First sip
The Block cutting 40% of jobs is the kind of headline that gets blamed on AI, but the more useful signal is what it exposes about how companies are actually run. Big cuts usually mean overlap was real and some work never had a durable reason to exist. Then ZachXBT named Axiom, and the reaction was almost more important than the allegation. The story split fast. Some people wanted receipts, others pushed back hard on incentives, timing and whether rivals (Pump.fun founders) were shaping the narrative. That is crypto in one week. Trust gets repriced faster than truth. If you are crypto curious, the takeaway is simple. Do not treat platforms like neutral pipes. Asymmetric information is everywhere. Ask who can see what internally, what gets logged, how incidents are disclosed and how quickly you can exit if the story turns.
Watch next: Unvault and DIVIT are built to make creator payouts enforceable again, then keep them working across chains.
☕ Quick sip
In a boring market, what makes you actually stay engaged with crypto?
This week on Coffee with Captain
AI cuts by Jack Dorsey - A 40% layoff usually points to overlap and unclear ownership, not just a new tool replacing roles
The Axiom story - ZachXBT named Axiom in his investigation, but it appears not to be simply a white-hat effort
Royalties at the contract level - Our partners are Unvault are attempting to bring enforcement of royalties, rewarding those working hard
OpenSea mobile - OpenSea moves towards becoming a “one-stop shop” with their mobile app in beta
Operational hygiene is underrated alpha - Secure accounts, keep backup codes, revoke approvals, and do not wait for something to break
Listen now
Monday - Markets Stay Risk Off, Unvault Rebuilds NFT Royalties
Tuesday - OpenSea One Stop Shop Debate, Jane Street Terra Fallout
Wednesday - Markets Wake Up, OpenSea Royalties & Otherside ERC-C
Thursday - ZachXBT's Axiom Investigation, Markets Continue Recovering
Friday - Block Cuts 40% in the AI Shift, Magic Eden Sunsets EVM NFTs and Ordinals
New: 2026 Web3 Conference Calendar is live.
Dates and locations we’re tracking so you can plan travel and time launches.
Bookmark it here: 2026 Web3 Conference Schedule
Got an event we missed? Reply and we’ll add it.
PS: If there’s a conference not on the calendar, send us an email and we’ll check it out!
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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Make any investment decisions with a qualified professional. I may hold digital assets referenced here.