97: Making Decentrasied finance accessible to all, From MakerDAO to Summer.fi, with guest speaker - Chris Bradbury

Web3 with Sam Kamani

In this conversation with Chris, we explore his fascinating journey into the realm of cryptocurrency and DeFi. It all began when he assumed the role of a product manager at MakerDAO back in 2018, where his primary focus was on enhancing user interfaces. Chris played a pivotal role in improving the user experience, particularly within the B2C and retail growth sectors.

Our discussion naturally transitions to Chris's move from MakerDAO to Summerfy (formerly known as Oasis app) and the rationale behind this rebranding. The decision to rebrand was driven by the desire to signify a broader DeFi focus extending beyond MakerDAO.

We delve into Summerfy's mission, which revolves around creating an easily accessible platform for borrowing and earning within the DeFi landscape. Chris generously shares various strategies that enable users to yield returns on their crypto assets. Throughout this conversation, we repeatedly stress the importance of user-friendly interfaces and simplifying transaction execution steps to enhance the overall user experience.

Chris paints a vivid picture of his vision for Summerfy, highlighting the potential for non-custodial strategies and the integration of DeFi products with traditional financial services like Revolut. This integration not only promises higher yields for users but also seeks to address regulatory challenges through innovative solutions such as zero-knowledge proof identities.

We tackle several challenges faced by the industry, including the complexities of regulation, KYC/AML requirements, and the potential for decentralized identities to revolutionize user verification without compromising privacy.

In the latter part of our conversation, we delve into the evolving role of cryptocurrency in addressing real-world problems, particularly in terms of financial inclusion. However, we also raise valid concerns about wealth inequality within the crypto space.

Furthermore, we engage in a conversation about product development, investment, and the crypto industry. We kick off by emphasizing the paramount importance of actively using the products one works on, a principle we both hold dear. We share valuable insights into how we connected with investors, emphasizing the role of introductions through connections and advisors with extensive networks.

We place particular emphasis on the value of investors who not only provide funding but also deeply understand the product, enabling them to offer invaluable feedback. Throughout this segment, we stress the significance of crafting products that are both sticky and user-friendly. Our conversation touches upon the creation of that all-important "aha moment" when users fully grasp a product's value.

We reference specific DeFi products, such as Yarn Vaults, Dharma, and Maker, that have succeeded in delivering such moments for users in the crypto and blockchain space. We also highlight the power of user referrals as a highly effective marketing channel and discuss the critical distinction between building a good product versus obsessing solely over token prices and technical intricacies.

Our conversation concludes on an optimistic note, as we discuss the potential for steady growth and adoption within the crypto industry. Throughout, we remain committed to the principle of user-centric product development and building a strong foundation for the future of DeFi.

Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.

Finally, I don’t run ads on my podcast. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on ApplePodcasts or share this podcast with a friend.

Connect with Chris and Summer.fi here.

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bradbury-b7354246/

• https://summer.fi/

Connect with me here - https://twitter.com/samkamani or https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkamani/

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/web3podcast/message