Lightspeed
Lightspeed
April 15, 2025·34:45

Launching Crypto's Largest Tokenized Fund On Solana | Michael Sonnenshein

Gm! This week we're joined by Michael Sonnenshein to discuss the future of tokenization. We deep dive into the launch of BUIDL: crypto's largest tokenized fund, institutional demand to build on Solana, Ripple's $1.25b acquisition & more. Enjoy! -- Michael: https://x.com/Sonnenshein Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed -- Zenrock is a permissionless, decentralized custody network backed by 1RoundTable Partners, 10T, Maven11, and Spartan. Live on Jupiter, $ROCK is the native token for transactions within the Zenrock ecosystem and secures Zenrock’s decentralized custody network.

The first application launching on Zenrock is zenBTC – yield-bearing Bitcoin on Solana. zenBTC will be live in April 2025. Visit zenbtc.io to learn about earning yield with Bitcoin on Solana. -- Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- (00:00) Introduction (04:02) Launching The BUIDL Fund (06:29) Working With Ethena (09:49) Zenrock Ad (10:32) Tokenization (16:27) Institutional Demand To Build On Solana (19:22) DeFi’s Breakout Moment (23:48) Crypto Payments (26:47) Should We Tokenize Everything? (30:17) Zen Rock Ad (31:01) Ripple’s $1.25b Hidden Road Acquisition (32:50) Final Thoughts -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation.

Nothing said on Lightspeed 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. Mert, Jack, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Launching Crypto's Largest Tokenized Fund On Solana | Michael Sonnenshein

0:000:00

Share this episode

Subscribe & Listen

More from Lightspeed

The Future of Onchain Collateral | Misha Putiatin
50:02
July 7, 2026

The Future of Onchain Collateral | Misha Putiatin

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Misha Putiatin, Co-Founder of Symbiotic, to discuss the evolution of shared collateral infrastructure, the launch of Core V2, and the future of bringing real-world assets onchain. We also cover liquidity, composability, risk management, compliance challenges, institutional adoption, and Symbiotic’s roadmap for expanding collateral markets and DeFi integrations. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Symbiotic: https://x.com/Symbioticfi Follow Misha: https://x.com/Psalom Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: ⁠https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:14) Misha’s Crypto Origin (6:38) Beyond Shared Security (9:32) Permissionless Collateral Markets (13:02) Core V2 Explained (16:15) Unlocking RWA Liquidity (22:04) Making RWAs Composable (31:09) Managing Collateral Risk (40:30) Symbiotic’s Next Milestones (48:10) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed 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. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

The Next Battle for Crypto Trading
44:58
July 2, 2026

The Next Battle for Crypto Trading

Gm! In today's episode, we discuss Strategy's Bitcoin treasury approach, whether crypto markets can decouple from Bitcoin, slowing momentum in tokenized stocks, listing strategies for onchain equities, the battle between Solana, Hyperliquid, and centralized exchanges, and whether renewed meme coin activity signals a broader revival in Solana trading. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Toma: https://x.com/toma_adv Follow Joe: https://x.com/j0e_cooks Follow Sam: https://x.com/minnus Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: ⁠https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (2:43) Strategy’s Bitcoin Dilemma (6:51) Can Crypto Decouple From Bitcoin? (10:54) Tokenized Stocks Cool Off (18:03) Solana Spot vs Hyperliquid Perps (24:26) Coinbase, Binance, and Onchain Rails (34:49) Meme Coins Return? (43:09) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed 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. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

The Future of Finance Starts Onchain | Armani Ferrante
1:10:43
June 30, 2026

The Future of Finance Starts Onchain | Armani Ferrante

Gm! In today's episode, we're joined by Armani Ferrante, founder and CEO of Backpack, to discuss the evolution of Backpack, tokenized equities, regulatory strategy, and building a crypto-native financial institution. We also explore Solana's growth, market structure, token design, 24/7 stock trading, global financial infrastructure, and the long-term role of tokenized assets and decentralized networks. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Backpack: https://x.com/Backpack Follow Armani Ferrante: https://x.com/armaniferrante Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: ⁠https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:44) Armani’s Solana Journey (13:28) Why Backpack Chose Regulation (23:34) Building Crypto’s Financial Stack (35:38) Tokenized Stocks at Scale (45:42) Tokens, Equity, and Incentives (59:03) The Future of Tokenized Assets (1:09:28) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed 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. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects