The Breakdown

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**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/

Latest Episodes:

Markets Are Betting On a 100bps Rate Hike This Month Jul 17, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs.

On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at:

The markets new expectations for a 100bps or 1% rate hike at this month’s FOMC meeting
3AC and Celsius news
Mt. Gox FUD
Bank protests in China

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. Learn more at nexo.io.

Chainalysis is the blockchain data platform. We provide data, software, services and research to government agencies, exchanges, financial institutions and insurance and cybersecurity companies. Our data powers investigation, compliance and market intelligence software that has been used to solve some of the world’s most high-profile criminal cases. For more information, visit www.chainalysis.com.

FTX US is the safe, regulated way to buy Bitcoin, ETH, SOL and other digital assets. Trade crypto with up to 85% lower fees than top competitors and trade ETH and SOL NFTs with no gas fees and subsidized gas on withdrawals. Sign up at FTX.US today.

Ava Labs releases Core, the free, non-custodial browser extension, built for the power of Avalanche. Core is an all-in-one operating system bringing together Avalanche apps, Subnets, bridges and NFTs in one seamless, high-performance experience. Eager to start using Web3 dapps to their fullest potential? Download today at core.app!

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/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M= Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: DNY59/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

A K-Shaped Recession? Jul 16, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs.

Is a recession coming? Are we in a recession already? Can we be in a recession with only 3.6% unemployment? On today’s episode, NLW explores the new narrative of recession starting to take hold in financial media (and American households).

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Peter Zelei Images /Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Giving Up the Ghost? It’s Chapter 11 Time for Celsius Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs.

On today’s episode, NLW covers Celsius moving into Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. This move has been anticipated for some time, but in advance Celsius sought to repay as many of its DeFi loans as possible. Also covered is a small but important decision in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s lawsuit against Ripple.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Cemile Bingol/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Now at 9.1%, Inflation Just Keeps Going Up Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs.

Nothing is more important to markets right now than how the Fed responds to inflation. On today’s show, NLW discusses the latest consumer price index numbers for June. He argues that they make it likely that the Fed continues with another 75 basis point hike at the FOMC meeting later this month, but also shows that the market believes they might even increase that to a full 1% hike.

The Battle Around Three Arrows Capital Jul 13, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs.

On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the latest in the battle involving toppled former crypto giant hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, including accusations from liquidators the fund’s founders were unresponsive, and accusations from Three Arrows that liquidators were causing harm to the fund by not exercising StarkWare warrants. NLW also gives the latest on Celsius, including why it’s covering its DeFi loans first.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Michal Grosicki/EyeEm/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Elon Pulls Out Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs.

After months of dithering, Elon Musk announced last Friday he would officially be pulling out of his deal to acquire Twitter for $44 billion. He cited as his reason a lack of transparency or clarity around the true number of bot accounts. In this episode, NLW describes what different commentators think is really going on. He also vibe-checks both crypto and TradFi as we head into what will likely be a big week in markets.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Can DAOs Do More Than Coordinate Money? Jul 10, 2022

Show notes

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

On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses:

“DAOs Are the Real Meritocracies” by Parker McCurley

“Why Brands Should Adopt a ‘Hybrid DAO’ Model” by Simon Yu

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. Learn more at nexo.io.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Boris Zhitkov/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

After Prime Minister Boris Johnson Resigns, Are the UK’s Crypto Hub Dreams Dead? Jul 10, 2022

Show notes

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

After years of what many would consider hostility to the industry, the British government did a major about-face in April when Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced the country’s intention to make the U.K. a global crypto hub. But as Sunak resigned as part of a mass exit leading to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation this week, that ideal seems unlikely.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

The Wall Street Journal Calls Out SEC Chairman Gensler Over Crypto Jul 09, 2022

Show notes

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

The crypto industry hasn’t been particularly pleased with the SEC under Gary Gensler. In particular, the continued rejections of bitcoin spot ETFs (even after a futures ETF was approved last year) have been particularly irksome – even leading to legal action. In this episode, NLW breaks down a recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal showing that it’s not just the crypto industry that is upset.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Should the People Making Crypto Policy Own No Crypto? Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

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

The U.S. Office of Government Ethics released rules this week that executive branch staffers who owned crypto would not be allowed to work on any crypto-related regulation. NLW explores the pros and cons of this, and expands the discussion to ethics and financial conflicts of interest more broadly.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: fStop Images - Antenna/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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