Empire

Latest Episodes:

Investor Relations in the Onchain Era Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

In this special episode, we introduce Blockworks’ new investor relations platform for onchain businesses.

As institutional capital continues to enter crypto markets, expectations around transparency, standardization, and professionalism are rising. But instead of replicating legacy systems, Blockworks IR takes a different approach, leveraging real-time, onchain data to create a more transparent, data-driven, and low-friction investor relations model.

The platform combines curated analytics, branded investor portals, and white-glove advisory support into a single solution, helping teams tell a clearer, more credible story while giving investors a more efficient way to evaluate opportunities.

Launched at the Digital Asset Summit in New York, Blockworks IR aims to fill a critical gap in the industry. Listen to learn more about the vision behind the product and what it means for the future of investor relations in crypto.

State of The Market, How to Value Hyperliquid & Tempo Launches Mainnet Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re back with another weekly roundup to discuss the current state of markets as conflict in Iran continues. We then deep dive into Hyperliquid's announcement with S&P, how to value Hyperliquid, Tempo's mainnet launch, Kraken's reported IPO delay & more. Enjoy!

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

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

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

Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket!

https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026

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

(02:08) State of The Market

(09:38) ZKsync Ad

(10:20) DAS Plug

(10:46) S&P Licenses S&P 500 Perps on Hyperliquid

(24:45) Tempo & Agentic Payments

(47:02) Kraken’s IPO Delay

(50:45) Content of The Week

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.

How To Fix Crypto's Token Problem | Weekly Roundup Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re back with another weekly roundup on the equity vs. token debate in crypto. We dive deep into Across Protocol’s proposal to convert its token into equity before covering Kraken’s Fedwire approval, Ripple’s $50B valuation, and more. Enjoy!

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

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

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

Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket!

https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026

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

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(08:36) Across To Convert Their Token to Equity

(23:47) Crypto’s Token vs Equity Problem

(36:52) ZKsync Ad

(37:34) DAS Plug

(38:00) Mastercard’s Crypto Partner Program

(47:05) Ripple’s $50B Valuation

(54:35) Kraken’s Gets Approved to Fedwire

(01:00:57) Content of The Week

How Hyperliquid Unlocks 24/7 Markets | Jake Chervinsky & MC Lader Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

This week, Jake Chervinsky & MC Lader join the show to discuss the growth of Hyperliquid in 2026 and beyond. We deep dive into Hyperliquid's 24/7 markets thesis, how Native Markets won the USDH proposal, founding the Hyperliquid Policy Center, regulation in 2026 and more. Enjoy!

Follow MC: https://x.com/Mclader

Follow Jake: https://x.com/jchervinsky

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

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

Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket!

https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026

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

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:45) The Hyperliquid 24/7 Markets Thesis

(06:02) Founding The Hyperliquid Policy Center

(15:45) The State of DeFi Regulation

(18:59) ZKsync Ad

(19:34) The Hyperliquid USDH Proposal

(29:59) Stablecoin Regulation In The US

(38:05) The Hyperliquid 24/7 Markets Thesis

(44:40) The Future of Stablecoins

(57:53) Crypto Regulation In 2026 & Beyond

State of The Market, Polymarket Insider Trading & a16z Raising $2B | Weekly Roundup Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

This week, we're back with another weekly roundup where we discuss the current state of markets as Bitcoin holds steady around $70k. We then deep dive into how to unlock 24/7 markets, insider trading on prediction markets, recent VC fundraises & more. Enjoy!

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

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

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

Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket! https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:20) State of The Market

(08:05) How To Unlock 24/7 Markets

(18:54) DAS Plug

(19:20) Insider Trading On Prediction Markets

(52:58) OKX Raises At a $25B Valuation

(55:34) a16z & Paradigm Raising $3.5B

(01:09:33) Will Crypto Prices Recover?

(01:13:16) Content of The Week

Hivemind: Can Bitcoin Reclaim $80k, State of The Market & The AI Trade Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

This week, the Hivemind team breaks down the current market sentiment as crypto tries to put in a bottom. We deep dive into reasons to be optimistic, the convergence of crypto and AI, Citrini's AI piece & 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 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

(01:41) State of The Market

(09:27) Venice AI & Crypto’s AI Moment

(26:52) Positioning For The AI Trade

(52:30) Citrini’s AI Piece

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.

Introducing: Inflection Point | The Crypto-TradFi Convergence Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

In this first episode of Inflection Point, we explore the accelerating convergence between traditional finance and crypto as institutional adoption begins reshaping the foundations of global financial infrastructure. The conversation examines ETFs, DeFi innovation, market structure shifts, institutional flows, and how evolving investor behavior is changing Bitcoin and digital asset markets. Along the way, we discuss regulation, credit markets, technology limitations, and the broader implications of finance moving onchain. Enjoy!

—

Inflection Point:

Apple 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3QKdX5a

Spotify 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3YhGJy3

YouTube 🎥: https://link.blockworks.co/46Cee2q

—

Follow Matt: ⁠⁠https://x.com/Matt_Hougan⁠⁠

Follow David: ⁠⁠https://x.com/dlawant⁠⁠

Follow Michael: ⁠⁠https://x.com/marcryptonio⁠⁠

Follow Marc: ⁠⁠https://x.com/marcarjoon⁠⁠

Follow Inflection Point: ⁠⁠https://x.com/BWInflection⁠⁠

Follow Blockworks: ⁠⁠https://x.com/Blockworks_⁠⁠

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Join us at Digital Asset Summit 2026 in NYC March 24-26th! Use code INFLECTION200 for $200 OFF!

⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026⁠⁠

—

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro To Inflection Point

(06:48) The Convergence Between TradFi & Crypto

(22:20) Crypto's Biggest Advantages & Hurdles

(36:15) Crypto's Changing Market Structure

(41:00) Prices, Sentiment & Long-Term Allocators

(46:00) Evolution Of Crypto Options & Yield

(51:30) Is The 4-Year Cycle Dead?

(01:02:00) Final Thoughts

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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Inflection Point 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 opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

#Crypto #DeFi #Bitcoin #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #CryptoPodcast

Building The Perfect Portfolio In 2026 | Tushar Jain & Pranav Kanade Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

This week, Tushar Jain & Pranav Kanade join the show to discuss the current state of markets. We deep dive into where are we in the cycle, where to allocate in 2026, how to value tokens, stablecoin chains & more. Enjoy!

Follow Tushar: https://x.com/tushar_jain

Follow Pranav: https://x.com/vaneckpk

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

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

Coinbase crypto-backed loans, powered by Morpho, enable you to take out loans at competitive rates using crypto as collateral. Rates are typically 4% to 8%. Borrow up to $5M using BTC as collateral and up to $1M using ETH as collateral.

Manage crypto-backed loans directly in the Coinbase app with ease. Learn more here:

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Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket!

https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:20) Where Are We In The Market Cycle?

(06:35) Allocating In Crypto

(16:12) Coinbase Ad

(16:57) DAS Plug

(17:22) How To Value Crypto Tokens

(32:28) Investing In Apps vs L1s

(38:10) Crypto Social & Stablecoin Chains

(53:00) Investing In AI

(59:40) Positioning In 2026

Terra vs Jane Street, Circle Earnings & Robinhood’s Venture Fund | Weekly Roundup Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

This week, we're back with another weekly roundup where we discuss the recent lawsuit filed by Terraform Labs against Jane Street. We then deep dive into Circle's earnings, Tether's investment in Whop, Robinhood's Venture fund & more. Enjoy!

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

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

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

Manage crypto-backed loans directly in the Coinbase app with ease. Learn more here:

https://www.coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_empire&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=empire

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:40) Terraform Labs Sues Jane Street

(28:40) Coinbase Ad

(29:24) DAS Plug

(29:51) Circle Beats Earnings

(39:32) Would You Rather Own Stripe or Circle?

(46:10) Robinhood’s Venture Fund

(56:04) Tether Invests $200M In Whop

(01:19:37) Content of The Week

Zero Just Made Blockchains 100x Better | Bryan Pellegrino & Raz Zarick Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

This week, Bryan Pellegrino and Raz Zarick from LayerZero join the show to discuss Zero, the 100x breakthrough in blockchain architecture. We deep dive into the Zero origin story, the roadmap for 2026, LayerZero's ultimate vision, how to build a moat in crypto, hiring top talent and more. Enjoy!

Follow Bryan: https://x.com/PrimordialAA

Follow Raz: https://x.com/ryanzarick

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

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

Manage crypto-backed loans directly in the Coinbase app with ease. Learn more here:

https://www.coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_empire&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=empire

Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in New York City this March! Follow the link below to grab your ticket, and use code EMPIRE200 to get $200 off your ticket!

https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:53) The Zero Origin Story

(13:55) Zero's 100x Breakthrough

(22:10) Achieving 2 Million TPS

(32:29) Coinbase Ad

(33:14) DAS Plug

(33:40) How To Build A Moat In Crypto?

(48:05) LayerZero’s Ultimate Vision

(57:37) The Impact of AI

(01:06:25) Zero’s Roadmap In 2026