Why Crypto Needs Interest Rate Swaps | Thomas Lefort

Why Crypto Needs Interest Rate Swaps | Thomas Lefort

From Lightspeed by Blockworks

May 28, 2026 · 50 min

About this episode

Thomas Lefort discusses the evolution of onchain interest rate markets and the launch of Exponent V2.

Gm! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Thomas Lefort, Co-Founder of Exponent, to discuss the evolution of onchain interest rate markets, the limitations of Exponent’s first product iteration, and the launch of Exponent V2. We cover fixed-rate DeFi infrastructure, RWAs, strategy vaults, risk management, institutional adoption, and the growing demand for more sophisticated yield products on Solana. Enjoy! -- Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://x.com/Lightspeedpodhq Follow Exponent: https://x.com/exponentfinance Follow Thomas: https://x.com/ttrofel Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: ⁠https://t.me/+QHlbNTNS4gc1ZTVh -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) introduction (1:18) Thomas Enters Crypto (2:48) Why Exponent Exists (5:05) V1 Fixed-Rate Markets (9:36) RWAs Drive Yield Demand (14:06) Exponent V2 Rebuild (18:06) Strategy Vault Launch Partners (22:11) V2 Launch Timeline (25:41) Why Crypto Rates Lag (30:03) Managing DeFi Risk (37:07) Winning Issuer Distribution (43:59) What Assets Come Next (48:28) Closing Comments -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed…

People in this episode

Host: Danny

Guest: Thomas Lefort

Topics covered

  • onchain interest rate markets
  • DeFi infrastructure
  • risk management
  • institutional adoption
  • yield products

Keywords

  • interest rate swaps
  • DeFi
  • Exponent V2
  • fixed-rate markets
  • yield demand
  • risk management
  • Solana

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Exponent, Solana Foundation, Blockworks

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