Robert Leshner: Compound – An Automated Money Market for Ethereum Tokens (#295)

In this episode, we caught up with Robert Leshner, founder of the Compound protocol. Compound is a fascinating smart contract protocol, running atop Ethereum, that allows users to lend and borrow specific ERC-20 tokens with a duration-free interest model. The protocol acts as a central borrower and lender of user tokens and algorithmically prices the interest charged to borrowers and lenders. Compound is one of the first examples of a well-functioning lending market built using smart contracts.

Topics discussed in this episode:
- Robert's background and how he came to found Compound
- The workings of the compound protocol
- Statistics of usage of the protocol
- Intended plan for governance of the protocol in the future
- Business model of the company and the protocol
- Comparison of compound to other lending protocols on Ethereum
- Outlook and future plans

Links mentioned in this episode:
- Compound Website: https://bit.ly/2xGXNk8
- Compound Protocol Stats: https://medium.com/compound-finance/compound-v2-fe4b1fb62abb
- Our plan to create Compound v2: https://bit.ly/2JwrMRu
- Robert Leshner on Twitter: https://bit.ly/30yaeLV
- Robert Leshner on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2YJluEy
- Compound Finance on Twitter: http://bit.ly/2xBxV9D

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This episode is hosted by Meher Roy & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: https://epicenter.tv/295