The Big Brain Podcast

In episode 8 of The Big Brain Podcast, Lighter founder Vladimir Novakovski explains why he built a zero-fee, ZK-powered perp DEX as an Ethereum L2, how it stacks up against CEXs and rival perp chains, and what they learned from recent market stress ahead of their token launch.

OUTLINE
00:00 – Introduction
04:50 – What Lighter is
06:15 – Why Ethereum L2 and ZK
11:03 – Zero-fee retail model
18:11 – Robinhood relationship & RH Chain
20:30 – L1 vs L2 value capture
27:08 – TGE timing and token value
30:29 – DYDX, Hyperliquid and CEX vs DeFi
35:52 – 10/10 crash and LLP risk
39:50 – Infra upgrades and closing

Guest links:
Vladimir Novakovski - https://x.com/vnovakovski
Lighter - https://x.com/Lighter_xyz

Show links:
Larry - https://x.com/lawmaster
Namik - https://x.com/NamikMuduroglu

Show Notes

In episode 8 of The Big Brain Podcast, Lighter founder Vladimir Novakovski explains why he built a zero-fee, ZK-powered perp DEX as an Ethereum L2, how it stacks up against CEXs and rival perp chains, and what they learned from recent market stress ahead of their token launch. OUTLINE 00:00 – Introduction 04:50 – What Lighter is 06:15 – Why Ethereum L2 and ZK 11:03 – Zero-fee retail model 18:11 – Robinhood relationship & RH Chain 20:30 – L1 vs L2 value capture 27:08 – TGE timing and token value 30:29 – DYDX, Hyperliquid and CEX vs DeFi 35:52 – 10/10 crash and LLP risk 39:50 – Infra upgrades and closing Guest links: Vladimir Novakovski - https://x.com/vnovakovski Lighter - https://x.com/Lighter_xyz Show links: Larry - https://x.com/lawmaster Namik - https://x.com/NamikMuduroglu

What is The Big Brain Podcast?

The Big Brain Podcast features conversations with crypto's most influential thinkers, builders, and traders.
Co-hosted by The Block CEO Larry Cermak and MegaETH CSO Namik Muduroglu, these interviews challenge ideas, dig into mental models, and push guests beyond the headlines.
This show isn't about predicting the future of crypto—it’s about spotlighting the big brains shaping it.