In a powerful episode of the CryptoOGs podcast at Bitcoin Las Vegas 2025, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Tomas Perez, founder of Blockchain Factory and a seasoned crypto entrepreneur who’s been in the game since 2013. From surviving the 2008 real estate crash to becoming a visionary in blockchain infrastructure, Tomas shared his journey, insights, and the major project he’s helping lead: Sipredict.
Blockchain Factory: Bringing Web3 to the Masses
Tomas explained that Blockchain Factory was created to help traditional Web2 businesses easily integrate Web3 technology—whether it’s building blockchain-based rewards programs or enabling capital raises without selling company equity.
One of their key innovations involves Truth Network, a Layer 1 blockchain that powers prediction-based applications. Blockchain Factory manages the network’s validator ecosystem, allowing individuals to own nodes that validate transactions and earn daily token rewards. This network was designed with one clear goal: make blockchain invisible to the end user, but powerful under the hood.
Enter Sipredict: A Next-Gen Prediction Market Backed by Giants
The crown jewel of the episode was the deep dive into Sipredict—a groundbreaking prediction market platform co-created by Blockchain Factory, Galactic, Truth Network, and the iconic Sports Illustrated (SI) brand. While Tomas is a key figure in its development, Sipredict is the result of a strategic collaboration between several major players.
What Is Sipredict?
Sipredict allows users to predict the outcome of real-world events in sports and entertainment—not just the final scores, but things like whether a celebrity will attend the game, how many fans will show up, or what songs might play at halftime.
What makes Sipredict unique is its mainstream-friendly interface. Users can sign up with an email, pay with a credit card, and never even realize they’re interacting with a blockchain on the backend. This frictionless experience is what Tomas sees as the key to real adoption.
At the heart of it all is Sports Illustrated, one of the most trusted names in global sports media. SI lends not just its brand but its entire ecosystem and audience, turning passive readers into engaged participants.
The Power Behind Sipredict
Let’s break down the companies behind this powerful new platform:
- Sports Illustrated (SI): The legendary American sports media brand powering Sipredict’s mainstream audience and reach.
- Galactic: A UK-based technology company offering white-label prediction market solutions to major media companies.
- Truth Network: The Layer 1 blockchain where all predictions are recorded. Designed for scale, transparency, and ease of use.
- Blockchain Factory: The team behind onboarding Web2 companies, deploying validator nodes, and making Web3 adoption seamless.
Why Prediction Markets Matter
Tomas made a compelling case for why prediction markets are the future. Unlike traditional media polls, prediction markets have skin in the game. People aren’t just voting their opinion—they’re betting on what they believe will happen.
He cited a famous case during the U.S. elections where Polymarket correctly predicted a Donald Trump victory in key states—despite mainstream media polls saying otherwise. With over $2.7 billion in trading volume on a single prediction, the market spoke louder than the news.
Sipredict builds on that logic but brings it to the masses, using trusted brands like SI to onboard users and simplify the experience.
Why Join Now?
The Truth Network is distributing 30,000 validator nodes. Owners receive daily token rewards and transaction fees, without needing to understand crypto or trade. As Tomas puts it:
“If you buy a token, you’re buying the milk. If you own a node, you’re buying the cow.”
This is about building long-term infrastructure, not chasing quick profits. And with partners like Inter Miami, TIME Magazine, and other media giants in the pipeline, the volume and traction are only going up.
Sipredict is not just another crypto project—it’s the blueprint for how Web3 adoption can happen at scale, without the jargon.
Listen to the full podcast episode now on YouTube.
News Highlight
1. Bitcoin holds steady at $104,000 despite global tensions
Bitcoin remained stable around $104K this week, even amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and mixed U.S. economic data. Institutional interest and optimism around China–U.S. trade talks have helped maintain market confidence.
2. Gemini and others granted MiCA licenses in Europe
Crypto exchanges including Gemini, OKX, and Crypto.com have been approved under the EU’s MiCA regulatory framework. These licenses will allow them to operate across all 27 EU member states, although some internal regulatory disputes remain.
3. Palmer Luckey to launch Erebor, a crypto-friendly digital bank
Oculus founder Palmer Luckey is backing a new digital bank called “Erebor” aimed at tech entrepreneurs, offering services like fiat and stablecoin deposits. The bank responds to the post-SVB collapse gap in startup banking solutions.
4. India launches crypto tax evasion probe
India’s Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has launched a probe into potential tax evasion via cryptocurrency investments. Authorities aim to uncover inconsistencies in financial declarations by crypto investors.
5. Trump-linked crypto investment follows legal win
Don Wilson, founder of DRW Investments, has invested $100M in Trump Media & Technology Group shortly after the SEC dropped a case against his crypto firm Cumberland. The group is reportedly building a $2B crypto investment arm.
6. ECB urges faster digital euro rollout to counter stablecoins
The European Central Bank is pushing for faster deployment of the digital euro as dollar-backed stablecoins gain momentum under Trump’s influence. Christine Lagarde emphasized that euro adoption must expand to stay globally competitive.
7. ‘Crypto bros’ mansion raided over $28M wallet torture case
U.S. authorities raided the Kentucky mansion of John Woeltz and William Duplessie, accused of kidnapping and torturing a man to gain access to his $28M crypto wallet. The home reportedly had secret tunnels and luxury defenses.
8. SEC holds DeFi roundtable as Aptos unlocks $53M in tokens
The SEC hosted a roundtable discussion on DeFi regulation while Aptos unlocked $53M in tokens, raising concerns about potential sell pressure and market volatility.
9. Erebor Bank to serve tech founders with stablecoin support
The Erebor startup, co-backed by Joe Lonsdale, aims to offer reliable banking services for founders—handling stablecoins and fiat even on holidays. Unlike traditional banks, Erebor will focus on flexibility and crypto integration.
10. Controversial ICERAID app rewards crypto for reporting undocumented immigrants
Proud Boys’ ex-leader Enrique Tarrio launched “ICERAID,” a platform that pays users in crypto for reporting undocumented immigrants. The app has sparked strong backlash for incentivizing surveillance through crypto.
