A conversation with Robin, CEO of Raiku, about Raiku's approach to guaranteed transaction includion on Solana.
📝 Notes from the show
In this episode of the Solfate Podcast, hosts James and Nick welcome Robin, founder of Raiku, to discuss Raiku's approach to guaranteed Solana transaction inclusion using validator sidecars, a decentralized coordination layer, and ahead-of-time block auctions. The conversation covers why L1s hit physical latency limits, how inclusion signals and pre-reserved blockspace reduce dropped transactions and retry spam, and where Raiku differs from existing infrastructure like Jito bundles. Robin shares his background from Ethereum and Hyperledger, why he chose Solana, what’s shipping in Raiku's testnet v1 vs v2, and how validator incentives, pricing modules, and oracle speed factor into high-performance DeFi applications.
- 00:00 Intro and elevator pitch for Raiku
- 03:20 Robin’s background, Ethereum years, and lessons from L2s
- 06:34 Why Solana: tech maturity, dev mindshare, edge compute interest
- 10:24 Problems to solve: predictability, fragmentation, validator alignment
- 13:44 Architecture: validator sidecar, coordination node, block auctions
- 16:27 Raiku vs Jito bundles and mempool latency
- 18:58 Inclusion signals cadence and “up to 60s ahead” planning
- 20:12 Differentiated blockspace, plugins, discounted lanes for oracles
- 22:26 Reliability at scale, reducing retries during congestion
- 26:06 How auctions work with blockhash TTL, SDK and endpoints
- 27:26 Pricing modules, open market for searchers, fee split design
- 29:36 Testnet v1 today, v2 decentralization and load testing
- 31:32 Not an L2: limited node set, “good actors,” incentive design
- 33:06 Extending Solana without classic L2 tradeoffs
- 37:14 Transaction flow: app → Raiku node → validator
- 38:28 First users: DeFi, perps, HFT, solver flows
- 40:42 Faster confirmation needs faster oracles and price feeds
- 43:04 Alpenglow outlook and finality targets
- 43:46 Hiring, roles needed, closing
🔗 Find Robin and Raiku online
Follow Robin on Twitter/X: @degenroot
Follow Raiku on Twitter/X: @raikucom
Check out Raiku at their website: raiku.com
A conversation with Dave Taylor, CEO of Etherfuse, about Etherfuse's stablebonds as an essential blockchain primitive for foreign exchange.
📝 Notes from the show
In this episode of the Solfate Podcast, hosts James and Nick welcome Dave Taylor, CEO of Etherfuse, to discuss their groundbreaking approach to bringing real-world assets on-chain through tokenized government bonds called "stablebonds." The conversation explores how Etherfuse has navigated complex regulatory frameworks across Mexico, Switzerland, and other countries to create a new primitive for foreign exchange that could revolutionize how people access and trade international currencies. Dave shares insights on building in the RWA space, the technical challenges of tokenizing government debt, and how stablebonds are already outcompeting traditional remittance solutions by 200,000x in daily volume while making foreign exchange more accessible and affordable for everyone.
00:00 Introduction and Dave's Background
04:32 The Genesis of Etherfuse and Regulatory Journey
16:14 Technical Implementation on Solana
23:07 Stablebonds as DeFi Primitives
28:32 The Moral Imperative: Bringing FX On-Chain
36:05 Why DeFi Creates Superior Markets
41:02 Current Markets and Yield Opportunities
43:55 Future Plans and Closing Thoughts
🔗 Find Dave and Etherfuse online
Follow Dave on Twitter/X: @EtherfuseDave
Follow Etherfuse on Twitter/X: @etherfuse
Check out Etherfuse at their website: https://www.etherfuse.com
👋 Follow the co-hosts online
Nick
James
Follow Solfate Podcast on Twitter/X for updates: @solfatepod
Thanks for watching frens :) 💖
A conversation with Edison Chen, CEO of Cudis, about Cudis's longevity protocol that leverages blockchain incentives.
Ready to start tracking your health on-chain? Get $60 off your Cudis ring and 500 bonus reward points by visiting their website via this link: https://www.cudis.xyz/join?code=Solfate
and using code "Solfate" at checkout
📝 Notes from the show
In this episode of the Solfate Podcast, hosts James and Nick welcome Edison Chen, CEO of Cudis, to discuss their revolutionary blockchain-based longevity protocol. Cudis creates wellness rings that track health and fitness data, storing it on-chain so users own their data. The conversation explores how Web3 technology can transform healthcare through personalized incentives, data ownership, and creating a health data economy. Edison shares insights on building hardware in the crypto space, tokenization of health data as assets, and Cudis's vision for personalized longevity solutions for everyone.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:34 Meet Edison Chen from Cudis
01:06 Why Web3 for Wellness?
07:08 Deep Dive into Cudis Concept
12:14 Sustainable Incentive Design
18:20 Health Data as Assets
27:05 Use Cases and Market Potential
34:26 Hardware Manufacturing Journey
42:10 Why Build on Solana?
46:02 Token Strategy and Design
48:51 Grand Vision for Longevity
53:13 Closing Thoughts
🔗 Find Edison and Cudis online
Follow Edison on Twitter/X: @Edcbeatbit
Follow Cudis on Twitter/X @CudisWellness
Check out Cudis at their website: https://cudis.xyz
Ready to start tracking your health on-chain? Get $60 off your Cudis ring and 500 bonus reward points by visiting their website via this link: https://www.cudis.xyz/join?code=Solfate
and using code "Solfate" at checkout
👋 Follow the co-hosts online
Nick
James
Follow Solfate Podcast on Twitter/X for updates: @solfatepod
Thanks for watching frens :) 💖
A conversation with Yiwen (aka @oceanicursula), founder of Nitro Labs, the team behind @Terminaxyz.
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/73
Solfate Podcast
Summary
In this episode of the Solfate Podcast, hosts James and Nick return after a brief hiatus to discuss groundbreaking innovations with Yiwen from Nitro Labs. The conversation dives deep into Nitro Labs’ product, Termina, which offers modular network extensions for the Solana ecosystem. They explore the concept of deconstructed rollups and how specific modules like the zkSVM prover, SVM engine, and Data Module allow for more efficient and targeted solutions. The discussion covers applications in DeFi, bridging, and the advantages of offloading high-compute tasks off-chain while ensuring on-chain security and verification. The episode also touches on the challenges and strategies for monetizing these advanced technical solutions.
00:00 Introduction to On-Chain Proof Verification
00:31 Welcome Back to the Podcast
00:54 Introducing Yiwen from Nitro Labs
01:03 Exploring Network Extensions and Deconstructed Rollups
05:04 Deep Dive into Solana and SVM
07:17 Shifting Focus to Solana Native Development
15:39 Understanding Asynchronous Settlement in DeFi
22:51 Beyond Rollups: The Future of Network Extensions
24:37 User Feedback and Modular Roll-Up Stack
25:01 Introducing the EZKS VM Improver
25:23 Challenges and Solutions in ZK VM Implementation
26:54 Proving Solana Transactions with ZK Prover
27:44 Bridging and Cross-Chain Transactions
31:18 Trustless Computation and Cryptographic Proofs
34:36 Real-World Applications and Use Cases
40:05 Monetizing ZK Prover and Developer Insights
45:56 Future of Network Extensions and Infrastructure
48:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Find Yiwen and Termina online
Follow Yiwen on Twitter/X: @oceanicursula
Follow Termina on Twitter/X: @Terminaxyz
Check out Termina at their website
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Nick
James
A conversation with Dana (aka @TheSoftwareJedi), Lead Backend Developer at @StepFinance_
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/71
Solfate Podcast
Summary
In this conversation, Dana shares his journey of discovering Bitcoin from a homeless shelter and what he’s building now at Step Finance. The discussion covers his initial discovery of Bitcoin, his eventual embrace of Solana, the engineering challenges faced in data aggregation, and the innovations being implemented by Step Finance for real-time Solana data processing. The conversation wraps up with valuable advice for those looking to enter the field.
Takeaways
Follow us around
Nick
James
A conversation with Daniel (aka @nicechute), co-founder and CEO @Lulo
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/70
Solfate Podcast
Summary
In this episode, we welcome Daniel on the podcast, co-founder and CEO of Lulo, to discuss the birth and evolution of Lulo, a platform that simplifies DeFi. We explore the challenges faced in the DeFi space, the pivot from their original product to FlexLend, and the importance of user experience. The discussion also covers upcoming features, including a native app and an insurance product aimed at mitigating smart contract risks, ultimately positioning Lulo as a competitive player in the personal finance space.
We talk about the innovative features of Lulo, a DeFi platform designed to enhance user experience and safety in digital asset management. The discussion covers the importance of risk management in DeFi, the introduction of an insurance-like product to protect users' deposits, and the vision for Lulo as a comprehensive financial tool that simplifies crypto investments. We also discuss regulatory challenges and the future of Lulo as a leading crypto app, highlighting the platform's potential to attract a broader audience to DeFi.
Takeaways
Follow us around
Nick
James
A conversation with Craig Mahoney (aka @Njord614), Founder @SuperPhoenixDAO
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/69
Solfate Podcast
Summary
In this episode, we welcome Craig on the podcast to discuss the innovative concept of SuperPhoenixDAO, a project centered around acquiring and tokenizing in-game assets within the Star Atlas universe. They explore the economic implications of such investments, the social dynamics of gaming, and the potential for community engagement through decentralized governance. The discussion also touches on the development timeline of Star Atlas and the exciting possibilities of cross-game integration within the Solana ecosystem.
We discuss the role of SuperPhoenixDAO in connecting various ecosystems within the Web3 space, emphasizing the importance of creating unique user experiences. Our guest shares insights on current initiatives, future plans, and the challenges of fundraising in both Web2 and Web3 environments. The discussion highlights the symbiotic relationships between different projects and the maturation of the blockchain space, focusing on long-term investments and community engagement.
Takeaways
Follow us around
Nick
James
Behind DSCVR: Building a Decentralized Social Network for the Web3 Era
A conversation with Rick Porter (aka @rckprtr), CEO @ DSCVR
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/68
Solfate Podcast
Summary
In this conversation, Rick Porter, CEO and co-founder of DSCVR (pronounced Discover), discusses the evolution of his platform, a Web3 social network aimed at unlocking monetization, distribution, and ownership for users. He shares his background in crypto, the transition from previous projects to DSCVR, and the technical architecture that supports the platform. The discussion also delves into the complexities of the feed engine and user engagement strategies, highlighting the challenges and innovations in building a decentralized social network.
Rick Porter discusses the infrastructure and cost efficiency of data analytics on Solana vs Ethereum, the value of blockchain in social media, and the importance of transparency and accessibility for creators. He explores the philosophical implications of treating data as a utility and presents DSCVR as a new social platform for Web3 users. The discussion concludes with insights for builders in the ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of experimentation and self-belief.
Takeaways
Find Rick and DSCVR online
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Nick
James
Mobile dev chat: Focus on DRiP app & Solana mobile, discussing cross-platform tools, security, UX & community. Key: protect secrets & prioritize performance.
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/67
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
Find Andrew and DRiP online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Building Web3 communities that matter: Inside Superteam Germany's strategy for sustainable growth in Solana.
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/66
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
Find Bekka and SuperteamDE online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Get insights into ORE’s proof-of-work journey, including new features in V2, staking pools, and the project’s unique approach to building a broader ecosystem.
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/65
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
Find HardhatChad and ORE online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
GenesysGo is transforming decentralized storage with Shadow Drive, a fast, secure platform built on Solana, designed to rival traditional cloud solutions. And they are building it using mobile phones.
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/64
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
Find Frank and GenGo online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Colosseum fuels Solana innovation! 🚀 $250K for startups, mentorship, and a $60M fund. Next hackathon begins September 2nd—be part of the future! #Solana #Blockchain #startup
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/63
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
Find Matty and Colosseum online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/62
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
Notes from the show
Magic Block is a high-performance engine for fully on-chain games and applications. It aims to make it easy for developers to build entirely on-chain games and leverage the unique features that blockchain offers. The engine uses a hybrid approach between a roll-up and something that runs on Layer 1 to minimize latency and preserve composability. Fully on-chain games are games whose source of truth derives entirely from a blockchain, where state and logic run on-chain. These games offer permissionless composability and become autonomous worlds.
Magic Block provides a solution for faster and more scalable on-chain gaming experiences. Magic Block is building a solution called Ephemeral Rollups on Solana that allows for fully on-chain games with high scalability and composability. Ephemeral Rollups are a combination of Solana's high-speed blockchain and a separate execution environment that runs custom operations on specific accounts. This allows for the passage of time and other game mechanics without the need to pay for every state update.
Magic Block is also developing the Bolt framework, an entity component system built on top of Anchor, to simplify game development on Solana. The goal is to create a future where everything runs on-chain while preserving composability and a single ecosystem for users, developers, and operators.
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Takeaways
Find Andrea and MagicBlock online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/61
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
The conversation revolves around the introduction of Actions and Blinks, a technology platform and protocol developed by Dialect and Solana Foundation. Actions and Blinks allow users to share Solana anywhere on the internet by unfurling URLs and providing interactive experiences. The idea originated from the concept of smart messages and transaction requests in Solana Pay. The launch of Actions and Blinks was a collaborative effort between Dialect, Solana Foundation, and various wallets.
The discoverability and accessibility of Blinks are limited to specific browsers with wallet extensions installed. However, there are plans to make Blinks more widely available and user-friendly. The conversation explores the challenges and potential of Blinks and Solana Actions in revolutionizing the internet. The guests discuss the uphill battle of creating an open ecosystem in the current environment of mega companies and intentional blockades.
Chris and Nick highlight the power of Blinks in bringing value transfer and interaction to users without leaving the app. The technical nature of Blinks and Solana Actions is explained, emphasizing the backend REST API of Actions and the frontend UI of Blinks. The guests also mention the future possibilities of mobile integration and the importance of developer feedback and collaboration.
Takeaways
Find Chris and Dialect online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/60
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
Jackie, aka Graffito, a cybersecurity professional and artist, shares her journey from the world of cybersecurity to web3 art. She started in the hacker community, exploring the boundaries of technology and pushing the limits. After working in cybersecurity and consulting for large companies, she felt a disconnect between her work and her desire to create meaningful and valuable contributions. This led her to explore art and storytelling, using her technical knowledge to create AI-generated videos and digital art. She finds satisfaction in pushing boundaries and creating work that leaves people wondering how it was made.
We also discuss Jackies creative process and the tools they use to create AI-generated artwork. They emphasize the importance of starting with basic tools and gradually learning and experimenting with new techniques. Graffito also highlights the value of receiving feedback and encouragement from the community, which motivates them to continue creating. They discuss the potential of AI in the art world and how it can revolutionize the creative process. The conversation concludes with a discussion about camping and the possibility of organizing an event in Puerto Rico.
Takeaways
Find Jackie (aka 0xGRAFFITO) online
Follow us around
Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/59
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
Genopets is a mobile game that promotes an active and healthy lifestyle by incentivizing physical activity. The gameplay involves summoning a pet and earning energy by tracking steps, which can be used to level up the pet. The game is evolving with the introduction of the Age of Discovery, where players can claim sectors of the real world by taking photos, which are then converted into the Genoverse world. Each sector has its own lore and story, and players can compete to claim and monetize sectors. The game also incorporates play-to-earn mechanics, with energy leaderboard competitions and rewards in the form of governance tokens.
Genopets aims to be viewed as just any gaming app on the app store, offering in-game currency and a shop to buy items. The game follows Apple and Google's policies, ensuring that players can access the same experiences and items across platforms. The mobile app allows players to purchase items on-chain or through in-app purchases. The crafting system in Genopets uses semi-fungible tokens (SFTs) and a randomized process. The game also features seasonal items and a focus on decision-making and fast iteration in the development process.
Takeaways
Find Albert and Genopets online
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/58
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
In this conversation, Dan from Heavy Duty Builders discusses their mission to create a community for builders to connect, learn, and collaborate. They primarily focus on organizing online events and workshops, with a special emphasis on Spanish-speaking participants. Dan shares his experience organizing bootcamps and the challenges of reviewing and providing feedback on participants' projects. The conversation highlights the importance of education and community in the Solana ecosystem, and the efforts made by Solana Foundation to support developer education.
Dan discusses his transition from being a full-time developer to focusing more on educational work and strategic roles. He talks about how his company, Heavy Duty Builders, now hires other developers to do client work and refers people for contracts. Dan also emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and the different perspectives people have on work. He highlights the potential of blockchain technology beyond finance, particularly in improving trust in government operations. Dan encourages developers to think about the problems that require trust and how blockchain can address them.
Takeaways
Find Dan and Heavy Duty Builders online
Follow us around
Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/57
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
Notes from the show
In this conversation, James and Proph3t discuss futarchy and its application in governance. They explore the concept of futarchy, which is governance by markets, where decisions are made based on market predictions of the impact on a reference asset's price. Proph3t shares his journey of discovering futarchy and his motivation to implement it in MetaDAO. They discuss the vision for MetaDAO, which aims to create a decentralized organization that operates as an amalgamation of autonomous startups leveraging common assets. They also touch on the process of raising proposals and the accountability mechanisms in MetaDAO.
The conversation highlights the efficiency of market-based decision-making and the empirical evidence supporting its effectiveness. The conversation explores the concept of futarchy as a new form of governance and decision-making. Futarchy combines elements of democracy and market mechanisms to make decisions based on financial incentives. It introduces the idea of trading votes and using conditional markets to determine the outcome of proposals. The conversation also touches on the challenges of voting manipulation and the potential benefits of futarchy in combating this issue. The guests encourage listeners to participate in futarchy and contribute to this experiment in governance.
Takeaways
Find Proph3t and MetaDAO online
- Follow Proph3t on twitter - @metaproph3t
- MetaDAO's website - https://metadao.fi
Follow us around
Nick
James
Solfate Podcast
Full notes for this episode at: https://solfate.com/podcast/56
Follow @SolfatePod on Twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/SolfatePod
PS: We are happy to announce the launch of our Solfate Drip channel where you can collect Solfate Podcast episodes as digital collectibles! Subscribe to our Drip channel today: drip.haus/solfate (we have some fun experiments planned)
📝 Notes from the show
A conversation with Vito from All Art.
Vito, co-founder of All Art, shares his journey into the crypto and virtual reality spaces. He discusses the challenges of payments in virtual reality and the need for instant and low-cost transactions. Vito explains how his team experimented with the Stellar blockchain and the development of their NFT platform. He also highlights the negative perception of NFTs and the impact of media coverage. Vito concludes by discussing the partnership with Coca-Cola and the different approaches of marketing and innovation teams within large companies. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the problems that clients or partners face and tailoring the technology to solve those specific issues. Vito introduces the concept of Digital Object Tokens (DOT) and the need for standardized metadata to accurately represent real-world assets on the blockchain. He also highlights the challenges of user experience and the importance of collaboration with brands, regulators, and governments to drive adoption and solve key problems in the blockchain space.
🔗 Find Vito and All Art online
- Follow Vito on twitter - @vjevremovic
- All Art's website - https://all.art
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Nick
James
Solfate Podcast