Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Happy Friday! For this week’s Roundup, Rob and Yano dive into the recent stablecoin raises (Rain and M0) and explore the exponentially growing industry of prediction markets and discuss what could be beyond PolyMarket and Kalshi. They also touch upon the macro environment, where we are in the cycle and leave some killer content recs.
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Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from David Canellis.
Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: 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
Follow Empire: twitter.com/theempirepod
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Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
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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]
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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
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"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'."
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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
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Is your treasury losing value to inflation? Learn how to make digital assets like ETH and SOL productive with uncorrelated, protocol-driven staking rewards. A new report from Liquid Collective and EigenCloud outlines a practical guide for CFOs to integrate institutional-grade staking and restaking.
Read The Productive Treasury Report: liquidcollective.io/corporate-treasury-staking
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:06 Rain's Raise
19:36 M0’s Raise
25:58 Ads (Geodnet, Bitwise)
27:26 Prediction Markets
47:51 Ads (Geodnet, Bitwise)
49:12 Ads (Mantle, EigenLayer, Citrea)
51:38 DATs priced in?
56:47 Cycle Analysis
01:02:23 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.
Happy Friday! For this week’s Roundup, Rob and Yano dive into the recent stablecoin raises (Rain and M0) and explore the exponentially growing industry of prediction markets and discuss what could be beyond PolyMarket and Kalshi. They also touch upon the macro environment, where we are in the cycle and leave some killer content recs.
--
Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from David Canellis.
Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts
--
Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: twitter.com/theempirepod
--
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
--
Is your treasury losing value to inflation? Learn how to make digital assets like ETH and SOL productive with uncorrelated, protocol-driven staking rewards. A new report from Liquid Collective and EigenCloud outlines a practical guide for CFOs to integrate institutional-grade staking and restaking.
Read The Productive Treasury Report: liquidcollective.io/corporate-treasury-staking
--
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:06 Rain's Raise
19:36 M0’s Raise
25:58 Ads (Geodnet, Bitwise)
27:26 Prediction Markets
47:51 Ads (Geodnet, Bitwise)
49:12 Ads (Mantle, EigenLayer, Citrea)
51:38 DATs priced in?
56:47 Cycle Analysis
01:02:23 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, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

![Fundamentals Are The New King of Crypto | Smac & Noah Goldberg
This week, Noah from Theia & Smac from Compound discuss why crypto’s next chapter won’t be powered by hype alone. They explain how valuations, narratives, fund structures, and real cash-flow durability are reshaping the industry, and why investors must adapt to a world where fundamentals finally matter. Enjoy!
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Follow Noah: https://x.com/tradernoah
Follow Smac: https://x.com/0xsmac
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
Compound Annual Meeting: https://x.com/mhdempsey/status/1999119478936785108?s=20
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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/
Mantle Global Hackathon 2025 is live! Running from Oct 22 to Dec 31, Mantle invites builders to design the future of Real-World Assets (RWAs) on its modular L2 stack.
Key Highlights:
- $150,000 Prize Pool + Grants & Incubation opportunities
- Access to Bybits 7M+ verified users
- Judges from Bybit Ventures, Spartan, Animoca Brands
- 6 Tracks: RWA/RealFi, DeFi, AI, ZK, Infra, GameFi
Join the Hackathon: https://www.hackquest.io/vi/hackathons/Mantle-Global-Hackathon-2025
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 Intro
01:24 How Theia & Compound Are Positioned
05:58 Thoughts On Valuation Debate
10:50 Do Narratives & Storytelling Drive Markets?
22:24 Ads (Zcash)
23:01 Tension Between Old & New Investors
25:27 Having A View On Public Markets
28:53 Will Crypto Be The Fastest Horse Again?
33:44 Who Outperforms: Majors or Apps?
35:43 Ads (Zcash)
36:20 Identifying Durable Vs Ephemeral Advantages
40:49 State Of Crypto Liquid Funds
45:51 Activist Investing In Crypto
47:48 Ads (Mantle, Geodnet, Uniswap)
50:41 Views On Prediction Markets
53:55 Biggest Market Opportunities
01:01:36 Water Supercycle?
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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. Fundamentals Are The New King of Crypto | Smac & Noah Goldberg](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y6iAwTbVLwk/mqdefault.jpg)

![Lighter’s Token Launch, Erebor Raises $350M & Walmarts Crypto Strategy
Were back with our first weekly roundup of 2026! This week we discuss Lighter token launch, Walmarts crypto strategy with OnePay, Erebors $350m raise, what to expect in 2026 & more. Enjoy!
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Rob: https://x.com/HadickM
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
Mantle Global Hackathon 2025 is live! Running from Oct 22 to Dec 31, Mantle invites builders to design the future of Real-World Assets (RWAs) on its modular L2 stack.
Key Highlights:
- $150,000 Prize Pool + Grants & Incubation opportunities
- Access to Bybits 7M+ verified users
- Judges from Bybit Ventures, Spartan, Animoca Brands
- 6 Tracks: RWA/RealFi, DeFi, AI, ZK, Infra, GameFi
Join the Hackathon: https://www.hackquest.io/vi/hackathons/Mantle-Global-Hackathon-2025
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
06:16 Lighters Token Launch
13:36 Walmarts Crypto Strategy with OnePay
19:09 Erebor Raises $350m At a $4B+ Valuation
23:22 Ads (Mantle, Geodnet, Uniswap)
26:05 The Clarity Act
36:44 What To Expect In 2026
43:57 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. Lighter’s Token Launch, Erebor Raises $350M & Walmarts Crypto Strategy](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YSs-7gUr8pM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Phase II of The Bull Market | Dan Morehead
This week Dan Morehead joins the show to discuss the current state of markets & whats next throughout 2025 into 2026. We deep dive into how Dan built conviction in crypto as an asset class back in 2013, does the four year cycle still exist, crypto treasury vehicles, Dans Solana thesis & more. Enjoy!
Follow Dan: https://x.com/dan_pantera
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
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-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!
Welcome to Get Real — Web3’s first-ever campaign rewarding you for creating real-world value. Connect your devices to real-world apps on peaq and earn rewards for:
Measuring noise pollution
Providing compute
Mapping the word And more
Total prize pool: 5% of $PEAQ’s initial supply. Get Real is relaunching soon — follow peaq on X and get ready.
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.
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]
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:44 Buying Bitcoin In The Early Days
07:11 Dans Macro Outlook In 2025
17:14 Ads (Blockdaemon, Peaq)
18:44 Does The Four Year Cycle Still Exist?
27:39 Phase II of The Bull Market
29:49 The Crypto IPO Window Is Open
32:44 Ads (Blockdaemon, Peaq)
34:13 Crypto Treasury Vehicles
40:30 The Solana Thesis: Why Pantera Owns $1bn+ Solana
42:45 Are Institutions Still Underallocated To Crypto?
46:33 Ads (Manttle, Goednet)
47:59 Launching Cryptos Longest Running Fund
57:50 Cryptos Biggest Opportunity In The Next 5 Years
55:07 Advice For Founders
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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. Phase II of The Bull Market | Dan Morehead](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YWSf26MR8UY/mqdefault.jpg)





