WuBlockchain Podcast

• EP-40 Holoworld AI: Shaping the Future of Web3 Launchpads

  In this episode, Tong Pow, co-founder of Hologram (Creators of Holoworld AI and Ava Studio), talks about the evolution of Holoworld AI from its early NFT avatar experiments to becoming a platform that bridges AI and Web3. Tong explains how products like Hologram Extension, Agent Creator, and Ava Studio led to the launch of Hololaunch, a Launchpad designed to help both Web2 and Web3 IPs enter the blockchain space. He discusses Hologram's differentiation in the competitive Launchpad landscape, the roles of Holo and AVA tokens, and the ways AI-powered content creation can amplify community engagement. Tong also shares insights on partnerships, ecosystem growth, and the upcoming HOLO TGE. Text summary.Shownotes:00:00 Origins of Holoworld AI and Tong's AI + Crypto Journey02:09 AI's natural intersection with crypto and NFTs as virtual personas03:37 Evolution of Holoworld AI Products: Extension, Agent Creator, Ava Studio, and Hololaunch07:00 Current strategy and expanding to an agentic IP ecosystem07:59 Why Holoworld AI Built a Launchpad and User-Driven Demand09:00 Competitive landscape of Launchpads and Holo's positioning10:46 Trends in AI + on-chain Launchpad evolution11:51 Differentiation through technology, partnerships, and network effects13:04 Role of HOLO token in Hololaunch and ecosystem flywheels14:31 Distinction between HOLO token (ecosystem) and AVA token (app-level utility)16:42 Ava Studio's advantages over Runway, Pika, and others18:18 Open beta status of Ava Studio and mobile-first approach19:16 APIs and SDKs on the roadmap for pro creators20:01 New workflows vs. traditional production pipelines20:44 Combining Ava Studio with Hololaunch for creator-driven promotion21:45 Agent creation and no-code launch stack integration22:17 Incentive alignment across users, creators, developers, and investors23:52 Partnerships with Pudgy Penguins and upcoming collaborations24:45 Upcoming Holo TGE and opportunities for creators and stakers

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• EP-39 With WLFI CEO & COO: Dismantling Banking Hegemony

  This interview with WLFI co-founder Zach Witkoff and WLFI COO, co-founder Zak Folkman examines World Liberty's origins; the growth and applications of the USD1 stablecoin; plans for RWA tokenization; team structure and capital deployment; and the company's approach to regulatory engagement and regional market development. Zak stated that their goal is to serve user groups underserved by traditional finance through an integrated application--remittances, spending, crypto trading, and card payments--built around the USD1 stablecoin.Zach Witkoff emphasized that there is no equity or formal partnership with Binance, and the demand for USD1 on the BNB Chain is primarily driven by the market itself. He also mentioned facilitating a $2 billion cross-border settlement and noted that ALT5 Sigma plans to acquire $1.5 billion in WLFI tokens to support the ecosystem. The team operates with a lean but efficient configuration of about 30 members. On the policy front, Zach believes the new regulations provide clearer rules for the U.S. industry and will focus on expanding the community and activities in Asia, including in regions like Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore. Text summaryTimeline:00:00 Reason for Entering the Industry and Zach's Personal Background02:12 The Origins and Early Development of the World Liberty Project06:14 How World Liberty Helps Users Without Bank Accounts10:06 Misunderstanding About USD1 Stablecoin's Partnership with Binance13:43 How the World Liberty Team Advances Their Work15:55 How ALT5 Sigma Helps the World Liberty Ecosystem17:31 What Positive Impact Will Trump's Policies Have on the Entire Crypto Industry20:05 Will World Liberty Hold More Activities or Community Building in Asia

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• EP-38 Hyperliquid: How 11 people built "Binance onchain"?

  Hyperliquid is one of the most successful projects in this cycle. With a team of only 11 people, it has already captured more than 75% of the decentralized perpetual market share, with user assets reaching approximately US$6.2 billion. The project token market value is nearly US$16 billion, ranking 13th. It is even considered by the community to be the next Binance.In this episode, Jeff Yan, the founder of Hyperliquid, shares insights into the journey of building the decentralized Layer 1 blockchain. He discusses the importance of self-funding, rejecting venture capital, and the focus on user-driven growth. Jeff explains Hyperliquid's vision for a decentralized financial future, the rationale behind not pursuing token listings on centralized exchanges, and Hyperliquid Labs’ commitment to a small, efficient team. He also offers his perspective on the future of crypto startups, leadership in the crypto space, and how cultural values play a role in his approach to business. Text summary.Timeline:00:00 Introduction and Jeff's Background03:45 Jeff's Early Days in Building Hyperliquid and Its Success05:18 Why Hyperliquid Was Self-Funded08:10 Not Listing on Centralized Exchanges09:57 Advice for Crypto Startups: Funding and Listing Strategies11:37 The Role of Market Makers in Hyperliquid's Development13:19 Hyperliquid's Core Team and Hiring Strategy14:23 Future Team Growth and Vision15:46 Investing in Ecosystem Projects17:04 Hyperliquid's Roadmap18:59 Hyperliquid's Role in the Future of Decentralized Finance21:18 Hyperliquid's Success Compared to Larger Teams22:53 Jeff's Management Style and Leadership23:29 Leadership Philosophy and Importance of Team Dynamics25:33 Advice for Entrepreneurs in the Crypto Space28:21 Jeff on His Cultural Background and Its Impact on Hyperliquid32:19 Jeff's Message to the Chinese Community

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• EP-37 xStocks: Unlocking Global Equity through Tokenization

  In this podcast episode, Valentin Gui, General Manager of xStocks at Kraken, discusses the potential of equity tokenization, differentiating from competitors like Robinhood, navigating regulatory hurdles, and future expansion plans. xStocks aims to provide global users, especially those without direct equity access, with synthetic exposure to stocks through fully collateralized tokens. Valentin emphasizes the platform's permissionless, multi-chain capabilities, its inclusive partnership model, and long-term ambitions to become a foundational infrastructure for Web3 financial systems. Text summary.Timeline:00:00 Opening00:43 Clarifying xStocks' Connection to Previous Ventures and Ensuring Token Collateralization02:16 Why xStocks Chose Stock Tokenization: Expanding Financial Inclusion through Synthetic Equity Exposure03:20 How Kraken's Interest in RWAs and Strategic Partnerships Accelerated xStocks' Adoption05:57 Differentiating xStocks from Robinhood through Permissionless, Multi-chain Tokens07:11 Competitive Strategy: Welcoming Binance and Coinbase as Potential Partners07:57 Addressing Liquidity Challenges across Centralized and Decentralized Exchanges09:24 Regulatory Challenges and Strategy: How xStocks Avoids the Pitfalls Faced by FTX and Binance in the U.S.10:17 Impact of SEC's Regulatory Approach on Tokenized Securities and xStocks' EU Launch via Cyprus Entity11:21 Major Regulatory Hurdles: Educating Regulators on Classifying Tokenized Equities12:22 Exploring Opportunities in Tokenizing Pre-IPO Equity12:42 xStocks' 2025 Roadmap: Geographic Expansion, Increased Token Utility, and Scaling Offerings13:57 The Potential of Perpetual Contracts and Derivatives on Tokenized Stocks14:17 Growth Outlook: Significant Expansion Anticipated due to Global Demand15:06 Collaboration with Gate.io and Potential Partnerships including Hyperliquid15:51 Discussing Potential Collaboration with Trump Family Projects16:19 IPO versus Token Issuance: Backed's Potential Path Forward16:44 Could Tokenized Equities Replace Traditional Stocks?17:51 Expanding beyond US Equities: Prospects for Tokenizing Hong Kong and Chinese Stocks18:26 Building a Cross-chain Ecosystem for Tokenized Stocks and Enhancing Utility19:42 Accessibility as the Main Driver for Mass Adoption of Tokenized Equities21:09 Long-term Vision: Positioning xStocks as Financial Infrastructure Rather than Just a Retail Product22:36 Misconceptions about Market Potential and Global Demand for Tokenized Stocks

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• EP-36 Spark's Pivot: From DeFi Lending to RWA Deployment

  In this episode of WuBlockchain Podcast, Sam MacPherson, co-founder of Phoenix Labs, shares how Spark has evolved from a DeFi lending protocol into a capital allocator managing nearly $4B across DeFi, CeFi, and RWA. He explains the Spark Liquidity Layer's role in optimizing yield--especially through tokenized U.S. Treasuries--while maintaining a 25% cash reserve to ensure stability. Sam discusses the platform's modular governance via the Sky-Star system, its push into the APAC market, and the upcoming SPK token launch for staking and governance. Transparency and on-chain auditability remain Spark's core strengths over traditional finance. Text summaryTimeline:00:00 Opening & Brief Intro01:40 Transition from Lending Protocol to Diversified Capital Allocator03:26 Strategic Logic Behind the $1 Billion Tokenized Treasury Deployment04:36 Market Conditions That Informed Timing of RWA Investment06:06 Reconciling DeFi Decentralization with Centralized Custodians07:48 Target Return Profile and Outperforming Treasury Yields08:55 Reinvesting in Existing Treasury Partners and Negotiated Fees09:30 Partner Selection Via Tokenization Grant Competition10:28 Role of Tokenized Treasuries in Yield Stabilization11:11 Competitive Advantage: Trust, Scale, and On-Chain Transparency12:47 Liquidity Layer's Operation and Ecosystem Integrations14:58 Managing Risk and Maintaining Yield Stability with High Cash Reserves16:39 Protocol Resilience During Historical Market Crashes17:38 Regulatory Compliance in RWA Interface and Protocol Design18:51 Next RWA Target: Investment-Grade Corporate Debt20:03 Community Outreach and Expansion Strategy in APAC20:55 Modular Star System for Fast Governance and Scaling22:23 Adapting to Macro Trends Like U.S. Interest Rate Shifts23:47 Upcoming SPK Token Launch and Governance Utility

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