypto offers a way for communities to create and distribute money themselves without needing permission from centralized powers.Known for building trusted infrastructure in crypto, Martin has spent the last decade quietly obsessed with another question: how do we fund human dignity from the ground up? This is a conversation about post-AI economics, the limits of state welfare, and why issuing your own money might be the most radical and necessary act of all.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Future of Universal Basic Income (UBI)05:33 AI's Impact on Job Markets and UBI09:06 The Mechanics of UBI Implementation12:02 Defining Basic Needs for UBI15:33 Funding UBI: Who Pays?18:49 Preventing Inflation and Maintaining Purchasing Power20:20 Managing Scope Creep in UBI Programs23:13 Dependence on UBI and Societal Resilience25:44 Crypto and UBI: A New Economic Model30:40 Circles: A Community-Based Currency System32:57 The Currency Debate: Martin Tokens vs US Dollar38:00 Circles: A New Approach to Currency42:35 WorldCoin vs Circles: A Comparison of UBI Approaches46:54 Decentralized UBI: Empowering Individuals48:22 Circles 2.0: New Features and Future Prospects54:43 AI Doomsday: The Future of Humanity and AIRESOURCESMartin on X: https://x.com/koeppelmann @koeppelmannSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast  Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Could quantum computers destroy Bitcoin?John Lilic, early Ethereum adopter and crypto investor and Stefano Gogioso, quantum computing expert and Oxford lecturer, unpack one of the biggest threats on crypto’s horizon: Q-Day - the moment quantum computers become powerful enough to break the encryption behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the entire blockchain ecosystem.Together with Amanda, they dive deep into what quantum cryptography actually means, why current encryption standards are dangerously outdated, and what crypto needs to do right now to prepare for a post-quantum world. John and Stefano debate how close Q-Day really is, what’s being done (or not) to prevent chaos in the stablecoin and DeFi systems, and why this topic isn’t getting the attention it deserves.TIMESTAMPS00:00 The Threat of Quantum Cryptography05:03 Understanding Quantum Computing and Its Implications10:04 The Race for Quantum Computing Technology14:55 Use Cases and Applications of Quantum Computing19:48 The Preparedness of Blockchain for Quantum Threats28:32 The Quantum Threat to Cryptography31:41 Market Perceptions and Quantum Computing34:55 Valuations in Quantum Computing35:43 Understanding Quantum Progress and Its Implications39:08 The Future of Quantum Cryptography41:38 Innovations in Quantum Cryptography48:12 Preparing for Quantum Risks51:41 Philosophical Implications of Quantum MechanicsRESOURCESJohn & Stefano on X: @LilicJohn & @StefanoGogiosoSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What if the future of civilization isn’t in fixing our current systems—but starting entirely new ones? Dryden Brown is the co-founder of Praxis, the ambitious project aiming to build a new city-state from the ground up—one that’s already backed by over $500 million in funding. Dryden shares his vision for a modern Atlantis: a society designed as a refuge from AI disruption and bureaucratic gridlock, born from the cracks COVID revealed in our existing cities. Together, Amanda and Dryden unpack what it actually takes to found a new nation. They dive into acceleration zones, AI’s seismic impact on the future of work, and the provocative question of whether heroism means elevating the elite or defending the powerless. At the heart of it all: the urgent need to build communities rooted in shared values, meaning, and resilience. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Founding a New Nation: The Vision Behind Praxis 03:00 Challenges of Nation-Building: Lessons from History 06:04 Acceleration Zones: Redefining Economic Development 08:47 Navigating Bureaucracy: The Role of Innovation 11:55 AI and the Future of Labor: A New Urban Landscape 15:02 Pursuing Meaning in a Post-Work Society 18:00 Sustaining a New Society: Resources and Defense 20:56 The Future of Praxis: Location and Strategic Partnerships 27:37 Building Durable Relationships in Project Development 30:09 Funding and Economic Heft for Praxis 32:42 Community Building and Member Engagement 38:05 Heroism in Modern Society 47:03 The Future of Praxis and Community Growth 51:20 Competition and Collaboration in New Ventures RESOURCES: Dryden on X: https://x.com/drydenwtbrown Praxis Nation on X: https://x.com/PraxisNation Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440 Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Crypto went from being laughed out of the room in Washington to becoming one of the most aggressive forces in modern lobbying. Now, it’s not just part of the conversation, it’s reshaping the rules from the inside. Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, reveals the real dynamics between crypto and Capitol Hill. Amanda and Kristin unpack how crypto gained power in DC and what it actually takes to keep it. They explore the anatomy of influence, how relationships are built, how policy narratives are crafted, and why building in the open won’t matter if the industry doesn’t defend itself in the halls of power.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Understanding Lobbying: A Primer 03:04 The Life of a Lobbyist: Daily Activities and Challenges 06:10 The Evolution of Crypto Lobbying in Washington 09:02 From Zero to Hero: Crypto's Journey in Politics 12:05 The Role of Relationships in Lobbying 15:03 The Impact of Sam Bankman-Fried on Crypto Lobbying 18:12 Navigating Regulatory Capture in the Crypto Space 20:54 The Future of Crypto Lobbying and Industry Influence 29:20 Understanding Crypto Advocacy Organizations 35:59 The Political Landscape of Crypto 43:02 Legislative Efforts and Industry Influence 49:51 Kristin's Transition to Solana 51:56 Bridging the Gap Between Crypto and WashingtonRESOURCES:Kristin on X: https://x.com/KMSmithDC Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440

What do billion-dollar asset managers really think about your token?Pranav Kanade manages Digital Assets Alpha Fund, an actively managed crypto strategy at VanEck, one of the world’s largest asset managers with over $116B in assets under management. In this episode, Amanda and Pranav unpack how traditional finance approaches the space, how they evaluate projects, what good tokenomics actually look like, and why most founders misunderstand what institutional investors care about.They dive into Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and even a few DePIN projects and dig into why some play well with capital allocators while others don’t stand a chance. Pranav shares what makes a token investable, how he thinks about liquidity, governance, and incentives, and what’s still broken in the DeFi–TradFi bridge.This episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes for a crypto project to earn the attention of a firm like VanEck and reveals how institutions really view the space.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Pranav's Journey from TradFi to Crypto03:04 Defining Good Crypto Investments05:59 The Importance of Tokenomics08:52 Buyback and Burn Mechanisms12:10 The Impact of Financialization on Technology15:01 Strategies for Token Generation Events18:13 Building Trust in Crypto Projects21:06 The Future of Multi-Token ETFs24:08 Exciting Developments in Tokenized Equities29:36 Tesla's Path to Robotaxis31:59 The Role of Centralized Exchanges32:54 User Experience in DeFi vs. TradFi34:32 The Future of Crypto and TradFi Integration38:01 The Ideal End State for Crypto40:15 Predictions in the Crypto Market41:45 AI Agents and Financial Transactions44:28 AI and Crypto Crossover Opportunities47:03 The Future of Stablecoins49:50 The Power Law in Currencies50:52 Quality of People in CryptoRESOURCES Pranav on X: @vaneckpk https://x.com/vaneckpk Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassatt Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45B9szUxVXEwfCDA6uRxwq?si=HT9XXqF9Q2CcM9hfLbmkVg Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440 Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What happens when machines become more economically valuable than humans?This episode dives into the real future of AI—not a sudden singularity, but a steady shift that’s redefining how we work, govern, and live. Amanda is joined by George Hotz to explore why humans still matter in an AI-driven world, how value creation—not credentials—will shape the future, and what happens when intellectual property, the U.S. dollar, and even our attention become obsolete.Together, they challenge economic protectionism, advocate for high-skilled immigration, and explore emerging ideas like gold-backed digital currency and AI-enhanced hiring. From digital addiction to deregulation, this episode connects the dots between technology and the systems it’s disrupting.TIMESTAMPS00:00 AI Spectrum: Understanding Perspectives01:33 The Economic Competition of Machines03:05 The Myth of the Singularity05:04 Comparative Advantage and Human Value08:22 Humans and Machines: A Symbiotic Relationship10:01 Quality of Life in an AI World11:12 Aligning Economically with AI's Rise14:32 Intellectual Property and AI Abundance17:36 AI Alignment: Capability vs. Intent19:35 The Role of Government in AI Development22:10 Global Dynamics: East vs. West in Technology24:51 Cultural Expectations and Economic Cycles30:07 The Inefficiency of Tariffs and Protectionism31:21 Deregulation as a Path to Competitiveness42:45 High-Skilled Immigration: A Solution for Growth46:28 Addressing Financialization in America54:38 The Future of the US Dollar56:29 Exploring the Future of Currency and Governance01:01:15 The Evolution of Compute Technology01:10:41 Hiring Practices and AI in Programming01:11:52 The Risks of Wireheading and Digital AddictionRESOURCESGeorge on X: https://x.com/realGeorgeHotz Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Curtis Yarvin—founder of Urbit, political philosopher and  blogger formerly known as Mencius Moldbug, the man who coined the term “red pill” is known for his influence on thinkers like Peter Thiel and JD Vance. In this episode, he offers a critical analysis of America’s political and economic landscape. He critiques the MAGA movement, exploring the limits of democracy and the rise of oligarchy, the roots of Trump’s tariffs in mercantilist thinking, and the administration’s “vibe governing”.The conversation transitions to cryptocurrency, examining Bitcoin’s evolution, government regulation, and how Urbit could reshape digital identity. Curtis reflects on Urbit’s role in creating autonomous economic identities and the challenges of achieving product-market fit in web3.TIMESTAMPS00:00 The State of America: A Critical Examination07:59 Manufacturing and Economic Policy: A Mercantilist Perspective18:14 Power Dynamics: Authority, Democracy, and Oligarchy34:02 Vibe Governing: The Challenges of Modern Leadership34:53 Mercantilism: Successes and Failures40:41 The Future of Crypto and Bitcoin49:18 Urbit: A New Paradigm for Digital Identity01:08:30 The Vision for Autonomous Economic IdentitiesRESOURCESCurtis on X: https://x.com/curtis_yarvinSubscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Having access to a bank account is synonymous with human rights.Stani Kulechov is a pioneer in decentralized finance and blockchain technology. He is the Founder and CEO of Avara, the software development company behind DeFi protocol Aave, stablecoin GHO, SocialFi tech stack Lens Chain and Family, the Ethereum wallet. In this episode, he joins Amanda to discuss the evolving dynamics between DeFi, traditional finance, and regulation. They explore Aave’s growth, the decentralization-versus-crentralization debate, and the evolving role of KYC in DeFi. Later, they dive into Ethereum’s technical roadmap in today’s shifting regulatory landscape, the impact of stablecoins, and the urgent need for innovation in crypto. Stani introduces Lens Chain, his latest venture in decentralized social media, and examines how web3 could reshape online interactions. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Understanding DeFi: Access and Opportunity03:13 The Limitations of Traditional Finance08:50 The Evolution and Future of DeFi11:59 Aave's Unique Position in the DeFi Landscape16:39 Building a Profitable DeFi Protocol21:29 Decentralization vs. Centralization in Finance24:02 The Future of KYC and Compliance in DeFi30:26 Ethereum's Technical Roadmap and Community Dynamics37:19 Expanding Aave Beyond Ethereum40:20 The Role of Stablecoins in DeFi45:09 Innovating Wallets for User Experience47:08 Decentralized Social Media: The Lens Protocol51:51 Navigating Politics and Regulation in CryptoRESOURCES:Stani on X: https://x.com@StaniKulechov Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

Is Ethereum staying true to its ideals?Ameen Soleimani—founder of SpankChain, summoner of MolochDAO, contributor to Tornado Cash, and now leading 0xbow—has spent years building tools that test the boundaries of decentralization and financial privacy. In this episode, he joins Amanda to explore Ethereum’s shifting values: what’s been preserved, what’s been sacrificed, and what’s at stake as the network grows.They discuss the political and ethical tensions behind privacy tools like Tornado Cash and how Ameen’s latest project, 0xbow, is rethinking privacy for a post-sanctions world. With Privacy Pools, users can prove their funds aren’t linked to illicit activity—offering a new path forward for compliant anonymity onchain.As regulators step in and institutional actors gain influence, this episode asks: Can Ethereum remain neutral? Can it scale without centralizing? And can privacy survive in the spotlight?A direct, unsentimental look at the future of Ethereum—and the values worth fighting for.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Ethereum's Direction and Ideological Shifts05:06 Intellectual Honesty in Blockchain Evaluation11:17 Privacy Tools and the Ethics of Hacking18:01 Privacy in Financial Transactions and Tools22:18 Institutional Influence on Blockchain Development25:10 Balancing Ideals and Reality in Ethereum28:07 The Role of Neutrality in Geopolitical Contracts30:36 Decentralization: Ethereum vs. Other Blockchains35:42 Cultural Capture: The Influence of Ideology44:00 Paths Forward for Ethereum's Culture and LeadershipRESOURCES: Ameen on X: https://x.com/ameensol 0xbow: https://0xbow.io/Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQ

What if gaming guilds in the Philippines are already preparing for the future of work the rest of the world hasn’t seen coming?Gabby Dizon, Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG), shares how digital labor is evolving at the intersection of gaming, AI, and crypto. As automation threatens traditional jobs, guilds are becoming early experiments in agile, creative, globally distributed work. This episode explores how these communities are adapting—and what they reveal about where human labor will still matter in an AI-driven world.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to Crypto Gaming Journey02:58 The Rise of Axie Infinity and Play-to-Earn06:03 The Emergence of Guilds in Gaming09:12 Building YGG: The Guild of Guilds12:06 The Impact of the Bull Market and Subsequent Crash14:46 Rebuilding and Teaching Digital Literacy18:03 The Future of Work in Web3 and BPO Comparison22:05 The Value Flow in Global Gaming Markets25:41 Sustainability in Web3 Gaming28:42 Human Input in AI and Gaming32:34 The Future of Work and Guilds39:05 Agility in Labor Markets40:45 Humanism in the Age of AIRESOURCES: Gabby on X: https://x.com/gabusch/ YGG on X: https://x.com/YieldGuild Subscribe to Endgame: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast Amanda on X:  https://x.com/amandacassatt  Serotonin on X: https://x.com/serotonin  Endgame on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iSvbKOJWoEPiAoGmiulkd   Endgame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/endgame-with-amanda-cassatt/id1801809440  Substack: https://substack.com/@UCInZsV3L1nDGoFjxoNUnPQQProduced by Haynow Media: https://haynowmedia.com/Related Tags:gabby dizon,how i run a successful dao with gabby dizon of yield guild games,gaming guilds,crypto gaming guilds,gaming guilds crypto,how i run a successful dao with gabby dizon,run a successful dao with gabby dizon yield guild games,gabby dizon yield guild games,top 5 gaming guilds,top 3 gaming guilds,web3 gaming guilds,best gaming guilds,how to run a successful dao with gabby dizon yield guild games,gabby dizon axie infinity,gaming guilds explained#guilds , #gaming , #ai , #yggdrachronicle , #GabbyDizon, #blockchaingaming , #playtoearn , #nfts , #gamingcommunity , #esports , #digitaleconomy , #virtualassets , #gamingindustry , #web3 , #gamedevelopment , #metaverse , #cryptogaming , #gamefi , #p2egames , #virtualreality

The world is changing at an accelerating pace—Endgame is here to make sense of it. Hosted by Amanda Cassatt, founder of Serotonin, this podcast brings you conversations with the visionaries driving breakthrough technologies and shaping the future. Join Amanda as she unpacks the trends, innovations, and paradigm shifts defining our time. Where is this all going? Let’s figure it out together.Subscribe:Amanda on X: https://x.com/amandacassattSerotonin on X: https://x.com/serotoninEndgame on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@endgamepodcast