The Breakdown

On todays show, NLW gives a primer on the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) space, including introducing key concepts such as Generative AI, LLMs and more. He also looks at why bitcoiners have a particularly important vantage point in the emerging AI conversation.  - “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and res...

Inflation came in at an annualized 5% this month, beating economists’ expectations and dropping to its lowest level in two years. That’s good, right? Well, hold your horses, say some analysts. Services inflation remains sticky, and with recent production cuts from OPEC+ and an end to tapping U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserves, energy prices could come back up during the U.S. summer high season.  En...

Description Bitcoin hit $30,000 for the first time since June 2022 last night. On today’s episode, NLW looks at why the evidence suggests this rally is – unlike previous crypto rallies –driven by spot buying instead of leverage trading. He also looks at how the crypto market has evolved and is seemingly more hostile to previously hyped narratives.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast...

The Breakdown is expanding to become The Breakdown Network. The first spinoff show will be called Bitcoin Builders and is all about the entrepreneurial and creative energy flowing into bitcoin. Learn more about the changes and what you can expect.    Sound credit:  “Shattuck Hall” by Garvanza licensed via Track Club

On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at shifting geopolitical alignments, honing in on French President Macron’s recent visit to China, China’s war games in the South China Sea and the growing de-dollarization narrative.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1P...

On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: USDC Boasted Transparency but It Didn't Help When Silicon Valley Bank Got Into Trouble - J.P. Koning  Happy 48th Birthday, Satoshi Nakamoto - George Kaloudis Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2e_...

On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at some followup stories from the shutdown of Signature Bank last month, as well as the emerging trend of real-world asset tokenization.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2e_E7wgxcjtfQ Google:...

Wednesday, Foreign Affairs published an argument from American University professor Hilary Allen that the U.S. should consider a full ban on crypto. The argument gives explicit voice to a position that has been held quietly in the Biden Administration, and represents a ratcheting up of the rhetorical war around crypto in the U.S.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://p...

On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the debate raging on Twitter about whether the banking crisis is actually over. $390 billion in deposits left U.S. banks last month – the most ever in a single month – but the bleeding seems to have been stemmed. Still, many are looking uncomfortably at commercial real estate loans coming due as another source of trouble for the same small and re...

Ah, just a casual Monday in crypto land, where an encrypted tweet from an influencer leads to billions of dollars of value wiped off the market cap. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the CZ Interpol Red Notice rumors, explanations for Elon Musk changing Twitter’s blue bird icon to a Shiba Inu dog, and more substantive news about the latest hearings around Binance. US’ intended acquisition of bankru...

A reduction in oil output of 1.65 million barrels per day was announced by OPEC+ members on Sunday night. In the face of a global economic slowdown, analysts are debating whether the cartel is acting politically or merely anticipating softer demand.    Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify...

On this edition of Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads “Editorial: It Sure Looks Like the U.S. Is Trying to Kill Crypto” by Kevin Reynolds  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2e_E7wgxcjtfQ Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlw...

It’s no secret that the US is pushing banks away from crypto companies. What’s surprising is that Chinese state owned banks are apparently actively recruiting crypto customers in Hong Kong – seemingly in response to growing US anti-crypto attitudes.    Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify...

“Then they fight you” but for real this time. Elizabeth Warren is running for re-election to the Senate, and she’s running on the platform of being a crypto antagonist. NLW explores the reactions from the crypto community.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8...

The movement to ban TikTok in the U.S. is growing. The recently introduced RESTRICT Act in the U.S. Congress is nominally about that, but some are concerned it would significantly expand government powers over the internet.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC...

On today’s episode, NLW is joined by Castle Island Ventures’ Nic Carter. Nic was the first to identify the concerted effort to deplatform crypto from the banking system as “Operation Choke Point 2.0.” In their conversation, Nic discusses the original Operation Choke Point, how that operation came to an end, when he began to notice signs of a similar strategy targeting crypto and where the industry...

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a lawsuit against Binance on Monday, alleging seven different charges related to derivatives exchange registration. In this episode, NLW explores the charges and to what extent they reflect not only a case against Binance but an ongoing regulatory turf war between the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Enjoying this content?   SU...

Ever since the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, markets have been waiting with bated breath for another shoe to drop. Coming into the weekend, it looked like Deutsche Bank and Charles Schwab were the most wobbly. NLW explores whether there is actually reason to be concerned or whether fintwit (and short sellers) are just looking for another mark.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast A...

On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “This Crisis Will Define the Future of Money” - Michael J. Casey  “Bitcoin Is a Clear Winner of the U.S. Banking Crisis” - George Kaloudis  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2e_E7wgxcjtfQ Google:...

On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW combines two previous YouTube shows focused on Balaji’s $1 million bitcoin bet and the emergence of the mainstream narrative of bitcoin as a safe haven from banks. Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2...

NLW catches up on the macro in the wake of the recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting and interest rate decision. The stakes were higher going into this meeting thanks to the banking crisis. As the Federal Reserve stays determined to keep hiking, is commercial real estate poised to be the next challenge?    “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, wi...

Gary Gensler just doesn't stop. This week we’ve seen actions against Justin Sun, SushiSwap and now Coinbase. NLW covers the latest Wells Notice from the SEC and why Coinbase might prove a tougher opponent than what Gensler is used to.  “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our e...

NLW is joined by Ram Ahluwalia, CEO of Lumida Wealth Management. In this conversation, they discuss: The fall of Credit Suisse The Federal Reserve’s new Bank Term Funding Program and whether it’s inflationary  Why this crisis is currently deflationary  And more.  Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://o...

Just a week after backstopping Silicon Valley Bank and Signature, the FDIC is reportedly exploring how they could feasibly cover all US deposits. NLW explores the implications.   Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2e_E7wgxcjtfQ Google: https:/...

  Due to its global systemic importance, Credit Suisse appeared to be in serious trouble last week. In the past weekend, Swiss authorities, along with their counterparts in the US, EU, and UK, hammered out a deal that nobody is really happy with, aside from the fact that it may prevent banking contagion. Enjoying this content?   SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/i...