The Breakdown

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'Putin's Price Hike' vs. 'Bidenflation': The Blame Battle on Inflation Heats Up Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

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

March saw the U.S.’ highest year-over-year inflation print since 1981, coming in at 8.5%. NLW explores why the discussion around inflation is taking an even more pitched and aggressive turn and how the market responded to the March numbers.

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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.

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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. 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: Sean Gallup/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Janet Yellen’s Shifting Tone on Crypto Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

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

At the beginning of her tenure as Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen gave a number of indications that she was going to be a tough partner for crypto. In a speech last week, the industry got a glimpse of how much her tone had shifted. NLW explores how much this shift has to do with the Biden administration’s Executive Order on crypto as well as the possibility that it reflects a new understanding stemming from engaging with crypto in the context of sanctions on Russia.

“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: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Bloomberg via Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

The Race to the First Central Bank Digital Currency Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

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

According to the Biden administration, more than 100 countries worldwide are working on central bank digital currencies. On today’s episode, NLW does a survey of the places that are farthest along and looks at the great power competition between China, Europe and the U.S. around CBDCs.

“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. 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: Francesco Carta fotografo/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Bitcoin Mining and the Return of Realpolitik Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

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

This week’s “Long Reads Sunday” features two essays on the strategic imperative of bitcoin mining.

Crypto Mining, the Energy Crisis, and the End of ESG - Nic Carter

Why Bitcoin Mining Is a Matter of National Security - Ben Caselin

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

Russia’s Plan to Force the World to Use Rubles Apr 09, 2022

Show notes

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

On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the latest news regarding Russia’s economy. Vladimir Putin is trying to leverage energy exports to prop up the ruble. But can he really make Europe and the rest of the world pay with rubles? And if he does, what are the implications for the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency?

“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: Manuel Augusto Moreno/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Laura Shin on Greed, Hacks and Crypto Idealism Apr 09, 2022

Show notes

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

Laura Shin is the host of “Unchained,” one of the best known and longest running crypto podcasts. She is also the author of the new book “The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze.” In today’s episode, she and NLW discuss the early days of Ethereum, including her theory on who was behind The DAO hack that ended up causing Ethereum to fork.

Find our guest on Twitter: @laurashin

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

The Stablecoin TRUST Act Could Enshrine Financial Privacy Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

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

One of crypto’s biggest allies in the Senate, Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), has just released a discussion draft of a bill that would clarify stablecoin legislation. On today’s episode, NLW breaks down what the bill includes and why some in the crypto space are calling it a major step forward for financial privacy.

“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: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

JPMorgan: ‘Bitcoin Shows Some Merit as a Store of Value’ Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

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

JPMorgan has launched two new monthly research reports on the crypto industry, including one on markets and one focused on bitcoin mining. In today’s episode, NLW breaks down the inaugural editions of each, and argues that they are another suggestion of the “post-narrative” phase of crypto institutionalization.

“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: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

The UK’s New Push to Be a Global Crypto Hub Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

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

On today’s episode, NLW explores the seeming about-face by the British government on crypto. He first explores the recent tension around a March 31 registration deadline imposed by the country’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that has left many British crypto companies looking abroad. Then, he looks at news yesterday of a major push by the British Treasury to make the country into an innovation hub around crypto and digital assets – going so far as to say that they will mint an official NFT.

Consensus 2022, the industry’s most influential event, is happening June 9–12 in Austin, TX. 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.

“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: Justin Tallis/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Is Elon's 9.2% Stake in Twitter a Web 3 Play? Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

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.

“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: Christian Marquardt/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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