Overnight Success

How are we going to put trillions of dollars on-chain? w/ Sheldon Hunt (Founder @ Sundial Protocol)

In this episode of Overnight Success, I sit down with Sheldon Hunt, a founding member of EMURGO—one of Cardano’s original entities. We unpack the philosophical and technical rifts between Ethereum and Cardano, trace the evolution from Bitcoin to Ethereum to Cardano, and dive deep into what true decentralization really looks like—especially in Cardano’s approach to governance. If you’ve ever wondered: What really happened when Vitalik pitched Ethereum in Hong Kong What it takes for blockchains to handle trillions on-chain Why scarcity matters (and why Ethereum doesn’t have it) —then this episode is a must-listen. Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] – Introduction: Who is Sheldon Hunt & EMURGO’s role in Cardano [00:42] – Vitalik’s original Ethereum pitch in Hong Kong [01:53] – Scarcity wars: Why Cardano caps supply and Ethereum doesn’t [02:40] – Ethereum’s nonprofit roots vs. Charles Hoskinson’s business-first vision [03:30] – Cardano’s community-first design and token distribution [04:25] – Intersect and the shift to decentralized governance [05:20] – The risks of handing over $30B in infrastructure to “the mob” [06:10] – Balancing privacy and mass adoption: Midnight chain + real-world use cases [07:25] – Why Cardano has never gone down (and why it matters) [08:20] – Final thoughts: Security, uptime, and building for trillions on-chain About Our Guest Sheldon Hunt was part of the founding team at EMURGO—one of Cardano’s three core entities alongside IOG and the Cardano Foundation. Today, he’s building Sundial Protocol, a Layer 2 solution bringing programmability to Bitcoin by bridging it with Cardano. The focus: secure, decentralized, cross-chain interoperability between BTC and ADA. Resources Mentioned: Cardano [https://cardano.org/] [https://cardano.org/]] Sundial Protocol [https://www.sundialprotocol.com/] [https://www.sundialprotocol.com/]] EMURGO Website [https://www.emurgo.io/] [https://www.emurgo.io/]] Cardano Foundation [https://cardanofoundation.org/] [https://cardanofoundation.org/]] Midnight Privacy Chain [https://midnight.network/] [https://midnight.network/]] Intersect: Cardano’s Member-Based Org [https://www.intersectmbo.org/] [https://www.intersectmbo.org/]]

From Wall Street to VC: Why DeepSeek is enabling the global AI race w/ Esther Wong (3C AGI Partners)

Today, I sit down with Esther Wong — Founding Partner @ 3C AGI Partners and former Managing Director at SenseTime.In this conversation, we discuss why AI inferencing could break the grid, the global race for sustainable AI infrastructure, and why DeepSeek completely enabled the rest of the world to catch up in the AI race.If you ever wondered about:• Why AI infrastructure — not applications — is the real opportunity• How unsustainable our electricity usage is if everyone uses AI daily• Why AI models, chips, and data centers must all evolve to scale• And how a 90% pay cut to join a startup could be the best decision of your life— this one’s for you.Episode Highlights with Timestamps[00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098K49AFyzs]] Esther’s career risk: Green card fears and career advice that changed everything[01:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098K49AFyzs&t=80s]] Co-founding SenseTime: Raising $6B+ and building China’s largest AI platform[03:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098K49AFyzs&t=180s]] Betting on a ground-up, proprietary AI vision while pregnant — and taking a 90% pay cut[04:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098K49AFyzs&t=270s]] Lessons from startup life: Why 2 years in a startup taught more than 20 years in banking[05:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098K49AFyzs&t=350s]] The coming electricity crisis: Why inferencing will overwhelm today's grid[07:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098K49AFyzs&t=430s]] What is “sustainable AI”? — 4 buckets for making AI viable long-term[09:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098K49AFyzs&t=540s]] Why Esther is backing AI infrastructure over applicationsAbout Our GuestEsther Wong is the founder and CEO of 3C AGI Partners, a venture firm focused on global AI opportunities. She was a founding member of SenseTime, where she led capital markets and helped raise over $5B. With 20+ years in finance, she’s held senior roles at Cazenove, CICC, Barclays, and Bocom. Esther holds an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth and serves on youth development boards in Hong Kong.Resources & Links MentionedEsther’s LinkedIn [  / esther-wong-76a6a410a   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDVGNTVCeDJmREtlUWg0SmJjcm1SeC1mY21xQXxBQ3Jtc0tsY29JTjk0S3otRi1fUHh0Wld1WmFKUm9fODFkOXZ6Zmh6R1RMcEZTNzk4V1pTVm5qMmpXZEVBTzJkY3lmMkRBcXVUZTA4ZV9mMEhPdFpIdmdzRS1HVlhpY1Rod0c1b0lsZGt2MU9nYk1GR2ptUGh3OA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Festher-wong-76a6a410a%2F&v=098K49AFyzs]] 3C AGI Partners Linkedin [  / 3cagi   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGp0cVNzSk83d1I0NzJLMlhuOFNlOUZ0SzJ6d3xBQ3Jtc0tsUnBZTlJfR1Z5aGRpS2o5UlZZRGgyUDBaWkFvWEpabExWaFVNNXlpZ3o3ci1nU2JaZjBDYXhHaHZlY2l3MDUtM1Q4M3pUNmdhdGhhTHhzWTk0V1h3NDdXQWtFdTdlbk5jV0hZS18tQkZuaHdBOGcwdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2F3cagi%2F&v=098K49AFyzs]] 3C AGI Partners Website [https://3cagi.vc/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUlDdnh3aE5JUGRzQ3E5dFhXZC1nbmg5Z0oxZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttbGFlazV3SGVFUkQ5LXF6VWg4U0Z3VXBmWDlwX0FyRHJPSG96OHFVYzViSlAwWWV3NThNVWxNazZVclNfMm1XLWx4dUI1LW9hQ05pZ1pwU2hEM0UzMF9nWDJDZEFraUxUd0Jza0NmeEZQdWd6bnpDTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2F3cagi.vc%2F&v=098K49AFyzs]]

Pioneering Play-to-Earn w/ Gabby Dizon (Co-founder ‪@YieldGuildGames‬ )

Today, I sit down with Gabby Dizon, co-founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG).We talk about Gabby’s journey from building the first games in the Philippines to pioneering the concept of play-to-earn and Web3 gaming. Gabby shares the early days of Web3 gaming, how AI and decentralized work models are converging, and why starting with community-first was essential for YGG’s growth.We also discuss the challenges of building a web3 company during crypto cycles, crypto Twitter, and the future of online on-chain work opportunities in emerging economies.If you're interested in the intersection of gaming, blockchain, and the future of work, this episode is a must-listen.Episode Highlights with Timestamps[00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc]] Live from Hong Kong — Introducing Gabby Dizon (Yield Guild Games)[01:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=60s]] Early passion for technology, gaming, and entrepreneurship in the Philippines[02:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=135s]] Discovering Ethereum in 2017 — programmable economies for games[03:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=210s]] From CryptoKitties to NFTs — realizing the future of in-game assets[04:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=285s]] How Play-to-Earn was invented by the Axie Infinity community[06:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=360s]] Building Yield Guild Games — community-market fit and scaling challenges[07:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=450s]] The double-edged sword of early liquidity in crypto startups[08:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=525s]] Future of Work — expanding YGG beyond gaming into decentralized tasks[10:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTluPjaavRc&t=600s]] Why on-chain work and community ownership will transform emerging marketsAbout Our GuestGabby Dizon is the co-founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG), the world's largest Web3 gaming guild. A pioneer of play-to-earn gaming, Gabby is passionate about the intersection of community, gaming, and blockchain. He is also an active investor in the decentralized gaming ecosystem and a strong advocate for creating online and on-chain earning opportunities for communities across Southeast Asia, Latin America, and beyond.Resources & Links MentionedGabby Dizon's Twitter [https://x.com/gabusch [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm83clZGQ1NEQnNzNmdiVzhRU1BRb0hQMkF3d3xBQ3Jtc0tsbmlYTlRMcjhweXdHNmZFTzUyZzU3S1kyMVRxNU0zYUw0b2N3UHcwUmV2U01ZbXBPRHZzSDA4eHpVY3ZDWVZFcWNxcXdBWUk3MkhsYjZnMjBVY1U3dHBKN0FpRWxHNkxUVjRLbUJGZE42RXJrRVdIRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fgabusch&v=eTluPjaavRc]]Yield Guild Games [https://yieldguild.io/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXp5a2NpbURVczlXS0VqWk5nRlh6WElCajlGZ3xBQ3Jtc0trQ2xGTUZSc0pOczJUTzVEWGNOUjI5NEZyZUFoMnkxb0tzZUFMZFg1OUNqZGx3aV9uZkg1SnFHS3ZXT0VyN0Y1eHFmRXlrTXpFM0JibmllMjN2Tm1qZWRTRUF5SkxvLWNfSlI2bGdwdG5wc0dCdEpDUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fyieldguild.io%2F&v=eTluPjaavRc]]Axie Infinity [https://axieinfinity.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWdxelRuQkN6RG96Y3dzZnBXWkxrc0J2NFp4Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttem05QnE4VjV1SG9EV0gwa3o0OFZLSGZlNXV4QnNBNGNtSm9Vc25raU5Sc1haX0ZiSmlYODZqN1NYMXZ1YjN2aFo2WnlrbWJkMDNETmlXME5iZ0V6Z1ZwQlA1RjlZbEp3WG9wbjNqbWJMNmxBM3FSWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Faxieinfinity.com%2F&v=eTluPjaavRc]] CryptoKitties [https://www.cryptokitties.co/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2t6NkNLdHVVWTVQSTdqR0VKU2hTSi1GZk5Bd3xBQ3Jtc0trcVVTOGJydDN2Ql9oY2h4Qng2VDJGUW1uV0Z5N3ZHYlhma0J0RHd4dUR4M1hNN1FmcEJNSk1XODg0Y3VyX1NxSzkxWUh5dGJYLUZZa2VSS2R0WFVqTXRqN2lvOFB6YlVuLUFyWlZnZGxvdlBOcDhCVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cryptokitties.co%2F&v=eTluPjaavRc]]

How Helium Could Decentralize the $9 Trillion Mobile Industry w/ Frank Mong (COO @ Helium)

Episode Summary In this episode, we sit down with Frank Mong to unpack the rise of Helium and what it means to decentralize wireless infrastructure. Frank shares the origin story of Helium, what it took to scale during the crypto boom, building open-source hardware, what it means to truly own infrastructure, and how crypto can be the foundation for everyday consumer experiences—even if they don’t know it. Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] Podcast intro – Frank Mong on scaling Helium [00:42] Discovering Helium through Khosla Ventures [01:27] The unexpected job interview that turned into a partnership [02:14] Why honesty—not IoT expertise—landed Frank the role [02:54] Lessons from corporate life: stock options, politics & promotion [03:39] The original Helium mission: cheap, global IoT connectivity [04:11] 450,000 daily phones, 70K hotspots & 40TB+ daily data [04:50] Vision: flipping the $9T mobile industry to be owned by the people [05:18] Sales advice for technical founders—there’s no magic, just empathy [06:02] Why knowing your audience is the most underrated skill [07:00] The hustle mindset: “this is our year or we’re done” About Our Guest Frank Mong is the COO of Helium, a decentralized wireless network that aims to replace traditional telcos with community-built infrastructure. With over two decades in cybersecurity and enterprise tech, Frank now leads Helium’s mission to democratize mobile infrastructure—starting with IoT and now cellular. Previously, he held leadership roles at companies like Palo Alto Networks and Hortonworks. Resources & Links Mentioned * Frank’s Twitter [https://x.com/fmong [https://x.com/fmong]]  * Frank’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankmong/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankmong/]]    * Helium’s Twitter [https://x.com/helium [https://x.com/helium]]   * Helium’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/heliumnetwork/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/heliumnetwork/]]  * Helium’s Website [https://www.helium.com/ [https://www.helium.com/]]

AI & Decentralized Storage w/ Clara Tsao (Filecoin Foundation)

In this episode, we sit down with Clara Tsao—entrepreneur, former CTO of the US department of Homeland Security, and founding officer of the Filecoin Foundation. Clara dives deep into the role of decentralized storage in preserving critical data, from archiving freedom of information requests to combating link rot. We talk about AI, attribution, and how decentralized infrastructure can help creators and institutions alike build a more transparent internet. This one’s for the builders who care about transparency, digital preservation, and building a better internet from the ground up. Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] Intro — Clara’s family roots and uploading her grandmother’s music to Filecoin [08:00] From tech policy to crypto: The early days [16:00] Joining the U.S. government and working on election security [21:00] Why decentralized storage matters: link rot, public archives, and global data access [32:00] Use cases in war zones and journalism — capturing truth [34:00] Attribution, cold cases, and surfacing lost information with AI [55:00] How to get started building on Filecoin & grants available [56:30] Final thoughts — why great talent flocks to decentralized infrastructure About Our Guest Clara Tsao is a founding officer at the Filecoin Foundation and former Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A longtime advocate for a safer and more open internet, Clara has co-founded the Trust & Safety Professional Association, advised global initiatives like Tech Against Terrorism, and worked with Mozilla on emerging tech policy. Her work sits at the intersection of digital rights, open data, and decentralized technology. Resources & Links Mentioned Clara’s Twitter [https://x.com/tweetclarita] Clara’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claratsao/] Filecoin Twitter [https://x.com/filecoin] Filecoin Foundation Twitter [https://x.com/filfoundation] Filecoin Foundation Website [https://fil.org/] IPFS