Solfate Podcast - Interviews with blockchain founders/builders on Solana: Recent Episodes
Nick and James
Interviews with blockchain founders and builders on the Solana blockchain. Hosted by two developers building on Solana, by Nick (@nickfrosty) and James (@jamesrp13).
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
The creator and lead developer of Solang, Sean Young, a compiler that allow developers to write Solana programs (aka smart contracts) in the Solidity programming language. This has been a multi year effort to allow existing Solidity developers, like all those existing in the Ethereum ecosystem, to use their existing language knowledge to write Solidity smart contracts on the Solana blockchain.
Sean describes how he started his developer journey in the blockchain space, starting as writing his own compiler for the Solidity programming language for a EVM compatible blockchain for the purpose of processing traditional documents.
Sean began hitting roadblocks when he was trying to add new features into the Solidity language, which is effectively only used for Ethereum and EVM compatible blockchains and maintained by the Ethereum community.
As a general overview, Sean describes how a compiler actually works. Including how compilers like Solang and even native Solana uses LLVM toolkit (Low Level Virtual Machine) to maximize compatibility for multiple programming languages.
Words and acronyms used throughout the episode
- solidity - A statically-typed curly-braces programming language designed for developing smart contracts that run on Ethereum and most EVM compatible blockchains.
- EVM - the Ethereum Virtual Machine - essentially the portion of any Ethereum based blockchain that actually runs/executes smart contracts written in the Solidity programming language
- EIP - Ethereum Improvement Proposals - standards specifying potential new features or processes for Ethereum
- WASM - Web Assembly - is a binary instruction format for a stack-based virtual machine
- LLVM - Low Level Virtual Machine - a set of compiler and toolchain technologies that can be used to develop a frontend for any programming language and a backend for any instruction set architecture.
- Solana specific terms (or at least common in the Solana ecosystem):
- BPF - Berkeley Packet Filter - a technology used in certain computer operating systems for programs that need to, among other things, analyze network traffic.
- SBF (aka SBPF) - Solana Berkeley Packet Filter - this is a custom implementation of BPF with tweaks for the Solana runtime and SVM
- SVM - Solana Virtual Machine - the portion of the Solana runtime that actually runs/executes code on the Solana blockchain
- IDL - Interface Definition Language - generic term for a language that lets a program or object written in one language communicate with another program written in an unknown language
Find Sean and Solang online
- Follow Sean on twitter
- Solang's documentation
- Solang getting started guide
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Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
As our first repeat guest, Mert joins to kick off the Only Possible On Solana hackathon that he is spearheading from within the Solana community. This community driven hackathon is being orchestrated by LamportDAO, an open discord community of builders in the Solana ecosystem.
The idea is simple: encourage people to build cool and interesting products using the unique tech that is either Only Possible on Solana (aka OPOS) and get them paid for it.
Some of the OPOS tech includes:
- state compression
- compressed NFTs
- Solana Pay (aka QR code based interactions)
- Solana Mobile Stack (aka SMS aka some of the Solana phone tech stack)
- fast transactions, low costs
- and so much more
Find Mert and LamportDAO online
- Mert on Twitter - https://twitter.com/0xMert_
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Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
While blockchain is still a new industry, the sub section of “blockchain gaming” is even newer and largely considered a very strong use case of blockchain technology. Michael Wagner, co-founder and CEO of Star Atlas joins to explain how Star Atlas is using the Solana blockchain within the game’s infrastructure and economy.
Michael give his backstory of being a life long gamer and working in the financial sector before diving full time into crypto by founding a crypto/cannabis company called Tokes. (which is also a interesting use case for crypto payments due to common restrictions within several countries like the US)
We talk about how the Star Atlas intellectual property (IP), like the in game asset, can be used by other creatives and entrepreneurs to create sizable businesses off of. Including physical merchandise, digital goods, and in game merchants. There is an application process for this, but still a very uncommon things for a large scale production like Star Atlas. (Which we think very amazing to see!)
Michael describes the 3 different game “applications”, almost like individual game clients, the company is building. Each will allow players to interact with specific parts of the same on chain game data, so they are all still tied to the game.
Included with all the on-chain game data is the movement system, which recently had a public stress test in the form of a mini game. Around 10k unique wallets interacted with the Escape Velocity mini game during Star Atlas’ movement stress test (which resulted in around 80 million transactions over 72 days)
Finally, we dive deep into the very complex digital economy being built within the game. Including several factors the company is taking into account for growing a truly sustainable economy and carefully fostering it to reach stability. This is especially interesting considering players will have the potential to have sizable monetary value participating within this economy.
Links from the show
- StarAtlas public roadmap
Find Michael and StarAtlas online
- Michael Wagner on Twitter - https://twitter.com/at_mwagner
- Star Atlas on Twitter - https://twitter.com/staratlas
- Star Atlas' website - https://staratlas.com
Follow us around
Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
The hackathon winners and founders of Underdog, Kevin and Tony, join to talk about the NFT infrastructure landscape. Including compressed nfts and various interesting NFT use cases that do not include the typical pfp experience.
We all discuss how Solana seemingly does a better job than other blockchains in utilizing NFTs for non-pfp use cases. Including web3 cookies, on-chain membership systems, and even “mailchimp for web3”.
PS: The way the Underdog founders are thinking about building a system/program that enables non transferrable compressed nfts, especially that facilitates data that is not just “typical NFT” data is very very clever.
Find Underdog and founders online
- Follow Tony on twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyplasencia3
- Follow Kevin on twitter: https://twitter.com/kevarifin
- Follow Underdog on twitter: https://twitter.com/BackAnUnderdog
- Explore what Underdog has to offer: https://underdogprotocol.com/
Follow us around
Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
We are joined by David (aka thehasheddude), the founder of MadShield (formerly SolShield) and infamous twitter personality on crypto-twitter. His primary focus is on security audits and bounties in the Solana ecosystem, and has audited the top tier projects from around the Solana ecosystem.
David shares his mindset of how goes through performing a security audit, including some of the common bugs/exploits he sees. Including how he recommends getting started as a security auditor.
One of my favorite parts is David’s mindset around finding the security vulnerabilities and why he is not tempted to use the exploits to extract funds. Finding the exploits and building relationships with the teams is so motivating for him.
Links from the show
- the MadShield Medium with articles on security
- intro to James’ Solana course on security
Find @thehasheddude online
- Follow thehasheddude on twitter - @thehasheddude
- Follow MadShield on twitter - @madshield_xyz
- The MadShield website: madshield.xyz
Follow us around
Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
The founders of Margin fi, Edgar and Mac, share how they got into crypto and why they decided to dive in full time into the DeFi ecosystem.
They both explain how they adjust their building plans based on the macro conditions and their actual product usage. Tailoring their product roadmap to the types of users they are getting at the time, while still keeping a longer term vision in mind.
Edgar explains the concept of "over collateralization" in the finance world, and why it is such a useful safety mechanism for DeFi lending and borrowing. Even though it is not an end-all-be-all safety solution (due to price fluctuations in token prices), it might need to be a fundamental safety feature for permissionless protocols.
Mac also teases some alpha for Margin fi and an upcoming points based system for protocol usage, maybe with a reward system. And why he thinks having a reward system is important for projects/protocols that do not yet have a token.
Also, Mac decided he wanted to be shirtless for the episode...
Disclaimer: Nothing said in this episode (or any of our episodes) is financial or legal advise. The opinions and statements expressed are the personal opinions/statements of those who said it. Both Nick and James have tokens deposited into margin fi's borrow/lend pool(s). Margin fi is not sponsoring this content.
Find Edgar and Mac online
- Follow Edgar on twitter - @edgarpavlovsky
- Follow Mac on twitter - @macbrennan
- Explore margin fi: marginfi.com
Follow us around
Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
In this special episode, we compare and contrast some of the differences between Solana and Ethereum. We are joined by two developers, Cami and Connor, who are not Solana natives. Each have been around the blockchain sphere for years and both have more experience from outside the Solana ecosystem.
We talk about the one of the recent issues on the Ethereum chain and why it was not considered a network outage. Including some details about how Proof of Stake networks validate transactions.
Find Cami and Conner online
- Follow Cami on twitter - @camiinthisthang
- Follow Conner on twitter - @colludingnode
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Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
Nick and James talks about the recent Solana Bootcamp/workshop that the Solana Foundation’s DevRel team hosted in the NYC office. Plus the Solana NYC hackerhouse has just come to a close and it was amazing!
Huge thanks to all the show listeners that met Nick at the NYC hackerhouse and said they were a fan or listener of the show! It’s things like this that motivate us to keep doing this show!
In light of the recent SEC lawsuits alleging that many top cryptocurrencies and tokens are securities, we talk at a high level what some of the allegations are and what it could me.
James expresses his opinion about this market reaction to this news to be an overcorrection and that “we will weather it, and we will be fine”.
Disclaimer: Nothing said in this episode (or any of our episodes) is financial or legal advise. The opinions and statements expressed are the personal opinions/statements of those who said it.
Links from the show
- Breakpoint tickets are still available! Devs AND creators are eligible for heavily discounted tickets!
- Want to learn Solana Development? Checkout the new Solana developer home page!
- People/Projects Nick mentioned meeting at the NYC hackerhouse:
- Jordan (from Solana Labs) https://twitter.com/jordaaash
- Brian Long (@brianlong) - founder of Triton
- Checkout the “experimental” version of solana/web3.js. It is very cool and will be very small!
Follow us around
Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
James and Nick talk about the ideas of secure crypto/blockchain key storage mechanisms that allow various services (like MagicLink and TipLink) to enable user’s to own a private key via their email address. Enabling them to not need to remember a mnemonic!
Also, like usual, Nick is building a new tool/product. Using Solana Pay…
Disclaimer: James and his company work with the MagicLink company, and by association, Nick has as well. This episode is not sponsored, affiliated, or endorsed by either MagicLink or TipLink. Just in case you were wondering :)
PS: Both are cool and interesting products/services. Check them out :)
Links from the show
- magic link whitepaper on how they securely store user keys
- our past podcast episode with friend of the show, Qudo
Follow us around
Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13
Follow the @SolfatePod show on Twitter for updates. Thanks for listening frens :)
Notes from the show
Design is hard. We are joined by a Creative Director and Designer with nearly 2 decades of experience named Phil.
We talk about the considerations of a product with good design, common pitfalls many developers fall into. Including the difference between web3 design and traditional design.
Find Phil online
- Follow Phil on twitter - @fhlcreative
- Phil's website - fhlcreative.com
Follow us around
Nick
- follow on twitter: @nickfrosty
- follow on github: github.com/nickfrosty
- website: https://nick.af
James
- follow on twitter: @jamesrp13
- follow on github: github.com/jamesrp13