

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 16, 2024 • 1h 25min
wBTC Concerns, EigenLayer Ethics, and Kamala's New Advisors | Roundup
Justin Sun, a controversial crypto figure, joins significant political influencer Kamala Harris for an insightful discussion. They explore the recent WBTC drama and its implications on the crypto industry. The conversation turns to Harris's advisors and their potential impact on crypto regulation, and the ethics of prediction markets in politics. They also debate whether the regulatory crackdown has peaked, the Eigen Layer airdrop scandal, and the need for transparency in crypto governance, providing a comprehensive look at the future of the crypto landscape.

Aug 13, 2024 • 58min
Unlocking Modular Solana: The End of L2 Tradeoffs? | Anil Kumar
Anil Kumar is affiliated with Rome Protocol, where he explores groundbreaking uses of Solana's infrastructure for Ethereum L2. He dives into the challenges of centralized sequencers and the role of MEV in the L2 ecosystem. The conversation reveals how combining features from different blockchains can tackle scalability while maintaining decentralization. Additionally, Anil discusses the future of blockchain interoperability and innovative transaction flow optimization, highlighting the need for accessible infrastructure in the evolving crypto landscape.

7 snips
Aug 9, 2024 • 1h 19min
Are We Actually in a New Cycle? | Roundup
Pranav, a savvy analyst in the crypto market, joins Santi and Jason to discuss whether we are in a new cycle. They examine the impressive performance of Solana and meme coins while others lag behind. The conversation highlights the importance of stablecoin flows in market dynamics and the psychological aspects of investing. They also touch on upcoming elections’ impacts, innovative cash management strategies, and the evolution of decentralized applications, questioning if current trends signal a genuine shift or just a false start.

4 snips
Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 33min
Mastering the Psychology of Crypto Cycles | David Kalk & Jeff Park
David Kalk from Reflexive Capital and Jeff Park from Bitwise dive into the psychology behind crypto trading. They discuss how mastering emotions can lead to better performance in volatile markets. The duo highlights the importance of adaptability and psychological resilience for traders. They also address the challenges of traditional investment strategies in the crypto space and the significant influence of emotions like fear and greed on trading decisions. Their insights pave the way for a deeper understanding of the future of institutional crypto investing.

Aug 6, 2024 • 1h 5min
Crypto's Flash Crash, What Next? | 1000x
Dive into the wild world of crypto as the market experiences a shocking flash crash. Discover the dynamics behind Bitcoin's price shifts and the challenges faced by altcoins. Explore the psychological aspects of high-risk investing and the potential government interventions impacting the landscape. Clarity emerges on the links between macroeconomic factors and the stability of cryptocurrencies. Plus, learn how geopolitical tensions and upcoming elections might sway the future of crypto investments. Yields of resilience shine with Solana.

4 snips
Aug 2, 2024 • 53min
ETFs: Crypto's Path to ATHs in 2024 | Matt Hougan
Matt Hougan, a cryptocurrency expert from Bitwise, delves into the potential of crypto ETFs to drive all-time highs in 2024. He discusses the rising institutional interest and the impact of U.S. election outcomes on crypto regulations. The conversation also explores Bitcoin's likelihood of reaching $100K and Ethereum's path to new heights, alongside strategies for savvy investing. With insights into market dynamics and the burgeoning acceptance of crypto on Wall Street, Hougan sheds light on a transformative period for digital assets.

Jul 31, 2024 • 51min
Trading Crypto's Election Year | 1000x
The discussion dives into how the upcoming elections may influence the crypto market, highlighting potential outcomes from Trump or Kamala's victories. Traders explore diverse strategies amidst market volatility, particularly focusing on Bitcoin and Ethereum. The anticipated impact of Ethereum ETFs is scrutinized, alongside the regulatory landscape's influence on institutional investment. The speakers also highlight the unique position of Helium in the market, and speculate on the future of crypto under political changes, emphasizing adaptability and innovation.

Jul 30, 2024 • 1h 18min
Why Air Rights are Trading on Crypto Rails | Jonathan Dockrell, SkyTrade
Jonathan Dockrell, co-founder and CEO of SkyTrade, dives into the fascinating convergence of air rights and blockchain technology. He unveils how tokenized air rights could revolutionize real estate, urban planning, and drone operations. The discussion tackles the challenges of establishing transparent trading platforms and the potential profitability in major urban centers. Dockrell also shares insights on SkyTrade's journey, innovative applications, and the transformative role of blockchain in making transactions smoother and more accountable.

Jul 26, 2024 • 1h 2min
How Bitcoin Entering the Fed Changes Crypto Forever | Roundup
In this engaging discussion, Santi, a cryptocurrency expert, shares insights on Ethereum ETFs and their market implications. The conversation highlights Solana's rise in DEX volume, the potential for crypto influencers in the upcoming elections, and Senator Lummis’ push to make Bitcoin a reserve asset. They also explore the intersection of AI and cryptocurrency investments, innovative applications like Anoma's universal intent machine, and the evolving trading dynamics in the crypto space.

7 snips
Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 33min
Death of Crypto Venture? Rethinking Crypto Fund Strategies | Tushar Jain & Ray Hindi
Crypto fund managers Tushar Jain and Ray Hindi discuss transitioning from venture to liquid investments, timing market cycles, token launches, political influences on crypto, and advice for new fund managers. They explore sector-specific crypto funds, impact of political engagement, and strategies for emerging managers in the evolving crypto fund management landscape.


