Empire Blockworks

In this episode, Jason is joined by Quinn Thompson dive deep into the game-changing news of a potential Ethereum ETF approval. They discuss the implications for macro and crypto markets, ETH/BTC dynamics, and major players like Coinbase. The conversation also explores the fascinating shift in US politics around crypto, driven by electoral considerations, and what a Trump vs. Biden race could mean for the industry. Looking ahead, they consider potential ripple effects on altcoins, NFTs, stablecoins and more. Thanks for tuning in!
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Follow Quinn: https://x.com/qthomp
Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

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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?utm_source=podcasts

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Sei Labs believes the EVM is here to stay.

By providing the fastest time to finality of any chain, thousands of transactions per second and full backwards compatibility with the EVM, Ethereum developers can try out a brand new design space for their applications.

Try out sei v2 devnet - visit the new sei.io to find out more.
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This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more.

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription.

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
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Mantle Network is an Ethereum Layer 2 that aims to bring super-scalability to Ethereum by taking a modular approach that offers low fees and high security.

Mantle recently launched their airdrop program "Rewards Station" to holders of its native token, $MNT. The Rewards Station program distributes pre-sale token allocations or listed token to $MNT holders who stake their $MNT.
Check out the rewards station: https://www.mantle.xyz/rewards-station
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Kinto is the Safety-first L2 designed to accelerate the transition to an on-chain financial system.

If you believe in this on-chain financial system, join Kinto's launch program (Engen) and become a founding member at engen.kinto.xyz
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Resources
https://x.com/drjasper_eth/status/1793473109447651812
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(5:03) ETF Approval Odds
(18:41) Sei Ad
(19:38) Aura Ad
(20:27) Kinto Ad
(21:23) Mantle Ad
(22:19) ETF Market Impact
(34:21) Impact on Alts, NFTs, & Memes
(44:16) Dems Adopt Crypto
(52:43) Impact of US Election
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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.

In this episode, Kain Warwick, the founder of Infinex, shares his lessons learned from building in crypto. He delves into the founder's dilemma of balancing innovation with simplicity, discussing the pitfalls of overcomplicating projects and the importance of iterative development. Kain also shares his experiences with token launches, incentive design, and regulatory challenges. To close out, Kain emphasizes the crucial role of empirical evidence in guiding decision-making and the need for founders to adapt to the ever-evolving crypto landscape. Thanks for tuning in!
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Follow Kain: https://x.com/kaiynne
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

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

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
(00:36) Kain's OG Background
(11:23) Founding in Crypto
(22:04) Building in Crosschain DeFi
(31:09) Managing Sybil Attacks
(49:09) Private vs Liquid Tokens
(01:01:17) Points Programs
(01:05:14) Lessons Learned from Synthetix
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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.

In this episode, Anand and Niraj dive deep into the exciting intersection of AI and crypto. They explore why now is the time for these two technologies to converge, the problems decentralized AI aims to solve, and the potential for AI agents to drive unprecedented onchain transaction volume. The discussion covers key projects in the space like BitTensor and Io Net, how blockchain data could be leveraged in AI systems, and the transformative impact if rituals succeeds in its mission over the next 5 years. Thanks for tuning in!
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Follow Niraj: https://x.com/niraj
Follow Anand: https://x.com/ai
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

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

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Arbitrum is a game-changer for daily Ethereum's users and developers, offering top applications and lower fees. As the leading scaling solution with 600+ apps, explore Arbitrum’s Portal to find your perfect fit. Interact with the home of DeFi, a flourishing NFT and creator ecosystem, and a rapidly growing Web3 gaming hub – Arbitrum has it all. 

Get started at:
portal.arbitrum.io 
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This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more.

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription.

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
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SKALE is a modular, AppChain network that offers zero gas fee transactions and instant finality. Tailored for ease of development and onboarding, SKALE's configurable EVM chains enable next-gen use cases in gaming, AI, DePin, and others. With over 20,000,000 users having saved over $6 Billion on gas fees, SKALE is the blockchain for mass adoption.

Bridge to SKALE at portal.skale.space and stay up to date with the gasless blockchain at @skalenetwork
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Kinto is the Safety-first L2 designed to accelerate the transition to an on-chain financial system.

If you believe in this on-chain financial system, join Kinto's launch program (Engen) and become a founding member at engen.kinto.xyz
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:09 Why AI & Crypto
17:16 Open Source AI Models
23:44 Why Ritual
26:35 Future of AI Applications
32:19 What are AI Agents?
38:03 Aura Ad
38:54 Kinto Ad
39:50 Skale Ad
41:07 Will AI Make Crypto Mainstream?
46:54 Decentralized AI's Moment
54:57 IO Net & Bit Tensor
58:54 What Everyone is Missing
01:04:11 Interesting AI Usecases
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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.

In this episode, Santi and Jason discuss the SAB-121 vote with Blockworks' Senior Reporter Casey Wagner, unpacking its bipartisan political support and huge implications for crypto. They cover the DOJ's charges in the $25M MEV boost exploit, the resurgence of meme stock mania with GameStop, and the ongoing Pump.Fun exploit drama. Santi shares his framework for valuing L1 and L2 blockchains based on total economic value. They close our by highlighting insights from DBA's research day and share their favorite youtube comments. Enjoy!
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Follow Casey: https://x.com/caseywagnerr
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

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

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
- -
Sei Labs believes the EVM is here to stay.

By providing the fastest time to finality of any chain, thousands of transactions per second and full backwards compatibility with the EVM, Ethereum developers can try out a brand new design space for their applications.

Try out sei v2 devnet - visit the new sei.io to find out more.
- -
This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more.

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription.

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
- -
SKALE is a modular, AppChain network that offers zero gas fee transactions and instant finality. Tailored for ease of development and onboarding, SKALE's configurable EVM chains enable next-gen use cases in gaming, AI, DePin, and others. With over 20,000,000 users having saved over $6 Billion on gas fees, SKALE is the blockchain for mass adoption.

Bridge to SKALE at portal.skale.space and stay up to date with the gasless blockchain at @skalenetwork
- -
Kinto is the Safety-first L2 designed to accelerate the transition to an on-chain financial system.

If you believe in this on-chain financial system, join Kinto's launch program (Engen) and become a founding member at engen.kinto.xyz
- -
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:12 SAB 21 Vote
12:51 Crypto Voting in the US
28:00 MEV Boost Exploiters Charged by DOJ
36:02 SEI Ad
37:01 Aura Ad
37:49 Kinto Ad
38:45 Skale Ad
40:02 PumpFun Exploit
45:08 Youtube Comment Hate
47:11 GameStop Return
52:06 DBA Research Day
55:54 How to Value L1s & L2s
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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.

This week we discuss is it time to be bullish or bearish? As markets continue to chop sideways, we discuss how now is the time to consolidate your portfolio into high conviction bets & what to expect in the coming weeks on the back of a bullish CPI print that gave resurgence to an otherwise sleepy market. Enjoy!
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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/
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Perennial is an on-chain derivatives protocol built from first principles to be a DeFi primitive. The core protocol is minimalist, flexible, and efficient, allowing Perennial to mold to the needs of many different users & use cases.

Perennial has a super efficient core protocol that lets LPs use native maker leverage — allowing $1mn in TVL to back to $5-10mn in Open interest.

Trade and LP at: https://perennial.finance/1000x
Social: https://twitter.com/perenniallabs
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(2:10) Expect More Chop
(10:31) Bitcoin vs Gold ETFs
(18:25) Perennial Ad
(19:57) Meme Coins
(25:34) Time To Be Bullish Or Bearish?
(30:32) The ETH ETF
(40:12) The Return Of Roaring Kitty
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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.

In today's episode Jason is joined by Arthur of DeFiance Capital and Sean of Fintech Collective. They kick off the episode by discussing the current state of token launches, highlighting the unsustainable model of low float and high fully diluted valuations that often leave retail investors at a disadvantage. They explore the challenges in accurately valuing crypto assets and the need for better alignment of incentives between teams, investors, and the broader market. The episode concludes with Arthur and Sean sharing their high-conviction bets for this market cycle. Thanks for tuning in!

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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 Arthur: https://twitter.com/Arthur_0x
Follow Sean: https://twitter.com/seanlippel
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

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

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Arbitrum is a game-changer for daily Ethereum's users and developers, offering top applications and lower fees. As the leading scaling solution with 600+ apps, explore Arbitrum’s Portal to find your perfect fit. Interact with the home of DeFi, a flourishing NFT and creator ecosystem, and a rapidly growing Web3 gaming hub – Arbitrum has it all. 

Get started at:
portal.arbitrum.io 
- -
This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more.

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription.

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
- -
SKALE is a modular, AppChain network that offers zero gas fee transactions and instant finality. Tailored for ease of development and onboarding, SKALE's configurable EVM chains enable next-gen use cases in gaming, AI, DePin, and others. With over 20,000,000 users having saved over $6 Billion on gas fees, SKALE is the blockchain for mass adoption.

Bridge to SKALE at portal.skale.space and stay up to date with the gasless blockchain at @skalenetwork
- -
Kinto is the Safety-first L2 designed to accelerate the transition to an on-chain financial system.

If you believe in this on-chain financial system, join Kinto's launch program (Engen) and become a founding member at engen.kinto.xyz
- -
Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(01:52) Crypto VCs are Broken
(14:31) Best Token Launch Model
(22:11) Valuing Crypto Assets
(29:20) Arbitrum Ad
(30:08) Aura Ad
(30:56) Kinto Ad
(31:52) Skale Ad
(33:08) Evaluating LDO & ETHFI
(51:57) Active Investments
(57:51) Highest Conviction Bets
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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.