Blockworks

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. Subscribe to The Breakdown newsletter: https://the-breakdown.carrd.co/

Author

Blockworks

Category

Business

Podcast website

the-breakdown.carrd.co

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

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Episodes

China Brings Out the Stimulus Bazooka 27.09.2024

A macro roadshow including China's big shift into stimulus, Bukele at the UN and Argentina's turnaround. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter...

Defeated-Seeming Gensler Takes Congressional Shellacking 26.09.2024

At the SEC's annual oversight hearing with the House Financial Services Committee, it was pretty much the "tell Gary Gensler what a terrible job he's done" show. And this time, it was coming from both sides of the aisle. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https...

Judge Agrees with Coinbase in Public Hearing 25.09.2024

The SEC's woes continue as a panel of judges largely agree with accusations levied against them by crypot exchange Coinbase. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter:...

Kamala's First Comments on Crypto Spark Yet More Controversy 24.09.2024

For the first time this campaign cycle, VP Kamala Harris has mentioned crypto. Some are excited, some are skeptical, and many just don't know what to think at this point. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: htt...

A Contentious House Hearing on the SEC 21.09.2024

The House Financial Services Committee held another contentious hearing around the SEC. The battle continues between pro- and anti-crypto forces heading into the election. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: ht...

Was the Jumbo Rate Cut "Normalization" or Signs of Trouble Ahead? 20.09.2024

The rate cutting cycle has finally arrived and Powell et al went for 50bps. In today's episode, NLW explores how much the decision was about rate normalization vs. brewing economic weakness Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join...

Genius or Grifter: World Liberty Financial 19.09.2024

Earlier this week, the crypto world got more direct information about the new DeFi platform backed by the Trumps, World Liberty Financial. NLW brings the highlights of the Twitter Spaces plus the community's reaction. Plus more pressure on Gensler around Airdrops. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittem...

SEC Backs Off But Gaslights on "Crypto Asset Securities" Terminology 18.09.2024

After being roundly spanked by a federal judge around their use of the term "crypto asset security," the SEC has apologized, but said they never meant the term to actually suggest that tokens themselves were securities. Plus an update on the basis point bets for the FOMC on Wednesday. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube...

Why Data Needs Decentralization 17.09.2024

A reading and discussion inspired by https://blockworks.co/news/decentralization-for-data-security Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/n...

The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week 15.09.2024

From CPI data to continued battles with the SEC, NLW and Scott Melker recount the most important stories driving the crypto industry. Recorded live on Friday 9/13/24 Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://...

What the CPI Says About The Fed's Next Moves 13.09.2024

Everyone in markets is confused about everything it seems. NLW explains the latest CPI numbers; what they mean for the upcoming FOMC meeting; and what it means for Bitcoin. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: h...

What Happened in the First Ever Congressional DeFi Hearing 12.09.2024

The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on DeFi -- the first ever full Congressional hearing dedicated to the topic. Unsurprisingly and unfortunately, it was a highly partisan affair. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.co...

The Story in the Latest Bitcoin Price Action 11.09.2024

NLW explores what recent price action in crypto suggests about the state of markets. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown:...

Recession or Soft Landing? 10.09.2024

With a Fed rates cut all but assured, the question has shifted to whether it will be a 25bps or 50bps cut. Alongside that speculation is a competition for narrative interpretation. Soft-landing on the one hand, recession on the other. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the new...

Crypto's Pervasive Quiet Quitting 07.09.2024

A reading and discussion inspired by Ikigai's Travis Kling https://x.com/Travis_Kling/status/1830981118566244633 Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https:/...

Uniswap Settles with CFTC 06.09.2024

Another day, another crypto settlement with the US government that seems designed to be about setting precedent for other enforcement cases more than actually protecting anyone. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussi...

The SEC's Vicious "Qualified Custodian" Trap 05.09.2024

What the Galois Capital settlement with the SEC means for crypto. Spoiler alert: it's not good. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw...

What September Has In Store For Bitcoin 04.09.2024

September. On the one hand investors start coming back from the summer. On the other, it tends not to be a great month for markets. That's especially true in crypto, where September tends to be one of Bitcoin's worst months. With no strong narrative in sight, is history doomed to repeat? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.yout...

Bitcoin as a DeFi Platform 02.09.2024

A reading and discussion inspired by https://blockworks.co/news/bitcoin-powerful-defi-potential Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw...

Crypto and the Fight for Freedom 31.08.2024

NLW and Scott Melker count down the five most important stories of the week. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://...

Is This the SEC's Most Brazen Crypto Attack Yet? 30.08.2024

What's next, Pokemon and Magic the Gathering as securities? NLW covers the SEC sending a Wells Notice to Open Sea claiming NFTs are securities. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8...

The State Department's Unconscionable Abandonment of an American Citizen 29.08.2024

NLW catches up on the latest on Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan's wrongful detention in Nigeria, where he's effectively being held hostage in an attempt to extract ransom from Binance. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the dis...

What We Learned (If Anything) From Powell's Jackson Hole Speech 28.08.2024

NLW breaks down the Fed Chair's big moment at the end of last week. It's clear that the way is paved for the first cut of the cycle in September -- but could a jumbo 50bps cut be in the cards? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Jo...

Just How Big a Deal is the Arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov? 27.08.2024

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested over the weekend. NLW breaks down the news, possible interpretations, and the implications for free speech, technology and more. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https:/...

The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week 24.08.2024

NLW counts down the five most important stories of the week with Scott Melker. Recorded live on Friday August 23, 2024. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW:...

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