Empire

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

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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:

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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

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!

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

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

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

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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

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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

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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 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!

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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

--

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:

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

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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

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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.