Exploring blockchain decentralization and the Web3 universe for over 5 years, through in-depth, hour-long conversations with builders, thinkers, and contributors—founders, validators, node operators, CTOs, VCs, DAOs, and privacy advocates. We explore critical topics: privacy, security, decentralization, technological progress, finance and cryptocurrencies dark sides, alongside personal stories of success, failure, and lessons learned. Blockchain-agnostic and building for decentralization, Citizen Web3 runs off-the-grid, non-custodial validator infrastructure, contributing to public goods and Web3. Support our work by staking with us: staking.citizenweb3.com/
Ignoring Experts, Recklessness and Freedom with Vik Sharɱa
This episode of the #citizenweb3 podcast features Vik Sharɱa from Cake Wallet
Vik Sharma, believes cryptocurrency must remain permissionless, self-custodial, and truly connected to the blockchain, empowering people rather than surveillance companies. His mission is to make crypto accessible, human, and private for everyone, guided by the idea that the will of the people ultimately wins out.
Cake Wallet is a self-custody, privacy-focused crypto wallet that makes using Monero, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies simple and accessible for everyone. Designed to balance ease of use with powerful privacy features, it helps users stay in control while protecting their financial freedom.
We spoke to Vik Sharɱa (https://x.com/vikrantnyc) about Cake Wallet (https://x.com/cakewallet) and:
Permissionless self-custody money
A true blockchain wallet to communicate with the blockchain
Traceability being practiced by chain analysis companies
Will of the people does win out
Making cryptocurrencies less intimidating for non-techie people
Do what your gut tells you
Don't listen to other people
We just want to belong as human beings
We're to provide privacy for everyone
Timestamps
00:00 – 03:01 : Intro
03:01 -- 08:30 : Combining steel and Monero
08:30 -- 14:14 : Importance of privacy
14:14 -- 16:37 : Winning the war on privacy
16:37 -- 18:50 : The paradox
18:50 -- 22:00 : Private and Public, Citizens and Governments
22:00 -- 28:50 : The goal
28:50 -- 36:01 : Regrets and/or challenges
36:01 -- 45:20 : Adoption and infrastructure
45:20 -- 48:17 : Talking about this space to others
48:17 -- 51:30 : Building community
51:30 -- 56:30 : Tribalism
56:30 – 01:00:57 : The Blitz
If you like what we do at Citizen Web3:
Stake with Citizen Web3 validator (https://www.citizenweb3.com/staking)
Listen to the YouTube version (https://youtu.be/VlQEP7MtMR0)
Follow us on Twitter (https://x.com/citizen_web3)
Sign up to the RSS feed (https://www.citizenweb3.com/rss)
Special Guest: Vik Sharɱa.
Links:
2008 Financial Crisis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_financial_crisis#:~:text=The%202008%20financial%20crisis%2C%20also,Street%20crash%20and%20Great%20Depression)
Berlin Zoo (https://medium.com/hackernoon/welcome-to-berlins-cryptozoo-b465a7f075d8)
Bitcoin (https://bitcoin.org/en/)
Coinbase (https://www.coinbase.com/)
Cosmos (https://cosmos.network/)
COVID (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19)
Donald Trump (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump)
Dubai (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai)
Ethereum (https://ethereum.org/)
EU (https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en)
Exodus Wallet (https://www.exodus.com/)
George W. Bush (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_George_W._Bush)
Hong Kong (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong)
Liberty Steel (https://libertysteelgroup.com/)
Lisbon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon)
Litecoin (https://litecoin.org/)
Mexico (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico)
Monero (https://www.getmonero.org/)
New York (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City)
PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/)
Pittsburgh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh)
Polkadot (https://polkadot.network/)
Prague (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague)
Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/)
Rich Dad, Poor Dad (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69571.Rich_Dad_Poor_Dad?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WpmkD5WERT&rank=1)
Russia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia)
Stack Wallet (https://stackwallet.com/)
Steve Jobs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs)
Taking Back Power, Critical Thinking and Privacy with Seth for Privacy (https://www.citizenweb3.com/sethforprivacy)
Tesla Robots (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimus_(robot))
The Chaos Communication Congress (https://events.ccc.de/en/congress/)
Tornado Cash (https://tornado.cash/)
Uniswap (https://app.uniswap.org/)
University of Pittsburgh library (https://www.pitt.edu/libraries)
Vegas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas)
Venmo (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details/?id=com.venmo&hl=en-US)
Warren Buffett (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett)
Warren Buffett's biography called The Making of an American Capitalist (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1155.Buffett)
X (Formally Twitter) (https://x.com/)
Zcash (https://z.cash/)
28 Aug 2025
Adoption, Cyberpunk Values and the Shift in Power with Temujin Louie
This episode of the #citizenweb3 podcast features Temujin Louie from Wanchain
Temujin Louie, warns that while compromise is inevitable, the industry must not abandon its original cyberpunk values and should focus on solving fundamental problems rather than chasing unsustainable trends. He stresses moving beyond token bridges, avoiding proprietary infrastructure, and aiming for true innovation that delivers lasting, open solutions.
Wanchain is a blockchain interoperability project connecting nearly 40 chains, enabling seamless cross-chain transactions and decentralized applications. Its mission is to replace fragmented, proprietary systems with open, sustainable infrastructure that drives real adoption and innovation.
We spoke to Temujin Louie (https://x.com/TemujinLouie) about Wanchain (https://x.com/wanchain_org) and:
Fear of technology
Shift on power
Undoubtedly there will have to be some compromise
Solve fundamental problems first or cut ourselves out by the knees
Adoption and losing some of these values
The original vision
Cyberpunk values
99% of the industry is not sustainable
The next innovative thing that's going to happen
Move away from purely just token bridges
Replacing core infrastructure with proprietary product is never a good idea
An actual win outcome in solving this problem
Timestamps
00:00 – 07:50 : Intro
07:50 -- 09:50 : Shift of power
09:50 -- 11:45 : Social networks
11:45 -- 16:40 : Spectrums
16:40 -- 21:30 : Adoption and values
21:30 -- 26:03 : Growing from the community
26:03 -- 33:25 : Difference between Web2 and Web3
33:25 -- 40:50 : Blockchains bring in real revenue
40:50 -- 46:15 : Bridges and failure point
46:15 -- 52:04 : Cross-chain developer community and tribalism
52:04 -- 53:56 : Biggest myth or misconception about bridges
53:56 -- 58:59 : The Blitz
If you like what we do at Citizen Web3:
Stake with Citizen Web3 validator (https://www.citizenweb3.com/staking)
Listen to the YouTube version (https://youtu.be/NWYkvjOKxSA)
Follow us on Twitter (https://x.com/citizen_web3)
Sign up to the RSS feed (https://www.citizenweb3.com/rss)
Special Guest: Temujin Louie.
Links:
3 Body Problem (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13016388/)
AT&T Hacker 'Weev' (https://www.wired.com/2014/04/att-hacker-conviction-vacated/)
Bitcoin (https://bitcoin.org/en/)
ByBit Hack (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2kgndwwd7lo)
Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (https://entethalliance.org/)
Goku (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goku)
Linux Foundation (https://www.linuxfoundation.org/)
London School of Economics (https://www.lse.ac.uk/)
London’s Stock Exchange (https://www.londonstockexchange.com/)
Monero (https://www.getmonero.org/)
Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/)
Power: A Radical View by Steven Lukes (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/815124.Power)
Silk Road (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road_(marketplace))
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20518872-the-three-body-problem?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12)
Tornado Cash (https://tornado.cash/)
14 Aug 2025
Governmental Criminals, Humanity and Philosophy with Seun Lanlege
Host [Host Name] interviews Seun Lanlege of Hyperbridge about philosophy, blockchain, and government's role in humanity's future.
Inside a recent episode
Capturing Usage, Hash Flow and Open Source with Esad Yusuf Atik
Published 5 Dec 2024 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So you believe in that revolution. So I would like to know what is the difference between this one and the previous tries of Bitcoin trying to prove to the world that you can build things on top of it, and it will be used, and it failed to do so previously, at least. Yeah. So L2 solutions on Bitcoin, you're right, I just said for some time now. And usually, the problem was either UX or either security for liquid case. There is a trusted federation that moves the funds between Bitcoin and liquid. And that makes, you know, that makes it hard to actually move to another chain, if I'm going to trust my money with some people. […]
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