Claude Opus 4.5’s Breakout Moment & Investing in 2026 with Qiao Wang

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Jan 12, 2026

Qiao Wang, cryptocurrency investor and founder of Alliance, shares insights on how AI is reshaping investment strategies for 2026. He discusses the breakthrough capabilities of Claude Opus 4.5 in coding tasks and highlights AI's potential for driving productivity in startups. The conversation dives into 'vibe coding,' the erosion of software moats for startups, and the implications of AI on VC and founder dynamics. With a portfolio shift towards stocks and Bitcoin, Qiao stresses the importance of authenticity in social media amid a rapidly changing landscape.

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INSIGHT

Chatbots Are Becoming True Coding Partners

Opus 4.5 blurred the line between chatbot and coding by reliably doing the last-mile work from plain-English specs.
Qiao felt it could one-shot full backend tasks when given clear, comprehensive prompts.

ADVICE

Automate High-Impact Tasks First

Use AI to automate immediate high-impact tasks rather than forcing it everywhere.
Focus on places where AI reduces work dramatically, like admission filtering or sales ops.

INSIGHT

Solo Founders Can Achieve Much More

AI reduces the need to hire for many operational roles, enabling tiny teams to run large products.
Qiao predicts one- or two-person unicorns become plausible by 2026.

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This week, Qiao Wang joins the show to discuss how AI is transforming what it means to be an investor in 2026. We deep dive into Claude Opus 4.5 and its breakout moment, why Qiao got into the Google trade, constructing a portfolio for 2026, where to allocate time in the age of AI and more. Enjoy!

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Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:33) Claude’s Opus 4.5 Breakout Moment

(08:40) How Does AI Impact Startups?

(13:10) Do Moats Still Exist?

(20:00) Getting Into The Google Trade

(23:38) Where To Allocate Time In 2026

(26:23) Ads (VanEck, Mantle)

(28:25) Using AI Models For Investing

(41:30) How Does AI Change Brand & Distribution?

(44:49) Qiao’s Portfolio In 2026

(55:14) Health & Longevity

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.