Empire

Christine Moy, a blockchain visionary at Apollo, Carlos Domingo from Securitize, and risk management expert Tarun Chitra of Gauntlet dive deep into the future of on-chain finance. They explore the launch of the industry's largest on-chain credit fund and what private credit means in this new landscape. Discussions highlight the transformative effects of tokenization, risk management mismatches with traditional finance, and the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating real-world assets into decentralized technologies.

Bitcoin has soared past $100k, signaling a bullish trend. Ethereum's Pectra upgrade marks a significant shift to proof of stake, reshaping the crypto landscape. Coinbase's blockbuster acquisition of Deribit for $2.9 billion sets new standards in crypto derivatives. Meanwhile, the launch of Stripe's stablecoin adds another layer to digital finance. Corporate giants like Meta and Robinhood are exploring tokenization, hinting at a future where traditional stocks meet blockchain innovations. Regulation, particularly the GENIUS Act, is also stirring the pot.

Join a vibrant discussion from Token2049 as key players share insights on the evolving crypto landscape. The excitement surrounding institutional interest is palpable, reflecting a promising future for mainstream adoption. Explore Ethereum’s new direction with an emphasis on scaling and relevance in a competitive market. Discover emerging trends and user adoption strategies, alongside the balance between infrastructure and application development. It's a deep dive into the transformative ideas reshaping the cryptocurrency world.

Jeff Dorman, CIO and co-founder of ARCA, dives into the complexities of Coinbase's business model and the looming competition from decentralized exchanges (DEXs). He shares insights from his recent tweet on Coinbase's sustainability and unpacks valuation metrics pivotal to crypto assets. The discussion also highlights the innovative potential of tokenization and the integration of traditional financial assets in the crypto space. Dorman explores how DeFi could alter the investment landscape, emphasizing the need for regulatory reform and innovative strategies for success.

This week, the Hivemind team discusses the crypto market rebound, Bitcoin’s outperformance, and whether the rally has more fuel for higher. They also explore Solana’s memecoin trading activity and DeFi growth, the Ethereum Foundations pivot, Hyperliquid’s strategy, and Galaxy Digital’s future Nasdaq uplisting. Enjoy! -- Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire Follow Ceteris: https://x.com/ceterispar1bus Follow Jose: https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo Follow Yan: https://x.com/YanLiberman Follow Duncan: https://x.com/FloodCapital Follow Empire: https://x.com/theempirepod Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4jYEkBx Subscribe on Apple: https://bit.ly/3ECSmJ3 Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4hzy9lH Join us at Permissionless IV June 24th - 26th. Use code EMPIRE10 for 10% OFF! https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv  Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:25) Market Outlook (4:16) Does Bitcoin Have More Fuel to Run? (14:15) The Ethereum Foundation Pivots (23:23) Solana's Meme Activity & DeFi Growth (31:31) Potential Impact of a Solana ETF (38:26) Will Memes Continue to Outperform? (44:25) Hyperliquid's Staking Rollout (48:17) Thoughts on Metaplex and Sui (53:19) Galaxy Digital's Nasdaq Uplisting -- Check out Blockworks Research today! Research, data, governance, tokenomics, and models – now, all in one place Blockworks Research: https://www.blockworksresearch.com/ Free Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter -- 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.

This discussion features Samara Cohen, Chief Investment Officer at BlackRock, who delves into the firm's ambitious crypto strategy for 2025. She shares insights on the booming demand for Bitcoin ETPs and emphasizes the potential of tokenization in revolutionizing capital markets. Samara also explores the interplay between traditional and on-chain investments, providing a perspective on Bitcoin's role as a diversifier in volatile landscapes. Lastly, she highlights the importance of data and transparency in attracting new investors to the evolving crypto ecosystem.

In this episode, Santi joins the Bell Curve podcast to discuss current crypto market sentiment, crypto valuation frameworks, and the evolving challenges of utilizing onchain data. Enjoy! -- Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ -- Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code EMPIRE10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Resources Chopping Block - Is Bitcoin a Safe Haven?: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6n8HWZQ36S5rOoBMi9r6RO?si=viOVZTlGT2uYtBUU8fS-ew Storm’s Data: https://x.com/notnotstorm/status/1915439259630317995 Vance’s Critique on Crypto Data: https://x.com/pythianism/status/1915435394663162231 -- SKALE is the next evolution in Layer 1 blockchains with a gas-free invisible user experience, instant finality, high speed, and robust security. SKALE is built different as it allows for limitless scalability and has already saved its 50 Million users over $11 Billion in gas fees. SKALE is high-performance and cost-effective, making it ideal for compute-intensive applications like AI, gaming, and consumer-facing dApps. Learn more at https://skale.space and stay up to date with the gas-free invisible blockchain on X at @skalenetwork -- Marinade Labs develops staking technologies that strengthen Solana. In 2021, our protocol was the first to bring liquid staking to the network; today, our sophisticated, high-performance staking delegation platform brings billions in liquidity and security to the SOL market. We have solutions for both DeFi and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations. Our best-in-market features include user downside protection (through protected staking rewards) and optimized delegation (via our automated auction marketplace). Cryptoasset investors worldwide, from individual traders to global institutions, use Marinade to earn rewards on their SOL treasuries and holdings. We are headquartered in New York, with offices in the European Union, including Prague. To learn more about Marinade, visit marinade.finance. -- Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors Empire podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER™ device and secure your crypto today. Buy now at www.Ledger.com -- WalletConnect is the onchain connectivity network . If you’ve connected to a Web3 app, you’ve seen WalletConnect. It’s everywhere—an icon of trust in crypto, as recognizable as Visa at checkout. The numbers speak for themselves: Over 220 million connections and 35 million users worldwide use WalletConnect to power their Web3 experience. @WalletConnect on X and Telegram or visit https://WalletConnect.Network -- AO Mainnet is LIVE! Experience the future of decentralized computing: infinite parallel processing, secure TEE-powered computations, and LLMs in smart contracts. Built on Arweave, AO's modular design shatters scalability limits. 100% of tokens are distributed to Arweave holders and bridge depositors, with a fixed supply and halving. Explore AO today: https://ao.arweave.dev -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (04:21) How Do You Value Crypto Assets? (15:30) Ads (Skale, Marinade)  (16:51) Issues With Crypto's Data Analytics (25:53) Ads (Skale, Marinade) (27:14) Stages of Growth For Companies (35:31) Zora's Token Launch & Business Model (49:53) Ads (Ledger, WalletConnect, Arweave) (52:10) Can Crypto Disrupt Traditional Media Platforms? -- 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.

Edward Woodford, Co-founder and CEO of ZeroHash, unpacks the economics and future landscape of stablecoins. He analyzes Circle's S-1 filing, revealing key insights into who profits most from the stablecoin model. The conversation dives into regulatory challenges that companies like Circle face, while discussing innovative strategies for maintaining competitiveness. Woodford also highlights the need for interoperability in the evolving financial ecosystem and examines how stablecoins can revolutionize digital payments.

Santiago Roel, an investor at ParaFi Capital and founder of Inversion, dives into the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency. He discusses the shift from speculative markets to practical applications, emphasizing innovative investment strategies amidst volatility. The competitive dynamics of stablecoins come into focus, as Roel critiques current approaches and anticipates changes with traditional banks entering the fray. Transparency challenges in crypto are highlighted, stressing the need for standardized financial reporting to build trust with investors.

The discussion centers on Bitcoin's decoupling from traditional markets and its role as a neutral asset amid shifting global dynamics. There's a deep dive into the impact of U.S. trade policies on Bitcoin's appeal and the ethical dilemmas of Worldcoin’s identity verification. The rise of stablecoins and their adoption in everyday transactions are also explored, along with the implications of geopolitical tensions for cryptocurrency and precious metals like gold.