Empire

Latest Episodes:

How To Make DeFi Great Again | Adrian Cachinero Vasiljevic & Luca Prosperi Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

This week, Adrian Cachinero Vasiljevic & Luca Prosperi join the show to discuss what's next for DeFi in 2026. We deep dive into why are rates so low in DeFi today, how to mitigate risk, the growth of stablecoins, the fallout from Drift's exploit, the opportunity for prediction markets and more. Enjoy!

Follow Adrian: https://x.com/adcv_

Follow Luca: https://x.com/LucaProsperi

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

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

Referenced in the show:

https://kitchen.steakhouse.financial/

# 68 | The Physics of On-Chain Lending (I): https://dirtroads.substack.com/p/68-the-physics-of-on-chain-lending?triedRedirect=true

ZKsync is the Bank Stack of Ethereum. It is a network of chains secured by cryptography, not validators. Its cutting-edge ZK innovation enables the privacy, performance and connectivity that businesses need to thrive in the digital assets economy.

To find out more visit: https://www.zksync.io/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:42) Why Are Rates in DeFi So Low?

(16:32) The Physics of Onchain Lending

(24:33) ZKsync Ad

(25:16) The Biggest Risk In DeFi Today

(52:58) What’s Next For DeFi In 2026 & Beyond?

(01:02:18) How To Mitigate Risk In DeFi

(01:09:43) Fallout From Drift’s $280M Exploit

(01:15:15) Prediction Markets

(01:19:52) What's Exciting In Crypto Today?

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, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Why DeFi Is Unattractive, Claude Mythos and Cryptos's Biggest Winners Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re back with another weekly roundup to discuss the biggest problem within DeFi today. We then deep dive into Anthropic's announcement of Mythos, the state of crypto fundraising, the biggest winners in crypto today, are we buying the dip and more. Enjoy!

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

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

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

To find out more visit: https://www.zksync.io/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:32) Why Is DeFi Unattractive?

(26:45) ZKsync, Blockworks IR

(28:16) Anthropic Announces Mythos

(49:46) What’s Happening In Crypto Fundraising?

(57:34) The Biggest Winners in Crypto Today

(01:04:45) Are We Buying The Dip?

(01:13:35) Content of The Week

Hivemind: Ceasefire In Iran, Is AI a Bubble & Drift Exploited For $280M Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

This week, the Hivemind team breaks down the ceasefire in Iran and how it could impact markets going forward. We then deep dive into the 2026 IPO window, is AI a bubble, the fallout of Drift's $280M exploit, Polymarkets recent announcement and more. Enjoy!

To stay up to date with future Hivemind episodes:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Delphi_Digital

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AE858NXDnaIlXP6sWfLj6?si=2019bc45ec914220

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hivemind/id1704667885

Follow Ceteris: ⁠https://x.com/ceterispar1bus⁠

Follow Jason: ⁠https://x.com/3xliquidated⁠

Follow Yan: https://x.com/YanLiberman

Follow Jose: https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo

Follow Kevin: https://x.com/Kevin_Kelly_II

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

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

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:50) State of The Market

(09:53) Finding Opportunities In Crypto

(15:15) Is AI In a Bubble?

(26:35) The Return of Active Investing

(37:42) Prediction Markets

(51:40) The Drift Exploit Fallout

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, the Hivemind team, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Paxos CEO on Crypto Today & Why Stablecoins Are Exploding | Charles Cascarilla Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

This week, Charles Cascarilla joins the show to discuss the current state of crypto and the future of Paxos. We deep dive into Paxos’ origin story and business model, the growth of stablecoin payments, whether Paxos may look to IPO in 2027, Charles' advice for founders and more. Enjoy!

Follow Charles: https://x.com/chadcascarilla

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

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

To find out more visit: https://www.zksync.io/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:03) The State of Crypto Today

(22:24) How To Fix The U.S Debt Problem

(32:24) ZKsync Ad, Blockworks IR

(33:56) Behind The Paxos Business Model

(43:32) Why Binance’s $BUSD Would Have Been The Largest Stablecoin

(50:12) The GENIUS Act & The Global Dollar Network

(59:46) Agentic Payments

(01:05:32) Will Paxos IPO?

(01:17:06) Advice For Founders

Making Tokenization a Reality: Bringing Assets Onchain | Samara Cohen Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

Making Tokenization a Reality: Bringing Assets Onchain

Speakers: Samara Cohen, Jason Yanowitz

This is a panel from DAS New York 2026. To explore more Blockworks events, visit blockworks.co/events

Western Union CEO: Western Union's Stablecoin Future Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

Inside Western Union's Stablecoin Fueled Future Speakers: Jason Yanowitz, Devin McGranahan This is a panel from DAS New York 2026. To explore more Blockworks events, visit blockworks.co/events

The Two Biggest Issues In Crypto Today | Weekly Roundup Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re back with another roundup covering whether it’s time to buy the dip, crypto’s VC mass extinction event, the state of secondary markets, Drift’s $280M exploit, Bitcoin’s quantum threat and more. Enjoy!

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

Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM

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

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

To find out more visit: https://www.zksync.io/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:34) Time To Buy The Dip?

(10:42) Crypto’s VC Mass Extinction Event

(23:55) Crypto's Token Reset

(39:25) ZKsync Ad

(40:07) Blockworks Investor Relations

(40:58) Drift Exploited For $280M

(59:28) Bitcoin's Quantum Threat

(01:10:18) Content of The Week

Copper Founder: Building a Billion Dollar Company & Fixing Crypto Custody Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

This week, Dmitry Tokarev joins the show to discuss how he built one of crypto's largest institutional custody platforms. We deep dive into the Copper origin story, what's broken with crypto custody today, Dmitry's new venture (Bron) and more. Enjoy!

Follow Dmitry: https://x.com/tokarev_d

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

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

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:14) The Copper Origin Story

(14:55) How To Scale a Company

(19:07) ZKsync Ad

(19:50) Blockworks Investor Relations

(20:40) Building Bron: How To Fix Crypto Custody

(34:18) Why Bron Is Launching a Token

(43:10) Lessons Learned From Fundraising

(48:35) What To Own in 2026?

It's Still a Bull Market, But Not The One You Wanted Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re back with another weekly roundup live at DAS to discuss our takeaways from the conference. We deep dive into the institutional bull market, the state of angel and venture investing in crypto, Western Union's stablecoin pivot and more. Enjoy!

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

Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM

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

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

To find out more visit: https://www.zksync.io/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:48) Takeaways From DAS

(07:16) Is Crypto in a Bull or Bear Market?

(13:55) Angel Investing and Crypto Venture Capital

(24:48) ZKsync Ad

(24:24) Blockworks Investor Relations

(26:13) Western Union’s Stablecoin Flywheel

(33:17) The Bear Case For Stablecoins

(38:30) Final Takeaways From DAS

(43:25) Sports Betting On Prediction Markets

(48:15) Audience Questions

(52:10) Content of The Week

Hivemind: State of The Market, Saylor’s End Game & AI Growth in China Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, the Hivemind team breaks down the current market reaction as conflcit in Iran continues. We then deep dive into Delphi's recent trip to China, the end game for Michael Saylor, where to invest in Chinese AI and more. Enjoy!

Follow Ceteris: ⁠https://x.com/ceterispar1bus⁠

Follow Jason: ⁠https://x.com/3xliquidated⁠

Follow Yan: https://x.com/YanLiberman

Follow Jose: https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo

Follow Rawson: https://x.com/PonderingDurian

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

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

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:16) State of The Market

(17:30) What’s Saylor’s End Game?

(24:55) AI Growth in China

(49:37) Takeaways From Visiting China

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, the Hivemind team, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

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