Mantle Ecosystem Lead Jess Zeng Talks Liquid Staking, Institutional Adoption, DeFi | Blockcast 53
Jess Zeng entered the crypto industry as an intern at Gemini while studying finance at SMU. She then moved on to work at Chainlink, where she transitioned from a business development role to an ecosystem-building focus.
After a stint at Fireblocks to gain institutional experience, she joined Mantle, where she now leads ecosystem growth for mETH - the liquid staking platform backed by Mantle.
In this Blockcast episode, Jess explains Mantle’s unique position as a Layer 2 (L2) network that integrates its own liquid staking derivatives (mETH and fBTC) and operates more like a hedge fund than a traditional L2.
She discusses Mantle’s ecosystem strategy, Mantle’s business model shift, moving from optimistic rollups to ZK rollups, and its focus on DeFi applications and AI integrations. Jess also explains Mantle’s Metamorphosis campaign, which incentivizes early adoption of ME and CME, as well as institutional adoption, regulatory concerns around Ethereum ETFs, and Mantle’s expansion efforts.
Blockcast is hosted by Head of APAC at Ledger, Takatoshi Shibayama. Previous episodes of Blockcast can be found on Podpage, with guests like Samar Sen (Talos), Jason Choi (Tangent), Lasanka Perera (Independent Reserve), Mark Rydon (Aethir), Peter Hui (Moongate), Luca Prosperi (M^0), Charles Hoskinson (Cardano), Aneirin Flynn (Failsafe), and Yat Siu (Animoca Brands) on our most recent shows.
🎙️ Hey there, Blockcast listeners! 🎙️ This podcast provides commentary and discussion on cryptocurrency and related topics. It is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Guests appearing on this podcast may discuss companies or strategies, but these discussions are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any particular asset or pursue any specific strategy. The hosts and guests are not financial advisors, and listeners are urged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Investments in cryptocurrency are inherently risky, and you could lose money.
Jess Zeng
Mantle Ecosystem Lead
Jess leads ecosystem growth for mETH, the liquid staking platform backed by Mantle. In this role, she focuses on expanding mETH’s presence across DeFi and emerging new ecosystems, fostering key partnerships, and driving the mETH and cmETH adoption.
Before joining Mantle, Jess built a strong foundation in blockchain infrastructure and institutional engagement, gaining hands-on experience in both custody providers and oracle networks through roles at Fireblocks and Chainlink. This foundational expertise has given her a comprehensive understanding of the broader crypto ecosystem, enabling her to drive strategic growth and ecosystem expansion efforts effectively.
Jess holds a degree in Finance from SMU and has been immersed in crypto since her university days, gaining early experience through internships at Gemini and Huobi. Her passion for the industry led her to pursue a full-time career in crypto immediately after graduation.