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 13, 2023 • 16min
A Massive Day For Crypto in the Courts
Today in Federal Courts: the Hinman docs get unsealed in Ripple vs. SEC; SEC has to respond to Coinbase; and Binance US in court around SEC request to freeze assets. Plus the new #FireGary bill introduced by Congressional Republicans. 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 12, 2023 • 15min
The Altcoin Apocalypse: Understanding Crypto's Weekend Crash
The podcast discusses the recent Altcoin Apocalypse in the crypto market, including the impact of regulatory uncertainty, delisting of certain coins by Robinhood, SEC's lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase, movement of Binance's reserves, market makers and liquidity, and the speculation about criminal charges and negative sentiment surrounding regulators.
Jun 11, 2023 • 13min
The SEC's Crypto Legal Battles Aren't Easy
On this Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads: The New Crypto Bill Gary Gensler Doesn’t Want You to Know About - David Z Morris The SEC Has Started an All-In Political Battle Over Crypto - Michael J Casey 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 10, 2023 • 14min
TradFi Wants To Run Crypto
Operation Chokepoint 2.0 hasn't stopped savvy tradfi investors from smelling an opportunity. This week, revealing and emblematic comments from the leader of Soros' funds show how tradifitional financiers are seeing opportunity in the carnage. 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 9, 2023 • 10min
A Crypto Custodian Becomes the Latest Casualty
BitGo's acquisition of Prime Trust and Binance suspending fiat rails in the US due to upcoming hearings are discussed. The podcast highlights the potential impact of Prime Trust's acquisition on the crypto industry and SEC Chair Gary Gensler's views on crypto regulations.
Jun 8, 2023 • 13min
Before Suing Them, Gary Gensler Once Offered to Be A Binance Advisor
Binance has alleged that Gary Gensler previously offered to be an advisor to the company. They say that this means that he should recuse himself from any proceedings having to do with Binance. Meanwhile the SEC says, basically, that CZ used Binance US like a personal piggy bank. It's messy out there, folks. Are we at the SEC Crypto endgame? This week the regulator has sued Binance and Coinbase and made it clear they want crypto gone from America. Unfortunately for them, the industry isn't backing down. 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 7, 2023 • 18min
The Crypto Community's Defiant Reaction to Gensler's Coinbase Lawsuit
Are we at the SEC Crypto endgame? This week the regulator has sued Binance and Coinbase and made it clear they want crypto gone from America. Unfortunately for them, the industry isn't backing down. 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 6, 2023 • 17min
Ban By Enforcement: The SEC Sues Binance and Coinbase
The podcast discusses the recent SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase, focusing on the strategy of 'banning by enforcement.' Topics include allegations against Binance, lack of financial controls, SEC's legal actions, coordination between the cases, and mixed reactions to the SEC's actions.
Jun 5, 2023 • 18min
The Most Important Crypto Bill of 2023
On Friday, the chairs of the House Financial Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee shared draft legislation that is meant to comprehensively deal with the thorniest issues of crypto regulation, including securities-commodities designation. NLW gives a 101 on what the bill says, and what comes next. 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 4, 2023 • 14min
Bitcoin Prehistory and A Warren Buffett AI Bot
On this week's Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads two pieces by Byron Gilliam: Crypto's family tree Will the next Warren Buffett be an AI bot? 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
