Exploring the origins of DeFi protocols with Andre Cronje

The Starting Block Β· August 19, 2026, 5:08AM EDT Β· 59:23

Episode 33 of The Starting Block, hosted by The Block’s Gareth Jenkinson, was broadcasted live with Flying Tulip Founder Andre Cronje.

Flying Tulip Founder Andre Cronje joins Gareth Jenkinson on The Starting Block to discuss the origins of his DeFi career in crypto code reviews, the capital efficiency innovations behind Flying Tulip and its total return swap differentiator, and how AI coding tools have transformed his development process.

OUTLINE
00:08 – Show Intro & Wyoming
01:23 – Block Briefing Headlines
05:14 – Meet Andre Cronje
06:48 – Cronje’s Crypto Origin Story
11:09 – From Yearn to Velodrome
14:40 – Flying Tulip Explained
21:19 – Total Return Swaps & Liquidations
26:35 – DeFi’s Future Outlook
30:36 – FTUSD & Regulatory Clarity
35:14 – Why Build in the US
41:03 – Growing Slowly & Safely
46:48 – AI Tools in Development


Andre Cronje –
Flying Tulip –


Gareth Jenkinson –
The Block –
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