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:

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

Show notes

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

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“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.

The New/Old Bitcoin FUD Cycle Apr 02, 2022

Show notes

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.

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 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.

The Geopolitics of Crypto, With Jill Gunter Apr 02, 2022

Show notes

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.

The European Union vs. Self-Hosted Crypto Wallets Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

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.

The Market Indicator Flashing ‘Recession’ Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

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.

Why Is Bitcoin Going Up? Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

Bitcoin’s Allies in the US Senate Are Increasing Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

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.

Post-Modern Monetary Theory Mar 27, 2022

Show notes

On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads two macro-themed Twitter threads.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Post-Modern Monetary Theory

Lyn Alden: The problem with leverage

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

BlackRock’s Larry Fink Says Ukraine Conflict Could Accelerate Digital Currencies Mar 26, 2022

Show notes

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

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

Inside China and Russia's Battle Against the US Dollar Mar 26, 2022

Show notes

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

NLW explores how the global monetary order is shifting. Specifically, he looks at Putin’s demand that Russian energy now be paid for in rubles, as well as the growing discussion between Saudi Arabia and China to price Saudi oil in the 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 “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: detkov dmitrii/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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