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:

How Crypto Can Help the Nascent Cannabis Industry Apr 24, 2022

Show notes

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

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

Cannabis and Crypto - Brett Harrison
Bitcoin is boring? - Jurrien Timmer
Morgan Stanley on Lightning - Alex Gladstein

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Consensus 2022, the industry’s most influential event, is happening June 9–12 in Austin, Texas. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the fast-moving world of crypto, Web 3 and NFTs, this is the festival experience for you. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass at www.coindesk.com/consensus2022.

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 today's editing by Eleanor Pahl and Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Jared Schwartz 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: skodonnell/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

The Return of Bitcoin ETF Optimism Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

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

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

Bitcoin spot ETF optimism in the U.S.
Australian spot ETFs coming next week
Coinbase’s new NFT features
Stripe adding crypto payouts

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: Nuthawut Somsuk/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Why the Housing Market Is so F%#@ing Insane Right Now Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

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

Housing prices around the country are up 19.2% this year, and 30% since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Videos of desperate couples and families lining up for open houses have become mainstays of social media. In today’s episode, NLW gives a primer on what’s going on and why the roots of the problem go back to the Global Financial Crisis.

“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. Jared Schwartz 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 Bradbury/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Why Crypto Matters for Emerging Markets Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

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

Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW covers two topics. First, he looks at a new Chainalysis report on which countries realized the biggest crypto gains in 2021, and specifically how that list differs from the rank of countries by GDP. Second, he looks at new sanctions on mining firm BitRiver and what it means for the geopolitics of bitcoin mining.

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: Vasil Dimitrov/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Crypto's Liminal Phase Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

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

On today’s episode, NLW examines what he is calling “Crypto’s Liminal Phase.” He argues the crypto industry specifically and the macroeconomic landscape as a whole are in a transitional phase. In terms of crypto, he points to a transitory market cycle, regulatory discourse and mass adoption cycle as examples.

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: Jorm Sangsorn/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

IMF Financial Stability Report Highlights Crypto Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

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

On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest Financial Stability report from the International Monetary Fund. The report looks at how the war in Ukraine is impacting financial stability. NLW argues that it sends mixed messages on crypto – arguing that the war highlights a set of new risks arising from cryptocurrencies while also recognizing that the prognostications of sanctions evasion haven’t come to pass.

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Economists See Increasing Risk of Recession and Stagflation Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

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

Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW explores the growing chorus of economists who think the U.S. is headed towards a recession as the inevitable consequence of the Federal Reserve’s attempt to fight inflation. He also looks at the growing discourse around whether we’re headed toward a staflagtionary period of high inflation and low economic growth.

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: Hoowy/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Why Crypto Isn’t Just the Great Financial Crisis, Part 2 Apr 17, 2022

Show notes

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

On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Michael Casey’s “No, DeFi Is Not a Repeat of the 2008 Crisis.”

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: bedo/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Would a Private Twitter Owned by Elon Musk Be Better for Free Speech? Apr 16, 2022

Show notes

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

The Elon Musk-Twitter saga continues! Today, Musk announced an offer to buy 100% of Twitter at $54.20 a share, saying that it was important for free speech and the company needed to be taken private to undergo necessary changes. NLW explores reactions to the announcement, from those who think a Twitter under Musk would be a huge boon to free speech to those who just aren’t buying it.

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: Win McNamee/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Web 3 Gobsmacked as Meta Announces 47.5% Creator Fees Apr 16, 2022

Show notes

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

On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW explores whether large firms – either from traditional finance or big tech – can be good actors in the Web 3 space? He specifically explores BlackRock’s Circle investment, Meta’s fee announcement and Epic Games’ new funding to build its own metaverse.

“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. Jared Schwartz 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: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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