Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
CLARITY failed, but SEC and CFTC action could still accelerate onchain markets.
This week, we cover what's next for crypto regulation, debate the many-stablecoin thesis, and dig into Circle launching Arc and the S&P’s push into crypto data and security.
We also discuss broken venture markets, Meta’s AI advantage, and Polymarket’s executive hiring spree. Enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
03:50 Corporate Stablecoin Debate
13:03 Why The CLARITY Act Failed
16:58 The SEC Opens Tokenized Markets
22:43 Who Wins Tokenized Markets?
29:06 S&P Moves Deeper Into Crypto
37:40 Can Circle Make Arc Work?
46:14 Can AI Startups Survive Meta?
51:26 Polymarket’s War For Talent
57:15 Content Of The Week
FOLLOW THE SHOW
› Empire – https://x.com/theempirepod
› Jason – https://x.com/jasonyanowitz
› Rob – https://x.com/HadickM
› Santi – https://x.com/santiagoroel
› Telegram – https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
› Blockworks – https://x.com/Blockworks
RESOURCES
› Slumber Number – sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/peirce-slumber-number-innovation-exemption-statement-091726
EVENTS
› Join us at Digital Asset Summit 2026 Asia October 7th & Digital Asset 2026 London November 10-11th
blockworks.com/events
› TOKEN2049 Singapore is back October 7–8, bringing together 25,000 attendees, 300 speakers, and 500 exhibitors for one of the biggest weeks in crypto.
Get your TOKEN2049 tickets and 10% DISCOUNT here: checkout.token2049.com/events/asia?promo=DASPODCAST10&utm_source=Empire&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=daspodcast&utm_id=DASPODCAST
DISCLAIMER
Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only. Any views expressed are opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
CLARITY failed, but SEC and CFTC action could still accelerate onchain markets.
This week, we cover what's next for crypto regulation, debate the many-stablecoin thesis, and dig into Circle launching Arc and the S&P’s push into crypto data and security.
We also discuss broken venture markets, Meta’s AI advantage, and Polymarket’s executive hiring spree. Enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
03:50 Corporate Stablecoin Debate
13:03 Why The CLARITY Act Failed
16:58 The SEC Opens Tokenized Markets
22:43 Who Wins Tokenized Markets?
29:06 S&P Moves Deeper Into Crypto
37:40 Can Circle Make Arc Work?
46:14 Can AI Startups Survive Meta?
51:26 Polymarket’s War For Talent
57:15 Content Of The Week
FOLLOW THE SHOW
› Empire – https://x.com/theempirepod
› Jason – https://x.com/jasonyanowitz
› Rob – https://x.com/HadickM
› Santi – https://x.com/santiagoroel
› Telegram – https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
› Blockworks – https://x.com/Blockworks
RESOURCES
› Slumber Number – sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/peirce-slumber-number-innovation-exemption-statement-091726
EVENTS
› Join us at Digital Asset Summit 2026 Asia October 7th & Digital Asset 2026 London November 10-11th
blockworks.com/events
› TOKEN2049 Singapore is back October 7–8, bringing together 25,000 attendees, 300 speakers, and 500 exhibitors for one of the biggest weeks in crypto.
Get your TOKEN2049 tickets and 10% DISCOUNT here: checkout.token2049.com/events/asia?promo=DASPODCAST10&utm_source=Empire&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=daspodcast&utm_id=DASPODCAST
DISCLAIMER
Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only. Any views expressed are opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.



![War Stories From a Crypto Founder | Kain Warwick
This week, Kain Warwick joins the show to discuss building Infinex and the march towards TGE. We deep dive into Kains experience building in crypto, the next stage for Infinex, taking down CEXs, running a startup, dealing with drug addiction & more. Enjoy!
Follow Kain: https://x.com/kaiynne
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
Zcash is encrypted Bitcoin. Your digital bill of rights securing your freedom for the 21st century.
Buy, store and spend ZEC privately using Zashi Wallet download today:
https://electriccoin.co/zashi/
Katana is a DeFi-first chain built for deep liquidity and high yield. No empty emissions, just real yield and sequencer fees routed back to DeFi users.
Pre-deposit now: Earn high APRs with Turtle Club [https://app.turtle.club/campaigns/katana] or spin the wheel with Katana Krates [https://app.katana.network/krates]
GEODNET is the world’s largest RTK network, delivering real-time, centimeter-level precision for drones, robots, farmers, and first responders. Recognized by the U.S. Congress, this blockchain-powered network supports mission-critical applications across a wide range of industries.
Discover how GEODNET is changing the world: [https://geodnet.com]
00:00 Intro
05:36 Investing vs Building In Crypto
13:11 The Opportunity For Prediction Markets
17:51 Ads (Zcash, Katana)
18:48 Whats Next For Infinex?
21:39 Taking Down Centralized Exchanges
30:52 Why Infinex Is Launching A Token
38:38 Ads (Zcash, Katana)
39:50 The Problem with Airdrops
52:10 Most Influential Accounts on CT
56:42 Ads (Goednet)
57:27 Surviving in Crypto
01:00:50 Dealing with Drug Addiction
01:07:10 Running A Startup
01:08:57 Where Are We in The Cycle?
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. War Stories From a Crypto Founder | Kain Warwick](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xUa-9CfKcYA/mqdefault.jpg)





![Market Sell Off, State of Crypto VC & Why Your Coin Isnt Pumping | Weekly Roundup
This week, Rob & Santi are back to discuss the top stories of the week. We deep dive into the recent panic in markets, Santis piece on crypto valuations, the state of crypto venture, Aaves app launch & more. Enjoy!
Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
Referenced In The Show: https://x.com/santiagoroel/status/1990430092997050753
Zcash is encrypted Bitcoin. Your digital bill of rights securing your freedom for the 21st century.
Buy, store and spend ZEC privately using Zashi Wallet download today: https://electriccoin.co/zashi/
Katana is a DeFi-first chain built for deep liquidity and high yield. No empty emissions, just real yield and sequencer fees routed back to DeFi users.
Pre-deposit now: Earn high APRs with Turtle Club [https://app.turtle.club/campaigns/katana] or spin the wheel with Katana Krates [https://app.katana.network/krates]
This Empire episode is brought to you by VanEck.
Learn more about the VanEck Onchain Economy ETF (NODE): http://vaneck.com/EmpireNODE
An investment in the Fund involves a substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. It is possible to lose your entire principal investment. The Fund may invest nearly all of its net assets in either Digital Transformation Companies and/or Digital Asset Instruments. The Fund does not invest in digital assets or commodities directly.
Digital asset instruments may be subject to risks associated with investing in digital asset exchange-traded products (“ETPs”), which include the historical extreme volatility of the digital asset and cryptocurrency market, as well as less regulation and thus fewer investor protections, as these ETPs are not investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) or commodity pools for the purposes of
the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”).
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. Visit vaneck.com to read and consider the prospectus, containing the investment objective, risks, and fees of the fund, carefully before investing.
© Van Eck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation.
Uniswap’s Trading API offers plug-and-play access to deep onchain and off-chain liquidity, delivering enterprise-grade crypto trading without the complexity - from one of the most trusted teams in DeFi.
Click to get started with seamless, scalable access to Uniswap’s powerful onchain trading infrastructure. https://hub.uniswap.org/?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ww_web_bw_awa_trading-api_20251117_podcast_clicks
00:00 Intro
02:21 Why Your Coin Isn’t Pumping
21:15 Ads (Zashi, Katana)
22:32 Where Are We In The Cycle?
27:29 The State of Crypto Venture
35:54 Ads (Zashi, Katana)
37:10 What Will Outperform In The Next 5 Years?
42:34 Aave Launches Aave App
50:35 Ads (VanEck, Uniswap)
52:17 Monad’s ICO
01:03:09 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, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed. Market Sell Off, State of Crypto VC & Why Your Coin Isnt Pumping | Weekly Roundup](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ztuiY-hVFZ0/mqdefault.jpg)