In today's episode of Empire Santi and Jason are joined by Blockworks Senior Reporters Casey Wagner and Ben Strack to analyze the historic first approvals of Bitcoin spot ETFs. They discuss the early winners among top asset managers, with BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale seeing significant early trading volumes. We also unpack the unfolding fee war between issuers as they slash prices to as low as 0.15% to stay competitive. We also dive into Coinbase's role as custodian for 9 of the 11 approved ETFs and discuss why their stock price surprisingly dropped. Stay tuned for all of this and much more! 

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Follow Santi: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel
Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Casey: https://twitter.com/caseywagnerr
Follow Ben: https://twitter.com/strack_ben
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

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Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Send your crypto to your PayPal account, swap it for PYUSD, and use it to checkout at millions of stores. 

Pay how you want by getting started at:
https://blckwrks.co/PYUSD
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Join us at DAS (Digital Asset Summit) in London this March! DAS is the #1 institutional conference in crypto, hosted by Blockworks. 

Use the link below to learn more, and use EMPIRE10 to get 10% off your ticket! Sign up now because the price goes up every month. See you there! 

Learn more + get your ticket here: https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-2024-london/home
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Resources
Bitwise Survey
https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.bitwiseinvestments.com/Research/The-Bitwise-VettaFi-2023-Benchmark-Survey.pdf
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Timestamps:
(01:24) ETF Approval History
(10:04) The Fee Battles & ETF Customers 
(15:10) Grayscale Pivoting GBTC  
(19:18) Flow and AUM Predictions
(24:09) DAS 2024
(25:24) PayPal Ad
(26:22) ETH ETF Outlook
(29:08) Coinbase Stock Pullback
(31:24) SEC Prosecution Impact 
(36:59) Circle IPO
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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.

Unpacking the Bitcoin ETF and What's Next | Roundup

Empire features interviews with top crypto founders to get the real stories that aren’t shared elsewhere. Empire is your look behind the curtain of the crypto industry.
We release two episodes per week: guest interviews on Tuesday and a weekly roundup on Friday.

Technology

Tech News

Podcasting

Gadgets

Software How-To

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

News

In this episode, Anand and Niraj dive deep into the exciting intersection of AI and crypto. They explore why now is the time for these two technologies to converge, the problems decentralized AI aims to solve, and the potential for AI agents to drive unprecedented onchain transaction volume. The discussion covers key projects in the space like BitTensor and Io Net, how blockchain data could be leveraged in AI systems, and the transformative impact if rituals succeeds in its mission over the next 5 years. Thanks for tuning in!
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Follow Niraj: https://x.com/niraj
Follow Anand: https://x.com/ai
Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j
Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7
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Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ 
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Arbitrum is a game-changer for daily Ethereum's users and developers, offering top applications and lower fees. As the leading scaling solution with 600+ apps, explore Arbitrum’s Portal to find your perfect fit. Interact with the home of DeFi, a flourishing NFT and creator ecosystem, and a rapidly growing Web3 gaming hub – Arbitrum has it all. 

Get started at:
portal.arbitrum.io 
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This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more. 

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription. 

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
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SKALE is a modular, AppChain network that offers zero gas fee transactions and instant finality. Tailored for ease of development and onboarding, SKALE's configurable EVM chains enable next-gen use cases in gaming, AI, DePin, and others. With over 20,000,000 users having saved over $6 Billion on gas fees, SKALE is the blockchain for mass adoption.

Bridge to SKALE at portal.skale.space and stay up to date with the gasless blockchain at @skalenetwork
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Kinto is the Safety-first L2 designed to accelerate the transition to an on-chain financial system.

If you believe in this on-chain financial system, join Kinto's launch program (Engen) and become a founding member at engen.kinto.xyz
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Timestamps 
00:00 Introduction
02:09 Why AI & Crypto
17:16 Open Source AI Models
23:44 Why Ritual
26:35 Future of AI Applications
32:19 What are AI Agents?
38:03 Aura Ad
38:54 Kinto Ad
39:50 Skale Ad
41:07 Will AI Make Crypto Mainstream?
46:54 Decentralized AI's Moment
54:57 IO Net & Bit Tensor
58:54 What Everyone is Missing
01:04:11 Interesting AI Usecases
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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.

Crypto's Answer to Centralized AI Monopolies | Anand & Niraj

In this episode, Santi and Jason discuss the SAB-121 vote with Blockworks' Senior Reporter Casey Wagner, unpacking its bipartisan political support and huge implications for crypto. They cover the DOJ's charges in the $25M MEV boost exploit, the resurgence of meme stock mania with GameStop, and the ongoing Pump.Fun exploit drama. Santi shares his framework for valuing L1 and L2 blockchains based on total economic value. They close our by highlighting insights from DBA's research day and share their favorite youtube comments. Enjoy!
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Follow Casey: https://x.com/caseywagnerr
Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j
Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7
Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ 
- -
Sei Labs believes the EVM is here to stay.

By providing the fastest time to finality of any chain, thousands of transactions per second and full backwards compatibility with the EVM, Ethereum developers can try out a brand new design space for their applications.

Try out sei v2 devnet - visit the new sei.io to find out more.
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This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more. 

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription. 

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
- -
SKALE is a modular, AppChain network that offers zero gas fee transactions and instant finality. Tailored for ease of development and onboarding, SKALE's configurable EVM chains enable next-gen use cases in gaming, AI, DePin, and others. With over 20,000,000 users having saved over $6 Billion on gas fees, SKALE is the blockchain for mass adoption.

Bridge to SKALE at portal.skale.space and stay up to date with the gasless blockchain at @skalenetwork
- -
Kinto is the Safety-first L2 designed to accelerate the transition to an on-chain financial system.

If you believe in this on-chain financial system, join Kinto's launch program (Engen) and become a founding member at engen.kinto.xyz
- -
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:12 SAB 21 Vote
12:51 Crypto Voting in the US
28:00 MEV Boost Exploiters Charged by DOJ
36:02 SEI Ad
37:01 Aura Ad
37:49 Kinto Ad
38:45 Skale Ad
40:02 PumpFun Exploit
45:08 Youtube Comment Hate
47:11 GameStop Return
52:06 DBA Research Day
55:54 How to Value L1s & L2s
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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.

Why SAB-121 is Massive for Crypto | Round Up

This week we discuss is it time to be bullish or bearish? As markets continue to chop sideways, we discuss how now is the time to consolidate your portfolio into high conviction bets & what to expect in the coming weeks on the back of a bullish CPI print that gave resurgence to an otherwise sleepy market. Enjoy!
--
Follow Avi: https://twitter.com/AviFelman
Follow Jonah: https://twitter.com/jvb_xyz
Follow 1000x: https://twitter.com/1000xPod

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Perennial is an on-chain derivatives protocol built from first principles to be a DeFi primitive. The core protocol is minimalist, flexible, and efficient, allowing Perennial to mold to the needs of many different users & use cases.

Perennial has a super efficient core protocol that lets LPs use native maker leverage — allowing $1mn in TVL to back to $5-10mn in Open interest. 

Trade and LP at: https://perennial.finance/1000x
Social: https://twitter.com/perenniallabs
--
Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(2:10) Expect More Chop
(10:31) Bitcoin vs Gold ETFs
(18:25) Perennial Ad
(19:57) Meme Coins
(25:34) Time To Be Bullish Or Bearish?
(30:32) The ETH ETF
(40:12) The Return Of Roaring Kitty
--
Disclaimer: Nothing said on 1000x 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. Avi, Jonah and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Picking Winners: Time To Be Bullish? | 1000x

In today's episode Jason is joined by Arthur of DeFiance Capital and Sean of Fintech Collective. They kick off the episode by discussing the current state of token launches, highlighting the unsustainable model of low float and high fully diluted valuations that often leave retail investors at a disadvantage. They explore the challenges in accurately valuing crypto assets and the need for better alignment of incentives between teams, investors, and the broader market. The episode concludes with Arthur and Sean sharing their high-conviction bets for this market cycle. Thanks for tuning in!

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Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis. 
Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire

Follow Arthur: https://twitter.com/Arthur_0x
Follow Sean: https://twitter.com/seanlippel
Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j
Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7
Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ 
- -
Arbitrum is a game-changer for daily Ethereum's users and developers, offering top applications and lower fees. As the leading scaling solution with 600+ apps, explore Arbitrum’s Portal to find your perfect fit. Interact with the home of DeFi, a flourishing NFT and creator ecosystem, and a rapidly growing Web3 gaming hub – Arbitrum has it all. 

Get started at:
portal.arbitrum.io 
- -
This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more. 

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription. 

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
- -
SKALE is a modular, AppChain network that offers zero gas fee transactions and instant finality. Tailored for ease of development and onboarding, SKALE's configurable EVM chains enable next-gen use cases in gaming, AI, DePin, and others. With over 20,000,000 users having saved over $6 Billion on gas fees, SKALE is the blockchain for mass adoption.

Bridge to SKALE at portal.skale.space and stay up to date with the gasless blockchain at @skalenetwork
- -
Kinto is the Safety-first L2 designed to accelerate the transition to an on-chain financial system.

If you believe in this on-chain financial system, join Kinto's launch program (Engen) and become a founding member at engen.kinto.xyz
- -
Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(01:52) Crypto VCs are Broken
(14:31) Best Token Launch Model
(22:11) Valuing Crypto Assets
(29:20) Arbitrum Ad
(30:08) Aura Ad
(30:56) Kinto Ad
(31:52) Skale Ad
(33:08) Evaluating LDO & ETHFI
(51:57) Active Investments
(57:51) Highest Conviction Bets
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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.

The Dark Side of Token Launches | Arthur Cheong & Sean Lippel

In this episode, Santi and Yano kick off the episode by discussing the market's choppy consolidation period and comparing it to previous cycles. They delve into the emergence of social finance apps like Fantasy and Pump Dot Fun, and explore the dynamics of high FDV, low float tokens and the role of VCs in the industry. Santi then breaks down his Coinbase and Solana trades. To close out they touch on WIF's strong performance despite the choppy period and its cycle potential. Thanks for tuning in!
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Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Santiago: https://twitter.com/santiagoroel
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4fdhhb2j
Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/mv4frfv7
Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/wbaypprw

Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross and David Canellis. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire

Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ 
- -
Sei Labs believes the EVM is here to stay.

By providing the fastest time to finality of any chain, thousands of transactions per second and full backwards compatibility with the EVM, Ethereum developers can try out a brand new design space for their applications.

Try out sei v2 devnet - visit the new sei.io to find out more.
- -
This episode is brought to you by Aura, the AI-powered digital security protection app that keeps your personal information, passwords, online activity, and tech safe from digital threats. It’s all-in-one protection from identity theft, financial fraud, malware, scams, and more. 

For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14-day FREE trial plus up to 55% off an Aura subscription. 

Visit aura.com/blockworks to sign up for your free trial.
- -
Mantle Network is an Ethereum Layer 2 that aims to bring super-scalability to Ethereum by taking a modular approach that offers low fees and high security. 

Mantle recently launched their airdrop program "Rewards Station" to holders of its native token, $MNT. The Rewards Station program distributes pre-sale token allocations or listed token to $MNT holders who stake their $MNT.
Check out the rewards station: https://www.mantle.xyz/rewards-station
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Marinade is the leading Solana staking service that spreads your stake across 100+ top validators, distributes MEV rewards, and provides automatic downside protection with new Protected Staking Rewards. Choose to liquid stake for mSOL for use in DeFi, or delegate your stake through Marinade Native, which gives you full custody of your SOL and no smart contract risk. Max performance for you, max performance for Solana.
https://blckwrks.co/Marinade
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Yano's Fashion Advice  
(06:07) Is this Cycle Different? 
(13:39) Focusing a Portfolio 
(17:42) Blockworks Podcast Thesis 
(23:30) Crypto's SocialFi Era
(39:24) Sei Ad
(40:22) Aura Ad
(41:11) Marinade Ad
(42:15) Skale Ad 
(43:32) Are Points Over?
(49:15) Coinbase Earnings  
(01:00:42) Memecoin Thesis
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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.

Unpacking the Bitcoin ETF and What's Next | Roundup

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