DigiTalk Podcast EP20 Recap : No Filter, Just Web3

The recent DigiTalk Episode 20 podcast assembled a forward-thinking panel of Web3 founders and builders from Kickdom and Daffi One for an in-depth exploration of “No Filter, Just Web3.” The conversation explored the state of communities, trends like meme culture and influencer founders, and what keeps people here through the cycles.

Q1: Can you start by giving an overview of your project?

Kickdom

Kickdom is a mobile football strategy game that blends club management with tycoon mechanics. Players build their own football empires by managing squads, upgrading facilities, and participating in real-time tournaments. It’s currently live on both Play Store and Apple Store. The game offers a Web2-friendly onboarding process where players can log in via email or social media without the need for crypto wallets.

Our goal is to bring Web3 value to users without overcomplicating the experience. We recently ran a $3,000 prize tournament across three weeks and are working on new 3D gameplay that enables real-time action like tackling and passing. We want to create a bridge between casual mobile gamers and the blockchain space through engaging gameplay and community-driven development.

Daffi One

Daffi One stands for Decentralized Autonomous Frictionless Finance. We’ve been building for four years, focusing on a non-custodial multi-chain wallet that supports over 20 blockchains. Our mission is to bring blockchain finance to real-world users, especially the unbanked, with tools that make payments seamless, fast, and secure.

Our flagship solution, Daffi One P, is launching soon. It enables account-to-account payments for merchants—without requiring banks or custodial services. We’re starting with a rollout in the Caribbean and plan to expand across regions like Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Our long-term goal is to create a full ecosystem including virtual cards, ticketing, and event management, all powered by blockchain.

Q2: Compared to the last cycle, has the energy of Web3 shifted? Are we seeing a cultural reset or just more of the same under different narratives?

Kickdom

It feels like a cultural reset in some ways. While the hype of meme coins and altseason chatter still exists, more users are prioritizing utility and product experience. Back in 2021, many jumped into projects hoping for quick gains, but now users are more cautious and aware. They want sustainable value and clear direction from builders.

At Kickdom, we’ve been building since the last bear market, so we’ve seen this shift up close. The excitement is still here—but it’s more grounded. People want real products, working games, and transparent roadmaps. There’s still room for hype, but it’s not the main driver anymore.

Daffi One

The energy has definitely matured. Last cycle felt like a rollercoaster powered by speculation. This time, there’s more substance. We’re seeing fewer vaporware tokens and more usable infrastructure. The fact that we’re bootstrapped has allowed us to build slowly without chasing trends, and we’re seeing that conviction pay off.

Users are also more discerning. They no longer accept “Web3” as a magic word. They ask: “What’s the problem this solves?” That’s a good sign. The memes are still around, but they aren’t defining the culture like before. Builders are being rewarded for solving real issues, not just riding waves.

Q3: How do you distinguish between a real community and just a crowd following the latest hype? What signals do you look for?

Kickdom
Real communities stick around in the quiet times. We see this with our early testers who provide detailed feedback, help new users onboard, and sometimes even act as unofficial support. They care about the game’s direction and success—not just price or rewards.

A crowd, on the other hand, is reactive. When something goes wrong, they echo complaints instead of seeking solutions. Community members ask questions, suggest features, and engage constructively. Crowds just follow noise. For us, retention and involvement are the clearest signals.

Daffi One
There’s a huge difference. A crowd shows up for airdrops or token launches, but a real community shows up on a Tuesday afternoon to talk strategy or give feedback. We track user quality, not just quantity. Even in early stages, we aim to build a loyal base that understands and contributes to our mission.

We’ve also shifted toward education-focused content: videos, tutorials, and visual explainers. Communities grow when people feel equipped and empowered. If someone joins and starts helping others onboard—that’s community. If they’re just here to flip tokens—they’re part of a crowd.

Q4: With constant calls for transparency, is there such a thing as too much? How do you balance openness with protecting your project’s strategic edge?

Kickdom
Yes, there can be too much transparency. When teams reveal too many plans too early, they risk failing to deliver and losing credibility. On the flip side, hiding everything leads to community disengagement. The balance lies in sharing progress and direction while reserving sensitive details until they’re ready.

We focus on communicating mid-to-long term goals. Our community appreciates that we don’t overpromise, and we make sure our updates are realistic and achievable. Transparency should empower, not burden. Overexposure leads to unmet expectations—and disappointed supporters.

Daffi One
We’re strong believers in transparency, but it has limits. People don’t need a live feed of internal strategy meetings. What they do need is regular updates, clear goals, and a sense that their feedback is heard. We publish monthly reports, join AMAs, and release dev updates, but we’re careful not to leak features prematurely.

Transparency should be about accessibility, not noise. You gain trust by showing progress and holding your standards high—not by flooding channels with every internal decision. We’d rather underpromise and overdeliver than set ourselves up for failure by trying to be “transparent” 24/7.

Q5: Beyond tech, what cultural movements (in art, music, gaming, etc.) are intersecting with Web3 in interesting ways?

Kickdom
Gaming is obviously one of the biggest intersections. We’re part of that wave—creating a game that people enjoy first and then realize it’s Web3. But meme culture also plays a huge role. Look at how meme tokens and viral communities have reshaped what it means to “belong” in a Web3 space.

People are looking for entertainment and identity. When projects tap into cultural language—memes, humor, art—they build emotional connection. It’s not just about functionality anymore. Culture is how people remember and relate to a project.

Daffi One
Meme culture still has power, but we're seeing a rise in deeper integrations—like music events, token-gated access to live shows, and branded communities. One of our upcoming features includes blockchain-based ticketing for real-world venues. That’s not just tech—it’s a lifestyle bridge.

The trend is moving from hype to meaningful experiences. Culture in Web3 isn’t just visual—it’s about participation and ownership. People want tools that let them co-create their digital lives. That’s why we’re betting on real-world utility and digital belonging.

Q6: How has the rise of personal brands and influencer founders changed the expectations for Web3 projects? Are we better or worse off?

Kickdom
The rise of personal brands and influencers has definitely changed the landscape—for better and worse. On one hand, good influencers can create authentic engagement and help onboard new users. When they genuinely believe in a project, their support brings long-term value. On the other hand, projects that rely solely on influencers without substance often crash when the hype fades.

We've seen cases like “influencer tokens” that launched and then immediately tanked because there was no product behind the personality. At Kickdom, we focus on creators and streamers who actually play the game and care about the ecosystem. It's not just about their reach, but about their alignment with what we're building.

Daffi One
It’s a double-edged sword. The “founder as a brand” phenomenon has made teams more human, more accountable—but also more vulnerable to optics. A visible founder can build trust quickly, but if they misstep, the entire project can suffer reputationally. That’s why we believe in showing up, but not turning development into performance.

We’ve chosen to be present but grounded. Our founder has over 30 years of financial experience and engages directly with the community, but we never build around personalities. This isn’t theater—it’s infrastructure. That distinction matters. The best projects strike a balance between public leadership and product focus.

Q7: In the middle of market swings and shifting narratives, what keeps you personally invested in Web3?

Kickdom
For me, it's the constant evolution of the space. In Web2, many industries feel static and saturated. In Web3, there’s something new to learn, build, or explore every single week. Whether it’s a new gameplay mechanic powered by AI or a novel way to tokenize assets, the energy is always forward-looking.

The sense of community is also unique. Most people in Web3 genuinely want to see each other win. The openness, the drive to collaborate, and the belief in shared ownership—that’s rare. It’s what kept us building through the bear market and what continues to fuel our creativity today.

Daffi One
Every few months I re-evaluate why I’m still here, and each time the answer grows stronger. Nowhere else can you design cross-continental payment systems and ship them within weeks. The ability to collaborate in real-time with people from five different countries and solve global problems—that’s powerful.

What also keeps me here is the sheer range of verticals: stablecoins, wallets, real-world assets, tokenized commerce. I’ve been through multiple sectors in Web3 and I’m constantly learning. The mission is greater than price—it’s about access, empowerment, and building systems that last. That’s why I’m still here.

Q8: Give us your most unfiltered prediction for Web3’s cultural direction over the next year. Forget price targets — what will people feel about this space?

Kickdom
We’ll see a major shift toward quality and retention. Users are burned out from short-lived hype. They want games, apps, and communities that deliver consistent value. Projects that last will be those that focus on gameplay, product design, and emotional resonance—especially in sectors like gaming and entertainment.

Culturally, I think we’ll move from “earn fast” to “engage deeply.” People will care more about how a product makes them feel, not just what it pays them. Web3 will evolve into a more immersive, emotionally connected ecosystem where fun and belonging matter just as much as token price.

Daffi One
My raw take? Decentralization will stop being a buzzword and start being measured by real-world impact. People won’t just ask, “Is it decentralized?” but “Does this give me control? Does this respect my time?” Surface-level decentralization won’t cut it anymore—users will demand substance.

We’ll also see loyalty shift from giveaways to earned ownership. Protocols that treat users as co-builders will thrive. The meme cycle may continue, but the winners will be those who deliver consistency, usability, and long-term alignment. The culture will become less speculative and more purposeful—and we’re already building toward that.