In this episode of Deeply Intents, I sit down with Ellie Davidson (Head of R&D at Espresso). We begin the episode by discussing Ellie's background working on products for Vanguard, her passion for technology, and her early time at Espresso as a consensus researcher. Next, we spend some time breaking down the different flavors of sequencing before getting into balancing Ethereum coordination with her role at Espresso. After, we spend some time on the Open Intents framework by discussing the ideal use cases for intents and solver economics. We end the episode by discussing Ellie's experience building the Compassable Podcast and how to maintain neutrality on the microphone. (01:03) - Working at Vanguard(02:31) - Innit for the tech(03:58) - Espresso loves privacy(06:03) - Shared vs Centralized Sequencing(13:51) - Espresso and Ethereum Leadership & Coordination(20:50) - Open Intents Framework(26:05) - Standards and Coordination(34:11) - Fast Finality for Ethereum(38:12) - Rainbow Staking(40:22) - Fast confirmations and native assets(45:13) - Intents are perfect for that(52:50) - High bootstrapping cost for solvers(55:10) - Podcasting skills(1:01:00) - Credible Neutrality(1:08:38) - Contributing to Ethereum(1:10:58) - Ethereum dictator for a day
DisclaimerNothing in this episode should be interpreted as financial, technical, or legal advice. The host does contract work for Heliax, a public goods laboratory, focusing on Anoma.
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1:13:15
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1:13:15
Intents, Solvers and Applications - Joshua Gunn
In this episode of Deeply Intents, I chat with Joshua Gunn [Co-founder of Aori]. The conversation is action-packed. We begin by discussing Josh's background in market making and then move to unpacking DEX design. Next, we spend some time understanding intents in the context of single-chain and cross-chain applications, including bridging risks, finality, and market microstructure. From there, we spice things up by deconstructing Arbitrum's Time-Boost, where Josh shares his spicy yet correct takes. Later, we discuss the challenges of shipping viable products, product philosophy, and distribution. We close the episode by examining Ethereum in the context of vibes-based analysis. Timestamps(00:22) - Steel and metallurgy (02:59) - Building a Solver(08:16) - The Evolution of DEXs(10:00) - Value leakage in AMMs(11:14) - Fixing deadweight loss with order books(14:34) - Auctions are trash(17:00) - Off-chain order book with on-chain settlement(23:00) - Single-chain vs. cross-chain Intent platforms(30:38) - Intents are the first real idea that can supersede Tradfi(34:31) - Rebalancing across chains(40:00) - Heterogeneous finality(42:44) - Mint/Burn is a solver's dream(46:06) - All markets are the same(49:16) - Flash Boys, Auctions & Arbitrum(56:27) - Time-boost was a bad decision(1:02:00) - Sunk cost fallacy(1:06:01) - Product development challenges(1:12:07) - How fast can you launch a token?(1:16:52) - Product shipping philosophy(1:20:33) - Vibes-based distribution(1:24:00) - The medium is the message(1:30:55) - Ethereum lost its vibes
DisclaimerNothing in this episode should be interpreted as financial, technical, or legal advice. The host does contract work for Heliax, a public goods laboratory, focusing on Anoma.
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1:34:01
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1:34:01
The Spirit of Chain Abstraction - Tabasco
In this episode of Deeply Intents, I speak to Tabasco [COO of Particle, Chief Yapping Officer of UniversalX] about his journey in crypto, starting with mining Dogecoin and building Discord bots. After, we spend time discussing the latest in conference trends and how to do better (reflecting primarily on ETH Denver). We converse on how to survive and thrive in this market by building great products. Later, we spend time unpacking chain abstraction, standards, and disrupting incumbent service providers, including product-led growth and customer acquisition strategies. In the final segment, Tabasco discusses his personal North Star and why he continues to build in crypto.(01:28) - 19 Years Old(04:22) - Mining Dogecoin(06:30) - Building a tip bot on Discord(12:16) - Running a business(17:17) - Conference BS and high context events(26:57) - Watch out for FEDs and regulators(37:39) - Survival of the fittest(48:53) - Revenue is good(55:35) - UniversalX and products(1:06:23) - Lightbulb moment for Chain Abstraction(1:12:42) - Chain Abstraction is computer(1:26:53) - Who can build something that people want to use?(1:37:05) - Standards & Universal Accounts(1:46:58) - Smart accounts, 7702, 4337, Pectra(1:54:44) - Pivot to Chain Abstraction(2:05:00) - Disrupting incumbent wallet providers(2:14:29) - Customer acquisition strategy(2:19:32) - Tabasco's North Star
DisclaimerNothing in this episode should be interpreted as financial, technical, or legal advice. The host does contract work for Heliax, a public goods laboratory, focusing on Anoma.
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2:23:56
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2:23:56
Reminiscences of an MEV Operator - 0xTaker
In this episode of Deeply Intents, I talk to 0xTaker (MEV janitor at searcher.dev) about his journey in crypto beginning with Bitcoin, progressing to building exchanges, operating as a market maker, and co-founding Aori. 0xTaker takes us down the MEV rabbit hole. We converse on welfare maximization, ASS, and Intents. Later, we spent time discussing chain abstraction through the lens of user experience, coming out on the other side with a discussion on culture and protocol development. We also discussed tokens. In particular, their different use cases. In the final segment 0xTaker opens up about his personal philosophy of building remote startups, autonomy, and purpose.Timestamps(00:00) - Origins(01:26) - Starting with gaming(06:10) - Bitcoin solving payments in 2014(07:21) - Building an exchange(19:36) - Down the MEV rabbit hole(26:50) - Welfare maxing(29:55) - ASS Experimentation(33:04) - Intents(37:04) - Hyperfinancialization(42:18) - Accelerationsim(46:23) - Chain Abstraction(53:36) - Chain Abstraction is inevitable(58:18) - Protocol development & Aggregation(1:00:41) - Culture, Product, Brand(1:05:00) - User experience(1:09:49) - Aggregation breakouts(1:11:16) - Talk about tokens(1:16:36) - Trust me bro tokens(1:25:18) - VC backed infra tokens(1:28:35) - Token use cases(1:37:50) - Building remote startups(1:42:57) - Autonomy vs. employment(1:46:18) - Advice to a younger self
DisclaimerNothing in this episode should be interpreted as financial, technical, or legal advice. The host does contract work for Heliax, a public goods laboratory, focusing on Anoma.
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1:48:38
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1:48:38
Chain Abstraction Isn't Real - VC
In this episode of Deeply Intents, we chat with Vaibhav Chellani, co-founder of Socket, about chain abstraction. VC recounts his journey from building Polygon POS to working on Plasma and ZK rollups at the Ethereum foundation to building Socket and Bungee Exchange. The conversation illuminates misconceptions around chain abstraction and replaces them with emergent mental models. In particular, we discuss chain abstracted applications, bootstrapping marketplaces, and the role of transmitters, solvers, fillers, and market makers in counterparty discovery and settlement. We finish by discussing the future of chain abstraction and playing a win-win strategy. Timestamps(00:00) - Scaling Ethereum(05:21) - Building Polygon(06:56) - Shoutout to Cosmos(08:29) - Experience at EF & Polygon(12:47) - Builder recognition(14:58) - Scaling(20:06) - Chain Abstraction in practice(24:16) - Chain Abstraction rants(33:18) - Pivot from cross-chain to chain abstraction(36:18) - Take users to a global state(39:57) - Permissionless watchers(42:39) - Transmitters, Solvers, Fillers, Market Makers(47:47) - Chain Abstracted Swap Applications(49:53) - Bungee Exchange(52:37) - Counterparty discovery(56:48) - Bootstrapping a marketplace(59:29) - Magic Spend++(1:02:54) - Ethresearch aura (1:05:44) - Modular order flow auctions(1:10:34) - Positive sum games(1:14:21) - Advice for new developers
DisclaimerNothing in this episode should be interpreted as financial, technical, or legal advice. The host does contract work for Heliax, a public goods laboratory, focusing on Anoma.
Deeply Intents is a podcast hosted by Apriori. There are two primary motivations; unpack Anoma with relevant guests, and have interesting conversations with values aligned builders. The podcast is long-form content, with an emphasis on the human element.
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