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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1176
Is Elon's 9.2% Stake in Twitter a Web 3 Play?
This episode is sponsored by , and . Elon Musk has been talking about Twitter a lot lately. He did a poll asking whether it should make its algorithm open source (80% said “yes”). Another poll asked if Twitter lived up to the...
18 min
1177
Where Europe Fits In a Tech-Powered World
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: - Punk6529 - Boaz Sobrado - From cash to crypto in no time with . Invest in hot coins and swap between exclusive pairs for...
16 min
1178
The New/Old Bitcoin FUD Cycle
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at two old bitcoin FUDs that came roaring back with a vengeance. The “crypto is for criminals” narrative was built into the assumption that led the...
17 min
1179
The Geopolitics of Crypto, With Jill Gunter
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW is joined by Espresso Systems co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Jill Gunter. She is also an investor with Slow Ventures and the former co-founder of the Open...
55 min
1180
The European Union vs. Self-Hosted Crypto Wallets
This episode is sponsored by , and . The EU Parliament today voted to advance new anti-money laundering (AML) rules that would require European crypto asset service providers to collect and verify information about the beneficial owners of all...
17 min
1181
The Market Indicator Flashing ‘Recession’
This episode is sponsored by , and . Since 1955, every U.S. recession has been preceded by the inversion of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, meaning that short-dated notes had higher yields than long-dated bonds. Only one time during that period was...
16 min
1182
Why Is Bitcoin Going Up?
Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: Spotify: Google: Join the discussion: Follow on Twitter: NLW: Breakdown:
17 min
1183
Bitcoin’s Allies in the US Senate Are Increasing
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the news that long-time Bitcoin advocate Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) is now working with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on what aspires to be...
19 min
1184
Post-Modern Monetary Theory
On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads two macro-themed Twitter threads. Sam Bankman-Fried: Lyn Alden: - Take your crypto to the next level with . Invest and swap instantly, earn up to 20% APR on your idle assets...
17 min
1185
BlackRock’s Larry Fink Says Ukraine Conflict Co...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at recent comments from the leader of the world’s largest asset manager on Ukraine and digital currencies, as well as other important updates...
14 min
1186
Inside China and Russia's Battle Against the US...
This episode is sponsored by , and . NLW explores how the global monetary order is shifting. Specifically, he looks at Putin’s demand that Russian energy now be paid for in rubles, as well as the growing discussion between Saudi Arabia...
17 min
1187
The Fed’s Powell Is Getting More Hawkish as Mar...
his episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW takes a tour of recent macro sentiment, focusing on the shifting tone coming out of the U.S. Federal Reserve. In speeches and interviews this week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell made it...
16 min
1188
Florida to Accept Bitcoin for Taxes?
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today NLW looks at global crypto news, including: El Salvador’s bitcoin bond delay. Florida Governor DeSantis’ comments about accepting crypto for taxes. New York moves forward with a...
16 min
1189
How Ray Dalio’s ‘Changing World Order’ Thesis F...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the latest institutional moves into crypto, including an over-the-counter (OTC) transaction between Goldman Sachs (GS) and Galaxy (the first of its kind with...
16 min
1190
Why the IMF Is Pressuring Argentina to Discoura...
This episode is sponsored by , and . As many in geopolitics and economics try to understand how the world global order is shifting in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions (see ), one battleground is the...
17 min
1191
The Transformation of Money
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads two threads from Alex Gladstein that summarize big-think discussions on the history and future of money. The first is a summary of Luke Gromen’s...
14 min
1192
How the Sanctions Hearing Helped Democratic Sen...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW discusses a set of regulatory discussions happening around crypto this week, including: A letter from eight congressmen asking the SEC for clarity around its...
16 min
1193
Culture vs. Commerce? The Upheaval of Apes Buyi...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW goes deep on the implications of Bored Ape Yacht Club’s parent company Yuga Labs buying CryptoPunks IP. Specifically, he focuses on the community’s questions of commerce...
15 min
1194
How Markets Are Interpreting the Fed’s First Hi...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2018. This came despite an increasingly volatile economic landscape that includes the fallout from...
15 min
1195
Big Banks Are Entering the Metaverse
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW looks at recent crypto industry news, including: Yuga Labs’ purchase of CryptoPunks and Meebits A leak deck about Yuga’s metaverse ambitions HSBC becomes the first...
18 min
1196
The Potential Consequences of a New China COVID...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Over the past few weeks, China has instituted partial or full lockdowns in Shanghai, Jilin, Shenzhen and other cities. While this story is barely being covered in mainstream media, the crypto and...
15 min
1197
The EU’s Near Miss on a Proof-of-Work Ban
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today the European Union Parliament ECON committee voted on an amendment to the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) directive that would have effectively amounted to a ban on proof-of-work chains. NLW breaks...
23 min
1198
The True Implications of Seizing Russia’s Forei...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses Nic Carter’s “.” - Take your crypto to the next level with . Invest and swap instantly, earn up to 20% APR on your idle assets...
15 min
1199
The Looming Recession Narrative Is Growing
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW wraps up the week with a look at a growing macro discourse around the possibility of recession, along with catching up on important stories in crypto...
15 min
1200
The Bretton Woods III Thesis
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