Brandon Kumar of Layer3 joined us for a founder series. Who better than a founder to ask fellow operators what it takes to build companies? This is episode one of many to come. Let’s go.

Running a successful crypto company takes more than technical know-how; it requires understanding the human elements that bring an organisation to life. In the first episode of our operator-to-operator series, I explored this with Matt Katz from Caldera and my co-host Brandon from Layer3.

What makes this conversation unique is the look behind the scenes at Caldera. Matt's journey from Stanford to CEO gives a compelling view of modern crypto entrepreneurship. Unlike founders chasing the 2022 bull market, Matt focused on building something valuable—blockchain deployment through standardisation and accessibility.

Caldera's modular approach has reduced blockchain deployment costs by two orders of magnitude while maintaining security. Major projects like Apecoin, Manta, Treasure, and Zerion trust Caldera's infrastructure, proving its reliability.

Matt's reflections on managing a diverse team and balancing a “high-performance sports team” mindset with respect for individuals are lessons for any startup.

If you're curious about building a crypto company—from tech to team—this episode is worth your time.Key Moments: 00:00 - The Vision Behind Caldera 02:56 - The Journey of a Founder 05:52 - Operating Lessons in a Turbulent Market 09:13 - Building a High-Performance Team 12:06 - Understanding Caldera's Business Model 14:56 - Cost Reduction in Blockchain Launches 17:52 - Future Growth and Market Strategy 24:08 - Integrating New Technology and Infrastructure 25:05 - Vision for Caldera in 2034 26:31 - Navigating the Fundraising Landscape 29:20 - Maximizing Investor Relationships 32:44 - Co-Founder Dynamics and Decision-Making 36:29 - Learning from Competition and Market Adaptation 40:21 - Operational Rhythm and Team Management