Quadrillions: Unlocking Quadrillions | Don Wilson & Yuval Rooz
In this kickoff episode, we draw the big picture of how TradFi is a multiplier for crypto, the barriers to TradFi adoption, and how crypto can overcome - or is already overcoming - those barriers. This is the path to quadrillions moving onchain.
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Quadrillions brings together the voices defining the next era of finance. From institutional rails to stablecoins and privacy, the series dives into how traditional markets, crypto innovation, and regulatory frameworks are converging to bring the full force of capital markets onchain.
Join hosts Jason Yanowitz, Yuval Rooz, and Eric Saraniecki for deep dives with special guests Shaul Kfir, Don Wilson, Mike Belshe, Justin Peterson, Acting Chair Caroline Pham, Eli Ben-Sasson, and more.
Produced by Blockworks and Canton Network. For more information, check out https://quadrillionspod.com/
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Follow Canton: https://x.com/CantonNetwork
Follow Don: https://x.com/drwconvexity
Follow Yuval: https://x.com/YuvalRooz
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(2:57) DRW's Origin Story
(9:32) Digital Asset's Thesis
(12:36) TradFi's Early Relationship With Crypto
(15:32) Deciding to Build Canton
(21:03) The Importance of Onchain Privacy
(23:42) Canton's Approach to Privacy
(28:28) Deciding When to Launch Canton
(36:23) Canton's June 2025 Fundraise
(39:59) The Scale of Tokenization
(50:35) Canton's Progress Thus Far
(54:54) Will AI and Crypto Converge?
(58:10) Are Circuit Breakers a Good Idea?
(1:02:48) Bringing Quadrillions Onchain
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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.
The King of Chicago Trading Wants to Build a GPU Market Bigger Than Oil
Don Wilson has built a career diving into some of trading’s thorniest problems, including figuring out ways to trade new and niche markets. Now, the founder and CEO of DRW has his sights set on the GPUs powering AI, which he thinks could end up being a bigger market than crude oil. In this episode, which was recorded live onstage at our show in Chicago, we talk about how such a market would work, including ways to ‘standardize’ the vast array of different types of semiconductors, and how this could change the capital stack of the industry. We also talk the evolution of trading over Don’s storied career and why he thinks most assets (and maybe even all of them) will be tokenized within the next five years.
Read more:
ASM International Cuts Outlook After Chip Demand Disappoints
Taiwan Pauses South African Chip Export Curbs After Two Days
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How Don Wilson Built His Trading Empire | 1000x
In today's episode of 1000x, we are joined by Don Wilson, the founder of DRW and one of the world's most successful traders. Don explains how to use probability distributions to make decisions, how he founded DRW, why BTC has negative convexity, how AI will change financial markets and more!
We'll drop a new 1000x episode on Empire's RSS feed and the 1000x YouTube channel every two weeks. Hit the links below and give us a follow!
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:57) How Don First Became a Trader
(06:28) Custom Valuation Models and Strategies
(10:37) The Transition to Electronic Trading
(14:56) Bitcoin’s Appeal: Removing Intermediaries
(19:21) Cumberland's Origin Story
(21:15) BTC's Negative Convexity
(26:35) How Will AI Impact Financial Markets?
(30:16) Crypto’s Evolution and Market Structure
(35:15) When Will RWAs Move to Crypto Rails?
(37:50) Today’s Infrastructure Shortfalls and the Canton Blockchain
(42:54) Don’s Decision-Making Process
(47:51) Favorite Trades of All Time
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Follow Don: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwilsonjr/
Follow Avi: https://twitter.com/AviFelman
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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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Resources:
Golden Tree
https://www.goldentree.com/
Cumberland
https://cumberland.io/
https://twitter.com/CumberlandSays
DRW
https://drw.com/
https://twitter.com/DRWTrading
Digital Asset
https://www.digitalasset.com/
Canton Network
https://www.canton.network/
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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.