Empire

In this episode of Empire, Camilla McFarland and Avery Akkineni discuss how the world's biggest brands will leverage Web3. Nike, Starbucks, Gucci and many others are already starting to build in crypto, and soon, every brand will have a Web3 strategy. Camilla and Avery explore how brands can leverage Web3 to build customer loyalty, customize user experiences and cater to a digitally-native community. This is one of my favorite episodes yet - it's stable stakes for anyone looking to build or grow a brand!- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:36) Defining the Web3 opportunity(09:15) Why will brands embrace Web3?(28:50) Blockworks Research(30:21) How will brands participate?(42:39) How NFTs enable tailored user experiences(48:22) The Tech Stack: EVM dominance(1:05:06) The 5 to 10 year vision- -Follow Camilla: https://twitter.com/camillionaire_mFollow Avery: https://twitter.com/avery_akkineniFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroelFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/- -ResourcesVanyer3https://vayner3.com/Mojitohttps://mojito.xyz/- -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.

There's a heated debate in crypto right now around AppChains and the modular vs monolithic paradigm. That's why we released this special episode today from our other favorite podcast, Bell Curve.Sunny Aggarwal and Dmitriy Berenzon discuss how AppChains enable developers and protocols to customize consensus, cryptography, MEV rules, fees and more. But is this customization worth the fragmentation, start-up costs, lack of tooling and other challenges AppChains face? Tune in to find out!And don't worry - we'll be back to the usual roundup with Jason and Santi next week!- -Timestamps(00:00) A Note from Jason(02:45) Intro: Pre-Interview(05:15) The AppChain Thesis(13:34) Reasons to Build an AppChain(30:00) Blockworks Research ad(31:33) The Downsides and Challenges(46:22) What is Permissioned Blockspace?(53:06) Cosmos vs Ethereum(01:06:28) Solving Interoperability(01:12:12) User Lock-in, Wallets(1:18:00) Recap: Post-Interview- -Follow Myles: https://twitter.com/MylesOneilFollow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_Follow Sunny: https://twitter.com/sunnya97Follow Dmitriy: https://twitter.com/dberenzonSubscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmDSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH- -Resources:Bell Curve podcasthttps://spoti.fi/3JWqLmKDmitriy's bloghttps://dberenzon.medium.com/Osmosishttps://osmosis.zone/1k(x)https://1kx.network/- -Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve or 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. Mike, Jason, Michael, Vance and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

In this episode of Empire, Sam Kazemian joins Jason and Dan to discuss Frax's mission to build the most widely used stablecoins in DeFi. Sam starts by explaining how Frax has succeeded while other stable protocols have failed, why Frax is eyeing Fed deposits and the strategy behind the "DeFi Trinity". We then explore Frax's new ETH staking product, the stablecoin trilemma, and Sam drops a new product announcement (alpha leak). Don't miss this conversation with one of the brightest minds in DeFi!- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:49) - Frax’s Mission(04:41) - How Frax Thrived When Others Failed(09:00) - Fed Deposits, Escaping Regulation and RWAs(17:03) - Public ad(18:53) - Creating Spot Demand and Monetary Premium(26:00) - frxETH and sfrxETH Explained(44:31) - Is Frax’s Focus too Broad?(49:02) - The Stablecoin Trilemma(54:00) - Alpha Leak(55:46) - Update on Frax’s Multisig- -Follow Sam: https://twitter.com/samkazemian?lang=enFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Dan: https://twitter.com/smyyguyFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/- -This episode is sponsored by Public.com. Go to https://Public.com/empire to move your cash into a Treasury Account today.- -ResourcesFraxhttps://frax.finance/- -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.

In today’s episode of Empire, we discuss how crypto startups are running out of cash. Will more companies quietly shut down, and how will the survivors navigate the market? One group of people can strongly impact this outcome: Crypto VCs. We explore what decisions these VCs are facing, if they'll be able to raise funds from LPs, their hardest challenges and more! This is a short episode that's packed with insights.- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:57) Nike x Tiffany collab(10:38) Celsius lacks leadership(12:45) Private companies will quietly shut down(15:53) How VCs operate(22:12) Blockworks Research Ad(27:45) Challenges of running a crypto VC fund(32:55) Fundraising terms matter(34:23) Lessons learned from past cycles- -Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroelFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/- -ResourcesBell Curve podcasthttp://bit.ly/3HVuKi1LVMH storyhttps://www.ft.com/content/c79eccfc-fca1-11e9-a354-36acbbb0d9b6- -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.

In this episode of Empire, Hal Press joins Mike and Jason to discuss his investment thesis. It's no secret that Hal is an ETH super bull, and this episode makes it clear why. He explains ETH's unfair advantage, how L2s will serve as free marketing for Ethereum, the liquidity staking derivative trade, the mechanics behind token rallies, token value accrual and the deflationary outlook! Get ready, this is one of my favorite podcasts yet.- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:54) What Caused This Rally?(10:46) The ETH:BTC Ratio(13:14) How Shanghai Will Affect ETH Sell Pressure(18:32) The LSD Trade(20:30) Blockworks Research Ad(30:30) The Real Yield Thesis(32:36) Has ETH Won?(44:28) Aptos’ Rally & Learnings(54:40) The L2 Landscape(59:10) Where Will Value Accrue?(1:07:36) Bullish on dYdX(1:10:34) Macro and Deflation- -Follow Hal: https://twitter.com/NorthRockLPFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ - -ResourcesNorth Rock Digitalhttps://northrockdigital.com/- - 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.

In today’s episode of Empire, we discuss how we've just entered the third phase of the bear market. A phase marked by apathy. We explore what this means for builders, investors and the industry. If you're still here (in crypto), you don't want to miss this.We then cover why Aptos' price is pumping, Circles CCTP news, the controversial Doodles announcement and more!- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(04:27) Permissionless Speakers(05:30) Phase 3 of the Bear Market(37:00) Regulatory Clarity(41:09) Why is Aptos Ripping?(49:06) Circle’s CCTP(55:29) Doodles 2 Launching on Flow(57:50) Kevin Rose $2M+ NFT “Hack”- -Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroelFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ - -ResourcesElectric Capital 2022 Developer Reporthttps://www.developerreport.com/developer-reportRevoke.Cashhttps://revoke.cash/- - 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.

In this episode of Empire, Sreeram Kannan and Calvin Liu explain how EigenLayer creates a market for decentralized trust to enable permissionless infrastructure innovation. We explore EigenLayer's core use cases, slashing mechanics, economic incentives, re-staking risks and more. EigenLayer might be the most underrated project in Ethereum right now. Tune in to find out why!- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:08) EigenLayer 101(18:04) Liquid vs Native Staking(24:24) Why Calvin Joined EigenLayer(28:51) Core Use Cases(49:50) Improper Slashing Risk(1:00:00) EigenLayer’s Flywheel and Business Model(1:05:45) Systemic Risks: Overleveraging Staked ETH- -Follow Sreeram:https://twitter.com/sreeramkannanFollow Calvin: https://twitter.com/cjliu49Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroelFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/- -ResourcesEigenLayerhttps://www.eigenlayer.com/EigenLayer's Twitterhttps://twitter.com/eigenlayer- -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.

In this episode of Empire, Qiao explains the upcoming Wallet Wars. Wallets are the decentralized access point for crypto, and the battle for distribution is about to get wild. Listen in to learn about the SuperApp Thesis, account abstraction, the battle for attention, wallet value capture and more!- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:50) The Fat Wallet Thesis(04:11) How Wallets Have Evolved(09:06) Wallet Wars, Rise of the SuperApp(24:35) Account Abstraction(27:28) Why Geography Matters(29:16) Wallet Value Capture(41:03) Blue Ocean Opportunities & Centralized Credentials(51:02) Crypto Alfalpha- -Follow Qiao: https://twitter.com/QwQiaoFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroelFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/- -ResourcesAlliance DAOhttps://alliance.xyz/Good Game podcast (Qiao's podcast)https://goodgamepod.xyz/- -More related content by Blockworks:What Are Seed Phrases and Are They Needed? The New Debate https://blockworks.co/news/what-are-seed-phrases- -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.

In this episode of Empire, Emin Gün Sirer and John Wu explain why Avalanche is the most scalable, decentralized L1. We start with why developers choose Avalanche, then quickly transition into the L2 debate. Emin explains why Subnets are superior and how the L2 vision and L2 reality are miles apart. We also talk about Avalanche's consensus engine, business development, the multichain future and more!- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:01) Avalanche’s Core Thesis(04:17) Why Build on Avalanche?(14:19) The Problem with L2s(19:08) Avalanche's Tradeoffs(23:41) The Consensus Engine(30:00) Learnings From Other Networks(33:29) Solana vs Avalanche(40:59) Avalanche’s Security Guarantees(45:00) Business Development Strategy(55:09) Warp: Communication Between Subnets(1:00:01) On-Chain Governance(1:01:41) Avalanche’s Community(1:08:29) A Multichain Future?- -Follow Emin: https://twitter.com/el33th4xorFollow John: https://twitter.com/John1wuFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroelFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/- -ResourcesAvalanchehttps://www.avax.network/Ava Labshttps://www.avalabs.org/- -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.

In today’s episode of Empire, we discuss the upcoming Shanghai upgrade and Lido's liquid staking monopoly. What will happen to stake rates once withdrawals are enabled? Will LSD providers steal market share from Lido?We also discuss Genesis' terrible GBTC trade, why we're feeling optimistic, FTX recovering $5B, Japan's most popular blockchain and how people still underestimate the power of BD in crypto (e.g. the Avalanche AWS partnership)!- -Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:21) Crypto Conferences & the January Effect(09:30) Genesis’ Terrible Risk/Reward Trade(20:08) FTX Finds $5B of Assets(24:38) SBF’s Substack Post(28:56) Why We're Still Feeling Optimistic(37:21) How the Shanghai Upgrade will Impact ETH staking rates(44:16) When to Sell (a Crypto Funds Perspective)(48:16) Has Lido Won the LSD Battle?(52:53) Avalanche Partners With AWS(1:01:07) Japan’s Most Popular Blockchain(1:03:39) Coinbase and Blockchain.com Layoffs(1:05:00) On-Chain US Treasuries (Ondo Finance)(1:07:25) Book Recommendations- -Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroelFollow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepodSubscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2jSubscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprwGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/- -ResourcesThinking in Probabilities (Byron newsletter)https://blockworks.co/newsletter/issue/30211866SBF's Substackhttps://sambf.substack.com/Ryan Watkins tweethttps://twitter.com/RyanWatkins_/status/1612872737134870528Astarhttps://astar.network/starmap/- -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.