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:

Apple CEO Tim Cook Reveals Crypto Holdings as BTC and ETH Hit New All-Time Highs Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

Last night both BTC and ETH hit new all-time highs. In today’s episode, NLW explores:

What on-chain analysis suggests about how this ATH differs from previous ones
Why some are pointing to institutional accumulation as driving the rally
What Apple CEO Tim Cook said when he revealed that he holds BTC and ETH

NYDIG, the institutional-grade platform for bitcoin, is making it possible for thousands of banks who have trusted relationships with hundreds of millions of customers, to offer Bitcoin. Learn more at NYDIG.com/NLW.

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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

What Elon Musk's $21B Tesla Sale Gambit Says About Markets Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at why the fracas around Elon Musk’s Twitter poll about his selling 10% of his Tesla stock is about much more than Tesla. It has implications for domestic politics, market structure and why crypto is the future.

Additionally, the Brief covers:

The NYC mayor-elect says bitcoin should be taught in schools
The latest on the infrastructure bill
Pension funds are moving into alternative assets to find yield

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: Samuel Corum/Bloomberg/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

The End of the Super Bubble vs. WAGMI Nov 07, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

On this week’s ”Long Reads Sunday,” NLW looks at two very different takes on the economy in threads by Raoul Pal and Alex Good.

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: VectorInspiration/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

What to Do About the Looming Disaster for Crypto in 6050I Nov 06, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

On this edition of “The Breakdown Weekly Recap,” NLW covers:

SEC Chair Gensler’s recent comments on crypto enforcement
The OCC concludes its crypto sprint
Why the crypto community is so concerned about Infrastructure Bill amendment 6050I
The vibe from NFT.NYC

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: smartboy10/DigitalVision Vectors/United Kingdom, modified by CoinDesk.

Central Banks Sending Worrisome Signals About the Economy Nov 06, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

On today’s episode, NLW gets macro with a discussion of a flattening of the yield curve and what increasingly seems like a failed yield curve control experiment in Australia. He looks at:

What the “yield curve” is
What a yield curve flattening or inversion is signaling
The latest from the U.S. Federal Reserve on tapering
Australia’s yield curve control problem

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: Nuthawut Somsuk/iStock/Getty Images Plus, modified by CoinDesk.

Why Some US Congressmen Are Asking Gensler About a Bitcoin Spot ETF Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

On today’s episode, NLW follows up on the burgeoning bitcoin-mayor competition between New York City’s Eric Adams and Miami’s Francis Suarez. The show’s main topic is an open letter sent by Congressional Blockchain Caucus co-chairs Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Darren Soto to Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler about the recent approvals of bitcoin futures-based exchange-traded funds. They argue it simply doesn’t make sense to approve a futures ETF but not a spot ETF that holds actual bitcoin. Surprise, surprise, the crypto community agrees.

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

New York City Gets Itself a Bitcoin Mayor Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

Despite (or perhaps because of) being one of the world’s great traditional financial hubs, New York has a contentious relationship with crypto. Between the BitLicense and a very active state attorney general, New York and crypto aren’t always simpatico. That’s why it has been exciting for many New Yorkers to see candidates of both parties advocating for New York City to become a crypto hub, and to do so in a way that benefits financial access and economic empowerment goals. NLW breaks down candidate statements and looks at the friendly competition brewing between NYC and Miami.

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images News, modified by CoinDesk.

What You Need to Know About Biden's Stablecoin Report Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

The President’s Working Group on Financial Markets has finally released its much-anticipated report on Stablecoins. In this episode, NLW breaks down:

The PWG’s three major concerns surrounding stablecoins
The significance of its recommendation that Congress legislate stablecoins
The reactions of the crypto community, stablecoin issuers and interested politicians

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: Samuel Corum/Bloomberg/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Top 5 Things That Happened in Crypto in October Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

NLW counts down the top 5 things to happen in crypto over the last month, including a DAO buying a Wu Tang clan album, top 5 US banks creating new crypto offerings, battles around SEC subpoenas and much more. Listen to find out why we will view October 2021 as a significant transitional month in bitcoin and crypto history.

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: CC DF Foto/iStock/Getty Images Plus, modified by CoinDesk.

Where Bitcoin Fits in a Post-Scarcity World Oct 31, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by NYDIG.

This week’s “Long Reads Sunday” is a reading of EY Global Blockchain Lead Paul Brody’s latest essay for CoinDesk: “We Are Already Living in a Post-Scarcity World.”

“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 “Dark Crazed Cap” by Isaac Joel. Image credit: Nuthawut Somsuk/iStock/Getty Images Plus, modified by CoinDesk.

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