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BREAKDOWN: Bitcoin Fixes This – Canada Protest Edition Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

As the Canadian government claims emergency powers, people are discussing the implications for financial freedom.

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

Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW digs into the recent news from Canada. Specifically, he looks at the activation of the Emergencies Act which, among other things, will allow banks and financial institutions to freeze the funds of citizens suspected to be involved in the protests – without due process and without liability. The action is drawing serious ire and shining a light on the importance of alternative financial systems.

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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 “Vision” by OBOY. Image credit: Gavin John/Bloomberg/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: US Treasury Department Won’t Go After Miners, and BlockFi Settles With the SEC Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

It has been a busy few days for crypto in Washington, D.C.

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

Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW covers a set of news from the past few days, including:

U.S. Treasury Dept. sends a letter to six concerned senators, saying it won’t be including miners and validators in the agency’s definition of a broker
BlockFi settles with the SEC
YouTube and OnlyFans get deeper into crypto and NFTs
Crypto and geopolitics from New Hampshire, El Salvador and Europe

“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 “Vision” by OBOY. Image credit: Khaichuin Sim/Moment/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: A Brief Look at Bitcoin Maximalism Feb 13, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Speaking of Bitcoin, join hosts Adam B. Levine, Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Stephanie Murphy and Jonathan Mohan for a discussion about the origins and evolution of Bitcoin maximalism.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io.

Bitcoin maximalists – the self-described pro-Bitcoin, anti-altcoin faithful – have been around for longer than most modern crypto projects. The term was coined by Vitalik Buterin prior to Ethereum's release. Buterin intended the term to be a direct criticism of individuals with an unwavering view that Bitcoin was the only true option for cryptographic token usecases.

In this episode as we explore the phenomenons' motivation and roots, we also draw from Speaking of Bitcoin's extensive library. It features the very first recorded explanation of why there should only be one cryptocurrency and why should be bitcoin as explained by Hashcash inventor and bitcoin developer Adam Back . That clip is excerpted from episode 33 (December 2013) before Adam became personally involved. It's a fascinating journey and one you won't want to miss.

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Credits

Today’s show featured Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Jonathan Mohan, Stephanie Murphy and Adam B. Levine, with editing by Adam B. Levine and music by Gurtybeats.com. Our episode art was created by Adam B. Levine/pixelmind.ai

Any questions or comments? Send us an email at adam@speakingofbitcoin.show

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BREAKDOWN: NFTs, Markets and What Happens Next Feb 13, 2022

Show notes

A sample of the most interesting threads from Crypto Twitter.

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

On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday," NLW reads three threads:

Justin Kan on why NFTs are a better business model for games
RAC on what NFT skeptics should know
Chris Burniske on the 2022 crypto outlook

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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 “Vision” by OBOY. Image credit: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg via 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: How This Week's House and Senate Hearings Suggest a New Relationship Between Crypto and US Lawmakers Feb 12, 2022

Show notes

Hearings in the House and Senate were thoughtful and productive.

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

This week saw a hearing on stablecoins in the House and on crypto in general and the role of the CFTC in specific in the Senate. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW argues that both were thoughtful, productive and suggest that U.S. lawmakers are engaging with crypto like never before.

“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 “Vision” by OBOY. Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images News, 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 Game Theory Behind Russia's New Crypto Policy Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

Sticking it to the U.S., a hedge against China or both?

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

On today’s episode, NLW explores possible reasons why Russia’s recent 180 on cryptocurrencies might make sense. As the country prepares to legalize and regulate cryptos as a type of currency, he looks at things from the lens of Russia’s relationship with the U.S. and desire to avoid being cut off from the SWIFT network, as well as from the lens of Russia’s relationship with China, and China’s (possible) desire to have a non-sovereign alternative to a future digital yuan.

“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 “Vision” by OBOY. Image credit: masterSergeant/iStock/Getty Images Plus, 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: What's More Important – BlackRock Trading Crypto or 7.5% Inflation? Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

Crypto is being driven in different directions by different market forces.

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

Today Twitter was alight with discussion of the biggest inflation print since 1982. With 7.5% inflation, a hike of 50 basis points is looking more and more likely in March. This should be bad news for risk assets. On the other hand, bitcoin and crypto are being buoyed by other macro forces. Notably, news broke yesterday that the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, is likely to begin allowing clients to trade crypto. As many have pointed out – it’s hard to be bearish when that type of adoption is happening. So which of these forces have a stronger impact on bitcoin and crypto?

“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 “Vision” by OBOY. Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images News, 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: As the US Seizes $3.6B in BTC, a Frontline Story From the 2016 Bitfinex Hack, With Zane Tackett Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

An interview with the former Bitfinex head of community and product.

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

Yesterday the U.S. government arrested two individuals in connection with money laundering and the 2016 Bitfinex hack that saw nearly 120,000 BTC stolen. They also announced the confiscation of around 94,000 of the purloined BTC - worth about $3.6 billion today. On today’s episode, NLW is joined by Zane Tackett, who was the director of community and product development during the Bitfinex hack in August 2016. Zane shares what the experience was like and his perspective on how the industry has changed.

Find our guest on Twitter: @tackettzane

“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 “Vision” by OBOY. Image credit: wenjin chen/DigitalVision Vectors/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: Production Pride – Understanding What Goes Into Content Capture, Editing and Distribution Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

“The value in my brand is a really high-quality product.”

Austin Mills, a TV host for NBA Entertainment, joins “New Money” hosts Spencer Dinwiddie and Solo Ceesay to give viewers a backstage peek into the challenges and daily tasks of being a video content creator. Mills, a former Baylor University basketball player, is an extremely talented producer and has noticed significant payoff to improving the production quality in his content.

Recognizing the unique value a personal brand presents can hugely improve content reach. Enhancing and advancing that content even further will improve the outcome.

Outside of his production work, Mills has an interest in investments. He began investing in startups at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been invested in bitcoin since 2016. Mills’ strategy: “I like to risk, but I like to take safe risks.” Listen to learn more about Mills’ interest in crypto and NFTs.

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.

NFT ALL-STARS: Art NFTs, ‘Snow Crash’ and the Metaverse, Featuring FEWOCiOUS Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by TurboTax Live and Metapurse.fund.

“This space has changed my life. I’ve met people that make me feel understood for when so long I just thought the world was cruel … Now I’ve found my people.”

19-year-old NFT artist FEWOCiOUS joins “NFT All-Stars” hosts Artnome and Marguerite deCourcelle for a conversation on how NFTs have opened up access to the art world like never before. FEWOCiOUS explains the importance of art to him as a young, transgender artist and how his journey changed when he sold his first NFT. His career has exploded since then, and he recounts a recent high point with his series “Hello, i'm Victor (FEWOCiOUS) and This Is My Life” that went to auction at Christie’s in 2021.

Watch the full episode here.

TurboTax Live can match you with the right expert who has experience in your unique situation and can answer all of your tax questions. They can even take care of the whole filing process for you to get you the tax deductions you deserve. Visit turbotax.com to learn more.

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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