In this episode of the Cyber Business Podcast, Matthew sits down with Fred Teumer to explore Grove’s role in Web3 and the transformative potential of the Pocket Network. Fred unpacks how their decentralized infrastructure allows developers to anonymously and securely access blockchain data—without relying on centralized cloud providers like AWS. By leveraging token-based incentives, the network scales to meet demand while maintaining privacy and redundancy.

Fred dives into Grove’s focus on making Web3 usable for developers and enterprises alike. Their API portal mimics familiar Web2 tools, easing the transition to a decentralized environment. But Grove isn’t stopping with blockchain; they’re also piloting support for privacy tools like Signal and Tor, as well as LLM services that could one day rival offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic—at a fraction of the cost.

The conversation also explores the harsh reality of security in decentralized environments. Fred highlights how Web3 presents new SoC2 compliance challenges and why most vulnerabilities don’t come from code, but from humans—citing social engineering as a persistent threat. He emphasizes the need for an open-source, community-driven security posture—something Grove embraces through its bounty program and open development model.

Finally, Fred shares his unconventional career path—from building StarCraft maps as a kid, to leading infrastructure strategy at Grove. He talks about the thrill and volatility of startups, the importance of aligned incentives, and why crypto is not for the faint of heart—but offers massive upside for those willing to embrace the chaos.