A daily analysis of macroeconomics, bitcoin, geopolitics and big picture power shifts, hosted by Nathaniel Whittemore @nlw. The Breakdown is part of Blockworks.
This episode is sponsored by , and . Earlier this week, Credit Suisse strategist Zoltan Pozsar published a research memo titled “” that argued the West’s Russia sanctions were an inflection point moment that would push the world...
21 min
1002
With Inflation at 40-Year Highs, How De-Russian...
This episode is sponsored by , and . The U.S. inflation print ran hot again last month, hitting 7.9% year over year and the highest in four decades. In this episode, NLW breaks down the numbers within the numbers. He also previews the...
15 min
1003
A Watershed Moment: Everything You Need to Know...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today, after months of speculation, President Biden signed and released his executive order on crypto. The contents of the order have been subject to significant debate, with some arguing that it...
23 min
1004
What a DeFi Developer Departure Means for the C...
This episode is sponsored by , and . One of DeFi’s best known developers, Andre Cronje, has left the industry. In this episode, NLW looks at how the markets and the broader crypto community are reacting to the news. In particular, he...
19 min
1005
The Iron Firewall Descends as Visa, Mastercard ...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at Russia’s increasing economic isolation. Visa, Mastercard and PayPal all announced their plans to stop servicing the country while Netflix and TikTok also...
16 min
1006
Did We Just Enter the Beginnings of the Post-Do...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . This week on “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses “” by David Z. Morris. - Take your crypto to the next level with . Invest and swap instantly, earn up to 20% APR...
15 min
1007
Did Bitcoin Just Become Legal Tender in Switzer...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW checks in on the state of key bitcoin, crypto and economic narratives, from bitcoin’s institutional bid to bitcoin as legal tender to inflation as...
16 min
1008
Enforcing Sanctions in Crypto Isn't the Problem
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at scrutiny around sanctions and the crypto industry. He talks about three situations that show the state of the discourse: Recent statements by the Treasury...
17 min
1009
Ukraine and the War Airdrop That Never Came
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Over the last week, the government of Ukraine has held one of the most successful fundraising efforts of all time. It has raised over $50 million in crypto from over 100,000 donation transactions....
20 min
1010
Citadel Is Coming to Crypto
This episode is sponsored by , , and . While much of the recent focus of “The Breakdown” has been on the relationship between crypto and geopolitics, today’s episode revisits the institutional narrative that drove industry adoption...
17 min
1011
Is Bitcoin Freedom Money or a Tool for Sanction...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . On today’s episode, NLW looks at the contrasting public images of crypto regarding the Ukraine-Russia war. On the one hand, the Ukrainian resistance has raised more than $30 million from more than...
18 min
1012
Russian Banks Cut Off From SWIFT, Central Bank ...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at what we learned over the weekend about the U.S. and European Union’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The West significantly increased its economic pressure...
20 min
1013
What the West Got Wrong on Ukraine
This episode is sponsored by , , and . On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads three threads about Russia-Ukraine: - is a powerful, all-in-one crypto platform where you can securely store your crypto. Invest, borrow, exchange...
15 min
1014
Can Bitcoin Stay Bipartisan?
This episode is sponsored by , , and . This week on the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the rising partisan tension around bitcoin, highlighting Sen. Ted Cruz’s recent appearance at the Conservative Political Action Committee...
14 min
1015
What Grassroots Communities in Emerging Markets...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Today NLW is joined by Anita Posch. Anita is the founder of Bitcoin for Fairness and the author of “(L)earn Bitcoin.” She is about to depart on a trip to southern Africa where she will conduct bitcoin...
34 min
1016
15 Key Economic Questions After Russia Invades ...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NLW explores 15 key economic questions including: Why isn’t the world going even bigger on sanctions? How is Russia’s economy tied to the rest of the world? Why...
30 min
1017
Why One Stablecoin Is Being Backed by Bitcoin
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at: The latest from Russia, including skepticism about the effectiveness of the first round of sanctions Updates on Canada’s use of the Emergencies...
17 min
1018
How Russia’s Escalation in Ukraine Is Impacting...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Monday, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s recognition of two breakaway territories in the Ukrainian region of Donbas. The recognition was widely seen as a major escalation of the tense standoff...
17 min
1019
How Bitcoin Helps Marginalized Communities Buil...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . This week on “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads “” by Charlene Fadirepo. - is a powerful, all-in-one crypto platform where you can securely store your crypto. Invest, borrow, exchange and...
13 min
1020
States Are Proposing Mining Incentives as Big O...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: a new valuation for Circle a new token fund from Sequoia The FBI’s new crypto enforcement division ConocoPhillips partners with bitcoin...
14 min
1021
Why a US Senator Just Said the Fed Should Buy B...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . On today’s episode, NLW looks at the increasingly political discourse around inflation in the United States. The Right is claiming government overspending is to blame while the Left is pushing a new narrative...
14 min
1022
Does El Salvador's Bitcoin Adoption Threaten th...
Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at three geopolitical situations shaping the bitcoin discourse: Continued tensions and recent cyberwarfare between Ukraine and Russia Crypto wallets targeted in ongoing Canada protests A U.S. bill to...
15 min
1023
JPMorgan Moves Into the Metaverse
This episode is sponsored by , , and . On today’s episode, NLW looks at the news that JPMorgan has opened a lounge in Decentraland. Specifically, he explores whether the growing corporate interest in the metaverse is a positive reflection on...
15 min
1024
Bitcoin Fixes This: Canada Protest Edition
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW digs into the recent news from Canada. Specifically, he looks at the activation of the Emergencies Act which, among other things, will allow banks and financial...
17 min
1025
US Treasury Department Won’t Go After Miners, a...
This episode is sponsored by , , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW covers a set of news from the past few days, including: U.S. Treasury Dept. sends a letter to six concerned senators, saying it won’t be including miners and validators...