

The Breakdown
Blockworks
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/
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/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 24, 2021 • 14min
The Dreaded Federal Reserve Taper Is Coming
Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW examines the upcoming Federal Reserve winding down, or taper, of its support for the markets. This includes scaling back its bond-buying programs, a process that could begin as early as next month and conclude the middle of next year. Plus, the Fed may raise interest rates before the end of 2022. Additionally, on the Brief, he covers: A $50 million fundraise for a former ConsenSys exec A new social token focused accelerator Invesco and Galaxy team on crypto ETFs 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Only in Time” by Abloom. Image credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 23, 2021 • 21min
Snoop Is Medici? The Mainstream Infiltration Continues
Today on the Brief: BlockFi gets another extension Chainalysis’s secret data honeypot Robinhood crypto finally gets transfers In our main discussion, NLW talks how crypto has mainstreamed over the last year, including: Bitcoin for hedge funders Bitcoin for El Salvador NFTs for NBA fans NFTs for crypto OGs and celebrities He specifically looks at what rapper Snoop Dogg’s anon account disclosure in the space means for the future. 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Tidal Wave” by BRASKO. Image credit: Gary Miller/Getty Images Entertainment, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 22, 2021 • 15min
Did the SEC Really Serve Subpoenas at Mainnet?
Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at reports from Messari’s Mainnet conference that the Securities and Exchange Commission served one of the speakers with a subpoena right before a panel. He discusses: The growing tension between securities regulators and crypto lending and interest programs Why Coinbase backed down from its fight with the SEC about its upcoming Lend product The non-news from today’s Gary Gensler webinar OFAC’s first sanctions against a crypto exchange. 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Only in Time” by Abloom. Image credit: Lyubchik Prokopchuk/iStock/Getty Images Plus, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 21, 2021 • 14min
Why Is September So Bad for Bitcoin?
Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the historic weakness in the bitcoin market in the month of September. He examines: The numbers that show how persistent this trend has been Some anecdotal explanations for why it’s so Why September is the worst month for stocks historically The role of summer vacation and mutual fund fiscal years in that historic weakness The latest regulatory FUD around crypto and why stablecoins are the next big target 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Only in Time” by Abloom. Image credit: jokerpro/iStock/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 19, 2021 • 11min
Why a CBDC Would Make the Fed’s Job Miserable
A reading of JP Koning’s essay for Coindesk “Are Central Bankers Ready for Payments Theater?” 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Tidal Wave” by BRASKO. Image credit: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 19, 2021 • 12min
Securities Regulators in Texas, New Jersey and Alabama Go After Celsius
On this edition of “The Breakdown’s Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: The latest in China’s Evergrande crisis Texas and New Jersey target Celsius on their lending products Bitcoin adoption in Laos A wrap-up on the OpenSea NFT front running scandal 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Only in Time” by Abloom. Image credit: krisanapong detraphiphat/Moment/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 18, 2021 • 17min
Is China’s Evergrande Crisis a Global Systemic Risk?
Today’s show is a look at one of the most important but under-discussed macro events in the world today: the crisis surrounding China’s massive real estate developer Evergrande. The company’s share price has fallen more than 85% this year and around the country, people are protesting as more than 1.5 million deposits for homes were taken without fulfillment. In this episode, NLW looks at whether the risk is limited to just Evergrande, or whether it represents a larger systemic risk for China or the world as a whole. 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Tidal Wave” by BRASKO. Image credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 17, 2021 • 12min
Laos Does About-Face on Bitcoin to Attract China’s Mining-Ban Refugees
Today’s episode of “The Breakdown” looks at a variety of topics covering the evolving relationships between states and digital currencies, including: Inner Mongolia’s fight to keep crypto mining out Laos’ official about-face on crypto and attempt to attract China’s mining refugees CZ’s latest in Binance’s whistlestop tour to change regulators’ perception of the company Europe’s upcoming ECB trial Coinbase’s derivative ambitions And a big raise for Avalanche 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Only in Time” by Abloom. Image credit: Mlenny/E+/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 16, 2021 • 21min
Free Markets vs. Investor Protections: The Latest from Warren and Gensler on Crypto
Today on The Breakdown, NLW examines SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s testimony yesterday in front of the Senate Banking Committee. He discusses: How some allies from the Infrastructure Bill put the screws to Gensler on lack of clarity around securities designation How Gensler is trying to redefine stablecoins Warren and Gensler’s dubious understanding of ETH fees The central problem of free markets vs. investor protections NLW also covers the Solana outage and the reports of insider trading at OpenSea. 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Only in Time” by Abloom. Image credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk.

Sep 15, 2021 • 15min
What Billions in Crypto Fund Raises Tells Us About the State of Markets
On this episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at an array of recent fund announcements, including: Dan Tapiero and 10T’s $750 million Pantera raising a $600 million fund Jump Capital announcing a new $350 million fund with more focus on crypto and Jump Trading launching Jump Crypto Mets’ owner Steve Cohen investing in a high-frequency trading firm Bain Capital Ventures launching a dedicated crypto fund What does it say about the state of the crypto markets? Listen to find out. 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 NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell 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 “Tidal Wave” by BRASKO. Image credit: Feodora Chiosea/iStock/Getty Images Plus, modified by CoinDesk.


