
Empire
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.
Latest episodes

11 snips
May 5, 2025 • 1h 15min
The Ultimate Coinbase Debate: Can It Survive? | Jeff Dorman
Jeff Dorman, CIO and co-founder of ARCA, dives into the complexities of Coinbase's business model and the looming competition from decentralized exchanges (DEXs). He shares insights from his recent tweet on Coinbase's sustainability and unpacks valuation metrics pivotal to crypto assets. The discussion also highlights the innovative potential of tokenization and the integration of traditional financial assets in the crypto space. Dorman explores how DeFi could alter the investment landscape, emphasizing the need for regulatory reform and innovative strategies for success.

May 1, 2025 • 57min
Hivemind: Does Bitcoin Have More Fuel to Run?
This week, the Hivemind team discusses the crypto market rebound, Bitcoin’s outperformance, and whether the rally has more fuel for higher. They also explore Solana’s memecoin trading activity and DeFi growth, the Ethereum Foundations pivot, Hyperliquid’s strategy, and Galaxy Digital’s future Nasdaq uplisting.
Enjoy!
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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
Follow Ceteris: https://x.com/ceterispar1bus
Follow Jose: https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:25) Market Outlook
(4:16) Does Bitcoin Have More Fuel to Run?
(14:15) The Ethereum Foundation Pivots
(23:23) Solana's Meme Activity & DeFi Growth
(31:31) Potential Impact of a Solana ETF
(38:26) Will Memes Continue to Outperform?
(44:25) Hyperliquid's Staking Rollout
(48:17) Thoughts on Metaplex and Sui
(53:19) Galaxy Digital's Nasdaq Uplisting
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Check out Blockworks Research today! Research, data, governance, tokenomics, and models – now, all in one place
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Free Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter
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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.

34 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 13min
BlackRock's Crypto Strategy With Samara Cohen
This discussion features Samara Cohen, Chief Investment Officer at BlackRock, who delves into the firm's ambitious crypto strategy for 2025. She shares insights on the booming demand for Bitcoin ETPs and emphasizes the potential of tokenization in revolutionizing capital markets. Samara also explores the interplay between traditional and on-chain investments, providing a perspective on Bitcoin's role as a diversifier in volatile landscapes. Lastly, she highlights the importance of data and transparency in attracting new investors to the evolving crypto ecosystem.

16 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 8min
Zora & The Future Of Crypto Media | Weekly Roundup
In this episode, Santi joins the Bell Curve podcast to discuss current crypto market sentiment, crypto valuation frameworks, and the evolving challenges of utilizing onchain data. Enjoy!
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Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_
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Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code EMPIRE10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv
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Resources
Chopping Block - Is Bitcoin a Safe Haven?: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6n8HWZQ36S5rOoBMi9r6RO?si=viOVZTlGT2uYtBUU8fS-ew
Storm’s Data: https://x.com/notnotstorm/status/1915439259630317995
Vance’s Critique on Crypto Data: https://x.com/pythianism/status/1915435394663162231
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SKALE is the next evolution in Layer 1 blockchains with a gas-free invisible user experience, instant finality, high speed, and robust security. SKALE is built different as it allows for limitless scalability and has already saved its 50 Million users over $11 Billion in gas fees.
SKALE is high-performance and cost-effective, making it ideal for compute-intensive applications like AI, gaming, and consumer-facing dApps. Learn more at https://skale.space and stay up to date with the gas-free invisible blockchain on X at @skalenetwork
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Marinade Labs develops staking technologies that strengthen Solana.
In 2021, our protocol was the first to bring liquid staking to the network; today, our sophisticated, high-performance staking delegation platform brings billions in liquidity and security to the SOL market. We have solutions for both DeFi and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations.
Our best-in-market features include user downside protection (through protected staking rewards) and optimized delegation (via our automated auction marketplace). Cryptoasset investors worldwide, from individual traders to global institutions, use Marinade to earn rewards on their SOL treasuries and holdings. We are headquartered in New York, with offices in the European Union, including Prague. To learn more about Marinade, visit marinade.finance.
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Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors Empire podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER™ device and secure your crypto today.
Buy now at www.Ledger.com
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WalletConnect is the onchain connectivity network . If you’ve connected to a Web3 app, you’ve seen WalletConnect. It’s everywhere—an icon of trust in crypto, as recognizable as Visa at checkout.
The numbers speak for themselves: Over 220 million connections and 35 million users worldwide use WalletConnect to power their Web3 experience. @WalletConnect on X and Telegram or visit https://WalletConnect.Network
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AO Mainnet is LIVE! Experience the future of decentralized computing: infinite parallel processing, secure TEE-powered computations, and LLMs in smart contracts. Built on Arweave, AO's modular design shatters scalability limits. 100% of tokens are distributed to Arweave holders and bridge depositors, with a fixed supply and halving. Explore AO today: https://ao.arweave.dev
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(04:21) How Do You Value Crypto Assets?
(15:30) Ads (Skale, Marinade)
(16:51) Issues With Crypto's Data Analytics
(25:53) Ads (Skale, Marinade)
(27:14) Stages of Growth For Companies
(35:31) Zora's Token Launch & Business Model
(49:53) Ads (Ledger, WalletConnect, Arweave)
(52:10) Can Crypto Disrupt Traditional Media Platforms?
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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.

70 snips
Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
The End Game For Stablecoins With Edward Woodford
Edward Woodford, Co-founder and CEO of ZeroHash, unpacks the economics and future landscape of stablecoins. He analyzes Circle's S-1 filing, revealing key insights into who profits most from the stablecoin model. The conversation dives into regulatory challenges that companies like Circle face, while discussing innovative strategies for maintaining competitiveness. Woodford also highlights the need for interoperability in the evolving financial ecosystem and examines how stablecoins can revolutionize digital payments.

31 snips
Apr 18, 2025 • 1h 9min
Beyond the Hype: Crypto’s Next Chapter | Weekly Roundup
Santiago Roel, an investor at ParaFi Capital and founder of Inversion, dives into the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency. He discusses the shift from speculative markets to practical applications, emphasizing innovative investment strategies amidst volatility. The competitive dynamics of stablecoins come into focus, as Roel critiques current approaches and anticipates changes with traditional banks entering the fray. Transparency challenges in crypto are highlighted, stressing the need for standardized financial reporting to build trust with investors.

Apr 17, 2025 • 52min
Hivemind: Bitcoin Decoupling, US Trade Deficits & Worldcoin
The discussion centers on Bitcoin's decoupling from traditional markets and its role as a neutral asset amid shifting global dynamics. There's a deep dive into the impact of U.S. trade policies on Bitcoin's appeal and the ethical dilemmas of Worldcoin’s identity verification. The rise of stablecoins and their adoption in everyday transactions are also explored, along with the implications of geopolitical tensions for cryptocurrency and precious metals like gold.

17 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 14min
The Biggest Market Crash Since 2020, What Next? | Felix Jauvin & Quinn Thompson
Quinn Thompson and Felix Jauvin from the Forward Guidance podcast dive into the recent market crash since 2020, analyzing its impacts on the future of investing. They discuss the interplay between government policies and market sentiment, including Trump’s tariffs and their economic implications. The duo contrasts traditional and crypto investment strategies, emphasizing Bitcoin’s potential as a safe haven. Finally, they tackle the challenges still facing Coinbase amid stiff competition in the evolving crypto landscape.

26 snips
Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 11min
How To Position During A Market Crash | Weekly Roundup
Discover how to navigate market crashes with effective investment strategies. The discussions cover the implications of government tariffs, the state of cryptocurrency, and the psychology behind trading. Insights into Ripple's significant acquisition shed light on evolving industry dynamics. Explore the importance of strategic hiring and how it shapes company culture in the crypto landscape. With a focus on risk management and diversification, this conversation emphasizes patience and adaptability for investors seeking long-term growth.

16 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ethereum Co-Founder: Why Crypto Has Failed | Gavin Wood
Gavin Wood, Co-founder of Ethereum and Polkadot, reveals the promise and pitfalls of the crypto world. He critiques the hype that often clouds genuine innovation and argues for more utility in blockchain technologies. Discussing the slow shift from Web2 to Web3, he emphasizes the need for patience in adoption. Wood highlights the importance of economic sovereignty and social impact in decentralized applications, comparing Polkadot's growth to Ethereum’s evolution while advocating for grassroots education in crypto.
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