Welcome to The Chopping Block, where crypto experts Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner bring you inside perspectives on critical topics in the crypto world. This week the boys dive deep into Starknet's airdrop controversies, the psychological toll of internet backlash on founders, and the groundbreaking Ethena project inspired by Arthur Hayes. This episode questions the effectiveness of airdrop strategies in user engagement, the resilience founders must muster against online criticism, and Ethena's potential to revolutionize crypto finance with its tokenized cash and carry trade. We also tackle the security threats on platforms like GitHub, the balance between egalitarian distribution versus market dynamics, and the transparency required in token economics. What legal challenges arise from token vesting schedules, and how does Ethena innovate in crypto finance inspired by traditional models? Join us for an insightful exploration of these critical topics, aiming to enrich our understanding of cryptocurrency airdrops, founder resilience, and Ethena's ambitious financial mechanisms within the evolving cryptocurrency ecosystem.\nListen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Pandora, Castbox, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.\nShow Highlights\n\U0001f539 Starknet Airdrop Controversy: Exploring the backlash and debates over its distribution mechanics.\n\U0001f539 The Psychology of Founders Facing Internet Critique: Discussing the impact of public scrutiny on creators.\n\U0001f539 Innovation in Airdrop Strategies: Highlighting the need for creativity to engage and retain users.\n\U0001f539 GitHub and Security Risks: Addressing the increase in phishing attacks and noise on developer platforms.\n\U0001f539 Efficacy of Airdrops in User Engagement: Evaluating how airdrops influence community involvement and loyalty.\n\U0001f539 Egalitarianism vs. Market Dynamics: Debating the balance between fair distribution and economic incentives.\n\U0001f539 The Complexities of Vesting Periods: Unpacking the discussions around token unlock schedules.\n\U0001f539 Legal Nuances of Crypto Vesting: Exploring the regulatory implications and challenges.\n\U0001f539 Transparency in Token Economics: The importance of clear policies for investor confidence.\n\U0001f539 The Inspiration Behind Ethena: Tracing the origins and motivations for its creation.\n\U0001f539 Cash and Carry Trade Basics: Simplifying the concept and its significance in crypto finance.\n\U0001f539 Analyzing Ethena\u2019s Yield Mechanisms: Delving into the strategies and risks of yield generation.\n\U0001f539 Risk Mitigation in Ethena\u2019s Protocol: Investigating novel approaches to safeguarding assets.\n\U0001f539 The Potential Ripple Effects of Ethena: Speculating on the impact of layered financial products.\n\nHosts\n\u2b50\ufe0fHaseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly\xa0\n\u2b50\ufe0fTom Schmidt, General Partner at Dragonfly\xa0\n\u2b50\ufe0fTarun Chitra, Managing Partner at Robot Ventures\n\u2b50\ufe0fRobert Leshner, Founder of Compound\n\nDisclosures\nLinks\n\n\u201cIs the Short Team Lockup for STRK \u2018Misaligned\u2019? No, Says Starkware CEO - Ep. 609\u201d: https://youtu.be/0D0Qyw9TeoY\xa0\n\nThe Uniswap Airdrop - Lessons for the Industry by jhackworth: https://dune.com/blog/uni-airdrop-analysis\xa0\n\n\u201cDust on Crust\u201d by Arthur Hayes: https://ehandbook.com/dust-on-crust-300d4b5cf3ec\xa0\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices