Empire

Brandon Millman, CEO and co-founder of Phantom, and Donnie Dinch, VP of Strategy, share insights on transforming the crypto landscape. Brandon reveals why he founded Phantom, emphasizing user experience over traditional wallets. They discuss innovative features like Phantom Cash and the launch of mobile perpetuals to attract mainstream users. The duo also dives into strategic M&A goals to expand Phantom's offerings, from lending to potential IPO considerations. Exciting times lie ahead for Phantom as it aims to become a comprehensive finance platform.

Pranav Kanade, an investment pro at VanEck, delves into finding alpha in crypto and the evolving landscape of tokenization. He discusses how legislation on stablecoins could boost margins and compares traditional loyalty programs with tokenized equity using brands like Starbucks. Pranav critiques Layer-1 valuations amid current market conditions and reveals that speculative money is swinging towards AI rather than crypto. He also addresses the potential for mass adoption through established companies rather than just crypto-native apps.

Don Wilson, founder of DRW and a key player in bridging traditional finance with crypto, joins Yuval Rooz, co-founder of Digital Asset, to discuss the transformative power of on-chain markets. They delve into how traditional finance can enhance crypto adoption and the necessity of on-chain privacy for institutional needs. The duo highlights the urgent need for efficient tokenization of assets and the strategic importance of building the Canton Network to support real-world assets, ultimately predicting a quadrillion-dollar future for digital markets.

Kain Warwick, a serial crypto founder known for Synthetix and Infinex, dives deep into his journey in decentralized trading. He shares the challenges of launching Infinex, from navigating platform risks to the importance of user experience in prediction markets. His candid reflections on overcoming addiction reveal how sobriety has sharpened his entrepreneurial focus. Kain argues for a pragmatic approach to decentralization to compete with centralized exchanges while outlining the critical role of token design in his projects. A must-listen for crypto enthusiasts!

This week’s discussion reveals why Blockworks is shutting down its newsroom and pivoting toward data. The hosts forecast 2025 as a pivotal year for the crypto industry, emphasizing that we’re still in a bull market. They dissect the MegaETH ICO's innovative distribution model and explore significant developments like Western Union's stablecoin initiative and potential acquisition news involving Mastercard. Get ready for insights on crypto journalism's evolution and emerging trends in tokenization and payments infrastructure!

This week, the team dives into the crypto market's recovery from the October leverage unwind. They explore comparisons to the dot-com bubble and discuss Zcash's impressive performance. There's a look at Hyperliquid's resurgence, highlighting its trading advantages. The hosts also analyze new token sales and their impacts on liquidity, along with the market's shift towards revenue-generating tokens. Finally, insights on Galaxy's significant exchangeable note deal and ETHZilla's share buyback strategy round out a captivating conversation.

Avi Felman, a seasoned participant in the crypto market, joins the discussion with insights on market psychology and institutional adoption. They tackle the question of whether the crypto cycle is over, exploring OGs selling versus new whales entering the space. Avi emphasizes the importance of recognizing cycles and market behavior, while also debating the long-term potential of platforms like Robinhood. They dive into strategies for buying market dips and highlight key crypto projects, including their own holdings and the evolving landscape of prediction markets.

The discussion kicks off with Coinbase's bold $375 million acquisition of Echo, raising questions about its strategic value. There's a lively debate on whether this mirrors past crowdfunding failures or serves as a necessary launchpad. The hosts also dive into FalconX's purchase of 21Shares, expanding institutional product offerings. On the regulatory front, they explore the implications of a potential skinny master account for fintechs. Expect insights on market trends, recent funding rounds, and personal picks from the hosts for a fun and informative listen!

Shan Aggarwal, Chief Business Officer at Coinbase, shares insights into the company's strategic acquisition of Echo and its mission to integrate on-chain capital markets. He discusses the deal's valuation, the importance of cultural fit in acquisitions, and how Echo will enhance issuer services. Shan emphasizes the need for regulatory clarity in tokenized assets, the future of prediction markets on Coinbase, and his advice for founders seeking acquisition opportunities. He envisions an expansive future for digital assets, with Echo playing a crucial role in that transformation.

This week, the hosts explore the aftermath of crypto's largest liquidation event. They dissect the failures in market microstructure and contrast the performance between DeFi and CeFi during the crash. Discussions reveal surprising auto-deleveraging mechanics and the potential of on-chain collateral to prevent future liquidations. The hosts also weigh in on Binance's listing practices, comparing them to traditional IPOs, and consider the future of DATs in the market. Meanwhile, they highlight the increasing institutional interest in major cryptocurrencies.