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Proof of Decentralization

Proof of Decentralization

By Chris Blec

DeFi Watch's Chris Blec engages in honest conversations with DeFi teams about the transparency & decentralization of their decentralized finance applications & protocols.
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Currently playing episode

Arbitrum & Other L2 Security Risks w/ Bartek of L2Beat

Proof of DecentralizationMay 24, 2022

00:00
01:21:30
Tellor - The Role of Oracles in DeFi

Tellor - The Role of Oracles in DeFi

Chris Blec is joined by Nick Fett of Tellor to discuss the critical role that oracles play in DeFi.

Some of the topics covered:

  • what makes Tellor unique in the oracle space
  • the challenges of running a trustless & decentralized project without taking shortcuts
  • the perils of accepting VC money
  • Chainlink's centralization issues
  • and more!

If you want to learn about oracles in DeFi and get a better understanding of how they work and what their risks are, then you'll find this conversation very useful.

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

Tornado Cash Community - learn more at https://tornado.cash

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Check out Tellor at https://tellor.io

Follow Tellor on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WeAreTellor

Join Tellor's Discord chat at https://discord.com/invite/tellor

Follow Chris Blec on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec

Jun 14, 202201:08:51
Arbitrum & Other L2 Security Risks w/ Bartek of L2Beat

Arbitrum & Other L2 Security Risks w/ Bartek of L2Beat

Chris Blec is joined by Bartek Kiepuszewski, Co-Founder of L2Beat to discuss the security risks & trust requirements that come along with popular Ethereum Layer 2s.

Some of the topics covered:

  • How L2Beat got started as a MakerDAO research project
  • the risks of a whitelisted validator system
  • what it means to have a centralized sequencer
  • what kind of risk future regulation could pose to L2s
  • whether or not users can safely leave their funds on L2s
  • and more!

If you are curious about Ethereum L2s and want to get a clear understanding of how they work and what their risks are, you definitely will want to listen in on this conversation.

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Tornado Cash Community - learn more at https://tornado.cash

Members of THORChain Community - learn more at https://thorchain.org

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Check out L2Beat at https://l2beat.com

Arbitrum's Security Considerations & Gotchas: https://developer.offchainlabs.com/docs/security_considerations

Follow Bartek on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bkiepuszewski

Follow Chris Blec on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec

May 24, 202201:21:30
Rocket Pool - Ethereum Liquid Staking
May 11, 202201:05:48
Polygon - Can we really trust DeFi multisigs?
Apr 08, 202201:14:24
Tally Ho! - Ethereum Wallet App alternative to MetaMask
Apr 04, 202201:07:14
Aztec Network - Privacy on Ethereum

Aztec Network - Privacy on Ethereum

Zac Williamson, CEO of Aztec Network, joins Chris Blec for a blunt chat about the challenges & benefits of building a privacy-focused Layer 2 on Ethereum.

Some of the topics covered:

  • the background of the project
  • how Aztec Network works
  • the nature of privacy and why it's critical
  • whether or not building to regulator specs makes sense
  • the benefits & dangers of having a "decryption key" on privacy tech
  • much more!

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Learn more about Aztec Network at https://aztec.network

Try out Aztec's technology at https://zk.money

Follow Zac on Twitter at https://twitter.com/zac_aztec

Follow Chris Blec on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec

Feb 26, 202201:52:04
VC Influence in DeFi w/ Marc Boiron (dYdX, DeFi Education Fund)

VC Influence in DeFi w/ Marc Boiron (dYdX, DeFi Education Fund)

Marc Boiron, General Counsel for dYdX & Committee Member for DeFi Education Fund, joins Chris Blec for a refreshingly honest chat about the influence that venture capital and corporations may or may not have over DeFi regulation.

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SUPPORT: chrisblec.eth

Follow Chris Blec on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec

Follow Marc Boiron on Twitter at https://twitter.com/boironattorney

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LINKS MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST:

dYdX:  https://dydx.exchange

Blockchain Association: https://theblockchainassociation.org/

AOPP Group: https://aopp.group/

Initial questions for DeFi Education Fund: https://defiwatch.net/inquiry-into-uniswaps-defi-defense-fund-proposal/

DeFi Education Fund website: https://www.defieducationfund.org/

Fight for the Future grant: https://medium.com/@defieducationfund/grant-fight-for-the-future-f9b8c22b205a

Fight for the Future Director racist tweet examples: 1) https://twitter.com/evan_greer/status/1461765906552561672  2) https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec/status/1461865601622810634

Feb 03, 202202:43:11
Samourai Wallet

Samourai Wallet

SW, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, joins Chris Blec for an honest chat about running one of the most popular Bitcoin privacy wallets available. 

Some of the topics covered:

  • benefits of developers staying anonymous in the Bitcoin space
  • importance of having strong principles as a Bitcoin/DeFi developer
  • the negative influence that venture capital can have
  • how Samourai Wallet was developed and grown
  • SW's thoughts on future regulation that may affect privacy
  • how Samourai Wallet would react to oppressive legislation
  • how Whirlpool and Ricochet work and how they remain non-custodial
  • whether Whirlpool users should be worried about getting mixed up with criminals
  • the recent AOPP controversy and Samourai Wallet's take on it
  • MUCH more

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CHRIS BLEC HAS A PAYNYM!
+billowingunion67B

Learn more about Samourai Wallet & download at https://samouraiwallet.com

Follow Samourai Wallet on Twitter at https://twitter.com/samouraiwallet

Follow Chris Blec on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec

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LINKS MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST:

https://medium.com/samourai-wallet/diving-head-first-into-whirlpool-anonymity-sets-4156a54b0bc7

https://twitter.com/sethforprivacy

https://twitter.com/techloreistaken

Jan 30, 202202:23:06
Liquity
Dec 21, 202102:02:05
DAOs (feat. DXdao)

DAOs (feat. DXdao)

On this episode, Chris Blec digs deep into the question "What is a DAO?" with John, Chris and Augusto of the DeFi-building DAO, DXdao. The conversation explores whether or not the term "DAO" should have a strict definition, what different forms a DAO can take, and explores the recent ConstitutionDAO phenomenon and whether it was good or bad for the decentralization movement.

A great way to support this podcast! Watch the video version of this podcast along with other member-exclusive DeFi videos at https://chrisblec.com 

Learn more about DXdao at https://dxdao.eth.link.

Follow DXdao on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DXdao_.

Twitter links:

John Kelleher - https://twitter.com/jpkcambridge

Chris Powers - https://twitter.com/powers_chris

Augusto L - https://twitter.com/augustolemble

Chris Blec - https://twitter.com/chrisblec

Nov 19, 202101:48:50
Solana

Solana

Anatoly Yakovenko, CEO & Founder of Solana Labs, joins Chris Blec for a frank chat about the level of decentralization of Solana as compared to mainstay blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum, the impact that Solana validators can have on the state of the network, how the Solana project was conceived, whether or not the SOL token truly has real value, the impact that VC investment has had on the project, and much more.

Learn more about Solana at https://solana.com

Follow Anatoly Yakovenko on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aeyakovenko

Follow Chris Blec on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec

Oct 22, 202101:51:34
THORChain

THORChain

Chad Barraford of THORChain joins Chris Blec for an amazingly candid chat about the successes and challenges that the novel cross-chain DeFi project has faced over the past 1-2 years. Topics covered include THORChain history, exploits, the stress of being a DeFi dev, the difficulty of trading decentralization for security & much more.

Learn more about THORChain at https://thorchain.org/

Read THORChain's blog at https://medium.com/thorchain

Follow Chad Barraford (THORChain) on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CBarraford

Follow Chris Blec on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisBlec

Oct 01, 202102:00:18
Sovryn

Sovryn

Listen in on this honest discussion between Chris Blec (DeFi Watch) and Yago (Sovryn).  In this conversation, we dive deep into the Bitcoin Layer 2 RootStock a.k.a. RSK and the intricacies of Sovryn's lending & borrowing, swapping tools and decentralized stablecoin tech.

If you are a DeFi project member that would like to engage in a future Proof Of Decentralization chat, please DM @ChrisBlec on Twitter.

This is not a sponsored chat and Chris is not receiving compensation of any sort. No outcomes have been guaranteed. Truth & transparency are the only objectives.

Sep 16, 202102:03:28
zkSync

zkSync

Join this live discussion between Chris Blec (DeFi Watch) and  Alex Gluchowski (Matter Labs & zkSync).  The goal of this conversation is to learn about zkSync, their Ethereum Layer 2 solution, and discuss its level of decentralization.

If you are a DeFi project member that would like to engage in a future Proof Of Decentralization chat, please DM @ChrisBlec on Twitter.

This is not a sponsored chat and Chris is not receiving compensation of any sort. No outcomes have been guaranteed. Truth & transparency are the only objectives.

Sep 07, 202101:31:56
Telos

Telos

Join this live discussion between Chris Blec (DeFi Watch) and  Douglas Horn (Telos).  The goal of this conversation is to learn what Telos is, why the world needs it, and to what extent it can be considered decentralized.

This conversation is happening as a result of an open call that Chris put out on Twitter for any projects that want to discuss their decentralization. If you are a DeFi project member that would like to engage in a similar chat, please DM @ChrisBlec on Twitter.

This is not a sponsored chat and Chris is not receiving compensation of any sort. No outcomes have been guaranteed. Truth & transparency are the only objectives.

Sep 06, 202101:16:19