Empire

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!

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

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

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

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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

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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/

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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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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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

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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/

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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

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

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!

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

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

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

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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

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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

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

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!

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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

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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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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

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

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!

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Inflection Point:

Apple 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3QKdX5a

Spotify 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3YhGJy3

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

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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

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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