Empire

Latest Episodes:

Blur Founder: Why Optimizing for Creators is a Bad Strategy Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Empire, Pacman (Blur's founder) joins Jason and Santi to discuss how Blur, an NFT marketplace for professional traders, has revolutionized the NFT market. We discuss Blur's business strategy, vertical vs horizontal markets, the creator royalty debate, Blur vs OpenSea and more! This is one of my favorite episodes yet - Pacman is a giga brain.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:50) Blur’s Unique Design and NFT Strategy

(09:23) Incentivizing Liquidity vs Volume

(21:30) Blockworks Research

(23:05) Thoughts on Uniswap's NFT Strategy

(31:40) OpenSea’s Response to Blur

(40:30) Blur’s Airdrop Strategy

(47:55) Navigating Regulations

(49:30) Creator Royalties

(56:00) Blur’s Market Unlock

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Follow Pacman: https://twitter.com/PacmanBlur

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

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

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/

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Resources

Blur

https://blur.io/

https://twitter.com/BlurCrypto

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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.

Gary Swings at Crypto, While BLUR Soars | Roundup Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

In today’s episode of Empire, we start with a deep regulatory discussion with Kristin Smith and Rebecca Rettig to explore Gary's attack on crypto. We cover the SEC's attack against Kraken and BUSD, tokens as securities, market implications, what to expect next and more!

Santi and Jason co-pilot the last 25 minutes to discuss Blur's airdrop, the battle for NFT market share, the L2 wars and Flashbots' new MEV-Share product. This episode covers everything you need to know from this wild week!

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:55) An attack on Stablecoins?

(06:34) Kraken and staking services

(10:22) Why is Gary gunning for crypto?

(14:09) The Implications and path forward

(27:37) What if tokens were deemed securities?

(32:30) Blockworks Research

(34:05) How should crypto companies respond?

(40:22) Regulation segment recap

(51:25) Blur's airdrop, OpenSea losing market share

(59:10) L2 Wars, Flashbots MEV-Share, Sushi Studios

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

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

Follow Kristin: https://twitter.com/KMSmithDC

Follow Rebecca: https://twitter.com/RebeccaRettig1

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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Resources

Blockchain Association

https://twitter.com/BlockchainAssn

Polygon

https://twitter.com/0xPolygon

Empire podcast with Rebecca Rettig and Jake Chervinsky

https://spoti.fi/3YTMfoh

Flasbots MEV-Share article

http://bit.ly/3S7g9TO

Categorizing different zk implementations (a Twitter thread)

https://twitter.com/pseudotheos/status/1622698514475061252?s=20

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Every Brand Will Have A Web3 Strategy | Camilla McFarland, Avery Akkineni Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

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!

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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

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Follow Camilla: https://twitter.com/camillionaire_m

Follow Avery: https://twitter.com/avery_akkineni

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

Follow Santi: 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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Resources

Vanyer3

https://vayner3.com/

Mojito

https://mojito.xyz/

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The Case for Sovereign Blockchains | Sunny Aggarwal, Dmitriy Berenzon Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

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!

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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

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Follow Myles: https://twitter.com/MylesOneil

Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_

Follow Sunny: https://twitter.com/sunnya97

Follow Dmitriy: https://twitter.com/dberenzon

Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9

Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH

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Resources:

Bell Curve podcast

https://spoti.fi/3JWqLmK

Dmitriy's blog

https://dberenzon.medium.com/

Osmosis

https://osmosis.zone/

1k(x)

https://1kx.network/

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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.

Frax: Building the DeFi Trinity | Sam Kazemian Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

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!

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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

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Follow Sam: https://twitter.com/samkazemian?lang=en

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

Follow Dan: https://twitter.com/smyyguy

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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This episode is sponsored by Public.com. Go to https://Public.com/empire to move your cash into a Treasury Account today.

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Resources

Frax

https://frax.finance/

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Will Companies Survive the Funding Drought? | Roundup Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

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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/

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Resources

Bell Curve podcast

http://bit.ly/3HVuKi1

LVMH story

https://www.ft.com/content/c79eccfc-fca1-11e9-a354-36acbbb0d9b6

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Trading Crypto Inflection Points | Hal Press Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

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Follow Hal: https://twitter.com/NorthRockLP

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

Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_

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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Resources

North Rock Digital

https://northrockdigital.com/

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Bear Market: Stage 3 is upon us | Roundup Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

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!

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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”

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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/

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Resources

Electric Capital 2022 Developer Report

https://www.developerreport.com/developer-report

Revoke.Cash

https://revoke.cash/

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How EigenLayer Unlocks Infrastructure Innovation | Sreeram Kannan, Calvin Liu Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

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!

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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

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Follow Sreeram:https://twitter.com/sreeramkannan

Follow Calvin: https://twitter.com/cjliu49

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

Follow Santi: 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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Resources

EigenLayer

https://www.eigenlayer.com/

EigenLayer's Twitter

https://twitter.com/eigenlayer

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The Wallet Wars: Rise of the SuperApp | Qiao Wang Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

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!

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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

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Follow Qiao: https://twitter.com/QwQiao

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

Follow Santi: 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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Resources

Alliance DAO

https://alliance.xyz/

Good Game podcast (Qiao's podcast)

https://goodgamepod.xyz/

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