In this episode, we welcome Benedetto Biondi, CEO of Folks Finance, a trailblazing decentralized protocol developed on Algorand that's reshaping the future of lending, trading, governance, and asset management. Benedetto walks us through his intriguing journey from a mechanical engineering background to becoming a key player in the blockchain arena, steering the ship at Folks Finance. We delve into the inherent problems with centralized exchanges and explore how Folks Finance is revolutionizing the status quo through smart contracts and blockchain applications. We also take a step back to consider the broader impact of the DeFi revolution on the financial industry and its role in constructing the infrastructure for a new, permissionless, and borderless financial system. As our conversation unfolds, we examine the reasons behind Folks Finance's choice of Algorand for their project, shedding light on the scalability, decentralization, and security of this layer-one blockchain. We navigate the challenges often faced by innovators in the DeFi space, providing valuable insights for those venturing into this dynamic field. Benedetto discusses his influential role as a mentor in the Algorand accelerator and shares how Folks Finance's emphasis on ecosystem nurturing has helped position them as a leader in the industry. He also touches on his academic engagement as a DeFi lecturer at the University of Florence, reinforcing the critical role of education in grooming the next generation of Web 3.0 innovators. Looking ahead, we discuss emerging trends in the DeFi industry, the integration of blockchain technology and real-world assets into the permissionless market, and future plans for Folks Finance, including a lending platform. If you're curious about decentralized finance, interested in blockchain, or seeking to understand the future of digital asset management, this conversation with Benedetto Biondi is a must-listen.