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Gm! This week we're joined by Gavin Wood to discuss has the promise of crypto failed? We deep dive into hype vs fundamentals, why crypto needs more utility, why haven't we seen mass adoption, how to fix crypto's product problem & more. Enjoy!
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Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross.
Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts
Follow Gavin: https://x.com/gavofyork
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code EMPIRE10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv
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ZKsync is the pioneering zero-knowledge technology powering the next generation of builders with limitless scale. Secured by math and designed for native interoperability, ZKsync enables an elastic, ever-expanding network of customizable chains.
Deeply rooted in its mission to advance personal freedom for all, the ZKsync technology makes digital self-ownership universally available.
To learn more about ZKsync, visit http://www.zksync.io
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Crypto never sleeps. So we built an Al analyst that never blinks.
Meet Focal by FalconX: a GenAI insights engine built for institutional crypto. Already used by 80+ funds managing $10B+ in AUM.
🔹 Screen, chart, and analyze 1300+ tokens
🔹 Summarize market-moving news instantly
🔹 Integrates data from CoinGecko, Kaito, Token Terminal, Tokenomist, The Tie
Get started today: askfocal.com
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WalletConnect is the onchain connectivity network . If you’ve connected to a Web3 app, you’ve seen WalletConnect. It’s everywhere—an icon of trust in crypto, as recognizable as Visa at checkout.
The numbers speak for themselves: Over 220 million connections and 35 million users worldwide use WalletConnect to power their Web3 experience. @WalletConnect on X and Telegram or visit https://WalletConnect.Network
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Token.com is a social-first crypto platform transforming how people discover and trade through crypto content. The revolutionary in-feed trading turns complex crypto into intuitive investments, while content creators earn from every trade and projects amplify their stories through native tokens - creating a new era of social media-powered crypto discovery. Just scroll to watch and tap to invest. Download the app!
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:16) Has Crypto Failed?
(03:20) Hype vs Fundamentals In Crypto
(09:21) Ads (ZKSync)
(10:26) Does Crypto Need More Utility?
(13:37) Why Still Work In Crypto?
(18:18) Crypto’s Product Problem
(22:16) Ads (ZKSync)
(23:21) Why Haven't We Seen More Adoption?
(26:37) Polkadot Successes & Failures
(29:48) Crypto's Multichain Future
(35:05) Ads (Falcon x, WalletConnect, Token.com)
(37:18) What Is JAM?
(40:19) Does Crypto Have A Marketing Problem?
(46:35) Crypto’s Next Chapter
(51:27) Crypto vs AI
(01:00:25) What’s The Most Important Thing To Work On?
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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.
Gm! This week we're back with another weekly roundup where we discuss how to position during a market crash. We deep dive into the Trump tariff dump, are altcoins cooked, the state of crypto venture, why Ripple's $1.25b acquisition is more important than you think & more. Enjoy!
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Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code EMPIRE10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv
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Referenced In The Show:
Invest Like The Best With Michael Ovitz: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vtKb0ZNt8xv9CaOPATSIX?si=d65f8b3bd413419d
The Essays Of Warren Buffett: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NYR5b0RktTaxWi68kT1io?si=74358acb99604fd4
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SKALE is the next evolution in Layer 1 blockchains with a gas-free invisible user experience, instant finality, high speed, and robust security. SKALE is built different as it allows for limitless scalability and has already saved its 50 Million users over $11 Billion in gas fees.
SKALE is high-performance and cost-effective, making it ideal for compute-intensive applications like AI, gaming, and consumer-facing dApps. Learn more at skale.space and stay up to date with the gas-free invisible blockchain on X at @skalenetwork
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Zenrock is a permissionless, decentralized custody network backed by 1RoundTable Partners, 10T, Maven11, and Spartan. Live on Jupiter, $ROCK is the native token for transactions within the Zenrock ecosystem and secures Zenrock’s decentralized custody network.
The first application launching on Zenrock is zenBTC – yield-bearing Bitcoin on Solana. zenBTC will be live in April 2025.
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Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors Empire podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER device and secure your crypto today.
Buy now at www.Ledger.com
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WalletConnect is the onchain connectivity network . If you’ve connected to a Web3 app, you’ve seen WalletConnect. It’s everywhere—an icon of trust in crypto, as recognizable as Visa at checkout.
The numbers speak for themselves: Over 220 million connections and 35 million users worldwide use WalletConnect to power their Web3 experience. @WalletConnect on X and Telegram or visit https://WalletConnect.Network
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AO Mainnet is LIVE! Experience the future of decentralized computing: infinite parallel processing, secure TEE-powered computations, and LLMs in smart contracts. Built on Arweave, AO's modular design shatters scalability limits. 100% of tokens are distributed to Arweave holders and bridge depositors, with a fixed supply and halving. Explore AO today: https://ao.arweave.dev
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:46) Santi's Trip To New York
(08:25) Ads (Skale, Zenrock)
(09:44) The Trump Tariff Dump
(20:11) Ads (Skale, Zenrock)
(21:30) Do Crypto Cycles Still Exist?
(24:21) How To Position During A Market Crash
(27:44) Are Altcoins Cooked?
(36:24) Buy The Dip Or Sell The Rip?
(41:13) Ads (Ledger, WalletConnect, Arweave)
(43:28) How To Build A Portfolio
(48:03) The State Of Crypto Venture
(54:38) Ripple's Hidden Road Acquisition Is Bigger Than You Think
(1:04:29) Crypto M&A In 2025
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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.
