Blockworks

The Breakdown

Business EN ↓ 2085 episodes

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

Episodes

Bitcoin Reclaims $1T Market Cap, But Political Fights Remain 15.02.2024 15:22

Even as BTC reclaims an important milestone, the Blockchain Association is pushing back on legislation that could have a significant negative impact on the industry. 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://...

Markets Wobble After CPI Surprise 14.02.2024 13:07

Markets got an unpleasant jolt this morning when January CPI numbers came in hotter than expected. Many investors took it as a reason that the Fed would look to push anticipated rate cuts out further into the year. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://bre...

Bitcoin Smashes Through $50,000 13.02.2024 16:55

NLW collects a set of takes that all amount to a shifting sentiment around the institutional bid. 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...

How Real Are Real World Assets? 12.02.2024 11:10

NLW reads two pieces with different takes on Real World Assets - one of crypto's big emerging themes. https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2024/02/02/real-world-asset-tokenization-is-fake-news/ https://www.coindesk.com/business/2024/02/07/forget-etfs-lets-work-on-tokenizing-the-whole-value-chain/ Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube:...

Bitcoin Enthusiasm Returns: The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week 10.02.2024 25:09

Recorded live with Scott Melker on Feb 9. 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

Could Prometheum's Custody Plans Force the SEC on Ethereum? 10.02.2024 13:47

Ugh, yes we're talking about Prometheum and an argument that their Ethereum custody plans could lead the SEC to designate Ethereum a 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 F...

Bitcoin Breaks Out as ETF Flows Normalize 08.02.2024 14:35

Enthusiasm is back on the agenda in Bitcoin land! NLW looks at the recent price action, Bitcoin's decoupling from rates 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://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twit...

The SEC Shoves New Market Maker Rule Through 08.02.2024 12:31

NLW summarizes the new market maker rules, their implications for crypto, and the pushback they're getting not only from crypto but hedge funds and other tradfi institutions as well. 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...

Will Anything Useful Be Built This Crypto Cycle? 07.02.2024 14:58

On this episode, NLW looks at a recent thread by Travis Kling on financial nihilism and what people expect out of crypto this cycle. https://twitter.com/Travis_Kling/status/1753455596462878815 That sets a frame for a conversation about Farcaster's recent 1000% growth. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhi...

Bitcoin Bull Bukele Cruises to Second Term in El Salvador 06.02.2024 15:31

Plus updates from Jerome Powell, US jobs data, and Chinese stocks. 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.co...

Why the Bitcoin ETF Will Never Be the Same as Truly Owning Bitcoin 05.02.2024 6:55

A reading of "A Bitcoin ETF Will Never Be Your Bitcoin" by Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger 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 Breakd...

The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto and Macro This Week 03.02.2024 23:25

Recorded live with Scott Melker on Friday Feb 2, 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/BreakdownNL...

Tether Made More Money Than Goldman Sachs Last Quarter 02.02.2024 15:39

Is Tether the best company in the world? CMS Holdings says so after a banger of a Q4. NLW covers the key crypto 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 on Twitter: NLW: ht...

Powell Says No Rate Cuts in March 02.02.2024 15:19

NLW breaks down the first FOMC meeting of the year. 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

Layoffs at Block 01.02.2024 11:32

NLW covers the crypto news, including the follow through on some previously announced layoffs at Jack Dorsey's company. 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:...

The State of Bitcoin Mining Heading into the Halving 31.01.2024 13:07

NLW looks at the growth in hashrate and the state of the mining markets in the lead up to the Bitcoin halving. 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://t...

Bitcoin Shows the Growing Supremacy of the ETF 30.01.2024 15:36

NLW covers the latest on the Bitcoin spot ETF. BlackRock's offering is over $2B in AUM, while Fidelity is close behind at $1.8B. He discusses why it's an affirmation not only of Bitcoin but of the ETF structure. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakd...

The Top Five Crypto Stories This Week 27.01.2024 28:17

Recorded live with Scott Melker on Friday 1.26.24 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://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Q4 GDP Was Better Than Expected: What Does It Mean for Rate Cuts? 26.01.2024 12:04

NLW explores the most recent macro news stories, including a look at Q4 GDP which came in stronger than expected. Swan also announces Swan Mining. 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/VrKRrfKC...

When Will the GBTC Selling End!?! 25.01.2024 14:30

Billions have flown into Bitcoin ETFs, but the relentless selling of GBTC has been a major drag on the price of BTC (to say nothing of the mood of the industry). NLW explores when people think it will end. 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.be...

China's Stock Market Struggles 24.01.2024 14:43

NLW looks at the worsening stock market situation in China, which has caused the Chinese government to explore major stimulus. 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...

Binance SEC Hearing Goes Much Less Well Than Coinbase Hearing 23.01.2024 14:04

Binance was in court arguing that the SEC lawsuit against them should be thrown out, in an echo of Coinbase's hearing with the SEC last week. This one seemed to go significantly worse for the crypto team. 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...

Court Orders FTX Independent Examiner 23.01.2024 15:57

Reversing a lower court decision, FTX will have an independent examiner. It also appears the bankruptcy estate has been a major source of GBTC selling. 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/VrK...

The Five Biggest Stories in Crypto this Week 20.01.2024 33:32

Recorded live with Scott Melker on Friday Jan 19 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/BreakdownN...

Trump Pledges No CBDCs 20.01.2024 15:36

CBDCs have officially hit the big time as a political issue with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump hammering the topic at a New Hampshire campaign event. Some see the fingerprints of former candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter:...