Episodes

  • How To Fix Crypto's Token Problem | Weekly Roundup

    How To Fix Crypto's Token Problem | Weekly Roundup
    Mar 13 2026
    This week, we’re back with another weekly roundup on the equity vs. token debate in crypto. We dive deep into Across Protocol’s proposal to convert its token into equity before covering Kraken’s Fedwire approval, Ripple’s $50B valuation, and more. Enjoy! -- Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Empire: https://x.com/theempirepod -- Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026 -- ZKsync is the Bank Stack of Ethereum. It is a network of chains secured by cryptography, not validators. Its cutting-edge ZK innovation enables the privacy, performance and connectivity that businesses need to thrive in the digital assets economy. To find out more visit: https://www.zksync.io/ -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (08:36) Across To Convert Their Token to Equity (23:47) Crypto’s Token vs Equity Problem (36:52) ZKsync Ad (37:34) DAS Plug (38:00) Mastercard’s Crypto Partner Program (47:05) Ripple’s $50B Valuation (54:35) Kraken’s Gets Approved to Fedwire (01:00:57) Content of The Week -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • How Hyperliquid Unlocks 24/7 Markets | Jake Chervinsky & MC Lader

    How Hyperliquid Unlocks 24/7 Markets | Jake Chervinsky & MC Lader
    Mar 10 2026
    This week, Jake Chervinsky & MC Lader join the show to discuss the growth of Hyperliquid in 2026 and beyond. We deep dive into Hyperliquid's 24/7 markets thesis, how Native Markets won the USDH proposal, founding the Hyperliquid Policy Center, regulation in 2026 and more. Enjoy! -- Follow MC: https://x.com/Mclader Follow Jake: https://x.com/jchervinsky Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Empire: https://x.com/theempirepod -- Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026 -- ZKsync is the Bank Stack of Ethereum. It is a network of chains secured by cryptography, not validators. Its cutting-edge ZK innovation enables the privacy, performance and connectivity that businesses need to thrive in the digital assets economy -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:45) The Hyperliquid 24/7 Markets Thesis (06:02) Founding The Hyperliquid Policy Center (15:45) The State of DeFi Regulation (18:59) ZKsync Ad (19:34) The Hyperliquid USDH Proposal (29:59) Stablecoin Regulation In The US (38:05) The Hyperliquid 24/7 Markets Thesis (44:40) The Future of Stablecoins (57:53) Crypto Regulation In 2026 & Beyond -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • State of The Market, Polymarket Insider Trading & a16z Raising $2B | Weekly Roundup

    State of The Market, Polymarket Insider Trading & a16z Raising $2B | Weekly Roundup
    Mar 6 2026
    This week, we're back with another weekly roundup where we discuss the current state of markets as Bitcoin holds steady around $70k. We then deep dive into how to unlock 24/7 markets, insider trading on prediction markets, recent VC fundraises & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Empire:https://x.com/theempirepod -- Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026 -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:20) State of The Market (08:05) How To Unlock 24/7 Markets (18:54) DAS Plug (19:20) Insider Trading On Prediction Markets (52:58) OKX Raises At a $25B Valuation (55:34) a16z & Paradigm Raising $3.5B (01:09:33) Will Crypto Prices Recover? (01:13:16) Content of The Week -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Hivemind: Can Bitcoin Reclaim $80k, State of The Market & The AI Trade

    Hivemind: Can Bitcoin Reclaim $80k, State of The Market & The AI Trade
    Mar 5 2026
    This week, the Hivemind team breaks down the current market sentiment as crypto tries to put in a bottom. We deep dive into reasons to be optimistic, the convergence of crypto and AI, Citrini's AI piece & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Ceteris: ⁠https://x.com/ceterispar1bus⁠ Follow Jason: ⁠https://x.com/3xliquidated⁠ Follow Yan: https://x.com/YanLiberman Follow Jose: https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo Follow Empire: ⁠https://x.com/theempirepod⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/4jYEkBx⁠ Subscribe on Apple: ⁠https://bit.ly/3ECSmJ3⁠ Subscribe on Spotify: ⁠https://bit.ly/4hzy9lH⁠ -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: ⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/⁠ -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:41) State of The Market (09:27) Venice AI & Crypto’s AI Moment (26:52) Positioning For The AI Trade (52:30) Citrini’s AI Piece -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, the Hivemind team, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Introducing: Inflection Point | The Crypto-TradFi Convergence

    Introducing: Inflection Point | The Crypto-TradFi Convergence
    Mar 5 2026
    In this first episode of Inflection Point, we explore the accelerating convergence between traditional finance and crypto as institutional adoption begins reshaping the foundations of global financial infrastructure. The conversation examines ETFs, DeFi innovation, market structure shifts, institutional flows, and how evolving investor behavior is changing Bitcoin and digital asset markets. Along the way, we discuss regulation, credit markets, technology limitations, and the broader implications of finance moving onchain. Enjoy! — Inflection Point: Apple 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3QKdX5a Spotify 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3YhGJy3 YouTube 🎥: https://link.blockworks.co/46Cee2q — Follow Matt: ⁠⁠https://x.com/Matt_Hougan⁠⁠ Follow David: ⁠⁠https://x.com/dlawant⁠⁠ Follow Michael: ⁠⁠https://x.com/marcryptonio⁠⁠ Follow Marc: ⁠⁠https://x.com/marcarjoon⁠⁠ Follow Inflection Point: ⁠⁠https://x.com/BWInflection⁠⁠ Follow Blockworks: ⁠⁠https://x.com/Blockworks_⁠⁠ — Join us at Digital Asset Summit 2026 in NYC March 24-26th! Use code INFLECTION200 for $200 OFF! ⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026⁠⁠ — Timestamps (00:00) Intro To Inflection Point (06:48) The Convergence Between TradFi & Crypto (22:20) Crypto's Biggest Advantages & Hurdles (36:15) Crypto's Changing Market Structure (41:00) Prices, Sentiment & Long-Term Allocators (46:00) Evolution Of Crypto Options & Yield (51:30) Is The 4-Year Cycle Dead? (01:02:00) Final Thoughts — Disclaimer: Nothing said on Inflection Point is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. #Crypto #DeFi #Bitcoin #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #CryptoPodcast
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Building The Perfect Portfolio In 2026 | Tushar Jain & Pranav Kanade

    Building The Perfect Portfolio In 2026 | Tushar Jain & Pranav Kanade
    Mar 3 2026
    This week, Tushar Jain & Pranav Kanade join the show to discuss the current state of markets. We deep dive into where are we in the cycle, where to allocate in 2026, how to value tokens, stablecoin chains & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Tushar: https://x.com/tushar_jain Follow Pranav: https://x.com/vaneckpk Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Empire: https://x.com/theempirepod -- Coinbase crypto-backed loans, powered by Morpho, enable you to take out loans at competitive rates using crypto as collateral. Rates are typically 4% to 8%. Borrow up to $5M using BTC as collateral and up to $1M using ETH as collateral. Manage crypto-backed loans directly in the Coinbase app with ease. Learn more here: https://www.coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_empire&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=empire -- Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026 -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:20) Where Are We In The Market Cycle? (06:35) Allocating In Crypto (16:12) Coinbase Ad (16:57) DAS Plug (17:22) How To Value Crypto Tokens (32:28) Investing In Apps vs L1s (38:10) Crypto Social & Stablecoin Chains (53:00) Investing In AI (59:40) Positioning In 2026 -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Terra vs Jane Street, Circle Earnings & Robinhood’s Venture Fund | Weekly Roundup

    Terra vs Jane Street, Circle Earnings & Robinhood’s Venture Fund | Weekly Roundup
    Feb 27 2026
    This week, we're back with another weekly roundup where we discuss the recent lawsuit filed by Terraform Labs against Jane Street. We then deep dive into Circle's earnings, Tether's investment in Whop, Robinhood's Venture fund & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Empire:https://x.com/theempirepod -- Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026 -- Coinbase crypto-backed loans, powered by Morpho, enable you to take out loans at competitive rates using crypto as collateral. Rates are typically 4% to 8%. Borrow up to $5M using BTC as collateral and up to $1M using ETH as collateral. Manage crypto-backed loans directly in the Coinbase app with ease. Learn more here: https://www.coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_empire&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=empire -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:40) Terraform Labs Sues Jane Street (28:40) Coinbase Ad (29:24) DAS Plug (29:51) Circle Beats Earnings (39:32) Would You Rather Own Stripe or Circle? (46:10) Robinhood’s Venture Fund (56:04) Tether Invests $200M In Whop (01:19:37) Content of The Week -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Zero Just Made Blockchains 100x Better | Bryan Pellegrino & Raz Zarick

    Zero Just Made Blockchains 100x Better | Bryan Pellegrino & Raz Zarick
    Feb 23 2026
    This week, Bryan Pellegrino and Raz Zarick from LayerZero join the show to discuss Zero, the 100x breakthrough in blockchain architecture. We deep dive into the Zero origin story, the roadmap for 2026, LayerZero's ultimate vision, how to build a moat in crypto, hiring top talent and more. Enjoy! -- Follow Bryan: https://x.com/PrimordialAA Follow Raz: https://x.com/ryanzarick Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Empire: https://x.com/theempirepod -- Coinbase crypto-backed loans, powered by Morpho, enable you to take out loans at competitive rates using crypto as collateral. Rates are typically 4% to 8%. Borrow up to $5M using BTC as collateral and up to $1M using ETH as collateral. Manage crypto-backed loans directly in the Coinbase app with ease. Learn more here: https://www.coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_empire&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=empire -- Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026 -- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:53) The Zero Origin Story (13:55) Zero's 100x Breakthrough (22:10) Achieving 2 Million TPS (32:29) Coinbase Ad (33:14) DAS Plug (33:40) How To Build A Moat In Crypto? (48:05) LayerZero’s Ultimate Vision (57:37) The Impact of AI (01:06:25) Zero’s Roadmap In 2026 -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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    1 hr and 39 mins