Dominic Schwenter, COO of Lisk, on The Ethereum Foundation, The Superchain, and Ethereum’s Role in High-Growth Markets | Ep. 418

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Dominic Schwenter, COO of Lisk, joined the Cryptonews Spotlight Podcast to discuss Ethereum’s role in high-growth markets, the rise of the Superchain, and how interoperability is key to Web3 adoption.

As a veteran in blockchain infrastructure and decentralized applications, Schwenter shared insights into why Lisk is betting on Layer-2 technology to scale Ethereum, why Ethereum remains the backbone of Web3, and what’s next for blockchain in emerging markets.

The State of the Market and Crypto Cycles

“One thing you learn after being in the space for a long time is not to worry too much about any short-term price movement.”

Schwenter addressed the current market downturn, emphasizing that crypto is cyclical, and while price swings are inevitable, the underlying innovation continues to grow. He believes macro factors like global liquidity cycles and upcoming US elections will shape the next bull run.

Why Ethereum is Still the Backbone of Web3

“Ethereum has always been a punching bag. People love to criticize it, but it’s still standing, and it’s still leading.”

Ethereum remains one of the most decentralized and trusted Layer-1s, despite constant criticism. Schwenter pointed out that Ethereum’s long-term vision, combined with strong developer activity, makes it one of the most resilient blockchain ecosystems.

The Superchain: Ethereum’s Answer to Scalability

“The Superchain is going to be the first real cross-chain interoperability solution in crypto. People are sleeping on it.”

Lisk is actively building on Ethereum’s Superchain, a network of interoperable Layer-2s designed to improve scalability and liquidity. The Superchain allows different chains to share security and settlement while maintaining their own unique ecosystems.

The Importance of Interoperability in Blockchain Growth

“Right now, switching between chains is still a terrible experience. The Superchain will allow users to move seamlessly between L2s, just like using apps on the internet.”

Interoperability is one of the biggest barriers to mass adoption. The Superchain aims to create a Web2-like experience for users, allowing them to interact with multiple chains without friction.

The Future of Lisk: A Focus on Emerging Markets

“Lisk has always been about democratizing access. That’s why we’re focusing on emerging markets—because that’s where the real adoption is happening.”

Lisk is targeting high-growth regions like Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, where stablecoins and DeFi are solving real-world financial problems. Schwenter emphasized that Web3 adoption is strongest in countries with failing traditional financial systems.

Why Crypto’s Biggest Challenge is Usability, Not Technology

“We haven’t even scratched the surface of mainstream adoption because using crypto is still way too difficult for most people.”

Schwenter argued that the biggest challenge in Web3 isn’t scalability, but usability. Lisk and the Superchain aim to make crypto feel as easy as using a traditional financial app.

Web3 Needs More Real-World Applications

“Meme coins and speculation won’t drive the next wave of crypto adoption. We need apps that solve real problems.”

While meme coins bring excitement to the market, Schwenter believes Web3 needs more practical applications in areas like finance, payments, and identity to achieve long-term growth.

The Role of Stablecoins in High-Growth Markets

“If you go to Argentina, people aren’t trading meme coins. They’re using stablecoins because their national currency is collapsing.”

Stablecoins have become the first real-world use case for crypto in emerging markets, allowing people to escape inflation and access a stable digital dollar.

The Next Wave of Web3 Innovation

“The most exciting projects aren’t trying to replace banks or social networks—they’re trying to build entirely new financial systems.”

Schwenter believes the next major wave of innovation will come from projects that rethink finance from the ground up, rather than trying to replicate existing systems.

The Superchain Will Change How Blockchains Operate

“For the first time, L2s can be niche-focused without sacrificing liquidity and security. That’s a game-changer.”

The Superchain allows Layer-2s to specialize in specific use cases (gaming, payments, DeFi) while still tapping into Ethereum’s security and liquidity.

Lisk’s Role in Supporting Web3 Founders

“We’re providing mentorship, funding, and infrastructure for startups that want to build real-world Web3 applications.”

Lisk is actively investing in Web3 founders, providing resources for building sustainable businesses in blockchain.

What’s Next for Lisk and the Superchain?

“We’re excited about the launch of interoperability within the Superchain. It’s going to completely change how blockchains interact.”

Lisk is focused on launching key interoperability features within the Superchain, making it easier than ever for users and developers to move between different Layer-2s.