

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

7 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 18min
Crypto In 2025, Is DAT Season Over & Market Outlook With Jordi Alexander
Jordi Alexander, founder of Selene Capital and a savvy crypto investor, shares his insights on the current market cycle from the Origin Summit. He discusses the challenges of DAT season, warning that retail interest is waning and projects must adapt. Jordi highlights the rise of Perp DEXs and the dynamics of token farming versus holding. He also expresses optimism about the resurgence of AI in Web3, suggesting new opportunities ahead. Listeners gain practical advice on navigating this evolving landscape with a cautious approach.

34 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 13min
The Art of Trading and Galaxy’s Next Chapter | Mike Novogratz
Mike Novogratz, founder and CEO of Galaxy, shares his journey from macro trader to crypto innovator. He discusses how the decline of trust in institutions is fueling crypto communities, likening their fervor to mini-religions. Delving into economic forecasts, he critiques Fed policies and explores AI's dual impact on jobs and productivity. He addresses Galaxy's strategic data center initiative, emphasizing risk management in investing. With insights on diversifying assets—Bitcoin, gold, and Chinese equities—Novogratz provides a compelling look at the future of finance.

14 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
Have We Topped, Aster vs Hyperliquid & Tether's $500B Valuation | Weekly Roundup
This week, the hosts dive into the frothy crypto markets, discussing liquidation cascades and the potential cycle top. Tether's ambitious plan to raise $20B at a staggering $500B valuation raises eyebrows. They compare Aster's new launch against Hyperliquid's advantages in execution and trading dynamics. Get insights on upcoming crypto IPOs and why overlooked traditional businesses might be better bets. Plus, they touch on new token launches and discuss Cloudflare’s entry into the stablecoin space.

25 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 2min
Phase II of the Bull Market | Dan Morehead
In this engaging discussion, Dan Morehead, Founder of Pantera Capital and an early Bitcoin investor, shares his insights on the crypto landscape. He reflects on his entry into Bitcoin in 2013 and the challenges of early investing. Dan delves into macroeconomic factors influencing crypto markets, the significance of Bitcoin as a reserve asset, and the ongoing four-year cycle. He also champions Solana, citing its user growth and developer ecosystem as key indicators of future success. Dan’s perspective offers a compelling look at what could lie ahead for cryptocurrency.

21 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 21min
We're Still In A Bull Market | Weekly Roundup
The hosts explore the evolving landscape of media with a focus on live streaming and creator economics. They tackle the current market outlook, weighing macro uncertainties against positive crypto adoption trends. A deep dive into Plasma's remarkable success showcases its unique potential. The conversation also covers intriguing rumors about a potential Base token and the strategic implications for Coinbase amidst the backdrop of established exchange tokens. Get ready for a mix of insightful predictions and market analysis!

12 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 1min
Hivemind: Fed Cuts Rates, Crypto's Mag7 Moment & Why We're Still Bullish
Jan Lieberman, managing partner at Delphi Ventures, joins to explore the recent Fed rate cut and its impact on crypto markets. The discussion dives into the potential of Solana DATs and whether they're bullish for DeFi. Lieberman shares insights on the 'Mag7' of crypto tokens, market dynamics, and positioning strategies for the year-end. The team also discusses new tokens like CZ's Aster and the implications for exchange tokens, highlighting exciting developments and market opportunities.

59 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 58min
Building The Largest Solana Treasury Company | Kyle Samani
Kyle Samani, an Investment Partner at Multicoin Capital, shares insights on the groundbreaking $1.65B raise for Forward Industries. He discusses plans to merge traditional markets with DeFi and explores the vision for a Solana treasury company. The conversation dives into the significance of stablecoins and tokenization in revolutionizing finance. Samani also covers investment opportunities, arbitrage strategies, and the evolving role of digital assets, painting a picture of the transformative future awaiting crypto and financial markets.

10 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 1h 23min
The Biggest Winner from Hyperliquid’s USDH | Weekly Roundup
This week, the conversation dives into the competitive landscape of stablecoins with a focus on USDH and Hyperliquid's strategic maneuvers. The guests discuss how blockchain is reshaping private equity and the potential for public offerings in the DeFi space. They examine the dynamics between traditional finance and crypto, and how emerging innovations are altering investment strategies. Plus, light-hearted insights into cinema and sports wrap up the discussion, linking entrepreneurial spirit with athletic perseverance.

72 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ethena Founder: The Next Chapter For Ethena | Guy Young
Guy Young, the founder of Ethena Labs and innovator in decentralized finance, dives into the future of Ethena and its business model. He discusses the potential of DATs (Decentralized Autonomous Tokens) to ignite a breakthrough for DeFi. Guy also shares insights on fundraising strategies amid market challenges and the exciting partnerships with Pendle and Aave. Furthermore, he offers valuable advice for aspiring founders navigating the complex crypto landscape, emphasizing the importance of growth in stablecoin technology.

28 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 8min
Are DATs Sustainable, Stripe Launches Tempo & WLFI’s Token Launch | Weekly Roundup
This week, the discussion dives into the mechanics of decentralized asset tokens (DATs) and their implications for market stability. The hosts highlight Stripe's exciting launch of Tempo and its strategic focus on distribution. There's also a spotlight on World Liberty Financial’s token launch, delving into potential market concerns and unique features of its app. The conversation wraps up with an exploration of the future of tokenized US equities and how blockchain is shaping financial services. Enjoy the compelling insights!