

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

8 snips
Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 6min
Where Are We In The Cycle? | Weekly Roundup
Explore the ever-evolving landscape of crypto and discover the recent revival of marketing budgets as the market stabilizes. Delve into the effects of global trade turmoil on crypto volatility, and understand key banking practices that influence investor decisions. The discussion also highlights innovative projects like Geonet and the exciting advancements of Uniswap V4. With a focus on fundamentals over speculation, the speakers share insights on navigating risks and opportunities within this dynamic financial environment.

37 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 60min
Trading Crypto's Weekend Meltdown | 1000x
The podcast dives into the weekend's crypto liquidation event, examining altcoin declines and Bitcoin's stabilizing role. Strategies like short selling and the 'inverse alt season' are explored, offering insights into potential trading opportunities. Listeners learn about the impact of geopolitical shifts on cryptocurrencies, alongside the role of AI in enhancing trading decisions. With a focus on navigating downturns, the discussion emphasizes quality investments and the evolving dynamics in global power and currency.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 4min
Making Nuclear Markets Work Onchain | Alex Dolesky, Uranium Digital
Alex Dolesky, Founder of Uranium Digital, is revolutionizing uranium trading by building the first institutional-grade spot market on Solana. He discusses why uranium, a vital power source for 10% of global electricity, remains bound by outdated trading methods. The conversation highlights the surge in nuclear energy’s demand, the potential for blockchain to modernize the market, and the exciting prospects for small modular reactors. Dolesky emphasizes the importance of transparency and financialization in transforming the uranium landscape.

Jan 31, 2025 • 59min
Why DeepSeek Disrupted Markets & How Tokens Are The New GTM | Roundup
This discussion kicks off with DeepSeek's significant market disruption and NVIDIA's stock challenges. Insights into cryptocurrency regulations emerge, highlighting the Federal Reserve's moves toward banks supporting crypto. Founders are increasingly adopting tokens as a strategy, with personal portfolio adjustments shared. We also explore Kraken's innovative payment solutions, showcasing how traditional finance is beginning to embrace crypto tools. Discover how evolving dynamics in AI and market strategies are shaping the future of finance.

Jan 30, 2025 • 59min
Hivemind: Finding Crypto's Top, AI Selloff, and Navigating SOL's Unlock
The discussion kicks off with China's DeepSeek technology and its influence on AI token valuations. The hosts delve into Solana's upcoming unlocks, examining potential market impacts. They also question whether the current crypto cycle has peaked, referencing bubble indicators. Insights into the rise of fundamentals-driven tokens are shared, along with thoughts on BlackRock's asset tokenization and its implications for the broader cryptocurrency landscape. The conversation highlights market sentiment and strategic investment opportunities.

39 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 56min
Why There Wont Be An Alt Season This Cycle | 1000x
The conversation kicks off with a critical look at the lack of an alt season this cycle, along with the rise of sector-specific trends. There's deep insight into the fluctuating sentiments surrounding Bitcoin and notable companies like NVIDIA. As Ethereum's future remains uncertain, discussions point to strategies for navigating this tumultuous market. The speakers contrast Bitcoin's growing acceptance at the state level with skepticism around altcoins, mixing humor and serious reflections on the cultural landscape of cryptocurrency.

14 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 5min
The Hidden Costs of USDC | Nathan McCauley & Charles Cascarilla
Nathan McCauley and Charles Cascarilla share their insights as executives in the digital asset and stablecoin arenas. They discuss the hidden yields in USDC, Tether's surprising strength, and the collaborative prospects of the Global Dollar Network. The conversation highlights regulatory challenges facing stablecoins, the evolving market dynamics, and bold predictions for substantial future growth and adoption. Expect a deep dive into how innovation can reshape access to currency worldwide!

13 snips
Jan 24, 2025 • 1h 6min
Trump Keeps Delivering on Crypto Promises | Roundup
This week delves into the implications of Trump’s executive order on digital assets and the growing pressure faced by the Ethereum Foundation. The hosts discuss the challenges and opportunities within DeFi and institutional adoption. They also analyze the unexpected rise in memecoin launches tied to Trump, pondering whether it indicates market euphoria or caution. Personal updates and innovations in blockchain technologies round out an engaging conversation, highlighting the intersection of politics, tech, and market dynamics.

30 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
$TRUMP Takeaways | Livestream
This lively discussion dives into the explosive launch of Trump's memecoin, achieving a staggering $70 billion market cap almost instantly. Insights on the evolving U.S. regulatory landscape for crypto unfold, alongside an intriguing analysis of Solana's unexpected performance. The chat extends to Melania Trump's token launch and the associated public trust issues. Additionally, the hosts tackle the shifting dynamics of decentralized finance and the ethical implications of political initiatives, painting a vibrant picture of the crypto market's future.

29 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 43min
Picking Winners Post Trump Trade | 1000x
The conversation kicks off with the chaotic launch of Trump's meme coin, stirring up market volatility and investor frenzy. Delving into the implications, the hosts discuss strategies to pick winners in this turbulent landscape. They also spotlight Ledger's cutting-edge secure wallets and how they are reshaping digital transactions. The discussion navigates the broader crypto trends, highlighting the blend of political influence and new AI opportunities, all while contemplating the risks of speculative investments in this ever-evolving arena.