

Empire
Blockworks
Empire features interviews with top crypto founders to get the real stories that aren’t shared elsewhere. Empire is your look behind the curtain of the crypto industry. We release two episodes per week: guest interviews on Monday and a weekly roundup on Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 17min
No, We Have Not Topped Featuring Roshun Patel | Weekly Roundup
Roshun Patel, a savvy expert in market cycles and capital flows, joins Yano and Santi to dissect key indicators that may signal a market peak. They explore the implications of Chamath's SPAC, delve into the worlds of meme coins and NFTs, and the contrast between centralized and decentralized finance. Roshun emphasizes the cyclical nature of crypto markets and portfolio management strategies. The discussion offers a glimpse into trends affecting Ethereum, Solana, and more, all while reflecting on the emotional ties to investing in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.

Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 17min
Where Are We In The Cycle, ETHs Outperformance & The Perpification of Markets
Kaledora Fontana Kiernan-Linn, Co-founder and CEO of Ostium, dives into the evolving landscape of trading TradFi on-chain. She explains the concept of 'perpification' in markets and its implications. The discussion also highlights Ethereum's impressive performance and its vital role in the crypto ecosystem. Kaledora shares insights on the tokenization of equities, the competition between crypto and traditional finance, and the future of decentralized finance. Her expertise offers a compelling vision of a seamless trading future with stable coins.

26 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 1h 21min
What Liquid Funds Are Buying Featuring Seth Ginns & Cosmo Jiang
Seth Ginns from CoinFund and Cosmo Jiang from Pantera Capital bring their liquid fund expertise to discuss the dynamic world of cryptocurrency. They dive into the challenges fund managers face amid shifting market dominance and the importance of fundamental analysis in selecting outperforming tokens. The duo emphasizes strategic portfolio management, advocating for quality-focused investment strategies. They also explore the significance of digital asset treasuries and envision a future where 24/7 trading reshapes financial landscapes.

Aug 15, 2025 • 1h 20min
The Ether Machine Chairman: Real Risk of DATs And Who Wins From Stripe And Circle’s Chains | Weekly Roundup
Andrew Keys from The Ether Machine, a seasoned Ethereum expert, discusses the intriguing world of Digital Asset Trusts (DATs) and shares insights on private Layer 1 solutions like those from Stripe and Circle. He reveals how DATs, outside BTC and ETH, may present heightened risks for investors. The conversation navigates the competition among cryptocurrency players, revealing who stands to gain or lose from these emerging projects. Keys also touches upon the complexities of decentralized finance and the future of crypto investment strategies.

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 25min
How to Launch a Token (Legally) Featuring Miles Jennings & Eddy Lazzarin Of a16z Crypto
Miles Jennings is the Head of Policy and General Counsel at a16z Crypto, focused on regulatory clarity, while Eddy Lazzarin serves as CTO, bridging tech and legal realms. They dive into the complexities of token launches, discussing the importance of compliance and innovative governance structures like DUNAs. The duo explores advancements in crypto legislation, emphasizing transparency and the economic implications of token designs. They also address the evolution of founder priorities, highlighting the need for balance between innovation, legal intricacies, and user experience.

13 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 21min
No Top Signal In Sight | Weekly Roundup
This week dives into the rise of Debt Alternative Tokens and the implications for the market. Insights on Coinbase’s recent convertible notes reveal strategic maneuvers amidst investor interest. Discussion of Kraken’s IPO prospects highlights evolving regulations in crypto. Ripple's $200 million acquisition of a stablecoin platform signals new growth opportunities. The conversation also covers stablecoin dynamics and emerging trends in 401(k) investments, showcasing the innovative landscape of cryptocurrency and its potential future impact.

11 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 2min
Hivemind: Don’t Sleep on Ethena, Bull Case for Galaxy & The Hyperliquid Future
The discussion kicks off with a critical analysis of the recent market pullback and bullish signs emerging. Ethena and USDe are highlighted as promising investments for the future. Attention then shifts to Galaxy Digital's intriguing data center venture, positioning it as a sleeper AI play. Hyperliquid's prospects are explored amid regulatory risks and future potential with HIP-3. The hosts emphasize the importance of self-custody and discuss the evolving IPO landscape versus tokenization, rounding out a lively and informative conversation on crypto markets.

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 35min
The Bull Case For GLXY With Duncan & Rittenhouse Research
Duncan from Flood Capital, a prominent voice in the crypto world, joins Rittenhouse Research to discuss the investment potential of Galaxy Digital. They delve into Galaxy's unique business model, poised to thrive at the intersection of AI and cryptocurrency. The conversation explores implications of transforming from Bitcoin mining to AI cloud services, the importance of financial stability for institutional partnerships, and the company's promising future in the tech landscape. Insights into Galaxy's strategic plays and evolving operations make for a fascinating listen!

16 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 1h 27min
Nearing The DAT Peak With Avichal Garg | Weekly Roundup
Avichal Garg, a Partner at Electric Capital, dives deep into digital asset treasury (DAT) strategies and the evolving DeFi landscape. He discusses the significant implications of the White House Crypto Report and the startling partnership between Coinbase and Chase aimed at mass crypto adoption. The conversation also highlights market dynamics, the complexities of asset trading, and the emerging relationship between traditional finance and innovative blockchain solutions. Garg's insights resonate, emphasizing the future potential of creator economies and regulatory impacts in crypto.

32 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 26min
Charles Hoskinson: ADA Is A Better Investment Than BTC
Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano and co-founder of Ethereum, joins to discuss the future of cryptocurrencies and why ADA may outperform Bitcoin. He shares insights on the challenges facing crypto adoption and how politics are shaping the landscape. Charles delves into Cardano’s unique treasury strategies and its efficient model compared to Ethereum. With amusing anecdotes about bison management and a thrilling meteorite expedition, he combines personal tales with core blockchain innovations, making for an engaging and enlightening conversation.