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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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!
https://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.
In the Quadrillions finale, we map the power shift from crypto building parallel markets to institutions integrating onchain rails into traditional finance. With Ribbit Capital’s Nick Shalek, and Goldman’s Mathew McDermott, we break down why the last wave of adoption stalled, why distribution beats ideology, and how networks like Canton are building from the inside out. This is the blueprint for “The New Wall Street.”
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Follow Canton: https://x.com/CantonNetwork
Follow Nick: https://x.com/nshalek
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
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Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:37) Ribbit Capital's Tokenization Letter
(4:22) FinTech Companies Moving Onchain & Institutional Adoption
(15:01) Crypto at Goldman Sachs Today
(17:53) What Held Crypto Back?
(20:33) What Canton Brings to the Market
(29:25) Crypto's Institutional Pitch
(33:14) Permissioned and Permissionless Chains Are Symbiotic
(39:23) Closing Comments
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Disclaimer: “Quadrillions” is a mini-series produced by Blockworks, and is sponsored by Canton Network. Nothing on this show is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. It’s for informational purposes only, and the views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice or necessarily the views of Blockworks.
Our hosts, guests, and the Blockworks team may hold positions in companies, funds, or projects discussed, including those related to Canton Network.