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

Should Bitcoiners Trust Politicians? 20.07.2024

NLW and Scott Melker count down the five most important stories in crypto this week, with a special emphasis on the question that guided community discussion these week: how much should we trust these new political allies of ours. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newslet...

Mt. Gox Distribution Begins and Honeybadger Don't Care 18.07.2024

After a decade of FUD, Mt. Gox bankruptcy distributions have finally begun. And yet, Bitcoin doesn't appear to be as scared of the reality of a distribution as the threat of it, at BTC hits a 6-week high. 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.bee...

Republican VP Nominee on Bitcoin, Crypto and Gensler 17.07.2024

NLW covers the crypto opinions (and disclosed BTC holdings) of new Republican VP nominee JD Vance. Plus BlackRock's Larry Fink has become Bitcoin's most effective promoter. 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...

The SEC Backs Off Another Crypto Enforcement Action 16.07.2024

The SEC has dropped it's three year investigation into the Stacks ecosystem. It's a good outcome -- but at an absurd cost that simply shows how moribund and counterproductive the SEC's regulation by enforcement strategy has been. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newslett...

The Theory and Practice of Bitcoin Politics 15.07.2024

In this LRS, NLW reads two op-eds about Bitcoin in politics. The first is about why Bitcoin doesn't care about politicians. The second is about how bitcoin could actually be used in the political process. Read: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/liberty-doesnt-ask-for-permission https://bitcoinmagazine.com/politics/bitcoin-as-a-notarization-layer-for-political-agreements Enjoying this content? SU...

The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week 13.07.2024

Recorded live with Scott Melker on Friday July 12th, 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: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/Breakd...

Trump Speaking At Bitcoin Conference 11.07.2024

As pro-crypto Democrats tried to get more alignment and consideration between the Biden Administration and the crypto industry, Former President Trump announced that he will be speaking at the Bitcoin conference in a couple weeks. NLW provides the latest in crypto politics. Sign up for Permissionless here: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iii Use code BREAKDOWN10 to get 10% off Enjoying...

Powell Inches Towards Rate Cuts 11.07.2024

NLW does a macro roundup, including recent comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on the possibility of increased unemployment and the need to move towards rate cuts. Plus a check in on politics in France, the UK and Argentina. Sign up for Permissionless here: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iii Use code BREAKDOWN10 to get 10% off Enjoying this content...

For the First Time Ever, Crypto is an Official Part of a Major Political Party Platform 10.07.2024

The GOP officially released their platform this week and crypto made the cut. NLW shares community reactions to the concise but frankly pretty encouraging section on cryptocurrency. A right to mine? A right to self-custody? Boy, how the times have changed. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypt...

Mt. Gox Unlocks Send BTC Crashing 09.07.2024

Bitcoin has recently experienced a 25%+ price decline. The specific catalyst for the most recent dip seems to have been a combination of Mt. Gox BTC on the move and German selling. NLW explores how worries we should be. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https:...

Agriculture and the State of Tokenization 07.07.2024

A reading and discussion inspired by https://blockworks.co/news/agriculture-needs-blockchain. 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 Br...

Software Creates New Nations 05.07.2024

A 4th of July reading and discussion inspired by https://www.wired.com/2013/11/software-is-reorganizing-the-world-and-cloud-formations-could-lead-to-physical-nations/ 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:/...

Polkadot Courts Controversy with Ad Spend 04.07.2024

NLW brings his perspective as the former Head of Marketing for FTX to this discussion about Polkadot's recent marketing spend. 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...

Circle Becomes First European Licensed Stablecoin Issuer 03.07.2024

As Europe's MiCA rules go into effect, the continent narrowly avoids serious stablecoin-crypto-trading issues by granting a license to Circle. NLW also looks at a settlement in the Silvergate case. 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 SEC's Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week 02.07.2024

The SEC (and really the administrative state more broadly) had an extremely tough week last week. NLW explains why, and what it means for crypto. 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/VrKRrfKCz...

Is there Danger in Politicizing Crypto? 01.07.2024

A reading and discussion inspired by: https://blockworks.co/news/bitcoin-right-left-politics-neutral 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...

The Five Most Important Stories In Crypto This Week 28.06.2024

Recorded live with Scott Melker on Friday July 28 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://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

The US Gov't Sells Its BTC Stack 28.06.2024

The US is selling. Germany is selling. Mt. Gox unlocks are coming. Is it something we should be worried about? NLW explores. 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:...

Fairshake Helps Hand Anti-Crypto Army a Loss 26.06.2024

NLW catches up on the latest on crypto in politics, including a report that Trump will speak at the Bitcoin Conference and a primary loss for a notable member of the anti-crypto army. 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 di...

The Saga of Wikileaks' Julian Assange is Finally Coming to an End 26.06.2024

After 5 years in prison in the UK (and nearly 5 years before that holed away in the Ecuador embassy in London), Julian Assange is on the verge of a plea deal with the United States that would let him return home to Australia. NLW gives the full wild story. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypt...

Why So Gloomy? Mt. Gox Unlocks Latest Bummer in Downward Sentiment Spiral 25.06.2024

NLW covers the dip over the weekend and what's driving such gloomy attitudes in the crypto space. 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/nl...

Does Crypto Need Memecoins? 23.06.2024

That's the argument in this essay: https://blockworks.co/news/vitalik-wrong-crypto-dumb-memecoins NLW explores and puts it in context in a week where the big story was a new Trump memecoin. 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 Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week 22.06.2024

Recorded live on Friday June 2021 with Scott Melker SEC stops ethereum investigation Certik Kraken DJT coin weirdness Saylor buys more btc Stable coins 18th largest us debt holder 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 discus...

The Incredibly Weird Certik-Kraken Exploit 21.06.2024

Kraken was recently hacked to the tune of $3m. Turns out it was security audit firm Certik. Is the episode about an overzealous white hat or something more nefarious? 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:/...

Is the Trump Solana Memecoin Real? 19.06.2024

Another day, another Trump-crypto plotline. Some folks are reporting that former President Trump's son Barron is running an official Trump memecoin on Solana called $DJT. Is it real, fake, or even an elaborate ruse by the Feds? Plus, the SEC's chief crypto enforcer has left the agency. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtub...

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