--- title: "How Michael Nadeau Leveraged beehiiv’s API To Build a Custom Site" canonical: https://www.beehiiv.com/case-studies/the-defi-report description: "From Substack to a headless CMS, how The DeFi Report created a unique reading experience for crypto investors" source: live-converter generated: 2026-05-09T18:32:42.563Z --- # How Michael Nadeau Leveraged beehiiv’s API To Build a Custom Site # How Michael Nadeau Leveraged beehiiv’s API To Build a Custom Site ## From Substack to a headless CMS, how The DeFi Report created a unique reading experience for crypto investors ![How Michael Nadeau Leveraged beehiiv’s API To Build a Custom Site](https://images.prismic.io/beehiiv/aDBBwidWJ-7kSe9W_Untitleddesign-27-.png?auto=format,compress) Written by Kanishka Kumawat Published on 07 Apr 2025 [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beehiiv.com%2Fcase-studies%2Fthe-defi-report&title=How%20Michael%20Nadeau%20Leveraged%20beehiiv%E2%80%99s%20API%20To%20Build%20a%20Custom%20Site&summary=From%20Substack%20to%20a%20headless%20CMS%2C%20how%20The%20DeFi%20Report%20created%20a%20unique%20reading%20experience%20for%20crypto%20investors)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beehiiv.com%2Fcase-studies%2Fthe-defi-report&text=How%20Michael%20Nadeau%20Leveraged%20beehiiv%E2%80%99s%20API%20To%20Build%20a%20Custom%20Site)[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beehiiv.com%2Fcase-studies%2Fthe-defi-report)[](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Michael%20Nadeau%20Leveraged%20beehiiv%E2%80%99s%20API%20To%20Build%20a%20Custom%20Site%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beehiiv.com%2Fcase-studies%2Fthe-defi-report) ### Table of contents ### **Situation:** Michael Nadeau launched _The DeFi Report_ as a research-first newsletter covering onchain data, crypto KPIs, and blockchain fundamentals for financial professionals and crypto-curious readers. After building a subscriber base of 6,000 on Substack, Nadeau sought to evolve the project into a more professional, scalable business. ### **Challenge:** Substack’s limitations—10% revenue cuts, poor segmentation, and limited flexibility—hindered Nadeau’s plans for premium services and a better content experience. Mailchimp was ruled out due to crypto-hostility, and the need for a more business-friendly platform became clear. ### **Solution:** Nadeau migrated to **beehiiv** and used its API to turn his newsletter into a full-featured, custom-designed website. Key improvements included: - Headless CMS setup via Gigareef with NextJS - Custom table of contents, scrolling menus, and readable URLs - Segmentation for audience tracking and targeting - Excellent customer support and responsive API adjustments - Future plans to activate beehiiv Boosts and referral program ### **Results:** - Fully functional custom site powered by beehiiv's publishing tools - 70%+ open rates among core segments - 45-minute content workflows for analysts via beehiiv templates - Reader satisfaction and positive UX feedback ## Related Case Studies ![How AdQuick Scaled Industry Sponsorships with beehiiv's Ad Network](https://images.prismic.io/beehiiv/Z_VpXHdAxsiBwdKG_adquick.png?auto=format,compress) ### How AdQuick Scaled Industry Sponsorships with beehiiv's Ad Network Solving scale and visibility challenges in B2B marketing [ Read Case Study → ](/case-studies/adquick) ![How Particle for Men Generated a 1.73 ROAS Through Newsletter Ads](https://images.prismic.io/beehiiv/abfLOrbci2UF6CEY_Untitleddesign-34-.png?auto=format,compress) ### How Particle for Men Generated a 1.73 ROAS Through Newsletter Ads Scaling newsletter advertising to 8.3M readers while achieving 809 conversions with beehiiv [ Read Case Study → ](/case-studies/particle-for-men) ![The Founder Who Turned His 400k+ Newsletter Into a Negative CAC Machine](https://images.prismic.io/beehiiv/afL59cBOoF08xfCT_Untitleddesign-36-.png?auto=format,compress) ### The Founder Who Turned His 400k+ Newsletter Into a Negative CAC Machine How Open Source CEO pioneered model where newsletter ad revenue offsets customer acquisition costs with beehiiv. [ Read Case Study → ](/case-studies/open-source-ceo) ![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect,format=auto,width=640,quality=75/www/boosts-promo-2x/rockets.svg) ## The Only Writing & Publishing Tool You Need [ Start Your Free Trial ](https://app.beehiiv.com/signup?plan=max)