EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, I sit down with Joao Lobo, founder of Kute Wallet , a Bitcoin-only, non-custodial wallet built for the next generation of crypto users. Joao walks me through his journey from discovering Bitcoin on 4chan forums in 2013, to building a PIX-integrated wallet for Brazil, to now targeting the European market with a product designed to feel as simple as a banking app. We dig into what makes Kute different , from Lightning-powered Polymarket integration to upcoming Hyperliquid stock exposure and Morpho lending features , and why he believes the future of finance is a seamless blend of non-custodial crypto and traditional banking. We also get into the brutal reality of customer acquisition costs, why MetaMask and Phantom overwhelm new users, and the advice Joao has for any founder building in this space right now.
DISCLAIMER
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.
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CONNECT
Kute Wallet Website: https://kutewallet.com/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/kutewallet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kutewallet?igsh=azVtbmc5NDQ5b3Zx&utm_source=qr
Joao Lobo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joao-pedro-miranda-0ba478a7/?locale=en
Web3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz
KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS
• [00:00] Sam introduces the episode and guest Joao Lobo, founder of Kute Wallet
• [01:36] Joao's origin story: first hearing about Bitcoin on 4chan in 2013, buying in 2019, and eventually committing his career to crypto
• [04:21] How Joao went from working at a gambling company to founding a Bitcoin wallet for Brazil (SAT Sales), then pivoting to Kute Wallet for Europe
• [05:11] Why Joao integrated Polymarket directly into Kute via Lightning rather than building a competing prediction market
• [08:06] What makes Kute Wallet different: Bitcoin-only, Lightning-powered, clean UI, and cross-chain swaps via Sideshift and Orchestra
• [11:24] Upcoming features: Hyperliquid integration for ETFs and stocks, Morpho for USDC yield and Bitcoin-backed loans, and an in-app AI assistant called Sal
• [13:40] The long-term vision: combining a non-custodial crypto wallet with a fiat bank account to close the full financial loop
• [14:11] Target demographic: 18 to 30 year olds open to new financial technology and risk
• [18:18] How Kute tackles complexity , using plain language instead of crypto jargon and an AI mascot to explain features in context
• [22:18] The biggest challenge: customer acquisition costs rising rapidly across all software, and how founder-led community building is the counter-strategy
• [26:18] The biggest misconception about crypto wallets: most people outside the space don't understand custodial versus non-custodial
• [29:27] How stablecoins and blockchain rails are already powering global trade and payments, especially in emerging markets
• [37:23] Technical architecture of Kute: BDK, Breeze for Lightning, Sideshift, Orchestra, and direct Polymarket and Hyperliquid integrations via private key
• [40:08] Current stage: Android live, iOS App Store approval imminent, part of Antidot Bitcoin incubator in London, seed round targeting September close
• [42:53] Joao's advice for founders: use AI tools aggressively now while they are subsidised, iterate fast, build a social presence, and make human connection your moat
