Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
This week, Brett DiNovi and Lei Yang join the show to discuss the path forward for L2s. We deep dive into why we need L2s, MegaETH's 2026 roadmap, how to build a successful ecosystem, lessons learned from building MegaETH, and more. Enjoy!
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Follow Brett: https://x.com/bread_
Follow Lei: https://x.com/yangl1996
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
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:
coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_empire&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=empire
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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!
blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:57 Vitalik’s Post On L2s
05:30 Do We Need L2s?
11:52 What’s MegaETHs Moat?
29:00 Ethereum’s Security Value
33:53 Coinbase Ad
34:38 DAS plug
35:03 Value Accrual & What's Next For MegaETH?
51:49 How To Build An Ecosystem?
1:09:14 Lessons Learned From Building MegaETH
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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, Brett DiNovi and Lei Yang join the show to discuss the path forward for L2s. We deep dive into why we need L2s, MegaETH's 2026 roadmap, how to build a successful ecosystem, lessons learned from building MegaETH, and more. Enjoy!
--
Follow Brett: https://x.com/bread_
Follow Lei: https://x.com/yangl1996
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://x.com/theempirepod
--
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:
coinbase.com/onchain/borrow/get-started?utm_campaign=0126_defi-borrow_blockworks_empire&marketId=0x9103c3b4e834476c9a62ea009ba2c884ee42e94e6e314a26f04d312434191836&utm_source=empire
--
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!
blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026
--
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:57 Vitalik’s Post On L2s
05:30 Do We Need L2s?
11:52 What’s MegaETHs Moat?
29:00 Ethereum’s Security Value
33:53 Coinbase Ad
34:38 DAS plug
35:03 Value Accrual & What's Next For MegaETH?
51:49 How To Build An Ecosystem?
1:09:14 Lessons Learned From Building MegaETH
--
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.








![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)

