In today's episode, Santi and Jason dive deep into the recent WBTC drama involving BitGo and Justin Sun, exploring its implications for the crypto industry. We discuss the potential impact of Kamala Harris's advisors on crypto regulation and debate the manipulation of prediction markets in politics. We also discuss whether crypto regulatory crackdown might have peaked. The conversation then shifts to the Eigen Layer airdrop scandal, examining the ethical considerations in crypto startups. Finally, we explore the future of shared sequencing and touch on the importance of transparency in the crypto space. Thanks for tuning in!

Resources

https://x.com/rushimanche/status/1823412883922841699

https://x.com/JasonYanowitz/status/1823484121253110015

- -

Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis.

Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

- -

Anoma is the universal intent machine, introducing a new era of applications where you define the outcomes you want. Anoma’s intent-centric architecture provides a universal operating system for building intent-centric apps compatible with any blockchain. Anoma vastly improves blockchain UX, enables novel applications, and promotes a more human-centric future for decentralized technology.

Follow Anoma at x.com/anoma and signup for the newsletter at anoma.net

- -

Avalanche is a smart contracts platform that scales infinitely and regularly finalizes transactions in less than one second. Its novel consensus protocol, Subnet infrastructure, and HyperSDK toolkit enable Web3 developers to easily launch powerful, custom blockchain solutions.

Build anything you want, any way you want, on the eco-friendly blockchain designed for Web3 devs.

Start building today at https://www.avax.network/

- -

re.al is the permissionless L2 for tokenized RWAs built on Arbitrum Orbit and the first L2 to return chain and protocol fees back to users, in reETH, ensuring they benefit from ecosystem growth. re.al has just launched a fully-transparent rewards (points) program returning 10% of $RWA supply to early users.

Not investment advice or product solicitation and not aimed at US persons. https://re.al/rewards/airdrop/O4UNU

- -

Step into MyPrize—the online multiplayer casino that lets you battle your friends and play alongside creators. On MyPrize, you're invited to get rowdy and share every victory and defeat with your pals. Because we know the only thing more fun than beating the house is beating your friends.

Get started with $20 free when you deposit or purchase of $10 or more: https://myprize.com/invite/Empire

- -

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:45) Educational Tracks

(12:09) WBTC History & Drama

(26:05) Coinbase cbBTC Launch

(30:31) Are Prediction Markets Manipulated?

(38:41) Anoma ad

(39:43) Re.al Ad

(40:43) Ava Labs Ad

(41:41) MyPrize

(42:19) Kamala Advisors

(48:48) Is Crypto Crackdown Over?

(53:47) Eigen Layer Airdrop Scandal

(01:05:09) Financial Disclosures

(01:10:03) Death of Shared Sequencing

- -

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, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.