Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Gm! This week we're back with another weekly roundup live at Token2049. We deep dive into our biggest takeaways form the conference, Ethereum's next chapter, L1 valuations vs app development, the new era of crypto founders & more. Enjoy!
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Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Jason: https://x.com/jasonyanowitz
Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: blockworks.co/newsletter
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Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code EMPIRE10 for 10% off: blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv
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Marinade Labs develops staking technologies that strengthen Solana.
In 2021, our protocol was the first to bring liquid staking to the network; today, our sophisticated, high-performance staking delegation platform brings billions in liquidity and security to the SOL market. We have solutions for both DeFi and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations.
Our best-in-market features include user downside protection (through protected staking rewards) and optimized delegation (via our automated auction marketplace). Cryptoasset investors worldwide, from individual traders to global institutions, use Marinade to earn rewards on their SOL treasuries and holdings. We are headquartered in New York, with offices in the European Union, including Prague. To learn more about Marinade, visit marinade.finance.
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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 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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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:39 Takeaways From Token2049
03:54 Ads (Marinade)
04:43 A New Era Of Crypto Founders
07:56 L1s vs Apps
09:24 Ads (Marinade)
10:13 Ethereum's Next Chapter
14:33 Launching A Chain
16:48 Ads (Ledger, WalletConnect)
18:18 CeFi vs DeFi Trade-Off's
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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 live at Token2049. We deep dive into our biggest takeaways form the conference, Ethereum's next chapter, L1 valuations vs app development, the new era of crypto founders & more. Enjoy!
--
Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel
Follow Jason: https://x.com/jasonyanowitz
Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: blockworks.co/newsletter
--
Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code EMPIRE10 for 10% off: blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv
--
Marinade Labs develops staking technologies that strengthen Solana.
In 2021, our protocol was the first to bring liquid staking to the network; today, our sophisticated, high-performance staking delegation platform brings billions in liquidity and security to the SOL market. We have solutions for both DeFi and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations.
Our best-in-market features include user downside protection (through protected staking rewards) and optimized delegation (via our automated auction marketplace). Cryptoasset investors worldwide, from individual traders to global institutions, use Marinade to earn rewards on their SOL treasuries and holdings. We are headquartered in New York, with offices in the European Union, including Prague. To learn more about Marinade, visit marinade.finance.
--
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 Ledger.com
--
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
--
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:39 Takeaways From Token2049
03:54 Ads (Marinade)
04:43 A New Era Of Crypto Founders
07:56 L1s vs Apps
09:24 Ads (Marinade)
10:13 Ethereum's Next Chapter
14:33 Launching A Chain
16:48 Ads (Ledger, WalletConnect)
18:18 CeFi vs DeFi Trade-Off's
—
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.
