Empire

Latest Episodes:

How VCs Cause Layoffs and BlackRock-Barclays on JPMorgan Chain | Roundup Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of Empire Jason and Santi are back, diving into the latest revelations from the FTX trial, including Caroline Ellison's testimony about Sam Bankman-Fried's priorities and losses. They also cover a landmark trade between BlackRock and Barclays using JPMorgan's blockchain Onyx, showcasing blockchain power in collateral transfers. They move on to discuss crypto layoffs, the failure of real estate-backed stablecoin USDR, and the mainnet launch of crypto project Scroll. They close with reflections on declining ACT scores, their love for David Beckham's documentary, and what it'd take for Jason to shave his head.

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MetaMask Portfolio is your one-stop shop for all things web3. Instead of connecting to multiple exchanges, dapps, and tools, you just need to connect to one simple dapp to track and manage all your assets across different networks and accounts. MetaMask Portfolio provides a secure and convenient way to perform common tasks such as Buy, Sell, Swap, Bridge, and Stake.

Try MetaMask Portfolio at https://blckwrks.co/MetaMaskEmpire

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Chronicle Protocol is a novel Oracle solution that has exclusively secured over $10B in assets for MakerDAO and its ecosystem since 2017. With a history of innovation, including the invention of the first Oracle on Ethereum, Chronicle Protocol continues to redefine Oracles. A blockchain-agnostic protocol, Chronicle overcomes the current limitations of transferring data on-chain by developing the first truly scalable, cost-efficient, decentralized, and verifiable Oracles, rewriting the rulebook on data transparency and accessibility.

Learn more about Chronicle Protocol: https://chroniclelabs.org/

Join the Chronicle Labs team: https://chroniclelabs.org/careers#open_roles

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Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

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Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

Timestamps:

00:00 Israel Based Start-up Support

05:30 SBF Trial Updates

17:00 BlackRock - Barclays Trade on JPMorgan Chain

21:16 Crypto Layoffs

25:00 Chronicle ad

26:15 Metamask ad

27:00 USDR Stablecoin Depeg

33:38 What We're Reading and Watching

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Resources

Israel Start-up Support

https://twitter.com/ShalvaGozland/status/1711938126111768852

SBF Trial Updates

https://blockworks.co/news/caroline-ellison-cross-examination

BlackRock-Barclays Trade

https://blockworks.co/news/blackrock-barclays-jpmorgan-chase-dapp-tcn

USDR Stablecoin Depeg

https://blockworks.co/news/tangible-real-usd-illiquid-stablecoin-real-world-assets

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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.

What Is Crypto's Bullish Catalyst? | 1000x Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Follow 1000x On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/45htDli

Follow 1000x On Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Kz0Bpw

Follow 1000x On YouTube: https://bit.ly/3DNc5C6

In today's episode of 1000x Jonah and Avi discuss market forces introducing increasing risk in the crypto markets. With a recent bond market sell-off, geopolitical tensions & rising oil prices, could these forces spill over into risk asset's, and how would that impact crypto?

We then move onto discuss what is crypto's next bullish catalyst that will bring the greatest returns for both traders & investors, but to hear that, you'll have to tune in!

Follow Avi: https://twitter.com/AviFelman

Follow Jonah: https://twitter.com/jvb_xyz

Follow 1000x: https://twitter.com/1000xPod

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:45) Markets During Geopolitical Events

(04:32) We're In A Shaky Environment For Risk Asset's

(10:38) Surging Yield's, Geopolitical Conflict & Rising Oil

(12:51) Stars Arena

(15:22) FTX Hack

(16:36) Ethereum Faces L2 Scaling Headwinds, But The Pendulum Will Swing

(24:10) Stablecoins

(30:15) Are L1's In Trouble?

Referenced In The Show:

Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25

New report shows ‘chaos’ during FTX hack last November: Wired: https://blockworks.co/news/ftx-hack-wired-bankruptcy-chaos

Disclaimer: Nothing said on 1000x 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. Avi, Jonah and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Dollarization 2.0: How Stablecoins Unlock Emerging Markets | Nic Carter & Martin Carrica Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of Empire Jason and Santi are joined by Crypto investor Nic Carter and Martin Carrina, founder of Mountain Protocol, to discuss the past and future of stablecoins. They compare stablecoins to the rise of Eurodollars, arguing they meet a real demand for dollar exposure and could ultimately strengthen US interests, yet also face hostility akin to offshore banking. The guests debate whether crypto yields rising above fiat rates or expanding use cases like high-yield accounts are needed to drive stablecoin growth. To close things out the team covers the endgame for stablecoins and the vectors for mass adoption.

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Follow Nic: https://twitter.com/nic__carter

Follow Martin: https://twitter.com/mcarrica

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

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Planning to grant token awards for your team? Toku makes implementing global token compensation and incentive awards simple.

With Toku, you get unmatched legal and tax support to grant and administer your global team’s tokens. Toku navigates it across the lifecycle — from easy to use token grant award templates through tracking vesting to managing tax withholdings.

Make it simple today, at

https://www.toku.com/empire

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Bumper is an innovative DeFi protocol that protects the value of the crypto you hold from the downside & simultaneously preserves gains when the price climbs.

- A superior alternative to crypto options for traders

- 30% cheaper and more efficient than traditional tools

- Liquidity providers earn 3-18% real yield on USDC

- Get a share in $250,000 of BUMP rewards for Early Adopters

Visit bumper.fi for more info!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Stablecoins Today

(10:25) Efficiencies of Stablecoins

(15:36) Emerging Markets & USDT on Tron

(25:53) Time Horizon for Stablecoin Standard

(30:42) Mobile Money Apps Powered by Stables

(36:20) Bumper Ad

(37:23) Toku Ad

(38:36) Market Structure of Stables

(41:32) Algorithmic Stablecoin Design

(46:28) Peg Designs and Risks

(50:20) Acceptance of US Dollars

(56:40) SigNet Design and Fiat Speed Limits

(01:03:28) Economic Outlook of US Dollar

(01:15:04) Growth Catalysts for Stablecoins

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Resources

Nic Carter Token2049

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD2Au5JwhZ0

Mountain usdm

https://mountainprotocol.com/

Articles Shared by Jason

https://www.lanacion.com.ar/

https://twitter.com/BowTiedMara/statu...

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SBF Trial: Week 1 Unpacked | Roundup Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of Empire all eyes are on Sam Bankman-Fried. Santi is joined by Blockworks Senior Reporter Casey Wagner who is covering SBF's criminal trial live from the Southern District of New York court. She provides details on the jury selection process, opening statements from the prosecution and defense, and testimony so far from witnesses like Bankman-Fried's former best friend and roommate. Casey covers the nuanced strategies of the prosecution and defense while providing unique insights into the sentiment in the courtroom. She also discusses potential witness testimony over the next few weeks which may shed more light on Bankman-Fried's knowledge and actions leading up to FTX's collapse.

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Planning to grant token awards for your team? Toku makes implementing global token compensation and incentive awards simple.

Make it simple today, at

https://www.toku.com/empire

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Learn more about Chronicle Protocol: https://chroniclelabs.org/

Join the Chronicle Labs team: https://chroniclelabs.org/careers#open_roles

- -

Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Southern District of New York Court Coverage

(15:44) Prosecution Strategy

(25:00) Will Sam Testify?

(30:34) Chronicle Ad

(31:50) TOKU ad

(33:00) Witnesses

(41:25) Sam's Best Friend Testifies

(51:00) Prosecution and Defense Teams

(54:47) How is SBF?

(58:55) Courtroom Sentiment

Resources

SBF Trial Live Updates

https://blockworks.co/news/sbf-trial-day-1

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Blockchain Capital's $580M Dollar Bet on Crypto | Spencer Bogart & Aleks Larsen Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of Empire Jason and Santi interview Blockchain Capital General Partners Aleks and Spencer. Blockchain Capital recently closed two new funds, early stage and opportunity, totaling $580 million. Since its inception in 2013, Blockchain Capital has invested in more than 110 companies, protocols and crypto assets across the ecosystem. Today's discussion dives into their fund thesis and overall managing strategy, the time horizon for mass adoption, deploying capital in U.S. based projects, and existing discounts in later stage start-ups.

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Follow Aleks: https://twitter.com/_alekslarsen

Follow Spencer: https://twitter.com/CremeDeLaCrypto

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

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Get 5% off your business insurance today with Vouch, the leading insurer of crypto startups. With over 4000 clients, Vouch offers exclusive coverages with crypto enhancements including Directors & Officers with digital asset regulatory defense and Cyber that includes smart contract vulnerabilities.

Get started today at https://vouch.us/web3/blockworks

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Bumper is an innovative DeFi protocol that protects the value of the crypto you hold from the downside & simultaneously preserves gains when the price climbs.

- A superior alternative to crypto options for traders

- 30% cheaper and more efficient than traditional tools

- Liquidity providers earn 3-18% real yield on USDC

- Get a share in $250,000 of BUMP rewards for Early Adopters

Visit bumper.fi for more info!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) $580M Fund Raise

(08:00) Fund Performance and Power Dynamics

(16:45) Time Horizon for Mass Adoption

(22:04) Allocating Capital in U.S.

(29:58) Exciting Innovation

(38:30) Bumper Ad

(39:34) Vouch ad

(40:42) Balancing Portfolio Competition

(44:50) Investment Stage Discount

(47:18) What's Misunderstood about WorldCoin

(51:01) Potential of AI & Crypto

(54:09) Lessons Learned from Previous Cycles

(58:56) Revisiting Old Ideas

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Resources:

Blockchain Capital

https://www.blockchaincapital.com/blog/doubling-up-while-doubling-down-announcing-our-latest-funds

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Empire Debates: Is Using Binance Negligence? Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

In today's Empire Debates episode Santi, Tommy, and Ryan dive into several spicy takes. To start things off they discuss the general climate of funds in crypto and how founders are utilizing VC money to pivot project visions. They move on to break down the Binance rumors and discuss the potential struggles the exchange giant may be facing.

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Follow Tommy: https://twitter.com/Shaughnessy119

Follow Ryan: https://twitter.com/kukulabanze

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(06:31) Fund Returns in Crypto

(19:26) Founders Pivoting on Investor Money

(23:02) Token Treasury Management

(27:07) Binance Rumors & Speculation

(41:26) Investing in a Bear

(52:09) Evaluating Token Cash-flows

(55:20) Advancements of zk Tech

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Pudgy Penguins in Walmart and Coinbase Perps Approved | Roundup Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of Empire Jason and Santi cover the biggest news this week including Coinbase's massive approval for a non-US retail perpetuals trading and Pudgy Penguins invading 2000 Walmarts. They also dive into the market structure of crypto perps and whether Coinbase can claw marketshare. The duo also unpack the Gensler hearing and why AI valuations may be in a local top. They close out this week's RU by discussing locked token deals and how they have impacted projects throughout the space. Thanks for tuning in!

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Planning to grant token awards for your team? Toku makes implementing global token compensation and incentive awards simple.

Make it simple today, at

https://www.toku.com/empire

- -

Learn more about Chronicle Protocol: https://chroniclelabs.org/

Join the Chronicle Labs team: https://chroniclelabs.org/careers#open_roles

- -

Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Discovering Apples & Marathons

(08:35) Global Crypto Climate

(14:32) Pudgy Penguins in Walmart

(21:00) Coinbase Perps Trading

(33:38) Chronicle ad

(34:54) TOKU

(36:07) Gensler Congressional Hearing

(39:14) AI Valuations

(50:13) Locked Token Deals

(56:32) Upcoming Pods

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Crypto & Oil Synergy, Leading L2s and zk Implementations | 1000x Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of 1000x Jonah and Avi are back from a brief hiatus and ready to dive into the biggest movements in the crypto markets. The duo begin by diving into the potential opportunities that lay within crypto and oil and uniquely discuss oil & USDT use-cases for global oil transactions. Turning to crypto, the guys dive into Polygon's significant lead in zk implementations and how Asia based investors are particularly interested in this innovation. To close things out they discuss their market outlooks and why altcoins may struggle to perform.

We'll drop a new 1000x episode on Empire's RSS feed and the 1000x YouTube channel every two weeks. Hit the links below and give us a follow!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:33) Jonah's Update

(04:13) From Crypto to Oil

(13:28) Token2049 Reflection

(16:58) Best zkEVM Implementation?

(20:38) Optimism's ROI on Base Chain

(23:14) Telegram Wallet Release

(30:01) Market Outlook

(33:06) Altcoin Avoidance

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Follow Avi: https://twitter.com/AviFelman

Follow Jonah: https://twitter.com/jvb_xyz

Follow 1000x: https://twitter.com/1000xPod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3FuSarX

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

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Wallets and MEV: Decoding Ethereum’s Supply Chain | Matt Cutler, Blocknative Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of Empire Jason interviews Matt Cutler, CEO & co-founder of Blocknative. They dive deep into the supply chain of blockchains, exploring the various layers of what a transaction actually means on a blockchain network. They discuss the power balances of validators, block builders, relayers, sequencers, and users when considering the supply chain of transactions. They close out the conversation by digging into MEV and how wallets are positioned to capture major value with the adoption of account abstraction and the usage of intents.

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Follow Matt Cutler: https://twitter.com/mcutler

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

- -

Get started today at https://vouch.us/web3/blockworks

- -

Bumper is an innovative DeFi protocol that protects the value of the crypto you hold from the downside & simultaneously preserves gains when the price climbs.

- A superior alternative to crypto options for traders

- 30% cheaper and more efficient than traditional tools

- Liquidity providers earn 3-18% real yield on USDC

- Get a share in $250,000 of BUMP rewards for Early Adopters

Visit bumper.fi for more info!

- -

Timestamps:

(00:00) From Early Internet to Ethereum

(05:41) Supply Chain of Eth Transactions

(17:49) Power Struggles & Economics of MEV Layers

(29:09) Business Model of Relays

(44:15) Vouch Ad

(45:24) Bumper Ad

(46:27) Private Transactions and Mempools

(01:01:38) Wallet Value Capture

(01:10:58) Uniswap MEV Market Share

(01:17:50) Ethereum Outlook

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Resources

Blocknative

https://www.blocknative.com/

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Why Protocols Should Advertise and When to Buy Your Watchlist | Roundup Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode of Empire Jason and Santi are checking-in on their market sentiments. Jason explains how ad-revenue may be a helpful indicator of market sentiment. Santi explores portfolio construction, decision making, and market potential. To finish out the cover the latest news including Blockchain Capital $580M, FTX disclosures, Eclipse SVM L2 Launch, and Paypal pyUSD on Venmo.

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Bumper is an innovative DeFi protocol that protects the value of the crypto you hold from the downside & simultaneously preserves gains when the price climbs.

- A superior alternative to crypto options for traders

- 30% cheaper and more efficient than traditional tools

- Liquidity providers earn 3-18% real yield on USDC

- Get a share in $250,000 of BUMP rewards for Early Adopters

Visit bumper.fi

- -

Learn more about Chronicle Protocol: https://chroniclelabs.org/

Join the Chronicle Labs team: https://chroniclelabs.org/careers#open_roles

- -

Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel

Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz

Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j

Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7

Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/

Timestamps:

0:00 Sentiment Check

05:11 Ad-Revenue Proxy for Sentiment

16:57 Impact of Marketing

22:15 Evaluating Portfolio

26:31 Decision Making in Bear Markets

38:23 Bumper Ad

39:27 Chronicle Ad

40:43 Blockchain Capital Raises $580M

43:39 Paypal pyUSD on Venmo

45:54 FTX Disclosed

48:28 Eclipse SVM L2 Launch

—

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