

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

4 snips
Sep 3, 2024 • 1h 16min
Is MegaETH the AWS of Crypto Infrastructure? | Namik and Shuyao
Namik, an expert in centralized sequencing and decentralized validation, joins Shuyao, who specializes in node specialization, to discuss MegaETH. They explore its innovative blend of centralized block production and decentralized validation, addressing challenges in blockchain scalability. Their conversation touches on the critical role of Ethereum in ensuring performance, the need for a vibrant ecosystem, and the importance of diverse founders in driving meaningful projects. They also emphasize the urgency for broader adoption of crypto solutions akin to mainstream services.

Sep 2, 2024 • 48min
Gasless Crypto, Finding Narrative Market Fit, and Surviving Hype Cycles | Jack O'Holleran, Skale
Jack O'Holleran, an expert on gas-free blockchains, joins to discuss how these innovations are essential for mass adoption in cryptocurrency. He explains the concept of "narrative market fit," highlighting its dual role in enhancing and obstructing innovation. The dialogue shifts to the challenges crypto companies face in volatile markets, emphasizing strategic resilience and emotional detachment. O'Holleran also touches on the synergy between AI and blockchain, promising a bright future for niche markets like DeFi and on-chain gaming.

Aug 31, 2024 • 55min
What Durov's Arrest Means, Maker's Sky Money Pivot and Crypto's Censorship Bull Case | Hivemind
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram and a champion of digital freedom, discusses the ramifications of his arrest. The conversation delves into the paradox of increasing censorship potentially benefiting crypto and the push toward decentralized platforms. They also explore Maker's rebranding to Skynet and its significance for DeFi. The panel debates the balance between innovation and regulation while reflecting on the evolving landscape of stablecoins and the implications for user privacy and freedom in the age of digital communication.

24 snips
Aug 30, 2024 • 1h 21min
Why the Dollar's Stablecoin Update is Inevitable | Jeremy Allaire, Circle
In this discussion, Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, delves into the transformative role of stablecoins like USDC in global finance. He highlights how these digital currencies can enhance transaction speed and efficiency. Allaire also addresses the evolving regulatory landscape and the future of decentralized finance, likening the impact of stablecoins to the internet's revolutionizing of information sharing. He offers insights on challenges and innovations essential for a more integrated financial system.

Aug 28, 2024 • 49min
Can Bitcoin Break Through $70k, Or Lower? | 1000x Live
Avi Felman, a cryptocurrency expert, and Jonah, a knowledgeable figure in the crypto space, dive into the current Bitcoin market volatility, exploring trends between $61K and $65K. They discuss Ethereum's evolving role in the market, pondering if it's the new XRP of this cycle. The duo also navigates Telegram's controversial implications for decentralization and trading strategies in a shifting landscape. Finally, they engage with a live audience, providing valuable insights and answering pressing crypto questions in real time.

9 snips
Aug 27, 2024 • 1h 13min
How Global Liquidity Cycles Drive Crypto's $100T Target | Raoul Pal & Dan Tapiero
Join Raoul Pal, a financial market maven, and Dan Tapiero, a macroeconomic guru, as they unravel the potential of crypto reaching a monumental $100 trillion. They dive into the effects of global liquidity cycles, discussing how U.S. monetary policy and China's evolving economy impact the digital asset landscape. With eye-popping predictions like Bitcoin hitting a million-dollar valuation, they share investment strategies, the rise of new blockchains, and the role of AI in shaping modern finance. This conversation is a treasure trove for crypto enthusiasts!

Aug 23, 2024 • 1h 14min
The Untold Story of Delphi Digital's Rise | Jose, Yan, Anil
In this discussion, Jose, co-founder of Delphi Digital, reveals how their firm skyrocketed from a $1M investment to a staggering $1.2B in value. Yan shares insights on their unique decision-making framework, while Anil highlights emerging trends like AI and blockchain gaming. The founders dissect the challenges of rapid growth, the emotional aspects of trading, and their bullish outlook for cryptocurrency's future, driven by supportive regulations. Together, they outline innovative strategies shaping the evolving crypto landscape.

Aug 21, 2024 • 53min
Can Crypto Bounce? | 1000x
The conversation dives into the complexities of navigating the crypto market, highlighting the unique challenges of meme coins. Insightful discussions on Bitcoin mining reveal a strategic pivot towards AI data centers. The sentiment shift in crypto is examined, contrasting past excitement with current skepticism. Technical challenges of setting up a Twitch stream are humorously tackled, while optimistic views on stock performance and economic effects of elections are shared. The intersection of AI and decentralization rounds out a compelling exploration of the future of crypto.

15 snips
Aug 20, 2024 • 1h 27min
Building the Perfect Crypto Ecosystem in 2024 | Keone & Smokeythebera
Keone, a founder of Monad, and Smokeythebera, a founder of Berachain, delve into the world of Layer 1 ecosystems. They share insights on community building, contrasting Monad's inviting culture with Barrechain's edgy mission. The conversation covers the challenges of hiring in crypto and the need for authenticity in branding. They emphasize interoperability's role in attracting developers, the dynamics of token success, and the vision of creating user-friendly decentralized applications for all.

Aug 17, 2024 • 51min
Market Dynamics, Token Valuations, Eth vs Sol Scaling, and Crypto Politics | The Hivemind
The podcast explores the crypto market's current volatility and the effects of token unlocks on investor sentiment. It delves into the debate on Ethereum's DeFi future and the competitive dynamics with Solana's ecosystem. Political implications for crypto are discussed, particularly regarding advisor selections by Kamala Harris. The Eigen Layer controversy and the complexities of restaking within Ethereum are analyzed, raising questions about its overall value in the crypto landscape.


