Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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This week, Lighter Founder & CEO Vladimir Novakovski discusses Lighter’s competitive edge over Hyperliquid, why he chose to be an L2 on Ethereum, and the role of their ZK innovations. We also touch on equity perps, Lighter’s partnership with Robinhood, and why Vlad chose to work in crypto. Enjoy!

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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:05 Why Vlad Chose Crypto & a Perp DEX
11:37 Competing as a Perp DEX
18:00 Why Be an L2 on Ethereum?
20:37 Unpacking Lighter’s Competitive Edge
25:46 Lighter’s ZK Innovations
32:33 Partnership with Robinhood
38:06 Equity Perps and Advantage Over Hyperliquid
44:11 Lighter Token & Valuation
51:56 What Are People Missing?
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

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