The Breakdown

A daily analysis of macroeconomics, bitcoin, geopolitics and big picture power shifts, hosted by Nathaniel Whittemore @nlw. The Breakdown is part of Blockworks.


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951
Why Today’s News Tells You Everything You Need ...
This episode is sponsored by , and .  On today’s episode, NLW breaks down the day’s news in terms of how it demonstrates the archetypes of the 2022 crypto bear market, looking at: Market moves A DeFi hack  CBDCs Regulatory enforcement...
20 min
952
Bleak Week as Bitcoin Hits 3-Month Low
This episode is sponsored by , and .    On today’s episode, NLW looks at why bitcoin hit a three-month low over the weekend. He also discusses traders’ predictions about the upcoming interest rate hike at this week’s Federal Open...
19 min
953
After the Merge, How Do We Think About Change W...
This episode is sponsored by , and .    For this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses Chris Castiglione’s “,” as well as a . - is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your...
16 min
954
Two Regulatory Hearings Show Difference in SEC ...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the latest in market action plus how two congressional hearings highlighted differences in the approaches the CFTC and SEC are taking to crypto. ...
15 min
955
White House ‘Comprehensive Framework for Respon...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode, NLW looks at a set of three reports around crypto out of the Treasury Department as well as examines the White House’s just-released framework for digital assets. He argues there are...
17 min
956
Welcome to the Post-Merge Era in Crypto
This episode is sponsored by , and .   At 2:44 a.m. ET Thursday, Ethereum successfully transitioned from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. On today’s show, NLW breaks down what that means for the network’s security and economics and looks at...
19 min
957
Unsatisfying Clarifications on the Tornado Cash...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode, NLW catches listeners up on the latest news in crypto, including: Arrest warrants for Do Kwon and others from Terra El Salvador Bond Repurchase program  Crypto regulatory and...
16 min
958
Markets Plummet as Inflation Comes In Hot
This episode is sponsored by , and .   July’s inflation report provided the first glimmers that the U.S. might have turned a corner in its fight against inflation. For the past several days, investors have been betting on a continuation of...
17 min
959
Investors Are Betting on Inflation Declining. A...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   Bitcoin was up 15% over the weekend. Stocks have seen four days of green. The reason? Investors are anticipating that August’s inflation numbers (to be released on Tuesday) will show another monthly...
18 min
960
Gensler’s Latest Take on Crypto and Securities ...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW digs in on the latest speech from SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. It appears reasonable, but does the crypto industry believe him?  - is a security-first...
17 min
961
So, Is the White House Banning Bitcoin Mining, ...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode, NLW examines the new report from the White House about crypto mining and its impact on climate change. He argues that the report is effectively a Rorschach test for people’s prior...
17 min
962
The Rise of CBDC Skepticism Among US Officials
This episode is sponsored by , and .   The discussion around a United States-issued central bank digital currency is heating up, but not in the way one might expect. Increasingly, U.S. regulators and elected officials are showing signs of...
17 min
963
38 Things We Learned About Crypto and the Econo...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode, NLW celebrates his 38th birthday with 38 lessons we’ve learned in the last year, from inflation to macro to geopolitics to crypto.  - is a security-first platform where you can...
26 min
964
Could the European Energy Crisis Become a Debt ...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the latest in the European energy crisis, including: Gazprom keeping the Nord Stream pipeline closed Russian officials saying the reason for the...
18 min
965
Does AML Even Work?
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses David Z. Morris’ “.” - is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of...
17 min
966
‘Piles of Risk’: An Outlook for Autumn
This episode is sponsored by , and . NLW reviews the key events from August with an eye to how they will shape September and the fall, including: Sanctions The Merge Institutionalization Fundraising  Regulation, legislation and...
17 min
967
‘Soft Landing’ Is Out. ‘Growth Recession’ Is In.
This episode is sponsored by , and .   Today NLW looks at the shifting Fed narrative. We’ve moved from “soft landing” to “softish landing” to “growth recession” as the goal for monetary policy. With the jobs report coming in...
16 min
968
D.C. vs. Saylor
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode, we look at the District of Columbia’s new lawsuit against Michael Saylor claiming that he has lived in D.C. for more than the requisite 183 days a year that would require him to pay...
17 min
969
Paraguay President Vetoes Crypto Bill
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode, NLW does a global regulatory check-in, focused on: A veto for crypto mining regulation in Paraguay Brazil’s biggest bank exploring decentralized finance with the central bank El...
18 min
970
Europe’s Energy Crisis
This episode is sponsored by , and .   European energy markets have been roiled as the price of energy futures rockets to up to 30 times the five-year average. In the U.K., restrictions on the cost of energy have been lifted, increasing prices...
17 min
971
The ‘Higher-for-Longer’ Fed Reality Hits Markets
This episode is sponsored by , and .   The week ended badly. Equities were down big and over the weekend crypto followed, with bitcoin (BTC) dipping under $20,000 and ether (ETH) losing 14% following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s...
16 min
972
Ethereum’s Censorship Trial by Fire
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Nic Carter’s “.” - is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company safeguards your crypto by...
17 min
973
Corporate Profits the Most Elevated Since 1950
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: A new stock settlement system The latest on the arrested Tornado Cash developer  The passing of hedge fund legend Julian Robertson  ...
16 min
974
Jackson Hole Closes the Door on the Fed’s Dovis...
This episode is sponsored by , and .   Each year, U.S. central bankers gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to discuss big-picture changes in medium- and long-term monetary policy and the economy. This year, the markets have been watching extra...
15 min
975
Tether Chooses to ‘OFAC Around and Find Out’
This episode is sponsored by , and .   On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest news on Tornado Cash sanctions. Specifically, he looks at Tether’s announcement this week that the stablecoin issuer would not blacklist addresses from...
19 min