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BREAKDOWN: Is Elon's 9.2% Stake in Twitter a Web 3 Play? Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

Elon Musk’s $3 billion bet has many speculating about who might be unbanned.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

Elon Musk has been talking about Twitter a lot lately. He did a poll asking whether it should make its algorithm open source (80% said “yes”). Another poll asked if Twitter lived up to the principles of free speech, and over 70% of more than 2 million respondents said no. With the announcement today that Musk had purchased a 9.2% stake in Twitter (more than 4x the 2.25% stake of co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey), everyone is speculating about what he might do about it.

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“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Christian Marquardt/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BREAKDOWN: Where Europe Fits In a Tech-Powered World Apr 03, 2022

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A reading of two pieces on Europe, technology and regulation.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads:

On the EU Giving Up - Punk6529

Crypto Should Disrupt Current Anti-Money Laundering Practices, Not Adopt Them - Boaz Sobrado

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with today’s editing by Rob Mitchell and Eleanor Pahl, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: artJazz/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BREAKDOWN: The New/Old Bitcoin FUD Cycle Apr 02, 2022

Show notes

The bitcoin community spent the week re-discovering bitcoin is for criminals and is boiling the oceans.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

Today on the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at two old bitcoin FUDs that came roaring back with a vengeance. The “crypto is for criminals” narrative was built into the assumption that led the European Parliament to vote in favor of advancing strict new anti-money laundering (AML) rules with regard to crypto wallets. Meanwhile, Greenpeace, funded by the chairman of Ripple, decided to start a campaign to get Bitcoin to change its code to be more environmentally friendly.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Zephyr18/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BREAKDOWN: The Geopolitics of Crypto, With Jill Gunter Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

The Expresso Systems strategist joins to discuss bitcoin, macro, politics and more.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW is joined by Espresso Systems co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Jill Gunter. She is also an investor with Slow Ventures and the former co-founder of the Open Money Initiative. In this discussion, they cover:

The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on crypto and the global money system
The evolution of the crypto industry since the last crypto winter
Changing consumer expectations around privacy
And more

Find our guest on Twitter: @jillrgunter

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: paparazzit/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BREAKDOWN: The European Union vs. Self-Hosted Crypto Wallets Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

A vote in the EU parliament presents a new challenge for crypto on the continent.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

The EU Parliament today voted to advance new anti-money laundering (AML) rules that would require European crypto asset service providers to collect and verify information about the beneficial owners of all self-hosted (or “unhosted,” to use their terms) wallet owners. The crypto industry sees this as a fundamental threat to decentralized finance (DeFi) and many other parts of the industry. NLW explains sentiment on both sides and what happens from here.

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“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: SEAN GLADWELL/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BREAKDOWN: The Market Indicator Flashing ‘Recession’ Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

Why the U.S. Treasury yield curve inverted and what it means.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

Since 1955, every U.S. recession has been preceded by the inversion of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, meaning that short-dated notes had higher yields than long-dated bonds. Only one time during that period was this a false indicator. On today’s episode, NLW explores yesterday’s yield curve inversion and the market’s interpretation of what they think it means.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Malte Mueller/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NEW MONEY: From Reality TV to Behind Your Phone Screen. Catching Up With the Victor Twin Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

How can the barrier to entry to crypto be lowered so that everyone can take advantage of new technology?

Joining “New Money” hosts Spencer Dinwiddie and Solo Ceesay are OG reality stars Gabrielle Victor and Danielle Victor, better known as the “Victor Twins.” The twins have successfully monetized their life since their rise to popularity while on reality show “Bad Girls.” They’ve worked to be their genuine selves while posting to social media, and their fans love the authenticity that comes with their content. Even better, the two have found a way to monetize their personalities and daily lives through social media.

Though social media offers a legitimate career path for many creators today, they are still bound to the structure and income that platforms offer. With crypto and blockchain technology, creators can be empowered to determine their own worth. How can a future decentralized social media improve the lives of creators?

Watch the full episode here.

“New Money With Spencer and Solo” is produced by CoinDesk. Our theme music is “Street Knowledge” by KC Carter. Art design is by Calaxy/CoinDesk.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BREAKDOWN: Why Is Bitcoin Going Up? Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Is it geopolitics, a bid from a stablecoin project, or both?

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the last two days of bullish momentum and sentiment. Is it being driven by geopolitics and a broad recognition around the Russia-Ukraine war of bitcoin’s importance in a volatile world? Is it the market reacting to Do Kwon and Terra’s multibillion-dollar bid to build an asset reserve for the UST stablecoin? Or is it, like always, some combination of narrative and market structure?

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Malte Mueller/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BREAKDOWN: Bitcoin’s Allies in the US Senate Are Increasing Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand are teaming up on comprehensive crypto legislation.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Arculus and FTX US.

On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the news that long-time Bitcoin advocate Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) is now working with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on what aspires to be comprehensive crypto legislation. The addition of Gillibrand into the mix underscores the growing bipartisan support for Bitcoin and crypto. Additionally, four House Democrats have introduced the ECASH Act to keep privacy in digital money.

On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at recent comments from the leader of the world’s largest asset manager on Ukraine and digital currencies, as well as other important updates from the crypto industry, including India’s passing of a finance bill with crypto taxation and El Salvador’s delay of their bitcoin bond.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SOB: New Lessons From the Island of Stone Bitcoins Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

Revisiting the story of Yap and Rai stone money yields surprising new insights about bitcoin today.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io and Wrejects.com.

In this visit to one of the earliest pre-bitcoin examples of a very bitcoin-like technology, correspondent George Frankly learns some valuable lessons about where convenience, belief and control collide.

Wrejects Galactic Wrestling League is a play-to-earn, turn-based online fighting game, boasting a unique collection of fighters, all with their own special moves, strengths, weaknesses and artwork. Find out how you can get in on the action and be there for the first drop on March 31 at Wrejects.com.

Album art courtesy of Einsamer Schütze, modified CC BY 4.0

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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