The Breakdown

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode, NLW looks at a set of three reports around crypto out of the Treasury Department as well as examines the White House’s just-released framework for digital assets. He argues there are big, important questions that remain unaddressed. - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   At 2:44 a.m. ET Thursday, Ethereum successfully transitioned from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. On today’s show, NLW breaks down what that means for the network’s security and economics and looks at the political dimensions that could impact Bitcoin and the rest of the crypto industry.  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode, NLW catches listeners up on the latest news in crypto, including: Arrest warrants for Do Kwon and others from Terra El Salvador Bond Repurchase program  Crypto regulatory and enforcement news from Uruguay and Argentina  Canada’s Prime Minister makes bitcoin a campaign issue    - Nexo is a security-first platform wh...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   July’s inflation report provided the first glimmers that the U.S. might have turned a corner in its fight against inflation. For the past several days, investors have been betting on a continuation of that trend from July into August. Unfortunately, the inflation print for August came in hotter than expected, sending markets reeling a...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   Bitcoin was up 15% over the weekend. Stocks have seen four days of green. The reason? Investors are anticipating that August’s inflation numbers (to be released on Tuesday) will show another monthly reduction in the inflation rate, suggesting that we’re past peak inflation. Will they be proven right?  - Nexo is a security-first platfo...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW digs in on the latest speech from SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. It appears reasonable, but does the crypto industry believe him?  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds by employing five key fun...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode, NLW examines the new report from the White House about crypto mining and its impact on climate change. He argues that the report is effectively a Rorschach test for people’s prior beliefs about what they expect or want the White House to say about crypto mining.  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can bu...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   The discussion around a United States-issued central bank digital currency is heating up, but not in the way one might expect. Increasingly, U.S. regulators and elected officials are showing signs of skepticism about a CBDC, particularly a retail CBDC.  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode, NLW celebrates his 38th birthday with 38 lessons we’ve learned in the last year, from inflation to macro to geopolitics to crypto.  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds by employing five key fundamentals includin...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the latest in the European energy crisis, including: Gazprom keeping the Nord Stream pipeline closed Russian officials saying the reason for the closure is sanctions Energy bailout plans crystalizing in Germany and the U.K.    - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, ex...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Today on “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses David Z. Morris’ “The Perverse Impacts of the Anti-Money-Laundering System.” - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds by employing five key fundamentals including real-time auditing an...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. NLW reviews the key events from August with an eye to how they will shape September and the fall, including: Sanctions The Merge Institutionalization Fundraising  Regulation, legislation and enforcement  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   Today NLW looks at the shifting Fed narrative. We’ve moved from “soft landing” to “softish landing” to “growth recession” as the goal for monetary policy. With the jobs report coming in slightly stronger than expected, what does it suggest for the September Fed meeting?  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode, we look at the District of Columbia’s new lawsuit against Michael Saylor claiming that he has lived in D.C. for more than the requisite 183 days a year that would require him to pay taxes. NLW explores the reactions to the news, as well as previewing what he predicts will be an action-packed autumn when it comes to...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode, NLW does a global regulatory check-in, focused on: A veto for crypto mining regulation in Paraguay Brazil’s biggest bank exploring decentralized finance with the central bank El Salvador sees more Bitcoin Bond delays  South Korea suggests initial coin offering ban has been a failure    - Nexo is a security-first pl...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   European energy markets have been roiled as the price of energy futures rockets to up to 30 times the five-year average. In the U.K., restrictions on the cost of energy have been lifted, increasing prices by two to five times overnight. Across Europe, governments are considering radical interventions. NLW breaks down what’s going on w...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   The week ended badly. Equities were down big and over the weekend crypto followed, with bitcoin (BTC) dipping under $20,000 and ether (ETH) losing 14% following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech Friday at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. On today’s episode NLW explores how the markets are internalizing the reality of a “higher-for-lo...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Nic Carter’s “If Ethereum Starts Slashing, It Burns.” - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company safeguards your crypto by relying on five key fundamentals including real-time auditing and insurance on custodial assets. Lea...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: A new stock settlement system The latest on the arrested Tornado Cash developer  The passing of hedge fund legend Julian Robertson    - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company safeguards your crypto by relying on five...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   Each year, U.S. central bankers gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to discuss big-picture changes in medium- and long-term monetary policy and the economy. This year, the markets have been watching extra closely for signals about whether the Federal Reserve would be taking a turn to the dovish.  - Nexo is a security-first platform where...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest news on Tornado Cash sanctions. Specifically, he looks at Tether’s announcement this week that the stablecoin issuer would not blacklist addresses from Tornado Cash unless U.S. law enforcement specifically asked it to do so.  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange an...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   According to reports, U.S. President Joe Biden is about to finally take action on student debt relief, wiping away $10,000 in federal debt for those making less than $125,000 a year (or $250,000 as a married couple). While the debate started on the campaign trail in 2020 as one of economic fairness and justice, today it is almost enti...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.   Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW explores Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler’s latest op-ed on crypto regulation, in the Wall Street Journal. NLW also explores whether conservative accusations of overreach are moving a crypto industry battle into the political mainstream.  - Nexo is a security-first platform where you...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.On today’s episode, NLW looks at the state of the U.S. discussion about a central bank digital currency. Based on statements from the Federal Reserve, members of Congress and others, does it look like the U.S. is headed towards a CBDC? In fact, NLW argues, it seems like there is a strong lack of urgency about a U.S. digital dollar.  - Ne...

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “Let Ugly Ducklings Grow: Why Crypto Needs a Safe Harbor” by Michael Casey “Safe Harbor 2.0” by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce    - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company safeguards your crypto by relying on five key fun...