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

How Stablecoins Could Extend Dollar Dominance 18.06.2024

In today's episode, NLW looks at a recent op-ed by former House speaker Paul Ryan on why stablecoins on permissionless blockchains are aligned with US values and could extend dollar dominance another generation. We also cover an upcoming crypto roundtable that theoretically has White House buy-in. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https:...

The Future of Web3 is Functionality 17.06.2024

A reading and discussion inspired by https://blockworks.co/news/crypto-needs-proof-of-reserves and https://blockworks.co/news/web3-flashy-functional-infrastructure 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://di...

The Top 5 Stories in Crypto This Week 14.06.2024

A live conversation with Scott Melker about Trump's Bitcoin miner meeting, the FOMC, CPI, and much much 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://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://tw...

After Inflation Improvement, a Quiet FOMC 14.06.2024

The FOMC meeting was without fireworks this week. In spite of the Bank of Canada and the ECB moving to cut rates, the Fed remains focused on staying the course at least for the time being. 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 t...

PleaserDAO Sues Martin Shkreli Over Wu-Tang Album 13.06.2024

Yes, the title of this episode is real. NLW provides an update on former President Trump's meeting with Bitcoin miners, and then tells the wild story of a DAO, a formerly jailed pharma CEO, and a secret rap album worth millions. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newslette...

Massive Expansion of Crypto Sanctions Power Snuck into Senate Budget Proposal 12.06.2024

Yes, they're trying to do it again: sneak a massive expansion of anti-crypto powers into a bill that has nothing to do with crypto. Same play as the 2021 infrastructure bill. This time, however, the crypto political machine is watching much earlier. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subsc...

Questions about Bitcoin and Macro to Start the Week 11.06.2024

NLW looks at the end of last week where we saw a market shift in traditional and crypto markets. Here's what happened, and why. 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 Twitte...

Getting Crypto Regulation Right 09.06.2024

A reading and discussion inspired by https://blockworks.co/news/end-sec-war-on-crypto and https://blockworks.co/news/crypto-regulators-us-global-legislation 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.g...

The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week 08.06.2024

From Bank of Canada rate cuts to Biden's SAB121 veto to Roaring Kitty, NLW and Scott Melker are back with the week's most important news. 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...

The Bank of Canada Cuts Rates; Will the Fed Follow? 07.06.2024

The Bank of Canada has moved to cut interest rates, with the markets pricing in additional cuts throughout the end of this year. Will the US Federal Reserve follow suit or are the two central banks dealing with a fundamentally different set of circumstances? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecry...

The Surprise Second Biggest Bitcoin ETF Inflow Day Ever 06.06.2024

ETF's aren't supposed to behave like this. They're not supposed to have a nearly $900m inflow day five months in after the hype has purportedly dissipated. Then again, when did Bitcoin ever do things the way others did? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https:...

The Modular Integration Spectrum | Keone & Zon 05.06.2024

In this episode, Keone from Monad and Zon from Initia to discuss the spectrum between modular and integrated blockchain designs. They explore the tradeoffs in decentralization, performance and scalability between the two approaches. They explore AppChains, rollups, composability challenges in modular systems, EVM compatibility, and when to scale blockchains horizontally vs vertically. To close out...

Roaring Kitty Roars Back, But Can the New Gamestop Madness Recapture the Magic? 05.06.2024

Roaring Kitty is back, and this time he's playing with nine figures. But are the apes content to just watch from the sidelines this time? 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...

The Biden SAB121 Veto Undermines Claims of a Democrat Crypto Pivot 03.06.2024

After reports last week that the Democrats were shifting their stance on crypto, one of the big questions was whether President Joe Biden would follow through on his promise to veto the repeal of SAB121. He did, and NLW gauges the community's reactions. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto S...

How Serious is the Democrat Crypto Pivot? 31.05.2024

On today's episode NLW checks in on the idea that we're seeing a pivot towards crypto from Biden and other US Dems. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscri...

Biden Joins the Pro-Crypto Pivot 30.05.2024

President Biden's team has reportedly started making overtures towards the crypto crowd. NLW explores whether the industry is buying it or remains skeptical. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.you...

Mt. Gox Unlock FUD Will Soon Finally Come to An End 30.05.2024

One of the most enduring FUDs in crypto land is the mythic Mt. Gox unlock, where people receive back bitcoin that had been locked for years. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanie...

Trump Doubles Down on Crypto and Pledges to Commute Ross Ulbricht 29.05.2024

Former President Donal Trump continues to speak about crypto at campaign events. Recently he also pledged to commute Ross Ulbricht's sentence. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/natha...

The Growing Political Force of Crypto 26.05.2024

A reading and discussion based on: https://blockworks.co/news/single-issue-crypto-voter and https://blockworks.co/news/crypto-matters-foundations-free-prosperous-society Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: ht...

SEC Approves ETH Spot ETF 24.05.2024

At least, the first stage of the approval has happened. NLW explores the political pressure that caused this to come about. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypt...

71 Democrats Break Ranks to Vote for Commonsense Crypto Regulation 23.05.2024

The FIT21 Act vote happened yesterday and a much-higher-than-expected number of Democrats supported it. NLW explains what happened and what comes next. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube....

A Presidential Campaign Crypto Milestone 23.05.2024

Former President Trump becomes the first major party candidate to accept crypto, the latest on the ETH ETF, and the gear up for the FIT21 vote. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nath...

SHOCKER: Is the SEC About to 180 and Approve ETH ETFs? 22.05.2024

Only Tuesday and already one of the most consequential political weeks in crypto history. NLW covers the latest on ETH ETF approvals, FIT21 Act and more. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtub...

A Preview of Crypto's Big Week in Washington 21.05.2024

Some major things coming up in crypto in DC this week, including ETH Spot ETF decisions, FIT21 Act voting, and a question if Biden will veto the SAB121 repeal. Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www....

A Congressional Letter Pushing Back on Gensler's Rogue SEC 19.05.2024

A reading and discussion based on https://blockworks.co/news/senate-gensler-sec-overturn-sab-121 Today's Show Brought To You By Ledger - 5% to Bitcoin Developers When You Buy https://shop.ledger.com/pages/bitcoin-hardware-wallet Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newslett...

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