The podcast on Modular. Exploring a refreshed vision for building in crypto.
Expansion is a podcast exploring the intersection of modular blockchain design and...
Unichain, Succinct’s Prover Network, and Crypto’s Trust Crisis | Roundup
In this week's roundup, the Roundup crew discusses the launch of Unichain, Succinct’s Prover Network testnet, and the economics of being a prover. Additionally, they “A Crisis of Trust”, and how ZKPs can be applied outside of crypto. Finally, they end the episode with discussion on BOLD and fault proofs. Enjoy!
Resources
Succinct’s Prover Network Testnet Announcement: https://x.com/SuccinctLabs/status/1888999158541087134
A Crisis of Trust: https://x.com/SuccinctLabs/status/1889749373854294295
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Join us at DAS NYC 2025! Use code EXPANSION10 for a 10% discount: https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-2025-new-york
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Follow Jill: https://x.com/jillrgunter
Follow Nick: https://x.com/nickwh8te
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:42) Unichain Goes Live
(27:00) Succinct's Prover Network Testnet
(33:07) Economics of Being a Prover
(43:13) A Crisis of Trust
(56:55) BOLD & Fault Proofs
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Disclaimer
Expansion was kickstarted by a grant from the Celestia Foundation.
Nothing said on Expansion is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Michael, Nick, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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1:09:29
Ethereum Interop, L2 Pain Points, and Celestia’s Inflation | Roundup
In this week's roundup, we discuss current market sentiment, Ethereum interoperability, and L2 pain points. We also cover rollup design, token value accrual, and private vs public companies. Finally, we end the episode with discussion on reducing Celestia’s inflation, and the Ethereum tariff debate.
Resources
Solving Ethereum Interop: https://x.com/pumatheuma/status/1886483744053452851
--
Join us at DAS NYC 2025! Use code EXPANSION10 for a 10% discount: https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-2025-new-york
- -
Follow Jill: https://x.com/jillrgunter
Follow Nick: https://x.com/nickwh8te
Follow Uma: https://x.com/pumatheuma
Follow Mike: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_
Follow Expansion: https://x.com/ExpansionPod_
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpansionPod
Subscribe on Apple: http://apple.co/4bGKYYM
Subscribe on Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3Vaubq1
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:49) Market Sentiment
(10:57) Ethereum Interop
(26:38) L2 Pain Points
(32:29) Rollup Designs & Token Value Accrual
(45:50) Private vs Public Companies
(54:55) Reducing Celestia's Inflation
(01:04:06) The Ethereum Tariff
Disclaimer
Expansion was kickstarted by a grant from the Celestia Foundation.
Nothing said on Expansion is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Michael, Nick, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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1:12:35
Are Apps Parasitic to L1s? Debating Crypto's Value Capture | Roundup
In this week's roundup, we dive deep into the evolving dynamics between L1s and applications, exploring whether apps are truly "parasitic" to chains like Solana or if this represents a natural evolution of value capture in crypto. The conversation covers Abstract Chain's innovative approach to creator-focused L2s, Rari's strategic stack upgrades, and the latest developments in ZK tech including real-time Ethereum proving. Along the way, we challenge traditional assumptions about protocol value capture and discuss why vertical integration might be the key to crypto's consumer adoption. Enjoy!
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Follow Jill: https://x.com/jillrgunter
Follow Nick: https://x.com/nickwh8te
Follow Uma: https://x.com/pumatheuma
Follow Mike: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_
Follow Expansion: https://x.com/ExpansionPod_
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpansionPod
Subscribe on Apple: http://apple.co/4bGKYYM
Subscribe on Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3Vaubq1
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(03:24) Is Crypto Cool Again?
(07:21) Abstract Chain Launch
(22:14) DEX Structural Advantage
(24:11) Are Apps Parasitic to Solana?
(36:18) Tech Demand Paradox
(40:59) Rollup Platform Strategy
(49:27) Rari's Upgrade
(53:11) State of ZK
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Disclaimer
Expansion was kickstarted by a grant from the Celestia Foundation.
Nothing said on Expansion is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Rex, Jon, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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1:00:58
Crypto's Speculative Phase & Ethereum's Mass Reform | Roundup
This week's roundup Trump token phenomenon and its implications for blockchain infrastructure, including analysis of Solana's performance under stress and its competition with Ethereum's rollup ecosystem. We then explore Ethereum Foundation's cultural challenges and potential reforms, including the possibility of a second foundation. To close our we examine new Layer 1 developments emerging from the Solana ecosystem and debate the future of blockchain architecture.
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Follow Jill: https://x.com/jillrgunter
Follow Nick: https://x.com/nickwh8te
Follow Uma: https://x.com/pumatheuma
Follow Mike: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_
Follow Expansion: https://x.com/ExpansionPod_
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpansionPod
Subscribe on Apple: http://apple.co/4bGKYYM
Subscribe on Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3Vaubq1
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
--
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:57) Trump & Melania Token Launch
(13:03) Solana's Performance
(23:14) How People Onboard in Crypto
(30:30) Native Rollups
(45:47) Ethereum's Privatization
(57:16) Ethereum's Leadership
(01:06:27) Konstantin's Ethereum Foundation
(01:12:23) Fire Dancer Forks
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Disclaimer
Expansion was kickstarted by a grant from the Celestia Foundation.
Nothing said on Expansion is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Rex, Jon, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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1:21:41
Inside Coinbase's Bitcoin-Backed Loans | Paul Frambot, Morpho Labs
In today's episode Morpho CEO Paul Frambot breaks down their partnership with Coinbase that enables Bitcoin-backed loans through DeFi infrastructure. The conversation explores how Morpho's modular architecture allows seamless integration for major institutions while maintaining transparency and risk controls. Paul discusses Morpho's evolution from focusing purely on institutional clients to balancing both retail and B2B strategies. To close Mike and Paul discuss their thoughts on regulation, memecoins, and the challenging balance between innovation and user protection in DeFi.
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Follow Paul: https://x.com/PaulFrambot
Follow Mike: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_
Follow Expansion: https://x.com/ExpansionPod_
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpansionPod
Subscribe on Apple: http://apple.co/4bGKYYM
Subscribe on Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3Vaubq1
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
--
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:08) US Crypto Strategic Reserve
(15:26) Tether's USDT Zero
(23:28) USDC vs USDT
(30:22) Ink vs Base Interop
(34:08) App Chains vs Gen Purpose
(38:42) Do Bitcoiners Want L2s?
(50:12) Solana's Market Share
(54:29) Coinbase USDC Loans on BTC
(59:58) Unwarranted Bankless Fire
(01:03:57) Crypto's Funding Mechanisms
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Disclaimer
Expansion was kickstarted by a grant from the Celestia Foundation.
Nothing said on Expansion is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Rex, Jon, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
The podcast on Modular. Exploring a refreshed vision for building in crypto.
Expansion is a podcast exploring the intersection of modular blockchain design and abundant blockspace.
We’ll bring on the leading voices from the modular ecosystem to discuss blockchain design, specialization, applications, and the possibilities that cheap, secure blockspace unlocks.