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 Impactful Will FTX Estate Selling Be on Crypto Markets? 16.09.2023

The FTX estate has received approval to begin crypot asset liquidation, overseen by Galaxy. The speculation this week has all been about how much pressure it would put on market prices. NLW explores that, and catches up on 3AC's banning from Singapore. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Su...

Shockingly, Gary Gensler Doesn't Like Stoner Cats 15.09.2023

The latest SEC action is a settlement with NFT project Stoner Cats. NLW discusses the community's response, which ranges from not-that-surprised to appalled at yet another example of unelected bureaucrats trying to expand their authority through enforcement. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecry...

The Senate Doesn't Seem to Care About Crypto Anymore 13.09.2023

Another day, another set of high profile departures from Binance. NLW explores the latest news around the beleaguered exchange as well as community reactions. The show also looks at Gary Gensler's testimony before the Senate. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter:...

Ripple's Fortress Acquisition Shows the Brittleness of Crypto Infrastructure 12.09.2023

On Friday Ripple announced that it was acquiring Fortress Trust. On Monday we learned that, counter to previous statements, a recent security incident at Fortress had caused the loss of customer funds. NLW explores wtf is going on and what it says about the state of the crypto industry. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtu...

Crypto 2023: Even Vitalik Is Getting Hacked 12.09.2023

A look at the hack of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin's Twitter account over the weekend, plus a catch up on a set of regulatory action from last week.

Why the SEC Needs the Bitcoin Spot ETF 10.09.2023

A reading of excerpts from: Who Needs a Bitcoin ETF? Actually, the SEC Does. - Bloomberg Bitcoin ETF Applications Are Bitcoin's Best Marketing Strategy - Tim Haldorsson Stop Thinking About 'Wins' or 'Losses' in the Bitcoin ETF Debate - David Ackerman Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subs...

Institutions Are Getting Ready for the Next Bull Market | Weekly Top Five 09.09.2023

Covering the biggest stories of the week in discussion with Scott Melker: 1. Visa Stablecoin Settlement program expansion Solana  2. FASB accounting rule Change 3. Genesis Shuttering Trading desk / Coinbase institutional lending + Grayscale letter to SEC + Genesis suing DCG 4. ARK Van Eck Spot ETH ETF 5. CFTC + LBRY Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch...

UPDATED: How Big A Deal Are The Changes to Crypto Accounting Standards? 09.09.2023

The board that oversees corporate accounting standards has voted unanimously to change the way corporates account for cryptoassets on their balance sheets, and some argue it eliminates a major barrier to enterprise adoption. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: h...

The IMF Finally Realizes You Can't Ban Crypto 09.09.2023

Today on The Breakdown, NLW looks at a new paper from the IMF and FSB that -- among other things -- acknowledges the un-reality of successfully banning crypto. Plus a look at the new privacy paper co-authored by Vitalik Buterin. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newslette...

Visa Goes Deeper on Stablecoin Settlement 06.09.2023

Yesterday Visa announced an expansion of their ability to settle cross-border transactions with USDC, adding support for the Solana blockchain. According to some, even the fintech folks who aren't interested in crypto are excited about it. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to th...

Beijing Bazooka: Why China Isn't Being More Aggressive As Economy Deteriorates 05.09.2023

On a macro show, NLW explores how China's economic situation has been deteriorating; the highly targeted interventions from the Chinese government; and the discussion of why more aggressive tactics aren't being deployed to right the ship. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the...

SEC Defeats, Binance Intrigue, and a Bitcoin Flop: The Biggest Stories of the Week 03.09.2023

A new experiment, NLW and Scott Melker do a live rundown of the 5 most important events of the crypto 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://twit...

SEC Punts ETF Applications Till October 02.09.2023

NLW catches up on the late week news including the SEC punting 7 ETF applications, the JOLTS and nonfarm payroll reports, and revised GDP estimates. 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/VrKRrf...

Judge In Uniswap Suit Says "Ask Congress, Not Me!" 31.08.2023

A class action lawsuit against Uniswap has been dismissed with prejudice and the decision might have big implications for other ongoing crypto cases. 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/VrKRr...

What's Going On with the SEC's Sealed Binance Filings? 30.08.2023

As everyone celebrated the SEC's upset in the Grayscale lawsuit, the Commission was quietly filing sealed documents in their lawsuit against Binance. NLW explores the community's theories around what those documents might represent. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsl...

BREAKING: Grayscale Wins Lawsuit Against SEC! 29.08.2023

A DC Circuit Court has decided in favor of Grayscale in their lawsuit against the SEC, calling the decision to deny GBTC's conversion to a Bitcoin Spot ETF "arbitrary and capricious."  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 d...

The Treasury's Broker Definition Could Crush US Crypto 28.08.2023

On Friday the US Treasury and the IRS dropped a 300-page guidance on crypto tax policy, including an updated of "broker" that some say could threaten the very fundamentals of decentralized finance in the United States. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https:/...

Crypto: It's So Over. We're So Back. 27.08.2023

On LRS, NLW reads excerpts from and analyses: How PayPal Upended the Crypto Debate in Washington D.C. - John Rizzo The End of the End of Crypto - Daniel Kuhn 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....

The Continued Fallout of the Tornado Cash Arrests 26.08.2023

On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at: More community reactions around the Tornado Cash arrests The latest updates from Binance Bitfinex up and running in Turkey Circle adds 6 new chains to USDC 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.b...

Markets Shrug Off Predictable Powell at Jackson Hole 26.08.2023

Today on The Breakdown, NLW examines Nvidia's massive earnings report as well as Powell's Jackson Hole speech, which, far from last year's shock, was almost exactly as expected. 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...

Tornado Cash Arrests: Attack on Terrorism or Attack on Privacy? 24.08.2023

The US Government has arrested one of the founders of Tornado Cash and is on the hunt for another. NLW examines the community's reaction, and the discussion of whether it's an action more about chilling privacy tech than it is about actually preventing terrorism financing. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathani...

WSJ Says Binance Facing Trouble Over Sanctions Violations 23.08.2023

Something serious or just more FUD? NLW explores the latest dustup around Binance, as well as speculation around why the price of BNB has wobbled of late. 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/...

The Next Phase of Stablecoin Competition Begins As Coinbase Invests In Circle 23.08.2023

Today on The Breakdown, NLW looks at the rearrangement of the arrangement between Circle and Coinbase. The Centre Consortium is being dissolved and Coinbase is investing in Circle directly. The show also features a macro update on bonds and China. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscri...

"The SEC Is Floundering" 21.08.2023

That's the assessment of one lawyer working currently with Gemini. On today's episode, NLW looks at the SEC's motion to appeal in the Ripple case, Coinbase's international trading data, and SBF's request to not be in jail so much. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newslet...

What Progressives Should Understand About Crypto 20.08.2023

A reading of "What progressives get wrong when it comes to crypto" by Sheila Warren and Justin Slaughter. 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://twitte...

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