The Breakdown
The Breakdown dives into the deepest topics in crypto, blockchain, and the macro forces shaping markets and power structures. Each episode breaks down complex ideas into clear, grounded analysis — separating signal from noise across crypto, finance, and geopolitics.
Hosted by David Canellis, The Breakdown features explainers, interviews, and conversations with the people building, regulating, and challenging the financial system.
A Blockworks podcast.
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1026
The CFTC Goes After a DAO
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW looks at news that a draft of the House stablecoin bill is now circulating, and would, among other things, set out a two-year ban on algorithmic stablecoins like Terra. He...
19 min
1027
The Single-Mandate Fed Says There Are Too Many ...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised the benchmark federal funds rate by 75 basis points, the third consecutive hike of that size. The market expected this, but reacted negatively to...
19 min
1028
'Housing Recession?' How the Beleaguered Real E...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW looks at the housing market, which has shifted dramatically in the last six months. Mortgages today cost more than double what they did last year – the biggest...
18 min
1029
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
1030
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
1031
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
1032
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
1033
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
1034
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
1035
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
1036
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
1037
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
1038
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
1039
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
1040
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
1041
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
1042
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
1043
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
1044
‘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
1045
‘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
1046
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
1047
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
1048
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
1049
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
1050
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