

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

Jun 23, 2023 • 24min
The Value Prop - Digital Asset Use Cases with Rebecca Rettig
Rebecca Rettig is the Chief Policy Officer at Polygon Labs and recently spearheaded The Value Prop -- a new project creating a database of digital asset use cases. APOLOGIES FOR POOR NLW AUDIO - WE HAD A RIVERSIDE MISHAP! Read the announcement here: https://twitter.com/RebeccaRettig1/status/1669327966503829506 Check out the Value Prop https://thevalueprop.io/ Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Jun 22, 2023 • 1h 6min
The Bear Market is Over with Dan Tapiero
Dan Tapiero has deployed more than a billion dollars into growth stage digital asset companies in the last few years. He's also convinced that the bear market is over. In this conversation, he and NLW discuss the narrative resilience of crypto with institutional investors; why companies are looking global, and more. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Jun 21, 2023 • 13min
Bitcoin SMASHES Through $30,000 As Institutional Excitement Returns
Bitcoin is up above $30,000 and the return of the institutional narrative is driving it. NLW explores the good and bad. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Jun 20, 2023 • 15min
Do Kwon Goes To Jail
Do Kwon, sentenced to four months for fake passport, discusses his recent arrest and sentencing. The podcast also covers a defamation lawsuit against ZachXBT and updates on Sam's trial and extradition. There is a discussion on the high costs and slow progress in bankruptcy proceedings.

Jun 19, 2023 • 14min
Does Anyone Care About Tether's Chinese Paper?
On today's episode, NLW looks at the (non) reaction of the crypto community to news that Tether held Chinese bank debt in 2021. The show also covers reactions to the Binance-SEC hearing last week. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Jun 19, 2023 • 10min
Are Memecoins Silly Fun or an Existential Grift?
This podcast explores the negative implications of pumping valueless tokens and the exploitative behavior of grifter influencers. It suggests humorous punishments for offenders and discusses the paradox of permissionlessness in blockchain communities. The concept of a citizens assembly in the Ethereum community is introduced, promoting responsible behavior. The importance of community defense mechanisms in shaping the crypto space is highlighted.

Jun 17, 2023 • 16min
The Prometheum WTF: Is This an SEC Grift Just to Mess Up Crypto Legislation?
This is truly one of the weirdest stories in crypto this year. Today NLW dives deep on Prometheum, a company that only showed up on most people's radar this week when their CEO inexplicably testified before Congress. Was it all a big SEC Grift? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Jun 16, 2023 • 15min
Is BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Application A Political Message?
World's largest asset manager BlackRock has filed for a Bitcoin spot ETF. They've been approved for 575 out of their last 576 ETF applications. Given that there are no indications that the SEC has changed its tune on spot ETFs, the industry is left asking: what does Larry Fink know that we don't? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Jun 15, 2023 • 14min
The Fed Pauses For The First Time In 15 Months (But Don't Call It A "Pause"!)
The podcast discusses the Fed's decision to pause interest rate hikes for the first time. It explores conflicting economic projections, market reactions, and concerns about inflation and credit tightening. The Fed's cautious approach and belief in achieving a soft landing are also mentioned.

Jun 14, 2023 • 16min
Hinman Emails Show SEC Just Making It Up As It Goes Along
Yesterday three consequential legal events happened. Former SEC officer Bill Hinman's emails were released; the SEC was forced to respond to Coinbase; and Binance had their hearing on the SEC's emergency asset freeze request. NLW covers all of the important details. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW


