Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
This week, the Hivemind team is joined by Guy Young, founder of Ethena, to discuss the launch of their $360M ENA vehicle, the structural challenges in altcoin market flows, the evolving use cases for stablecoins, and why Athena’s yield-based model positions it as a more scalable solution than USDC. They also unpack the impact of the Genius Act on U.S. stablecoin regulation, the long-term overvaluation of L1s like ETH and SOL, and how the market structure is shifting toward revenue-generating apps like Hyperliquid. Enjoy!
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Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis.
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Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:27 Ethena & its New Treasury Vehicle
8:26 Competing with Other Stables
18:38 The Genius Act & Its Implications
35:18 ETH & Treasury Vehicles
40:20 The Future of Altcoins & L1s
42:24 Ethena & the Futures Market
44:16 L1 Valuations
52:17 Pump.Fun ICO
1:10:10 Final Thoughts
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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.
This week, the Hivemind team is joined by Guy Young, founder of Ethena, to discuss the launch of their $360M ENA vehicle, the structural challenges in altcoin market flows, the evolving use cases for stablecoins, and why Athena’s yield-based model positions it as a more scalable solution than USDC. They also unpack the impact of the Genius Act on U.S. stablecoin regulation, the long-term overvaluation of L1s like ETH and SOL, and how the market structure is shifting toward revenue-generating apps like Hyperliquid. Enjoy!
--
Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis.
Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: blockworks.co/newsletter/empire
--
Follow Guy: https://x.com/gdog97_
Follow Ceteris: https://x.com/ceterispar1bus
Follow Jose: https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo
Follow Yan: https://x.com/YanLiberman
Follow Duncan: https://x.com/FloodCapital
Follow Empire: https://x.com/theempirepod
Subscribe on YouTube: bit.ly/4jYEkBx
Subscribe on Apple: bit.ly/3ECSmJ3
Subscribe on Spotify: bit.ly/4hzy9lH
--
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: blockworks.co/newsletter/
--
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:27 Ethena & its New Treasury Vehicle
8:26 Competing with Other Stables
18:38 The Genius Act & Its Implications
35:18 ETH & Treasury Vehicles
40:20 The Future of Altcoins & L1s
42:24 Ethena & the Futures Market
44:16 L1 Valuations
52:17 Pump.Fun ICO
1:10:10 Final Thoughts
--
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.
![The State of Crypto, 2026 Predictions & Espressos Token Launch | Jill Gunter
This week, Jill Gunter from Espresso joins the show to discuss the state of crypto today. We deep dive into how has crypto evolved, why privacy matters, predictions for 2026, will Espresso launch a token & more. Enjoy!
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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.
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]
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
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:44 The State of Crypto Today
10:21 How Has Crypto Evolved?
19:18 Ads (VanEck, Geodnet, Uniswap)
21:40 Why Privacy Matters
35:55 Who Wins In Crypto Infra?
45:56 Cryptos Identity Crisis
52:52 Predictions For 2026
55:49 When Will Espresso Launch A Token?
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. The State of Crypto, 2026 Predictions & Espressos Token Launch | Jill Gunter](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MD-zdhCfAPo/mqdefault.jpg)




![Kalshi CEO’s Bold Vision For The Future of Markets | Tarek Mansour
This week, Tarek Mansour Co-founder & CEO of Kalshi joins the show to discuss the next chapter for one of the fastest growing start ups in the U.S. We deep dive into the Kalshi origin story, how media and markets are evolving, the opportunity for prediction markets, advice for founders and more. Enjoy!
Follow Tarek: https://x.com/mansourtarek_
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Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from David Canellis.
Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts
Crypto’s premiere institutional conference returns to London in October 2025. Use code EMPIRE200 for £200 off at checkout: https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-2025-london
Crypto-native institutions and developers demand institutional-grade infrastructure with regulatory clarity and full asset control. Blockdaemons Earn Stack is a non-custodial platform combining high-performance staking rewards and seamless DeFi integration with no intermediate smart contract or vaults.
Programmatically access leading Ethereum & Solana staking rewards, plus DeFi opportunities across lending protocols, DEXs, and AMMs. Book a Demo!
peaq, the Machine Economy Computer, proudly sponsors the Empire podcast.
peaq is home to 60+ apps across 20+ industries and millions of devices, machines, and onchain robots.
It powers the world’s first tokenized robo-farm, launching soon in Hong Kong, and has launched the Machine Economy Free Zone in Dubai as a Web3 x Robotics x AI innovation hub.
For more about peaq, check out www.peaq.xyz
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]
Mantle is pioneering Blockchain for Banking as a revolutionary new category that sits at the intersection of TradFi and web3.
Key elements for Mantle as the Blockchain for Banking:
- Transactions posted to the blockchain
- Compatibility with TradFi rails
- Integrated DeFi features
Mantle Network, the access layer — transforms Mantle Network into a purpose-built vertical platform — the blockchain for banking — that enables financial services on-chain. Mantle leads the establishment of Blockchain for Banking as the next frontier.
Follow Mantle on X (@Mantle_Official) for the latest updates on Mantle as the Blockchain for Banking.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:28 The Kalshi Origin Story
19:29 Raising Money From Sequoia
21:46 Ads (Blockdaemon, Peaq)
22:58 Why The Election Was Kalshis Breakthrough Moment
33:37 Becoming The Fastest Growing Start Up
37:40 Ads (Blockdaemon, Peaq)
38:52 Why Prediction Markets Are The Superior Model
43:40 Integrating With Crypto
50:20 Ads (Katana, Mantle)
51:57 Partnering With Robinhood
54:39 The Future of Prediction Markets & Media
01:00:11 The Perps Opportunity
01:03:19 Competing With Polymarket
01:09:40 Advice For Founders
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. Kalshi CEO’s Bold Vision For The Future of Markets | Tarek Mansour](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Nr2oIidxB54/mqdefault.jpg)




![Nearing The DAT Peak | Weekly Roundup
Happy Friday! On this Roundup, Rob is officially announced as the third host, Avichal Garg joins the pod to discuss DATs, and beyond exploringnDATs, the White House Crypto Report is explored, Zora creator tokens, and the BIG news of the collaboration between Coinbase and Chase to push crypto into mass adoption orbit.
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
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Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
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Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
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]
Get up to speed on the biggest stories in crypto each week. In five minutes.
Get the Bitwise Weekly CIO Memo delivered directly to your inbox at bitwiseinvestments.com/ciomemo/empire
Mantle is pioneering Blockchain for Banking as a revolutionary new category that sits at the intersection of TradFi and web3.
Key elements for Mantle as the Blockchain for Banking:
- Transactions posted to the blockchain
- Compatibility with TradFi rails
- Integrated DeFi features
UR, built by Mantle, is the first real-world example: an on-chain money app offering Swiss IBANs and unified access to fiat (EUR, CHF, USD, RMB) and crypto — bringing crypto into everyday finance.
Mantle Network, the access layer — transforms Mantle Network into a purpose-built vertical platform — the blockchain for banking — that enables financial services on-chain. Mantle leads the establishment of Blockchain for Banking as the next frontier.
Follow Mantle on X (@Mantle_Official) for the latest updates on Mantle as the Blockchain for Banking.
Citrea is the first zero-knowledge rollup to enhance the capabilities of Bitcoin blockspace and enable Bitcoin applications (₿apps). Citrea is optimistically verified by Bitcoin, offering the most Bitcoin-secured and native way to extend BTC’s utility to DeFi.
Learn more about Citrea: https://citrea.xyz/?utm_source=bellcurve&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=website_promo
Follow Citrea on X/Twitter for the latest on its journey to mainnet: https://x.com/citrea_xyz
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:14 DATs Explored
19:37 Ads (Geodnet, Bitwise)
21:11 ETHZilla
30:32 DAT KPIs
36:15 Ads (Geodnet, Bitwise)
37:49 DAT FUD
51:15 Ads (Mantle,Citrea)
52:54 Native Token or DAT
01:00:06 White House Crypto Report
01:07:29 Coinbase X Chase
01:11:17 Zora + Creator Tokens
01:19:21 Content Recs
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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. Nearing The DAT Peak | Weekly Roundup](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PaVPrpVcVbE/mqdefault.jpg)