Empire

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.

This week, the hosts dive into Lighter's Token launch and its unique strategy compared to competitors, alongside Walmart's ambitious OnePay rollout aimed at enhancing customer financial services. They discuss Erebor's impressive $350 million valuation and the digital banking landscape. The conversation also touches on the rise of stablecoins and their impact on community banks, highlighting how blockchain technology is paving the way for financial innovation and real-world asset management. Join them for insights into the future of crypto and banking!

The hosts delve into whether the start of 2026 will be bullish for crypto amid market rally talks. They tackle the intriguing token vs equity debate, dissecting how tokens struggle with revenue rights, leading to trust issues. The concept of MetaDAO emerges as a potential solution for aligning ownership and value. Discussions also include the challenges of token pricing and the need for legal reforms in securities. Additionally, Solana's block-building competition adds another layer of excitement to the crypto landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Caroline Pham, the Acting Chairman of the CFTC, dives into the critical role of regulatory clarity for digital assets. She emphasizes a 'back to basics' approach to ensure market integrity and introduces the 12-month Crypto Sprint initiative aimed at streamlining crypto regulations. Pham also explores the importance of tokenized collateral and stablecoins, advocating for the U.S. to become the crypto capital of the world. Her insights on cooperation between the CFTC and SEC shed light on creating a harmonized market structure.

The hosts reflect on their 2025 predictions before diving into insights for 2026. They explore stablecoin growth, with predictions for Visa's massive card settlements and bank-backed stable USD accounts. The discussion covers on-chain identity and decentralized storage's revival. They also foresee fintechs adopting DeFi solutions while predicting a tenfold growth in prediction markets. The forecast includes potential acquisitions in the crypto space and the emergence of tokenized collateral, highlighting a pivotal year ahead for digital assets.

Jill Gunter, co-founder of Espresso and a former Wall Street credit trader, dives into the evolving world of crypto. She shares insights on why privacy is crucial and how tokenization can unlock innovative products. Jill also discusses the SEC's changing stance on privacy and the importance of digital assets. Predictions for 2026 include Ethereum's choices and a resurgence of infrastructure. Plus, she reveals details about Espresso's upcoming token launch and the shift in crypto's cultural landscape as mainstream adoption grows.

The hosts explore if 2025 could signal crypto's moment akin to the dot-com bubble. They analyze the connection between crypto adoption and falling prices, comparing the current landscape to the post-dot-com era. Discussions include token versus equity exposure, the future of stablecoins, and Coinbase's new product launches. Predictions about market winners and losers, shifting investments towards AI, and the emerging role of traditional finance in crypto are highlighted. Finally, the debate on stablecoin issuers and their market strategies adds depth to the conversation.

Dougie DeLuca, a crypto investor and writer behind the viral essay 'Crypto Is Dead', discusses the evolving crypto landscape. He explores why current market sentiment is grim and identifies three areas with proven product-market fit. Dougie emphasizes the importance of mainstream adoption, arguing for the blending of crypto into everyday products. He also highlights the shift from decentralized ideals to more pragmatic approaches and shares insights on how to navigate investments as the industry matures.

Join Smac (0xsmac), a research-driven investor at Compound focusing on crypto and deep tech, and Noah Goldberg, founder of Theia and manager of a long-only crypto fund. They dive into why crypto's future hinges on fundamentals, challenging the prevailing hype-driven narratives. Discussions center on the real significance of cash flow, the need for clear storytelling from founders, and the interplay of traditional market comparisons with crypto's evolving landscape. They explore unconventional investment opportunities and the importance of distinguishing between durable and fleeting advantages.

This week, the hosts dive into the controversy surrounding Polymarket's data integrity, questioning the validity of claims about double-counting. They also explore the fresh launch of Tempo's testnet, discussing its unique features and potential impact on payments. The conversation shifts to founder burnout in the crypto space, emphasizing customer selection and sustainable growth. Additionally, the pivot of Farcaster towards a wallet product is examined, alongside broader themes such as the role of crypto as financial infrastructure.