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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1101
The First Comprehensive US Crypto Legislation I...
This episode is sponsored by , and . After months of anticipation, new landmark crypto legislation has arrived. Senators Cythnia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released their Responsible Financial Innovation Act today. The...
18 min
1102
So, Are We Headed Into Recession or Not?
This episode is sponsored by , and . Last week, corporate executives from Tesla’s Elon Musk to BlackRock’s Larry Fink discussed what they see as a coming recession. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon called the coming economic...
16 min
1103
How Crypto Wealth Will Change the Impact Sector
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads “” by Rhys Lindmark. - is an all-in-one platform where you can buy crypto with a bank card and earn up to 16% interest on your assets....
18 min
1104
New York's Latest Anti-Crypto Action
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at New York State’s latest crypto-unfriendly actions, including a last-minute, frankly sneaky passing of a proof-of-work mining moratorium. ...
15 min
1105
It's OpenSeason for Regulatory Enforcement
This episode is sponsored by , and . In September, then-OpenSea product manager Nate Chastain was discovered to be front running the market by using secret addresses to buy non-fungible tokens (NFT) from collections that the site was...
17 min
1106
Should Bitcoiners Be Worried About Biden's Ener...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at a story – or at least a headline – that is getting big traction on Twitter. The headline is about the Biden administration pushing Bitcoin to be more...
19 min
1107
RIP Transitory Inflation, Long Live Quantitativ...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW marks the next phase in the shift in monetary policy. Starting this month, the Federal Reserve is going to allow U.S. Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities held on its...
18 min
1108
Biden Meets with Powell as Inflation Battle Hea...
This episode is sponsored by , and . “Sell in May and go away,” says the old market aphorism. Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW previews a set of discussions he believes will shape markets this summer: The inflation battle – the...
17 min
1109
Bitcoin Isn't Apolitical, but It Is Nonpartisan
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and comments on “” by Daniel Kuhn. - is a secure crypto exchange and crypto lending platform. Buy 40+ hot coins with your bank...
15 min
1110
Sequoia's Guide to Surviving the 2022 Bear Market
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at why venture capitalists are not only recommending their companies batten down the hatches, but wondering if the fundamental assumptions of their...
15 min
1111
The Supercycle Is Dead: Welcome to Goblintown
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW analyzes community sentiment as bitcoin and ether have their most protracted, continuous downturns of all time and while consumer sentiment in traditional markets hits...
16 min
1112
As the Market Slinks Down, It's Time to Touch G...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW explores the macro set-up, including Fed unanimity on two 50 basis point rate hikes in June and July followed by optionality at the September FOMC meeting. He also...
17 min
1113
OCC: ‘No Contagion’ Post-Terra Collapse
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW covers: Acting Comptroller Michael Hsu’s comments on systemic risk in crypto following Terra South Korean authorities’ push for answers USDC on Ethereum flippens USDT on...
15 min
1114
Oslo Freedom Forum and Why Bitcoin Matters
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode, NLW looks at a number of topics from across the crypto space and wider economy, including: New Fed data about the percentage of Americans using crypto. Wall Street’s...
16 min
1115
What Davos Man Thinks of Bitcoin and Crypto Thi...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW previews two things happening this week: First, hope from the markets that slightly dovish comments from the Fed might prompt a relief rally. ...
17 min
1116
Could Local Digital Currencies Improve Communit...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this week's “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads “.” - is a secure crypto exchange and crypto lending platform. Buy 40+ hot coins with your bank card in seconds and swap between exclusive pairs...
17 min
1117
5 Key Takeaways From a16z's State of Crypto Report
Venture giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) recently published its inaugural "State of Crypto" report. In this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at five key takeaways from the research as well as UST-luna investor postmortems. - is a...
16 min
1118
Travis Kling on Why a Decentralized Web 3 Is Wo...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today's episode, NLW is joined by Travis Kling, co-founder and chief investment officer at Ikigai Asset Management. They discuss Ikigai's just-announced $30 million Web 3 fund, and what got Travis...
58 min
1119
Tether’s Reserve Attestations: Commercial Paper...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Tether has released its Q1 reserve attestations. On today’s episode, NLW covers what many in the industry are seeing as positive shifts. He also looks at some recent regulatory news, including the...
14 min
1120
Capital Flight or the Seeds of the Next Cycle?
This episode is sponsored by , and . Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW covers a number of signals suggesting institutional buyers are leaving the crypto space. At the same time, he looks at new corporate engagement and Web 3...
16 min
1121
New Data Shows Underground Bitcoin Mining Thriv...
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at new bitcoin mining data from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly, depending on whom you ask),...
17 min
1122
What Happened to the Luna Foundation Guard’s Bi...
This episode is sponsored by , and . The Luna Foundation Guard (LFG) was created to build a bitcoin collateral backstop for the UST stablecoin. As UST began to lose its peg, the LFG’s BTC started to move. Firms like Elliptic were able to...
16 min
1123
How Should Washington Regulate Stablecoins?
This episode is sponsored by , and . On today’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW features: by Spencer Noon by Jake Chervinsky - is a secure crypto exchange and crypto lending platform. Buy 40+ hot coins with your bank card in...
14 min
1124
Weimar Luna and the Maginot-Saylor Line
This episode is sponsored by , and . On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at LUNA’s hyperinflationary death, as well as where market participants are placing their bets for more bear market challenges. - is a secure...
17 min
1125
Jeremy Allaire on the Regulatory Fallout After ...
This episode is sponsored by , and . Jeremy Allaire is the CEO of Circle, a leader of the USDC consortium. In today’s episode, he and NLW review the state of the stablecoin discussion among U.S. regulators before the implosion of UST and...
23 min