What's The Hype

ChatGPT Images 2.0 dropped this week and everyone thinks they're a designer now. They're not.OpenAI's new image generation update is genuinely impressive — but what it's actually producing is a flood of identical, AI-generated slop taking over every feed, every LinkedIn post, and every pitch deck. Same serif fonts. Same neon colors. Same structure. Infinite, high-quality garbage.We break down what ChatGPT Images 2.0 actually means for founders and creators, why Figma isn't dead, and why taste has never been more valuable than right now.Plus — someone in France manipulated a Polymarket prediction market using a portable heat source on a weather sensor and walked away with $34,000. We get into what this exposes about oracle design, on-chain markets, and the guy in Central Park measuring snowfall with a plank of wood.

X just became a bank. A Trump-linked crypto project imploded in public. And the company that made your favorite wool sneakers announced they're now an AI infrastructure company.This week on What's the Hype?, Danny, Maria, and Rabin break down the biggest moves in tech and crypto through one lens: distribution is running out of trust to spend.We get into:- X Money and what it actually means when a social platform becomes a financial product- Justin Sun calling World Liberty Financial "world tyranny" — and why nobody should be surprised- Allbirds pivoting to AI infrastructure and what that tells us about where desperate brands go to die"What's the Hype?" is your weekly breakdown of the biggest moves in tech, crypto, and the creator economy — and whether the hype is real or just noise.Subscribe and drop your take in the comments.

Everyone’s throwing events, but who’s actually doing it right?In this final episode of the WTH season, we turn the spotlight on IRL. Ipshita Kumar and Rachael Sacks host a roundtable of event legends to talk about what makes a side crypto event memorable.From strategy to vibes to first-hand experiences, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the best in the game think about event production.Learn more about the speakers:Ipshita Kumar: VP of Brand Innovation at HypeRachael Sacks: Grand Connector at HypeNick: Events Lead at StoryLouie: Telling Stories at 3E Labs, prev Events at LuksoMiranda Martell: Co-founder at Boys ClubErika Kang: Events & Founder at KryptoPlanet & BUIDL Asia

This one’s all signal.In this episode of WTH, the Hype exec team gets together to break down five key crypto marketing trends shaping the 2024 bull run. From what’s changed since the last cycle to what projects should be doing during a bull run.No recycled takes, just sharp insights from the frontlines.Learn more about the speakers:Jake Stott: Founder & Chairman of HypeDanny Gazit: CEO at HypeRabin Nuchtabek: VP of Growth at Hype

Who shapes the internet? (hint: it’s not your head of growth)This episode of WTH gets into the beautifully unhinged world of chronically online culture: how it forms, why it spreads, and what it means for product, marketing, and community design. Hype’s host and Grand Connector, Rachael Sacks, hosts a stellar trio of internet-savvy thinkers: Cait Cavell, Riley Beans, and Jess. Together, they dig into how the most online among us have become the new tastemakers, and what brands can learn from the chaos.Learn more about the speakers:Rachael Sacks: Grand Connector at HypeCait Cavell: Memelord at Boys ClubRiley Beans: writer/researcher/editor at kimiyamag.substack.comJess: Founder at Seed Club

In this episode, we slowed it down for a one-on-one fireside chat between our host and CMO, Emily Lai, and Ekram from Celestia. What even is positioning in crypto, and why does it matter? Together, our speakers unpack how to craft narratives that actually work, why positioning isn’t just a branding buzzword, and how great marketing starts way before a campaign goes live.Learn more about the speakers:Emily Lai: CMO at HypeEkrahm: CMO at Celestia

Memes run the internet and in this episode, our host and Grand Connector at Hype, Rachael Sacks, explores how memes became one of the most powerful tools in the space and how brands are finally catching on.Joined by our CMO, Emily Lai, and a full house of meme connoisseurs – Jason Levin, Edmond, Cait Cavell, Alan Carroll, and Catty – the sessions unpacks the anatomy of a good meme, what separates a banger from a flop, and answer the key question: is being a memelord a skill or a birthright?Learn more about the speakers:Rachael Sacks: Grand Connector at HypeEmily Lai: CMO at HypeJason Levin: Founder of Memelord TechnologiesEdmond: Luxury Memeologist, writer at worldofeso.substack.comCait Cavell: Memelord at Boys ClubAlan Carroll: Socials/BD for Ex Populus & RaijinCatty: Founding team at thirdweb

In this episode, we explore the power of positioning and storytelling in crypto. Our host is joined by some of the sharpest minds in the space who’ve leveraged narratives to build brands that resonate and stand the test of time.Our host and CEO, Jake Stott, chats with Ekrahm from Celestia, Grover from Hype, and Diana Chimes from Polygon, about what makes great crypto narratives along with a dash of cult-building magic. Learn more about our speakers:Jake Stott: Founder & Chairman at HypeEkrahm: CMO at CelestiaGrover: Ecosystem Marketing Lead at Hype, prev SeiDiana Chimes: Growth Marketing at Polygon

This episode tackles the big question: does crypto marketing even exist? Is getting attention all that matters? And how come  there are many crypto marketing agencies, but almost no standout campaigns?Our host and Managing Director, Danny Gazit, had a conversation with David Mo and Legendary on the current state of marketing in the crypto space, going through strategies, challenges and what it really takes to make noise in this industry.Learn more about the speakers:Danny Gazit: CEO at HypeDavid Morrison: marketing rituals at Fogo, prev NEARLegendary: Co-Founder of Modern Market

In this episode of WTH, we deep dive into the world of founder branding: why it matters, how to get it right, and what to do when it doesn’t come naturally. Get the wisdom from an all-star lineup of founders, builders, and marketers who’ve navigated the challenges of personal brand and helped others do the same.Joining our host and CMO, Emily Lai, are Claire Kart from Aztec Network, Jim from Catalyst, Winny from Chipped Social, Bunny from Search On Dora, and Reka from Onplug, as they share tips and real-world experiences on building a personal brand that sticks.Learn more about the speakers:Emily Lai: CMO at HypeClaire Kart: CMO at AztecJim: Product at Li.Fi, prev CatalystWinny: Founder of ChippedBunny: CEO at Dora & non-BD at SolanaReka Medvecz: big berry at RISC Zero, Founder at Onplug & Guild

This session dives into the art of planning memorable  side events for the crypto community. From standing out in a crowded space to creating experiences that leave a lasting impression, Jake Stott, Maria Magenes, Zach and Doctor GM break down how to do things differently at crypto conferences.Learn more about the speakers:Jake Stott: Founder & Chairman at HypeDoctor GM: Founder of AP Productions & cooker at sozu hausMaria Magenes: VP Strategy at HypeZachary John: Founder & CEO at Party Action People

For our first episode of WTH, we focus on community building and the benefits of quality of community members over quantity. Our host, Jake Stott, joined David Phelps from JokeRace, Ali Sheikh from Movement, and Dariya Khojasteh from Layer3 in an insightful discussion on the best practices for a project to build community and the key areas to focus on.Learn more about the speakers:Jake Stott: Founder & Chairman of HypeDavid Phelps: Co-Founder of JokeRaceAli Sheikh: Execution & Head of BD at MovementDariya Khojasteh: Co-Founder of Layer3