

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

4 snips
Dec 31, 2022 • 38min
Bitcoin Is Optimism, With Alex Gladstein
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today’s guest is Alex Gladstein, chief strategy officer at the Human Rights Foundation. Find our guest on Twitter: @gladstein - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our holiday theme music is "Spike The Eggnog" by Two Dudes. Music behind our sponsors today is “Back To The End” by Strength To Last. Image credit: Vasil Dimitrov/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 30, 2022 • 29min
Mike Dudas on Crypto Community Resilience
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today’s guest is Mike Dudas of 6th Man Ventures and LinksDAO. Find our guest on Twitter: @mdudas - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our holiday theme music is "Spike The Eggnog" by Two Dudes. Music behind our sponsors today is “Glasgow” by Falls. Image credit: We Are/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 29, 2022 • 33min
Muneeb Ali on the Future of Bitcoin Building
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today’s guest is Muneeb Ali, CEO of Trust Machines and founder of Stacks. Find our guest on Twitter: @muneeb - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our holiday theme music is "Spike The Eggnog" by Two Dudes. Music behind our sponsors today is “Back To The End” by Strength To Last. Image credit: Namthip Muanthongthae/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 29, 2022 • 26min
Sam Abbassi on Why Proof of Reserves Matters Now
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today’s guest is Sam Abbassi, founder and CEO of Hoseki. Find our guest on Twitter: @samabbassi - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our holiday theme music is "Spike The Eggnog" by Two Dudes. Music behind our sponsors today is “Glasgow” by Falls. Image credit: Velishchuk/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 28, 2022 • 34min
The New Crypto Policy Blueprint, With Kristin Smith
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today’s guest is Kristin Smith, executive director of the Blockchain Association. Find our guest on Twitter: @KMSmithDC - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our holiday theme music is "Spike The Eggnog" by Two Dudes. Music behind our sponsors today is “Back To The End” by Strength To Last. Image credit: ANDREY DENISYUK/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 26, 2022 • 32min
Why Bitcoin Is Thriving, With Alyse Killeen
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today’s guest is Alyse Killeen, founder and general partner at Stillmark. Find our guest on Twitter: @AlyseKilleen - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our holiday theme music is "Spike The Eggnog" by Two Dudes. Music behind our sponsors today is “Glasgow” by Falls. Image credit: alashi/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 24, 2022 • 13min
The Top 10 Things That Happened in Bitcoin 2022
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On this year’s final “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads “The 10 Biggest Developments in Bitcoin in 2022” by Cory Klippsten, Tomer Strolight and Sam Callahan. - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our holiday theme music is "Spike The Eggnog" by Two Dudes. Music behind our sponsors today is “Back To The End” by Strength To Last. Image credit: Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 23, 2022 • 40min
Ryan Selkis on the Crypto Outlook for 2023
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today’s guest is Messari CEO Ryan Selkis. Find our guest on Twitter: @twobitidiot Read Crypto Theses for 2023: messari.io/crypto-theses-for-2023 - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsors today is “Glasgow” by Falls. Image credit: Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 23, 2022 • 17min
Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison Plead Guilty to Fraud as SBF Lands In US
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. In breaking news last night, Sam Bankman-Fried was extradited from the Bahamas to the U.S. to face charges ranging from wire fraud to campaign finance fraud. Almost as soon as the plane took off, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that Alameda’s Caroline Ellison and FTX’s Gary Wang had pleaded guilty and were cooperating with prosecutors. NLW breaks down everything we learned in the last 24 hours. - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsors today is “Back To The End” by Strength To Last. Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Dec 22, 2022 • 17min
Why Are a Dead Guy's Crypto Coins Moving?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Ah, what a perfect way to end a year of fraud, deception and disappointment. Earlier this week, on-chain sleuths noticed that more than 100 BTC were on the move from wallets that were controlled by and theoretically only accessible to former QuadrigaCX CEO Gerald Cotten. The problem? Cotten was supposed to have died in December of 2018. - Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company ensures the safety of your funds and keeps innovating with products like the Nexo Wallet - a non-custodial smart wallet that allows you to create your Web3 identity. Get early access at nexo.io/wallet. - Circle, the sole issuer of the trusted and reliable stablecoin USDC, is our sponsor for today’s show. USDC is a fast, cost-effective solution for global payments at internet speeds. Learn how businesses are taking advantage of these opportunities at Circle’s USDC Hub for Businesses. - Kraken, the secure, trusted digital asset exchange, is our sponsor for today's show. Kraken makes it easy to instantly buy 185+ cryptocurrencies with fast, flexible funding options. Your account is covered by regular Proof of Reserves audits, industry-leading security and award-winning Client Engagement, available 24/7. Sign up and trade today at kraken.com/breakdown. - Cryptowatch is the last crypto app you’ll ever need. Track prices up to two times faster than other apps. Catch market movements as they happen with powerful charting tools and custom alerts. Sync your portfolio and trade across multiple exchanges. And stay in the community conversation with leading influencers on Cryptowatch Social. cryptowatch.app.link/social. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsors today is “Glasgow” by Falls. Image credit: solar22/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.


