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

Crypto Industry Faces Terrorist Financing Accusations 11.10.2023

In what was probably an inevitable turn, crypto critics are coming out of the woodwork to blame the Hamas massacre in part on funding via cryptocurrencies. NLW explores the argument and its counters, as well as provides a brief overview of the first day of Caroline Ellison's testimony at SBF's trial. Today's Sponsor: Kraken Kraken Pro is the one-stop destination for pro traders - https://k.xyz/The...

Gary Wang and the Alameda Grift History 10.10.2023

Turns out the grift was there from the beginning. Former FTX cofounder and CTO Gary Wang testified last week and earlier today about the way in which Alameda was privileged and how early the lies began. Today's Sponsor: Kraken Kraken Pro is the one-stop destination for pro traders - https://k.xyz/TheBreakdownPod Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on...

An Analyst Warns on TUSD, stUSDT, and Huobi/HTX 08.10.2023

Respected analyst Dylan Leclair has recently put together a thread warning crypto market participants about some questions around TUSD, stUSDT and other assets surrounding Huobi/HTX. In the spirit of starting the next bull market cleaner than we left the last one, NLW presents the thread: https://twitter.com/DylanLeClair_/status/1709712204675555651 Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast:...

Crypto's Biggest Ally Could Be the Next Speaker of the House 07.10.2023

NLW and Scott Melker count down the five most important news stories of the week, including SBF Trial; Tom Emmer's potential to become Speaker of the House; ETH Futures ETF flop 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 th...

Macro Signals Are All Flashing Warnings 06.10.2023

What the hell is going on with bond markets? Why are people buying less food? Is the Fed priced into more rate hikes? NLW explores all of this 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/Vr...

SBF Defense: "Blame Caroline! Also He's a Nerd." 05.10.2023

NLW covers the first few days of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, including the jury selection, opening statements, and first witnesses. Today's Sponsor: Kraken Kraken Pro is the one-stop destination for pro traders - https://k.xyz/TheBreakdownPod Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe t...

A Leading Candidate for Next Speaker of the House is One of Crypto's Biggest Allies in D.C. 04.10.2023

After the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, speaker pro tempore is crypto ally Patrick McHenry, and one of the consensus leaders to replace McCarthy permanently is current House whip and frequent crypto bill backer Tom Emmer. NLW also explains the latest "L" handed to the SEC around its Ripple case. Today's Sponsor: Kraken Kraken Pro is the one-stop destination for pro traders - https://k.xyz/TheBreakdown...

The Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Begins - Everything You Need to Know 03.10.2023

As SBF's trial kicks off in New York, NLW covers: The charges The timeline of events that got us here The key witnesses Likely defense arguments Recent bankruptcy updates Trial timeline 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...

Bitcoin Pops As Uptober Returns 02.10.2023

8 of the last 10 October's were green for Bitcoin. Can we expect the same this time around? NLW looks at some of the bullish catalysts, as well as watching the first day of trading for Ethereum Futures ETFs. 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....

Where Crypto Has Product-Market Fit (And Where It Doesn't) 01.10.2023

NLW reads "The Barrier to Mainstream Crypto Adoption Isn’t UX — It’s Product-Market Fit" by Li Jin. 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/...

ETH Futures ETFs Get Set to Trade as Government Shut Down Looms 30.09.2023

On today's episode, NLW looks at a set of late breaking developments that could see ETH Futures ETF's trading next week, as well as the implications for crypto and the economy of a looming government shutdown. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdow...

The 5 Most Important Stories from Crypto This Week 29.09.2023

A recap live with Scott Melker from Friday September 29th 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/Breakdo...

Congressional Republicans Lash Out At Gensler 29.09.2023

There were some fireworks at the recent House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing. It's clear that Congressional Republicans have run out of patience for SEC Chair Gary Gensler and could begin using subpoena to compel more answers. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to...

Chokepoint Across the Pond: Chase UK Says No Crypto Transactions 27.09.2023

Chase UK has taken the extreme step of refusing to process crypto related transactions, they say as a measure to fight fraud. NLW also looks at the letter sent to SEC Chair Gary Gensler by a bipartisan group from the House Financial Services Committee pushing him to approve a Bitcoin spot ETF with haste. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube:...

Huobi Changes Name to HTX and Almost Immediately Gets Hacked 27.09.2023

Today on The Breakdown it's a hackathon, with a set of high profile hacks happening over the weekend that show the continued challenging state of crypto custody and 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:...

ByBit Vacates United Kingdom as "Crypto Hub" Dreams Falter 25.09.2023

When he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, British PM Rishi Sunak proclaimed that he wanted to make the UK a crypto hub. Now exchanges and brokers like PayPal and ByBit are leaving because of the unworkability of new regulations. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter...

How the Crypto Investing Landscape Has Changed 24.09.2023

A reading of Jeff Dorman's "What I Learned Managing a Crypto Fund for Five Years" https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/09/18/what-i-learned-managing-a-crypto-fund-for-five-years/ 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 Top Five Stories in Crypto This Week } SEC vs. Binance, Crypto Funds Raise and More 23.09.2023

NLW looks at the top five stories in crypto this past week in a live conversation with Scott Melker. SEC vs. Binance Anti CBDC Legislation Advances Crypto Funds Raise SBF Parents No More Rate Hikes 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...

Could Oil and a Gov't Shutdown Screw Up Powell's Plans? 23.09.2023

At the FOMC press conference, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was asked about the economic factors that could impact rate policy. Two of the examples cited were oil and a potential government shutdown. In today's episode, NLW explores both of those macro challenges. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielw...

The Hawkish Halt: Why the Market Finally Believes "Higher for Longer" 22.09.2023

Today NLW digs into the FOMC decision to keep rates consistent and explores why many are causing it a hawkish pause and recognizing that the Fed really is going to keep rates higher for longer. 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/ J...

Is the SEC About to Go Scorched Earth? 20.09.2023

The head of the SEC's cyber unit has basically issued a warning saying the SEC isn't done yet and will be pursuing more action against exchanges and DeFi protocols. The crypto industry is wondering how far the SEC's resources really extend to fight legal battles on so many fronts. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com...

Courts Hand SEC Half an L in Binance US Case 20.09.2023

NLW catches up on the latest legal details of the SEC's battle against the zombie exchange Binance US. The judge recently denied an SEC request to compel Binance US to produce specific information, and NLW explores how big a deal it was and where it leaves things in the case now. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/...

Anti-CBDC Bills Advance in Congress 18.09.2023

One of the more surprising campaign issues of the 2024 election cycle, opposition to central bank digital currencies, is moving forward in Congress as two bills head for markup this week in the House Financial Services Committee. Also enforcement actions around new the new regulation regime in Hong Kong and Gemini files a response to DCG's-Genesis bankruptcy resolution proposal from last week. Enj...

Crypto Venture Funding is Down; But Bitcoin Building Continues 17.09.2023

A reading of: https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/09/11/ai-is-killing-crypto-venture-capital-interest/  https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/a-bitcoin-maximalists-ode-to-ordinals 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 16.09.2023

NLW counts the most important stories down: 5. Gensler Hearing 4. Binance Executive Departures 3. FTX Sales Begin 2. Stoner Cat Settlement 1. Fortress Loses Customer Funds; Is Acquired; Prompts New BTC-Only Trust from Swan and Bitgo Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsl...

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