Strobe Ignite — Ep 06 Recap: “Strobe Meets Fig from Squid”
TL;DR
In episode six, we sat down with Fig, co‑founder at Squid, to talk about why cross‑chain UX matters, what “any token to any token” really takes behind the scenes, and how Squid is making chain‑to‑chain swaps feel safe and simple. We cover Fig’s unusual path from medicine to engineering to DeFi, Squid’s focus on approachable branding without losing trust, and why cross‑chain swaps can already beat single‑chain swaps on price in some cases.
Episode Summary
On this episode of Strobe Ignite, BD Lead George chatted with Fig from Squid about the future of multi‑chain UX and what it takes to make it click for normal users.
Fig’s path: medicine → engineering → DeFi
Fig started in medicine, learned the value of ethics, conflict resolution, and calm under pressure, then taught himself to code and moved into engineering and design. DeFi in 2020 felt like the right place to strip out middlemen and build open systems. That mix of people skills and product thinking shaped how Squid ships.
What Squid does in one line
Squid connects liquidity across roughly 100 chains so users and apps can swap tokens chain to chain in a self‑custodial way. Think XRPL EVM, Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin and more. Devs can integrate through an API or a drop‑in widget, and there is a simple app for users too. Squid has processed about $4.5B in volume and is used by roughly 1,000 teams.
“Imagine you have XRP and want it on the XRPL EVM Sidechain. You can do that with us, fully self‑custodial.” [7:39]
Why branding and tone matter in crypto UX
Most crypto brands lean dark sci‑fi. Squid went the other way: friendly, warm, and still professional. The goal is to lower anxiety without losing trust. That shows up in the UI, copy, and support touchpoints.
The “any to any” vision, plus real limits
Squid aims for any token to any token. There are still edge‑case limits today, but an upcoming product aims to unlock full coverage. The bar is simple: no dead ends, no surprise errors, no five‑step detours.
“If crypto wants to compete with centralized systems, any to any swaps need to just work.” [11:45]
Fun fact: cross‑chain can be cheaper than single‑chain
Counter‑intuitive but true in some routes today. Fig notes that swapping out of or into Ethereum can be cheaper via a cross‑chain path than a native single‑chain swap, thanks to routing and gas dynamics.
Products for builders and users
- API and SDK so apps can route users cross‑chain without leaving the experience
- Widget that drops a bridge or swap into any frontend in minutes
- Squid app for direct user swaps
- Partner work with chains to stitch new tech into the broader liquidity network
Education as product: Squid School and real support
Cross‑chain is scary for newcomers. Squid invests in calm guidance: 30+ step‑by‑step guides, launch threads, and a support team that replies fast. The goal is to feel like a helpful friend sitting next to you.
Perspective on open systems
Open rails move faster, even if they come with noise and scams. The mission is fewer middlemen, more transparency, and lower costs for users over time.
About Squid
Squid is a cross‑chain liquidity and messaging layer that lets users and apps swap across roughly 100 chains with self‑custody. Devs can integrate via API or widget, while users can use the Squid app for direct swaps. The team focuses on safe UX, clear education, and production‑grade integrations.
About Our Guest, Fig
Fig is a co‑founder at Squid. He started in medicine, moved into software and product design, and has been building in DeFi since 2020 with a focus on human‑centered UX and open systems.
Watch | Listen
- Watch the full episode on YouTube
- Listen on Spotify
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