Staying Private On-chain with Sebastian Bruegel, and Ethereum Timing Games

01/05/24 • 53 min

In this conversation, we invited Sebastian Buergel, founder of HOPR to come and talk about the recent launch of RPCh. We started the show discussing various news stories, including BitMEX sending Bitcoin to the moon, the upcoming ETF launch, Celsius unstaking ETH, and Visa's Web3 loyalty program. We then interviewed him about the importance of privacy in decentralized systems and introduces HOPRs data protection protocol. The conversation covers topics such as hacks and exploits in the crypto market, the debate on undoing trades, and the recent Radiant hack and repayment. The hosts also discuss the future plans for HOPR and the role of privacy in the intents-based architecture. In this conversation, Samuel McCulloch discusses the concept of Miner Extractable Value (MEV) and the need to improve it on a larger scale. He emphasizes the importance of creating systems that prevent MEV to begin with, rather than trying to completely eliminate it. The conversation also highlights the efforts to level the playing field in the Ethereum network, allowing both small and large participants to compete on equal terms. Additionally, the long-term potential of Ethereum, including the transition to proof of stake and the implementation of EIP 1559, is discussed. The conversation concludes with a promotion of RPC-H. Takeaways Privacy is a crucial aspect of decentralized systems and should be prioritized alongside decentralization. Running a personal Ethereum node and using privacy-focused tools like Hopper can enhance data privacy and security. The upcoming ETF launch and the introduction of privacy-respecting L2 solutions are expected to have a significant impact on the crypto market. Timing games in Ethereum, where validators delay block submissions to capture more MEV, are seen as detrimental to decentralization and should be addressed. The development of user-friendly privacy solutions may take several years, but it is essential for empowering individuals in the crypto space.

Previous Episode

The Best Upcoming Airdrops for 2024

The conversation covers various topics including airdrops, crowded trades, layer 1 and layer 2 solutions, Solana DEXes, perpetual DEXes, and more. The hosts also discuss the possibility of getting tattoos related to crypto protocols. They mention specific projects such as Bear Chain, Sega, Zeta, Grass, Bungee Exchange, Wormhole, and Rainbow Wallet. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Curve logo and the potential for Curve merchandise. Takeaways Airdrop season is approaching, with many projects preparing to distribute tokens to users. Crowded trades, such as Eigenlayer and Swell, are attracting significant attention and TVL. Layer 1 and layer 2 solutions, such as Scroll, ZK Sync, and Manta, are gaining popularity. Perpetual DEXes, like IntentX and Hyper Liquid, offer unique trading opportunities. Solana DEXes, including Drift and Jupiter, are seeing increased trading volume. Projects like Sega and Zeta are exploring options and structured products. Bridging solutions like Bungee Exchange and Wormhole facilitate cross-chain transactions. Rainbow Wallet provides a user-friendly mobile wallet experience. Curve Finance is a popular protocol with a unique logo and potential merchandise. The Leviathan News team is considering an airdrop in the future. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and News 03:22 Discussion on Tattoos 05:19 Airdrop Season and Crowded Trades 09:36 Layer 1 and Layer 2 Solutions 13:25 Bear Chain and NFTs 17:06 Perpetual DEXes 20:43 Solana DEXes 24:24 Sega and Zeta 26:49 Grass and Bungee Exchange 30:43 Wormhole and Rainbow Wallet 38:00 Curve L2 and Frax 44:23 Curve Logo and Merchandise 47:46 Curve Desk Lamp 48:11 Leviathan Airdrop

Next Episode

How to Build a Winning Portfolio with a Spot Bitcoin ETF

Summary The conversation covers the introduction of a new team member, the role of the A-Team in Aladdin Dao, the launch of the Spot Bitcoin ETF, portfolio construction for non-crypto accounts, the comparison of Bitcoin ETFs, the potential implications of ETF inflows, the possibility of a bull run and mainstream exposure, concerns about liquid restaking tokens (LRTs), and the potential launch of an ETH ETF and risks associated with LRTs. The conversation explores the risks and benefits of liquid staking tokens, the challenges faced by new layer 1 chains, and the motivations behind creating them. The potential impact of liquid staking derivatives on ETH borrowing rates and the future of Curve's AMM are also discussed. The role of Curve as infrastructure for ETH miners and as a social system for DeFi protocols is examined. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the potential impact of PayPal on Curve and the different use cases for Curve and Uniswap. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various topics related to cryptocurrency and investing. They explore the risk and long-term viability of stablecoins, with a focus on the efficiency and demand for different types of stablecoins. They also touch on the concept of diversification versus concentrated bets, using the example of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Finally, they discuss regulatory concerns and the role of the SEC in protecting investors from FOMO and potential scams. Takeaways Liquid staking tokens have the potential to provide leverage, but there are concerns about slashing risks. Creating new layer 1 chains may be driven by the desire to sell tokens rather than innovation. Curve's AMM may face challenges from Uniswap V4, but Curve's role as infrastructure for ETH miners and its position in the DeFi ecosystem provide potential for long-term growth. The future of stablecoin liquidity and the success of Curve's lending markets will impact its overall performance. Curve and Uniswap serve different use cases and can coexist in the DeFi space. The long-term viability of stablecoins is uncertain, and maintaining efficiency may be challenging over time. Diversification can be both beneficial and detrimental, and concentrated bets can lead to significant wealth accumulation. Regulatory bodies like the SEC play a crucial role in protecting investors from FOMO and potential scams in the cryptocurrency market.