Today, I am speaking with Steve (Namwoong) Kim, Co-Founder at Four Pillars, a global blockchain research firm based in Seoul, South Korea. Four Pillars is influential throughout the blockchain space, known for its deep knowledge and research of key infrastructure and unique tech emerging in web3.Steve’s academic background includes a degree in Economics from Penn State University, where he also pursued a minor in political philosophy. Steve’s passion for blockchain emerged from his interest in Austrian economics and the philosophical underpinnings of decentralization. During this interview, Steve shares his incredible personal journey, beginning with his early life in South Korea. We then dive into his studies in the U.S., his pivot towards economics, and how some insight into financial hardship motivated him to explore blockchain technology. Steve’s reflections on the ideological and technological transformations within the crypto space provide unique insights into the intersection of economics and blockchain. We also discuss his vision for Four Pillars, the importance of interoperability in web3, his research on The Graph, and his experiences writing influential research that bridges Eastern and Western perspectives on blockchain development.Show Notes and TranscriptsThe GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem. Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.Twitter: GRT_iQwww.GRTiQ.com