A daily analysis of macroeconomics, bitcoin, geopolitics and big picture power shifts, hosted by Nathaniel Whittemore @nlw. The Breakdown is produced and distributed by CoinDesk.
Is CZ a Flight Risk? DOJ Says He Is
The crypto industry is getting used to the post-CZ, post-Binance settlement world. Is CZ a flight risk? Is this all just good for crypto? Might it even be good for Binance?
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27/11/2023 • 16 minutes 5 seconds
CZ Guilty, Binance Settles Criminal Charges with the US Gov't
A major and dramatic conclusion to the Binance story. CZ is OUT and has pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Binance itself will face a $4.3B fine. BUT...it lives to fight another day.
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23/11/2023 • 13 minutes 34 seconds
The SEC Sues Kraken (Again?!)
10 months after settling with the regulator, the SEC is going after Kraken again. NLW explores the allegations and the crypto legal community's interpretation. Hint: more shots on goal to convince a judge tokens are securities.
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21/11/2023 • 12 minutes 29 seconds
A Primer on Argentina's New Pro-BTC President Javier Milei
Javier Milei has won the Argentine presidential election. What will it mean for the country's economy? Is he really as pro-Bitcoin as Twitter is making him out to be? NLW provides a primer.
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21/11/2023 • 16 minutes 31 seconds
Is the Bank Secrecy Act Unconsitutional?
A reading of a new essay and legal exploration from CoinCenter https://www.coincenter.org/its-time-to-have-the-conversation-is-the-bank-secrecy-act-unconstitutional/
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19/11/2023 • 9 minutes 19 seconds
This Presidential Candidate Has a Crypto Plan That Includes "Code is Law"
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17th
Vivek Ramaswamy introduced a thoughtful, comprehensive crypto plan. Will other candidates match him?
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19/11/2023 • 15 minutes 34 seconds
Delay Ends Mass BTC Spot ETF Approval Dream
There was a very small window where the SEC could have approved all the Bitcoin Spot ETF applications at once. That window is now once again closed as one of the applicants was delayed.
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17/11/2023 • 14 minutes 27 seconds
Not the BTC Decoupling We Were Looking For
In the midst of an "everything rally" after a pleasant CPI surprise, BTC and crypto went the other direction.
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16/11/2023 • 13 minutes 28 seconds
With Latest CPI, the Fed Hiking Cycle Finally Appears Over
Before today's CPI numbers were released, markets were pricing in a 14% chance of one more rate hike. After the numbers were released, that number plummeted to zero. NLW catches up on the macro.
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15/11/2023 • 14 minutes 3 seconds
BTC Held By Institutional Products Hits ATH
Even before the formal approval of a Bitcoin spot ETF, Bitcoin funds have seen weeks and weeks of continuous inflows, reaching a new all-time high for BTC held in institutional funds.
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14/11/2023 • 14 minutes 37 seconds
Markets Surge as BlackRock Files ETH Spot ETF
The market return continues and the institutional narrative grows as BlackRock files their spot Ethereum ETF.
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11/11/2023 • 11 minutes 28 seconds
ETF Excitement Drives Bitcoin Past $36,000
NLW continues the bull recovery post SBF trial with an exploration of ETF excitement.
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10/11/2023 • 15 minutes 58 seconds
Is Circling Preparing for an IPO?
NLW looks at a number of stories that suggest the crypto industry is finally facing forward and looking to the future, almost exactly a year after FTX collapsed.
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08/11/2023 • 16 minutes 27 seconds
How Crypto Can Actually Move Past SBF
NLW wraps up coverage of the SBF trial with a recap of the conclusion and a discussion of community reactions.
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08/11/2023 • 16 minutes 52 seconds
SEC Is Reprimanded by Government Accountability Office (And It Could Lead to Lawsuits)
Today on The Breakdown, NLW discusses the end of SBF's testimony, some ETF updates, and the SEC being called out by the GAO.
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01/11/2023 • 20 minutes 36 seconds
SBF Gets Absolutely Buried in Cross-Examination
If the goal of the US prosecutor was to make Sam Bankman-Fried look like a liar, liar, pants on fire, boy were they successful.
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01/11/2023 • 21 minutes 45 seconds
How SBF's Testimony Tried to Contradict Caroline, Nishad and Gary
A look at SBF's testimony with his lawyers and how he set to counter the story presented by his former FTX colleagues Nishad Singh, Caroline Ellison, and Gary Wang.
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31/10/2023 • 20 minutes 35 seconds
Bitcoin and Freedom
A reading of Preston Pysh's "Bitcoin is Anti-Totalitarianism"
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/legal/bitcoin-anti-totalitarianism
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29/10/2023 • 13 minutes 9 seconds
SBF Testifies; WSJ Errors; Bitcoin Booms - The Top 5 Crypto Stories This Week
Recorded live with Scott Melker on Friday October 27, 2023
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28/10/2023 • 30 minutes 38 seconds
SBF Takes the Stand
SBF start testifying in his own defense. It .... did not go well.
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28/10/2023 • 16 minutes 30 seconds
Will the WSJ Retract Their Bogus Crypto Terror Financing Reporting?
Elliptic came out and said that the stats that the Wall Street Journal had used in their recent reporting around crypto terror financing -- which ended up being the centerpiece of a letter written by Elizabeth Warren and signed by 100+ members of Congress -- had been completely misinterpreted. Will the own up to the error?
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26/10/2023 • 17 minutes 6 seconds
Oops! The BlackRock ETF Code IBTC Has Been Around Since August...
BTC markets this week have been sent in both directions around news that BlackRock's Bitcoin Spot ETF had a ticker on the DTCC (and then news that it was gone). It turns out, however, that the symbol had been there since August, and no one had noticed.
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26/10/2023 • 15 minutes 53 seconds
Bitcoin Up 100% in 2023, Hits Pre-Luna Crash Prices
Bitcoin made a massive move up on Monday evening, bringing with it the first taste of the very early bull market. NLW explores the drivers and interpretation.
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24/10/2023 • 14 minutes 38 seconds
Bitcoin $30k: Uptober is Back on the Menu!
Today NLW explores the recent price push about $30,000 and what it says about the state of the market.
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23/10/2023 • 16 minutes 32 seconds
Crypto Winter Is Over (Says Morgan Stanley)
NLW reads a new piece from Morgan Stanley about the seasons of crypto. https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/the-four-seasons-of-cryptocurrency-explained
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22/10/2023 • 11 minutes 33 seconds
BTC Rallies, ETF Nudges Closer, and a Fresh Fraud Accusation
The Weekly Recap looks at the most important stories in crypto this week.
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21/10/2023 • 39 minutes 7 seconds
The SEC Drops the Ripple Case: How Big A Deal Is This?
NLW explains the latest moves from the SEC. Is their dropping of their case against Ripple Execs as bullish as it seems -- or is it just them gearing up for a different fight? Plus, NYAG sues Gemini, Genesis, DCG, Barry Silbert and Michael Moro.
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21/10/2023 • 13 minutes 22 seconds
The Latest Attack from Elizabeth Warren's Anti-Crypto Army
With extreme predictability, Senator Elizabeth Warren is using the horror of war in Israel/Gaza to bully a fairly unrelated crypto KYC bill through. NLW explores Warren's attempt and the crypto community's response.
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19/10/2023 • 14 minutes 32 seconds
BlockFi CEO and Former Colleague Continue the Crush of SBF's Defense
NLW covers the latest in the SBF trial, specifically looking at the testimony of former FTX Head of Engineering Nishad Singh and former BlockFi CEO Zach Prince.
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19/10/2023 • 18 minutes 18 seconds
Meet Bitcoin's New CMO: Larry Fink
In the wake of CoinTelegraph's oopsie fake news tweet about BlackRock's Bitcoin Spot ETF application being approved, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink took to Fox Business to talk about why they saw demand for crypto going up.
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17/10/2023 • 16 minutes 2 seconds
SEC Doesn't Appeal Grayscale Decision: What It Means
Today NLW catches up on the latest crypto news, including:
The SEC decides not to appeal Grayscale decision
Fake news Bitcoin Spot ETF
California's Bitlicense - and more
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16/10/2023 • 13 minutes 50 seconds
What Jim Cramer Doesn't Get About Bitcoin
NLW looks at recent tradfi commentary from Jim Cramer and Paul Tudor Jones to help uncover what some traditional investors just don't get about this asset
Featuring a reading of Ben Schiller's essay: https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/10/11/jim-cramer-doesnt-know-bitcoin/
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NLW and Scott Melker cover the most important stories of the crypto week.
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14/10/2023 • 36 minutes 7 seconds
The Most Shocking Details of Caroline Ellison's Damning SBF Testimony
Caroline Ellison is the prosecutions star witness in the case against Sam Bankman-Fried, and after this week it's not hard to see why. NLW covers the most shocking details, including massive bribes to Chinese officials and more.
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14/10/2023 • 19 minutes 45 seconds
Bitcoin Spot ETF Approval Incoming?
Today on The Breakdown, NLW catches up on everything that's NOT the SBF Trial, including promising news on the Bitcoin Spot ETF front, JPMorgan Onyx, and more.
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13/10/2023 • 12 minutes 11 seconds
Crypto Industry Faces Terrorist Financing Accusations
In what was probably an inevitable turn, crypto critics are coming out of the woodwork to blame the Hamas massacre in part on funding via cryptocurrencies. NLW explores the argument and its counters, as well as provides a brief overview of the first day of Caroline Ellison's testimony at SBF's trial.
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11/10/2023 • 14 minutes 20 seconds
Gary Wang and the Alameda Grift History
Turns out the grift was there from the beginning. Former FTX cofounder and CTO Gary Wang testified last week and earlier today about the way in which Alameda was privileged and how early the lies began.
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10/10/2023 • 16 minutes 41 seconds
An Analyst Warns on TUSD, stUSDT, and Huobi/HTX
Respected analyst Dylan Leclair has recently put together a thread warning crypto market participants about some questions around TUSD, stUSDT and other assets surrounding Huobi/HTX. In the spirit of starting the next bull market cleaner than we left the last one, NLW presents the thread: https://twitter.com/DylanLeClair_/status/1709712204675555651
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08/10/2023 • 9 minutes 41 seconds
Crypto's Biggest Ally Could Be the Next Speaker of the House
NLW and Scott Melker count down the five most important news stories of the week, including SBF Trial; Tom Emmer's potential to become Speaker of the House; ETH Futures ETF flop and more.
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07/10/2023 • 29 minutes 27 seconds
Macro Signals Are All Flashing Warnings
What the hell is going on with bond markets? Why are people buying less food? Is the Fed priced into more rate hikes? NLW explores all of this and more.
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06/10/2023 • 13 minutes 8 seconds
SBF Defense: "Blame Caroline! Also He's a Nerd."
NLW covers the first few days of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, including the jury selection, opening statements, and first witnesses.
Today's Sponsor: Kraken
Kraken Pro is the one-stop destination for pro traders - https://k.xyz/TheBreakdownPod
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05/10/2023 • 17 minutes 20 seconds
A Leading Candidate for Next Speaker of the House is One of Crypto's Biggest Allies in D.C.
After the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, speaker pro tempore is crypto ally Patrick McHenry, and one of the consensus leaders to replace McCarthy permanently is current House whip and frequent crypto bill backer Tom Emmer. NLW also explains the latest "L" handed to the SEC around its Ripple case.
Today's Sponsor: Kraken
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04/10/2023 • 14 minutes 15 seconds
The Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Begins - Everything You Need to Know
As SBF's trial kicks off in New York, NLW covers:
The charges
The timeline of events that got us here
The key witnesses
Likely defense arguments
Recent bankruptcy updates
Trial timeline
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03/10/2023 • 22 minutes 45 seconds
Bitcoin Pops As Uptober Returns
8 of the last 10 October's were green for Bitcoin. Can we expect the same this time around? NLW looks at some of the bullish catalysts, as well as watching the first day of trading for Ethereum Futures ETFs.
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02/10/2023 • 12 minutes 29 seconds
Where Crypto Has Product-Market Fit (And Where It Doesn't)
NLW reads "The Barrier to Mainstream Crypto Adoption Isn’t UX — It’s Product-Market Fit" by Li Jin.
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01/10/2023 • 11 minutes 37 seconds
ETH Futures ETFs Get Set to Trade as Government Shut Down Looms
On today's episode, NLW looks at a set of late breaking developments that could see ETH Futures ETF's trading next week, as well as the implications for crypto and the economy of a looming government shutdown.
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30/09/2023 • 12 minutes 14 seconds
The 5 Most Important Stories from Crypto This Week
A recap live with Scott Melker from Friday September 29th
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29/09/2023 • 33 minutes 3 seconds
Congressional Republicans Lash Out At Gensler
There were some fireworks at the recent House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing. It's clear that Congressional Republicans have run out of patience for SEC Chair Gary Gensler and could begin using subpoena to compel more answers.
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29/09/2023 • 13 minutes 8 seconds
Chokepoint Across the Pond: Chase UK Says No Crypto Transactions
Chase UK has taken the extreme step of refusing to process crypto related transactions, they say as a measure to fight fraud. NLW also looks at the letter sent to SEC Chair Gary Gensler by a bipartisan group from the House Financial Services Committee pushing him to approve a Bitcoin spot ETF with haste.
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27/09/2023 • 14 minutes 37 seconds
Huobi Changes Name to HTX and Almost Immediately Gets Hacked
Today on The Breakdown it's a hackathon, with a set of high profile hacks happening over the weekend that show the continued challenging state of crypto custody and security.
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27/09/2023 • 15 minutes 7 seconds
ByBit Vacates United Kingdom as "Crypto Hub" Dreams Falter
When he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, British PM Rishi Sunak proclaimed that he wanted to make the UK a crypto hub. Now exchanges and brokers like PayPal and ByBit are leaving because of the unworkability of new regulations.
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25/09/2023 • 13 minutes 50 seconds
How the Crypto Investing Landscape Has Changed
A reading of Jeff Dorman's "What I Learned Managing a Crypto Fund for Five Years" https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/09/18/what-i-learned-managing-a-crypto-fund-for-five-years/
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24/09/2023 • 15 minutes 13 seconds
The Top Five Stories in Crypto This Week } SEC vs. Binance, Crypto Funds Raise and More
NLW looks at the top five stories in crypto this past week in a live conversation with Scott Melker.
SEC vs. Binance
Anti CBDC Legislation Advances
Crypto Funds Raise
SBF Parents
No More Rate Hikes
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23/09/2023 • 27 minutes 8 seconds
Could Oil and a Gov't Shutdown Screw Up Powell's Plans?
At the FOMC press conference, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was asked about the economic factors that could impact rate policy. Two of the examples cited were oil and a potential government shutdown. In today's episode, NLW explores both of those macro challenges.
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23/09/2023 • 14 minutes 18 seconds
The Hawkish Halt: Why the Market Finally Believes "Higher for Longer"
Today NLW digs into the FOMC decision to keep rates consistent and explores why many are causing it a hawkish pause and recognizing that the Fed really is going to keep rates higher for longer.
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22/09/2023 • 13 minutes 47 seconds
Is the SEC About to Go Scorched Earth?
The head of the SEC's cyber unit has basically issued a warning saying the SEC isn't done yet and will be pursuing more action against exchanges and DeFi protocols. The crypto industry is wondering how far the SEC's resources really extend to fight legal battles on so many fronts.
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20/09/2023 • 12 minutes 55 seconds
Courts Hand SEC Half an L in Binance US Case
NLW catches up on the latest legal details of the SEC's battle against the zombie exchange Binance US. The judge recently denied an SEC request to compel Binance US to produce specific information, and NLW explores how big a deal it was and where it leaves things in the case now.
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20/09/2023 • 13 minutes 39 seconds
Anti-CBDC Bills Advance in Congress
One of the more surprising campaign issues of the 2024 election cycle, opposition to central bank digital currencies, is moving forward in Congress as two bills head for markup this week in the House Financial Services Committee. Also enforcement actions around new the new regulation regime in Hong Kong and Gemini files a response to DCG's-Genesis bankruptcy resolution proposal from last week.
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18/09/2023 • 12 minutes 57 seconds
Crypto Venture Funding is Down; But Bitcoin Building Continues
A reading of:
https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/09/11/ai-is-killing-crypto-venture-capital-interest/
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/a-bitcoin-maximalists-ode-to-ordinals
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17/09/2023 • 12 minutes 1 second
The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week
NLW counts the most important stories down:
5. Gensler Hearing
4. Binance Executive Departures
3. FTX Sales Begin
2. Stoner Cat Settlement
1. Fortress Loses Customer Funds; Is Acquired; Prompts New BTC-Only Trust from Swan and Bitgo
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16/09/2023 • 14 minutes
How Impactful Will FTX Estate Selling Be on Crypto Markets?
The FTX estate has received approval to begin crypot asset liquidation, overseen by Galaxy. The speculation this week has all been about how much pressure it would put on market prices. NLW explores that, and catches up on 3AC's banning from Singapore.
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16/09/2023 • 12 minutes 38 seconds
Shockingly, Gary Gensler Doesn't Like Stoner Cats
The latest SEC action is a settlement with NFT project Stoner Cats. NLW discusses the community's response, which ranges from not-that-surprised to appalled at yet another example of unelected bureaucrats trying to expand their authority through enforcement.
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15/09/2023 • 14 minutes 26 seconds
The Senate Doesn't Seem to Care About Crypto Anymore
Another day, another set of high profile departures from Binance. NLW explores the latest news around the beleaguered exchange as well as community reactions. The show also looks at Gary Gensler's testimony before the Senate.
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13/09/2023 • 13 minutes 4 seconds
Ripple's Fortress Acquisition Shows the Brittleness of Crypto Infrastructure
On Friday Ripple announced that it was acquiring Fortress Trust. On Monday we learned that, counter to previous statements, a recent security incident at Fortress had caused the loss of customer funds. NLW explores wtf is going on and what it says about the state of the crypto industry.
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12/09/2023 • 14 minutes 41 seconds
Crypto 2023: Even Vitalik Is Getting Hacked
A look at the hack of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin's Twitter account over the weekend, plus a catch up on a set of regulatory action from last week.
12/09/2023 • 12 minutes 53 seconds
Why the SEC Needs the Bitcoin Spot ETF
A reading of excerpts from:
Who Needs a Bitcoin ETF? Actually, the SEC Does. - Bloomberg
Bitcoin ETF Applications Are Bitcoin's Best Marketing Strategy - Tim Haldorsson
Stop Thinking About 'Wins' or 'Losses' in the Bitcoin ETF Debate - David Ackerman
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10/09/2023 • 10 minutes 26 seconds
Institutions Are Getting Ready for the Next Bull Market | Weekly Top Five
Covering the biggest stories of the week in discussion with Scott Melker:
1. Visa Stablecoin Settlement program expansion Solana
2. FASB accounting rule Change
3. Genesis Shuttering Trading desk / Coinbase institutional lending + Grayscale letter to SEC + Genesis suing DCG
4. ARK Van Eck Spot ETH ETF
5. CFTC + LBRY
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09/09/2023 • 41 minutes 11 seconds
UPDATED: How Big A Deal Are The Changes to Crypto Accounting Standards?
The board that oversees corporate accounting standards has voted unanimously to change the way corporates account for cryptoassets on their balance sheets, and some argue it eliminates a major barrier to enterprise adoption.
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09/09/2023 • 12 minutes 49 seconds
The IMF Finally Realizes You Can't Ban Crypto
Today on The Breakdown, NLW looks at a new paper from the IMF and FSB that -- among other things -- acknowledges the un-reality of successfully banning crypto. Plus a look at the new privacy paper co-authored by Vitalik Buterin.
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09/09/2023 • 12 minutes 24 seconds
How Big A Deal Are The Changes to Crypto Accounting Standards?
The board that oversees corporate accounting standards has voted unanimously to change the way corporates account for cryptoassets on their balance sheets, and some argue it eliminates a major barrier to enterprise adoption.
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08/09/2023 • 12 minutes 24 seconds
Visa Goes Deeper on Stablecoin Settlement
Yesterday Visa announced an expansion of their ability to settle cross-border transactions with USDC, adding support for the Solana blockchain. According to some, even the fintech folks who aren't interested in crypto are excited about it.
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06/09/2023 • 12 minutes 43 seconds
Beijing Bazooka: Why China Isn't Being More Aggressive As Economy Deteriorates
On a macro show, NLW explores how China's economic situation has been deteriorating; the highly targeted interventions from the Chinese government; and the discussion of why more aggressive tactics aren't being deployed to right the ship.
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05/09/2023 • 13 minutes 21 seconds
SEC Defeats, Binance Intrigue, and a Bitcoin Flop: The Biggest Stories of the Week
A new experiment, NLW and Scott Melker do a live rundown of the 5 most important events of the crypto week.
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03/09/2023 • 58 minutes 39 seconds
SEC Punts ETF Applications Till October
NLW catches up on the late week news including the SEC punting 7 ETF applications, the JOLTS and nonfarm payroll reports, and revised GDP estimates.
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02/09/2023 • 13 minutes 16 seconds
Judge In Uniswap Suit Says "Ask Congress, Not Me!"
A class action lawsuit against Uniswap has been dismissed with prejudice and the decision might have big implications for other ongoing crypto cases.
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31/08/2023 • 12 minutes 25 seconds
What's Going On with the SEC's Sealed Binance Filings?
As everyone celebrated the SEC's upset in the Grayscale lawsuit, the Commission was quietly filing sealed documents in their lawsuit against Binance. NLW explores the community's theories around what those documents might represent.
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30/08/2023 • 11 minutes 58 seconds
BREAKING: Grayscale Wins Lawsuit Against SEC!
A DC Circuit Court has decided in favor of Grayscale in their lawsuit against the SEC, calling the decision to deny GBTC's conversion to a Bitcoin Spot ETF "arbitrary and capricious."
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29/08/2023 • 14 minutes 13 seconds
The Treasury's Broker Definition Could Crush US Crypto
On Friday the US Treasury and the IRS dropped a 300-page guidance on crypto tax policy, including an updated of "broker" that some say could threaten the very fundamentals of decentralized finance in the United States.
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28/08/2023 • 15 minutes
Crypto: It's So Over. We're So Back.
On LRS, NLW reads excerpts from and analyses:
How PayPal Upended the Crypto Debate in Washington D.C. - John Rizzo
The End of the End of Crypto - Daniel Kuhn
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27/08/2023 • 8 minutes 8 seconds
The Continued Fallout of the Tornado Cash Arrests
On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at:
More community reactions around the Tornado Cash arrests
The latest updates from Binance
Bitfinex up and running in Turkey
Circle adds 6 new chains to USDC
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26/08/2023 • 13 minutes 35 seconds
Markets Shrug Off Predictable Powell at Jackson Hole
Today on The Breakdown, NLW examines Nvidia's massive earnings report as well as Powell's Jackson Hole speech, which, far from last year's shock, was almost exactly as expected.
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26/08/2023 • 12 minutes 46 seconds
Tornado Cash Arrests: Attack on Terrorism or Attack on Privacy?
The US Government has arrested one of the founders of Tornado Cash and is on the hunt for another. NLW examines the community's reaction, and the discussion of whether it's an action more about chilling privacy tech than it is about actually preventing terrorism financing.
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24/08/2023 • 12 minutes 39 seconds
WSJ Says Binance Facing Trouble Over Sanctions Violations
Something serious or just more FUD? NLW explores the latest dustup around Binance, as well as speculation around why the price of BNB has wobbled of late.
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23/08/2023 • 14 minutes 37 seconds
The Next Phase of Stablecoin Competition Begins As Coinbase Invests In Circle
Today on The Breakdown, NLW looks at the rearrangement of the arrangement between Circle and Coinbase. The Centre Consortium is being dissolved and Coinbase is investing in Circle directly. The show also features a macro update on bonds and China.
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23/08/2023 • 13 minutes 33 seconds
"The SEC Is Floundering"
That's the assessment of one lawyer working currently with Gemini. On today's episode, NLW looks at the SEC's motion to appeal in the Ripple case, Coinbase's international trading data, and SBF's request to not be in jail so much.
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21/08/2023 • 13 minutes 28 seconds
What Progressives Should Understand About Crypto
A reading of "What progressives get wrong when it comes to crypto" by Sheila Warren and Justin Slaughter.
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20/08/2023 • 11 minutes 50 seconds
Tornado Cash Sanctions Upheld In Court
One of the legal challenges to the Department of Treasury's putting Tornado Cash on the sanctions list has been defeated. NLW also does a broader crypto legal roundup.
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19/08/2023 • 11 minutes 27 seconds
Why Bitcoin Just Flash Crashed
Was it SpaceX news? Evergrande bankruptcy? Macro Fed minutes? Or just good ol' fashioned leverage? NLW explores Thursday's crypto flash crash and what it says about where we are in the cycle.
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18/08/2023 • 14 minutes 31 seconds
A Primer on China's Current Economic Turmoil
China has posted some troubling economic data of late, leading many macro commentators to call attention to the concerning developments. In today's episode, NLW provides a primer on the past few years of wobbles, issues in the real estate sector, and the CCP's lack of good options.
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18/08/2023 • 17 minutes 46 seconds
Coinbase Launches Crypto Policy Coalition as FDIC Warns of Crypto Dangers to Banks
On today's episode, NLW looks at the FDIC declaring crypto one of the year's top threats to banks. Coinbase has also launched a new advocacy coalition to push for crypto policy outcomes.
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16/08/2023 • 12 minutes 9 seconds
Why A Pro-Bitcoin, Anti-Central Bank Economist Just Won Argentina’s Presidential Primary
Javier Milei shocked the world with an upset win in Argentina's presidential primary this week. NLW provides some background on the context in which the outspoken pro-Bitcoin, anti-Central Bank candidate has come to lead the polls.
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15/08/2023 • 16 minutes 52 seconds
A Flurry of Amicus Briefs in Coinbase vs. SEC
Everyone from blockchain lobbyists to Senators to an esteemed group of academic legal experts have filed amicus briefs in the Coinbase vs. SEC case. NLW breaks it down, along with news that SBF's bail has been revoked.
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15/08/2023 • 14 minutes 31 seconds
The Bitcoin Genie Isn't Going Back in the Bottle
A reading of a 2019 Nic Carter classic: "The Cat is Out of the Bag: Bitcoin is everyone’s problem now"
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13/08/2023 • 16 minutes 43 seconds
The Massive Significance of the PayPal Stablecoin
A reading of
Stablecoins Can Keep the Dollar the World’s Reserve Currency - Brian Brooks, Charles Calomiris
PayPal’s Stablecoin Is a Watershed Moment for Finance - Austin Campbell
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12/08/2023 • 13 minutes 22 seconds
Why Post Malone Is Against CBDCs
On today's week catch up: Post Malone and Rogan discuss CBDCs; SEC to appeal Ripple and more.
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11/08/2023 • 13 minutes 39 seconds
Will Coinbase's Launch of BASE Ignite the Crypto Builders?
Coinbase has launched BASE to much fanfare and excitement. The skeptics ask how much it will be about memecoins and speculation vs real utility, but even they're not enough to dampen enthusiasm.
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10/08/2023 • 14 minutes 2 seconds
Did the Fed Just Institutionalize Operation Choke Point 2.0?
On the same day that bitcoin surged more than 3%, the Federal Reserve released some new guidance for banks it regulates around interacting with crypto and stablecoins. Does this clear a path for more active engagement or is it just codifying Operation Choke Point 2.0's pressure on banks to stay away from the sector.
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09/08/2023 • 14 minutes 5 seconds
PayPal's Stablecoin is the (Second) Biggest Crypto News Story of the Year
In today's episode, NLW dives deep on PayPal's Announcement, which he argues forms a matched pair with BlackRock's spot BTC ETF application as the key events in the most important trend of this bear market.
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08/08/2023 • 14 minutes 37 seconds
Crypto and the Major Questions Doctrine
Coinbase argues that crypto is a "major question" that requires Congress to explicitly authorize the SEC to oversee.
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07/08/2023 • 13 minutes 48 seconds
How Stablecoins Could Save the Dollar's Global Reserve Role
On this Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads:
Pass the Stablecoin Bill Now - Austin Campbell
Stablecoins: A Potential Counter to Dedollarization - Yiannis Giokas
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06/08/2023 • 10 minutes 31 seconds
Worldcoin Iris Scanning Shut Down in Kenya
On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at Worldcoin's issues in Kenya; the NYT's weird defense of SBF's leaking of Caroline Ellison's journal; guilty pleas from the Bitfinex hacker and more.
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05/08/2023 • 14 minutes 26 seconds
A Primer on LK-99
LK-99 has captured the world's attention for its promise of room-temperature superconductivity. But what does that even mean? NLW provides an overview and primer.
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04/08/2023 • 17 minutes 57 seconds
Binance: Too Big to Jail
Semafor is reporting that the DoJ is exploring options other than a full criminal complaint against CZ and Binance for fear that it would cause a bank run that could harm consumers. Is Binance now too big to [j]ail?
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03/08/2023 • 12 minutes 19 seconds
Is the US Credit Rating Downgrade a Nothingburger?
NLW explores a range of reactions to Fitch's decision to downgrade US sovereign debt from AAA to AA+ from the political responses to the market response to the shoulder shrug of people who don't think it's really possible to compare the US to anyone else.
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02/08/2023 • 15 minutes 39 seconds
Tether Holds More US Government Debt Than Australia
A look at the latest Tether reserve attestation, plus an update on the Curve hack and a new court ruling that rejects the Torres Doctrine from the Ripple vs. SEC case.
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01/08/2023 • 13 minutes 16 seconds
Is DeFi Too Dangerous?
NLW explores the $47m hack that occurred over the weekend, and contextualizes it in the larger trends and patterns of DeFi exploits.
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31/07/2023 • 16 minutes 38 seconds
The Boring-ification of the Crypto Narrative
A reading of: A Crypto Truce Emerges Between Fraud and Revolution - Aaron Brown
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30/07/2023 • 9 minutes 46 seconds
Operation Choke Point 2.0 Comes for Crypto Auditing
The latest target of SEC animosity is *checks notes* auditors?! On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW covers the SEC's auditing warning; an AML bill passage; Binance asking for CFTC suit to be dismissed; Sequoia reducing their crypto fund size.
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29/07/2023 • 13 minutes 18 seconds
A Combative, Contentious Hearing Moves Stablecoin Legislation Forward
Crypto's big policy week continued with the House Financial Services Committee advancing stablecoin legislation after a torturous 12-hour markup session.
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28/07/2023 • 15 minutes 10 seconds
A Historic Day for Crypto Policy
It was the first time that standalone Crypto legislation has made it out of the committee process. NLW covers the House Financial Services Committee markdown for the crypto market structure bill, including some tense moments and the defection of 6 (young) Democrats to vote to advance the legislation.
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28/07/2023 • 14 minutes 50 seconds
Fed Raises Rates to 22 Year High and Says No Recession Is Coming
The Federal Reserve has again raised interest rates -- this time to a 22-year high. NLW explores the discussion around the raise and why market observers are moving back to watching real economic data rather than Fed whispering.
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26/07/2023 • 13 minutes 34 seconds
Will the SEC Appeal the Ripple Decision?
NLW looks at the SEC's hints around a potential Ripple appeal, plus more around Worldcoin and SBF behaving badly.
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25/07/2023 • 13 minutes 32 seconds
Worldcoin: Good Faith Global UBI Effort or Dystopian Dumpster Fire?
Worldcoin is live and the crypto community has feelings.
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25/07/2023 • 21 minutes 27 seconds
Crypto Custody: The Frontlines of Operation Choke Point 2.0
A two-part Long Reads Sunday on crypto custody and the fallout of crypto's regulatory battles.
Reading:
Not All Crypto Custody Is Created Equal - Chen Fang
Why Nasdaq Backing Out of Custody Is Bad, Bad News for Crypto - Daniel Kuhn
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23/07/2023 • 11 minutes 49 seconds
Is FedNow a Trojan Horse for a CBDC?
On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at the Federal Reserve's launch of FedNow and explores the community discussion of whether it amounts to a Trojan Horse for an eventual central bank digital currency.
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22/07/2023 • 12 minutes 36 seconds
A Soft DeFi Ban in the USA?
This week saw a number of crypto-related legislation introduced in Congress -- sometimes as amendments to other important bills. NLW breaks down why some think at least one of them amounts to a soft DeFi ban in the US.
Today's Episode Sponsored By:
In Wolf's Clothing -- The first startup accelerator exclusively for Bitcoin and Lightning startups -- Applications for Cohort 3 open NOW -- https://wolfnyc.com/apply
**
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21/07/2023 • 15 minutes 16 seconds
Gary Gensler's Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Month
SEC Chair Gensler is being assailed on all sides from Democrats and Republicans alike -- and not just about his crypto policies! NLW breaks down the news and asks what it means as we move into election season.
Today's Episode Sponsored By:
In Wolf's Clothing -- The first startup accelerator exclusively for Bitcoin and Lightning startups -- Applications for Cohort 3 open NOW -- https://wolfnyc.com/apply
**
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20/07/2023 • 14 minutes 17 seconds
Have We Turned A Corner in Bitcoin and Crypto Startup Funding?
This week has seen multiple 9-figure crypto funds announced. A metaverse company also raised a monster $54 m round. Finally, Wolf has opened up applications for its third cohort. NLW argues why the bitcoin and crypto funding space feels to have finally turned a corner.
**
Today's Episode Sponsored By:
In Wolf's Clothing -- The first startup accelerator exclusively for Bitcoin and Lightning startups -- Applications for Cohort 3 open NOW -- https://wolfnyc.com/apply
**
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19/07/2023 • 12 minutes 58 seconds
Binance Cuts Thousands of Jobs (But Adds Lightning Network Support!)
Today on The Breakdown, NLW covers the latest from Binance, including reports from WSJ and CNBC that the company has cut more than 1000 roles and could be headed towards even further cuts. Binance has also followed through on their promise to add support for the Lightning Network.
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18/07/2023 • 12 minutes 50 seconds
The Relentless Convergence of TradFi and Digital Assets feat. Sergey Nazarov
Today, NLW is joined by Chainlink's Sergey Nazarov to discuss the massive convergence of the traditional financial world and the web 3/digital assets space. They discuss the broader themes, as well as Chainlink's new Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol, which is being tested by SWIFT, BNY Mellon, Citi and more.
Find our guest online: https://twitter.com/SergeyNazarov
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17/07/2023 • 23 minutes 52 seconds
Rep. Ritchie Torres Calls for Investigation Into SEC Chair Gary Gensler
The SEC "is acting like an overzealous traffic cop arbitrarily ticketing drivers while keeping the speed limit a secret." - Rep. Ritchie Torres
On today's Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads:
Ryan Selkis - Theses for the Second Half of 2023 https://twitter.com/twobitidiot/status/1678726013600104448?s=20
Rep. Ritchie Torres - Investigate Gary Gensler https://twitter.com/RepRitchie/status/1679534903661301761
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16/07/2023 • 13 minutes 2 seconds
A Complete Breakdown of the Charges Against Celsius' Alex Mashinsky
Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky was arrested this week. NLW explores the complete list of charges against him.
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15/07/2023 • 15 minutes 37 seconds
Judge Hands SEC a Massive Loss Denying Theory That Tokens Are Always Securities
The judge has handed a summary decision in the Ripple-SEC case, and while it was a mixed decision, the reality is that the SEC's position is much weaker today than it was yesterday. NLW runs down the ruling and what people think the implications might be.
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Last year the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act set the template for comprehensive crypto legislation. Now, the act has been reintroduced but there are some changes the community doesn't love.
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13/07/2023 • 15 minutes 10 seconds
Lowest Inflation in 2 Years
CPI comes in lower than expected, leading to expectations that the doves in the FOMC will have more influence to halt interest rate hikes in forthcoming meetings. NLW also covers the Bank for International Settlements latest antagonistic crypto report.
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13/07/2023 • 14 minutes 15 seconds
Senators Question Prometheum's Ties to CCP
NLW covers the latest in the Prometheum saga as Senator Tommy Tuberville and a handful of others have sent a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler and others asking for an investigation around Prometheum's recent Congressional testimony and their alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Also, is "dox to earn" the new narrative? 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: <p dir="ltr" role
11/07/2023 • 15 minutes 7 seconds
Lawyers See Weakness in SEC's Response to Coinbase
Late on Friday, the SEC responded to Coinbase's motion to dismiss the SEC's lawsuit against them. In many ways it's just a rehashing of arguments they've previously made, but the crypto legal core doesn't seem impressed with the SEC's arguments (or caselaw precedent). 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 <li d
11/07/2023 • 15 minutes 55 seconds
Why the Recession Conventional Wisdom is Wrong
A reading of Alex Kruger's thread: https://twitter.com/krugermacro/status/1675989375765852160?s=46&t=5Nl1EhwpFOmRdaVNr7DApg Full report from Asgard Markets https://www.asgardmarkets.com/post/the-big-picture 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:</
09/07/2023 • 11 minutes 3 seconds
Lawsuit Time! Winklevoss and Gemini Sue DCG and Barry Silbert
So much for amicable resolution. After publically threatening a lawsuit earlier in the week, Gemini and their co-CEO Winklevoss twins have filed a lawsuit against DCG and Barry Silbert personally around the Genesis bankruptcy and their accusations of fraud. 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 <li dir="ltr" ar
08/07/2023 • 14 minutes 4 seconds
Binance Execs Race for the Exits
Fortune dropped a bombshell on Thursday, reporting that numerous executives had left Binance in a very short period of time. While all those execs tweeted that there was nothing conspiratorial or scandalous in their departures, the community isn't convinced. 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 <li di
07/07/2023 • 13 minutes 22 seconds
BlackRock's Larry Fink Gives a Laser-Eyed Bitcoin Interview
On Wednesday, July 5th, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink gave an interview on Fox that made clear that the Bitcoin ETF initiative was coming all the way from the top. NLW analyses the community reaction and argues that it's all even more significant than the hype suggests. 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 <li dir=
06/07/2023 • 13 minutes 30 seconds
Gemini's Furious Open Letter Threatens to Sue DCG and Barry Silbert
On the eve of the July 4th holiday, Gemini's Cameron Winklevoss published an open letter accusing Barry Silbert and DCG of fraud and demanding they accept terms or face litigation. NLW covers the letter and the community's reaction. 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 <p dir="ltr
05/07/2023 • 13 minutes 45 seconds
Crypto Continues Its Pushback on Washington D.C.
Today on The Breakdown, NLW continues coverage of the crypto industry's growing push back against the SEC and overreaching politicians. The show examines the SEC's price-shocking claim on Friday that ETF applications were inadequate, as well as a new motion to dismiss an SEC lawsuit from Bittrex. 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://tw
03/07/2023 • 12 minutes 33 seconds
The Failure of Gary Gensler
As the crypto industry takes the fight to the SEC, a reading of Gary Gensler Failed the U.S. Crypto Industry, and So Has Congress 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 <li dir="l
02/07/2023 • 9 minutes 42 seconds
Crypto Goes On Offense as the Legal Tide Begins to Turn
The crypto industry is officially bringing the fight to regulators. Coinbase has filed a motion to dismiss the SEC's lawsuit against them, while the Blockchain Association is arguing that SEC Chair Gary Gensler should recuse himself from all crypto enforcement actions. 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 <li
01/07/2023 • 12 minutes 42 seconds
A Recap of the Prime Trust Saga
Today on The Breakdown, NLW catches up on the Prime Trust saga which came to a head this week. He also looks at the latest in Bitcoin ETF applications and Michael Saylor and Microstrategy's latest big BTC buy. 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 Br
30/06/2023 • 12 minutes 6 seconds
Summer Startup Series on Bitcoin Builders
The Breakdown is off for a few days this week, but over on Bitcoin Builders things are hot with the Summer Startup Series. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, NLW is profiling a different startup from the first In Wolf's Clothing Cohort, including a bitcoin-powered gaming tournament company, a popular and scaling lightning wallet, and an exchange app seeking to bring Bitcoin values to Bitcoin trading. Check out Bitcoin Builders: https://pod.link/1680067216 Learn more about The Breakdown Network: https://breakdown.network/
28/06/2023 • 5 minutes 55 seconds
The State of CBDCs
NLW checks in on the latest in central bank digital currencies. 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
27/06/2023 • 12 minutes 56 seconds
BlackRock SchmackRock: For Emerging Markets, Bitcoin Means More than Gains
Today on Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads Noelle Acheson's "Why the Biggest Emerging Markets Are Turning to Crypto." 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 <p dir="ltr
25/06/2023 • 9 minutes 1 second
The Institutions Come Roaring Back to Crypto
The theme of the last few weeks has been the institutional return to crypto. NLW fills in the gaps and puts the move in context. 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
24/06/2023 • 13 minutes 52 seconds
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/ <p dir="ltr" rol
23/06/2023 • 23 minutes 39 seconds
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: <p dir="ltr" role="presentat
22/06/2023 • 1 hour 5 minutes 54 seconds
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
21/06/2023 • 13 minutes 7 seconds
Do Kwon Goes To Jail
On this episode of crypto shennanigans, Do Kwon sentenced to four months for fake passport; ZachXBT raises $1M to fight lawsuit; Sam still going on trial in October (despite viral tweets saying otherwise). 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 Break
20/06/2023 • 14 minutes 31 seconds
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: htt
19/06/2023 • 14 minutes 30 seconds
Are Memecoins Silly Fun or an Existential Grift?
On Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads The Memecoin Grift and How It Threatens Ethereum Culture by Dr. Paul J. Dylan-Ennis 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:</p
19/06/2023 • 10 minutes 24 seconds
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
17/06/2023 • 16 minutes 6 seconds
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://twi
16/06/2023 • 14 minutes 49 seconds
The Fed Pauses For The First Time In 15 Months (But Don't Call It A "Pause"!)
For the first time since this hiking cycle began, the Fed has chosen not to raise interest rates. NLW explores how they're trying to control the narrative around it, and what markets think is actually going on behind the scenes. 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 <p dir="ltr" ro
15/06/2023 • 13 minutes 50 seconds
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 <li dir
14/06/2023 • 15 minutes 48 seconds
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 <p dir="l
13/06/2023 • 16 minutes 21 seconds
The Altcoin Apocalypse: Understanding Crypto's Weekend Crash
Late Friday night/early Saturday morning, the crypto markets started puking, with a handful of altcoins crashing by more than 20% in a single 15 minute candle. On today's episode, NLW explores what happened and why. 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 <p dir="ltr" role="presentat
12/06/2023 • 14 minutes 31 seconds
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 <li dir="l
11/06/2023 • 13 minutes 5 seconds
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 <
10/06/2023 • 13 minutes 42 seconds
A Crypto Custodian Becomes the Latest Casualty
BitGo has agreed to buy Prime Trust as the crypto custodian becomes the latest casualty of the bear market (and the government's assault on the industry). Binance is also pulling fiat rails from the US in advance of their hearing next Tuesday. 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 <
09/06/2023 • 10 minutes 21 seconds
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/ <li dir="ltr" aria-lev
08/06/2023 • 12 minutes 32 seconds
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: h
07/06/2023 • 17 minutes 35 seconds
Ban By Enforcement: The SEC Sues Binance and Coinbase
Yesterday the SEC sued Binance and CZ. Today, the SEC sued Coinbase. As Blockchain Association's Jake Chervinsky put it, it's pretty clear that SEC Chair Gensler is going for a strategy of "banning by enforcement." 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 <p dir="ltr" role="presentati
06/06/2023 • 16 minutes 31 seconds
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: NL
05/06/2023 • 18 minutes 10 seconds
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
04/06/2023 • 14 minutes 2 seconds
DoJ Says SBF's Request to Dismiss Charges Are Dumb (Basically)
Today on the Weekly Recap, the latest out of the FTX bankruptcy and Sam Bankman-Fried's request to drop charges, plus Binance out of Australia and the CFTC getting more involved in crypto markets. 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: htt
03/06/2023 • 11 minutes 22 seconds
Is A Fed Pause (Finally) Coming?
On today's episode, NLW digs into the macro landscape. Specifically he looks at how tightness in the labor market has justified continued Fed tightening, but why the numbers aren't telling as clear a story as they once were. 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 <p dir="ltr" role="
02/06/2023 • 12 minutes 51 seconds
Wait, Crypto Caused the Fentanyl Crisis?!
Today on The Breakdown, NLW looks at the latest assinine argument about crypto from Senator Elizabeth Warren, as well as digging into the finalized debt deal, MiCA 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 <
01/06/2023 • 12 minutes 50 seconds
Is China Coming Back to Crypto?
China's crypto policies appear to be shifting. From bans on trading and mining in 2021 to this year encouraging state run banks to offer crypto companies in Hong Kong banking accounts, a change is in the air. On this episode, NLW looks at a recent Web 3 paper from Beijing and Hong Kong's new exchange rules. 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:
31/05/2023 • 15 minutes 45 seconds
Debt Ceiling Deal Gives Unlimited Debt Till 2025
Today on The Breakdown, NLW wraps up the macro story that has dominated discourse for the last month. 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
31/05/2023 • 14 minutes 7 seconds
Can Bitcoin Avoid the Partisan Curse?
On this episode of Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads "DeSantis and the Growing Culture War Around Bitcoin" by Daniel Kuhn. 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 <p
27/05/2023 • 11 minutes 44 seconds
The Tornado Cash Lawsuit Advances
Today on The Breakdown, NLW covers: Tornado Cash lawsuit and hack The latest in Ledger The Debt Ceiling debate nears a conclusion 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: <a href= "https://twitte
27/05/2023 • 15 minutes 45 seconds
Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis Pledges to Protect Bitcoin
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced his presidential campaign formally last night on a Twitter spaces with Elon Musk. During the conversation he discussed Bitcoin, including why he thinks it's important and why he'll protect it as president. On today's episode, NLW looks at Bitcoin's history with presidents and presidential candidates. 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: <p d
25/05/2023 • 16 minutes 7 seconds
Hong Kong Opens For Crypto Business
One of the surprising twists of this crypto cycle is the US closing down to crypto and Hong Kong (and the Chinese powers behind it) opening back up. In this episode, NLW looks at Hong Kongs new crypto exchange rules as well as Coinbase's response to the SEC's response to its lawsuit. 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
24/05/2023 • 15 minutes 36 seconds
Reuters Says Binance Commingled Funds, But Is It Just More FUD?
After FTX, the industry's guard is up when it comes to exchanges behaving badly. Reuters today published a piece saying that Binance had commingled user funds in 2020 and 2021. Binance strenuously denied the claims and called it just more FUD. Who has the right of it? The show also covers an update in the DCG case. 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: <p dir="ltr" role="presentati
23/05/2023 • 14 minutes 24 seconds
Biden Defaulting on the Debt to Own the Crypto Bros?
On today's episode, NLW digs into the acrimonious debt ceiling debates, including the way in which crypto has recently become yet another partisan football. 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
22/05/2023 • 15 minutes 43 seconds
Why Ordinals and BRC20 Tokens are Driving Bitcoin Layer 2 Development
Bitcoin has been experiencing much higher-than-normal fees of late, driven by Ordinal inscriptions and BRC-20 token memecoin mania. On this Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads two essays that explore how they're driving layer 2 development. Frogs, Fevers and Fees: Bitcoin’s New Governance Challenge - Michael Casey As Bitcoin Scales, We Need Better Custodial Solutions - George Kaloudis Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto <p dir="ltr" ro
21/05/2023 • 12 minutes 28 seconds
Crypto Wins A Key Battle in its War with the SEC
On this edition of the weekly recap, NLW covers: Ledger turmoil Stablecoin reserve shifts Binance out in Australia Binance total market share dips below 50% SEC says Filecoin is a security Judge rules Hinman emails can't be locked 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://twit
20/05/2023 • 15 minutes 9 seconds
Crypto Allies Introduce Securities Clarity Act
Congressional Blockchain Caucus leaders Tom Emmer (R) and Darren Soto (D) have introduced the Securities Clarity Act, which is designed to ...well...give clarity on what tokens are securities and when. The crypto community has heralded it as simple, common sense, and potentially hugely positively impactful. 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:
19/05/2023 • 15 minutes 35 seconds
Will the US Default on Its Debt? Circle Ditches Treasuries and Tether Buys BTC
Oh the irony. For most of the last few years, the US political establishment has been concerned about the risk that stablecoins might have for the mainstream financial system. This year, however, it's been the mainstream financial system wreaking havoc on stablecoins. On today's episode, NLW discusses Circle's move from longer-dated Treasuries to repo agreements, as well as Tether's new Bitcoin purchase plan. 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 <p d
18/05/2023 • 17 minutes 1 second
Ledger Recover Announcement Leads to Massive Crypto Uproar
Ledger announced a new program yesterday called "Ledger Recover" that has people feeling confused, betrayed, and angry. NLW explores what the uproar is about and what it says about the start of self-custody and self-sovereign values in the crypto industry. 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 <li dir="ltr" ari
17/05/2023 • 19 minutes 17 seconds
SEC Finally Responds to Coinbase Lawsuit
After ignoring a Coinbase request for rulemaking for 10 months, Coinbase sued the SEC, compelling a judge to compell the SEC to respond. In 36 pages of legalese, the SEC effectively said "we don't have to move any faster than we want and regulation by enforcement is fine." 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
16/05/2023 • 16 minutes 41 seconds
Binance Says "Bye" To Canada
On today's episode, NLW looks at Binance's troubled history with the Great White North, and explores to what extent their exit from Canada is a story about Binance or a story about Canada. Also Quadriga CX is finally returning to creditors at 13c on the dollar. 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 <li dir="ltr
15/05/2023 • 14 minutes 31 seconds
The Utter Folly of Biden's Proposed Bitcoin Mining Tax
Today on Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads Nic Carter's "The White House’s Bitcoin Mining Tax Undermines Itself" 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 <p
14/05/2023 • 11 minutes 43 seconds
The IRS Says FTX Owes HOW Much!?
Today on The Breakdown its FTX's Insane tax bill and why 2022 won't leave us alone. 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
13/05/2023 • 14 minutes 38 seconds
Chamber of Commerce Says “The SEC’s actions are not just harmful policy; they are unlawful.”
On today's Breakdown, NLW catches up on: A number of amicus briefs filed in support of Coinbase's lawsuit against the SEC The Chamber of Commerce joins the fight Reps McHenry and Huizenga pen another letter to SEC demanding information Brad Sherman blasts GBTC in letter to SEC DCG-Genesis in mediation after deal falls apart 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:</p
12/05/2023 • 16 minutes 6 seconds
Congressional Gaslighting: For Crypto, the Partisan Ship Has Sailed
Another week, another crypto hearing, and this time the Democrats handed out talking points. NLW discusses how partisan the discourse around crypto and Bitcoin are becoming and assesses whether it is likely to be a winning political strategy. 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 <
11/05/2023 • 16 minutes 17 seconds
The 3 Blockers to Powell's Soft Landing
We got our report card today! Inflation surprised to the downside, coming in at 4.9%. NLW explores the reaction and why Powell still has three big barriers to getting his soft landing, including, notably, the debt ceiling negotiations. 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 <p dir="
10/05/2023 • 15 minutes 30 seconds
The Next Big Crypto Battle
..it's not BRC20. (At least not yet). Nope, it's the SEC's custody rule which is yet another attempt at a de-facto crypto ban through legal wrangling. The crypto industry, however, is not having it. 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: h
09/05/2023 • 17 minutes 12 seconds
Binance Says Lightning Support is Coming After Halting Withdrawals Around Bitcoin Fees
A busy weekend around the crypto space. On today's episode, NLW covers: Tl;DR on BRC-20 Binance halting withdrawals and announcing support for Lightning DOJ targeting Binance around sanctions? NYAG introduces even more sweeping crypto legislation 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
08/05/2023 • 18 minutes 47 seconds
The Global Role of Bitcoin
On this week's Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads: Reviving Argentina's Economy: Dollarization and Bitcoin as Catalysts for Change - Carlos Cardenas The Fall of Bitcoin in the Central African Republic: Why This Legal Tender Experiment Failed - Jonathan Buck 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/VrKRrfKCz
07/05/2023 • 11 minutes 52 seconds
The End of Consensus Reality with Jon Askonas
One of the jarring but regular experiences of modern life is discovering that someone, perhaps even someone close to you, sees the world and the events that happened in it in a wildly different way from what your perception tells you happened. It can feel like we're all living in completely different realities. More and more, argues Catholic University Professor Jon Askonas, we are living in different realities. Jon is currently in the midst of a set of long-form explorations about the end of consensus reality for the New Atlantis journal. They explore how the internet came to fracture the perception of a common shared reality that was, it turns out, an artifact of a high centralized media apparatus during the 20th century. What lies on the other side of the end of consensus reality is the question. Is it a bad thing, or simply different? Will it necessarily engender new instit
06/05/2023 • 40 minutes 39 seconds
Venmo and Stripe Ramp Up on Crypto While Coinbase and Gemini Look Offshore
In this Friday edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at the key events this week, including: Biden's DAME tax Coinbase and Gemini opening offshore derivatives exchanges Court orders SEC to respond to Coinbase's lawsuit Venmo and Strip expand crypto offerings 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: h
05/05/2023 • 15 minutes 4 seconds
Regional Bank Turmoil Accelerates as Fed Raises Again with "Hawkish Pause" on Horizon
First Republic failed this week. Did that mean Powell and the Fed would pause their hikes? Absolutely not. NLW covers the "Hawkish Pause" press conference and the 25 bps interest rate raise. 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://t
04/05/2023 • 14 minutes 59 seconds
Biden's DAME Mining Tax is an Attack on Bitcoin
The White House Council of Economic Advisors yesterday announced the Digital Asset Mining Energy (DAME) excise tax. The proposed 30% tax on "cryptomining" would be a soft ban on mining in the USA according to crypto industry experts. 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 <p dir="lt
03/05/2023 • 16 minutes 38 seconds
The Suspicious Denial of Protego Trust: New York Magazine Finds Evidence of Operation Choke Point 2.0
Operation Choke Point 2.0 refers to the idea that there has been coordinated action by bank regulators to try to force crypto out of the system - something which the current administration strenuously denies. New York Magazine recently found more evidence than they might have believed for the effort. 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:/
02/05/2023 • 15 minutes 37 seconds
First Republic's Failure Shows the Limits of Fed Bank Programs
After an extended ordeal, beleaguered First Republic Bank has been seized and sold to JP Morgan Chase. NLW covers the build up, the specifics of the deal, and why the example of First Republic illustrates the limits of what the Fed can control. 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
01/05/2023 • 16 minutes 40 seconds
Don't Ban Crypto! The Case for Pro-Innovation Regulation
On this edition of Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads "The Case for Regulating, Not Banning, Crypto" by the Blockchain Association's Kristin Smith. The article is a response to the growing argument against regulation. 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: <p dir="ltr" role="
30/04/2023 • 15 minutes 20 seconds
Fighting the Regulatory Rugpull
On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW breaks down: Gary Gensler's latest cringey SEC video Coinbase's Wells Notice response Dual legislative hearings from Thursday 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 Break
29/04/2023 • 14 minutes 57 seconds
First Republic is a Zombie Bank
All week there has been a high-stakes game of chicken as the Fed, FHLB, FDIC, big banks who pumped $30B into First Republic and FRC itself all try to figure out if this thing can survive. Is it headed for FDIC receievership? Is this how the Biden Admin signals it won't bail out everyone? 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
28/04/2023 • 16 minutes 26 seconds
Making the Lightning Network Noncustodial with Spiral's Steve Lee [Bitcoin Builders Excerpt]
Bitcoin Builders is The Breakdown Network's new show about the Cambrian explosion of creativity and entrepreneurial energy around Bitcoin and Lightning. In this excerpt from my recent interview with Spiral's Steve Lee, Steve discusses their work on the Lightning Developer Kit and their approach to making Lightning easier to use in a non custodial way. To follow and subscribe to Bitcoin Builders, find it wherever you listen to podcasts: https://pod.link/1680067216
28/04/2023 • 11 minutes 21 seconds
The Institutions Are Coming Back to Crypto
Deloitte has hundreds of jobs advertised around digital assets. Franklin Templeton just announced a major blockchain project with Polygon. Standard Chartered Bank is betting on $100k BTC in 2023. The institutions are back, baby. 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 <p dir="ltr" ro
27/04/2023 • 16 minutes 29 seconds
Binance Withdraws Voyager Offer as Coinbase Sues the SEC
Both of today's stories are, on some level, about US crypto politics. The first part of the show focuses on Binance US's beleagured and now withdrawn bid for the Voyager Digital assets. Despite a judge overruling US government objections, it appears Binance has decided it's more trouble than it's worth. Coinbase meanwhile, has filed suit against the SEC around that agencies failure to respond to a Coinbase petition filed last year to receive better clarity on which cryptoassets are securities and why. 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/ <p dir="lt
26/04/2023 • 19 minutes 15 seconds
Raoul Pal Previews the Future: AI, Crypto, QE and the next Phase of Human Flourishing or Upheaval
Raoul Pal is the CEO of Real Vision. On this “Paradigm Shift” episode of The Breakdown, NLW and Raoul discuss: Raoul’s concept of “The Everything Code” and “The Exponential Age” Debt monetization The multipollar world De-dollarization Money for a trustless world AI and consensus reality AI as the Biggest Disinflationary shock ever And much much more <p dir="
25/04/2023 • 1 hour 43 minutes 6 seconds
Where Bitcoin Fits as Argentina Faces a Dollar Shortage and 100%+ Inflation
Argentina has one of the highest inflation rates in the world, which some economists are estimating at 133% or more. The Argentine Peso also has one of the highest interest rates in the world. On this episode, NLW discusses recent turmoil at the central bank and where some Argentinian bitcoiners think Bitcoin fits into the solution. 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 “The Breakdown” is written, produced and hosted by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW. Resear
24/04/2023 • 19 minutes 49 seconds
The EU Has Now Become the Global Crypto Regulatory Leader
On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads:Why the EU Has MiCA and the US Has Securities Laws Confusion - Daniel Kuhn Is Europe’s MiCA a Template for Global Crypto Regulation - Dea Markova 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
23/04/2023 • 14 minutes 11 seconds
Hasta La Vista, USA! Crypto Companies Look Abroad
This week Coinbase was on tour in the U.K. and also announced a new Bermuda license, through which it will supposedly soon announce a new derivatives offering. NLW recaps the contrast between the increasingly open arms from the rest of the world and the cold aggressive stance of U.S. regulators. 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.c
22/04/2023 • 14 minutes 23 seconds
A Landmark Moment for Crypto in Europe as MiCA Passes
With the passage of MiCA, Europe has jumped out ahead of the U.S. and other jurisdictions when it comes to regulating crypto. 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</div
22/04/2023 • 17 minutes 54 seconds
The Case for U.S. Stablecoin Regulation
Last year, the first crypto legislation was supposed to be common-sense rules for stablecoins. The two political parties couldn’t come together, however, and the legislation was scrapped. Now, the House Republicans have reintroduced a draft, and on Wednesday held a hearing that featured witnesses including the Blockchain Association’s Jake Chervinsky and stablecoin expert (and recent “The Breakdown” guest) Austin Campbell. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.g
21/04/2023 • 19 minutes 34 seconds
Congress Grills Gensler on Anti-Crypto Stance
Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler has positioned himself as crypto’s biggest opponent in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, however, a House oversight hearing took Gensler to task for his regulation by enforcement and his inability or unwillingness to provide the crypto industry with clarity. But was it all just political theater? “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.
20/04/2023 • 19 minutes 52 seconds
Coinbase Says Without Regulatory Clarity It Will Be Forced to Leave the U.S.
The U.S. regulatory crackdown on crypto seems to be having the exact impact that industry advocates feared, because some of the largest companies in the space consider relocating to more favorable regulatory regimes. This week, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is in the U.K., and told an audience at Fintech Week in London that without regulatory clarity the crypto exchange may have to leave the U.S. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub
19/04/2023 • 16 minutes 10 seconds
The House Finally Introduces a Stablecoin Bill, But Will Crypto Opponents Even Come to the Table?
It’s hard to have good faith dialogue about regulation when one group involved in the discussion doesn't think the industry being regulated should even be allowed to exist. That increasingly seems to be the problem with crypto legislation. 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= Joi
18/04/2023 • 15 minutes 46 seconds
Glassnode's James Check on the Peak Capitulation Event That Flushed Out the Final Bitcoin Top Buyers
This episode is an excerpt from my recent interview with Glassnode's James Check. The full interview covers why the recent $30k run-up was spot not leverage driven, why BTC is shifting from whales to smaller holders, and why these markets are much healthier than when FTX was around. Subscribe to Bitcoin Builders and get the full episode here: https://pod.link/1680067216/episode/5b15ff1cd80a9f799055323582dae4bc
17/04/2023 • 9 minutes 8 seconds
The Latest New York Times Bitcoin Mining Hit Piece Is a Monument to Intellectual Laziness
This week’s “Long Reads Sunday” looks at three refutations of the piece, by: David Z Morris Daniel Batten Margot Paez - “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Join the discussion at <a href= "http://discord.gg
16/04/2023 • 19 minutes 26 seconds
Will Withdrawals Drive a New Institutional Ethereum Narrative?
This week on the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the Shapella upgrade, including emergent narratives around institutional investment, as well as checking in on the FTX bankruptcy estate and previewing the House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing with Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler next week. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.
15/04/2023 • 15 minutes 47 seconds
Sergey Nazarov on Why the World Needs a New Model of (Cryptographic) Trust
NLW is joined by Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov for the first in “The Breakdown”'s "Paradigm Shift" interview series. Sergey discusses why society's trust model has broken down, how cryptographic truth serves as an alternative, and why this alternative method of understanding truth will become even more important as a countermeasure to artificial intelligence. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.
15/04/2023 • 1 hour 8 minutes 19 seconds
An AI Primer for Bitcoiners
On todays show, NLW gives a primer on the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) space, including introducing key concepts such as Generative AI, LLMs and more. He also looks at why bitcoiners have a particularly important vantage point in the emerging AI conversation. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Midjourney. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.
14/04/2023 • 18 minutes 33 seconds
Inflation Drops Most In 2 Years, but Not Everyone Is Buying It
Inflation came in at an annualized 5% this month, beating economists’ expectations and dropping to its lowest level in two years. That’s good, right? Well, hold your horses, say some analysts. Services inflation remains sticky, and with recent production cuts from OPEC+ and an end to tapping U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserves, energy prices could come back up during the U.S. summer high season. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHd
13/04/2023 • 16 minutes 27 seconds
Bitcoin’s Rally to $30K Being Driven by Good Old-Fashioned Spot BTC Buying
Description Bitcoin hit $30,000 for the first time since June 2022 last night. On today’s episode, NLW looks at why the evidence suggests this rally is – unlike previous crypto rallies –driven by spot buying instead of leverage trading. He also looks at how the crypto market has evolved and is seemingly more hostile to previously hyped narratives. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M="
12/04/2023 • 17 minutes 5 seconds
Announcing The Breakdown Network and Bitcoin Builders
The Breakdown is expanding to become The Breakdown Network. The first spinoff show will be called Bitcoin Builders and is all about the entrepreneurial and creative energy flowing into bitcoin. Learn more about the changes and what you can expect. Sound credit: “Shattuck Hall” by Garvanza licensed via Track Club
11/04/2023 • 8 minutes 49 seconds
Everyone Is Talking About De-Dollarization, Is There Anything To It?
On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at shifting geopolitical alignments, honing in on French President Macron’s recent visit to China, China’s war games in the South China Sea and the growing de-dollarization narrative. 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
11/04/2023 • 17 minutes 17 seconds
Traders Shifting to Tether and BTC Are Voting Against the U.S.
On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: USDC Boasted Transparency but It Didn't Help When Silicon Valley Bank Got Into Trouble - J.P. Koning Happy 48th Birthday, Satoshi Nakamoto - George Kaloudis Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF
09/04/2023 • 16 minutes 42 seconds
Are Real-World Assets (RWA) the Next Big Crypto Narrative?
On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at some followup stories from the shutdown of Signature Bank last month, as well as the emerging trend of real-world asset tokenization. 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: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfK
08/04/2023 • 15 minutes 16 seconds
Is Crypto Already Soft-Banned in the U.S.?
Wednesday, Foreign Affairs published an argument from American University professor Hilary Allen that the U.S. should consider a full ban on crypto. The argument gives explicit voice to a position that has been held quietly in the Biden Administration, and represents a ratcheting up of the rhetorical war around crypto in the U.S. 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
07/04/2023 • 16 minutes 11 seconds
Is the Banking Crisis Really Over?
On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the debate raging on Twitter about whether the banking crisis is actually over. $390 billion in deposits left U.S. banks last month – the most ever in a single month – but the bleeding seems to have been stemmed. Still, many are looking uncomfortably at commercial real estate loans coming due as another source of trouble for the same small and regional banks that were under the gun last month. 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: <a hre
06/04/2023 • 16 minutes 28 seconds
Interpol, Elon-DOGE and the Latest Crypto Controversy
Ah, just a casual Monday in crypto land, where an encrypted tweet from an influencer leads to billions of dollars of value wiped off the market cap. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the CZ Interpol Red Notice rumors, explanations for Elon Musk changing Twitter’s blue bird icon to a Shiba Inu dog, and more substantive news about the latest hearings around Binance.US’ intended acquisition of bankrupt Voyager Digital’s assets. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.
05/04/2023 • 17 minutes 21 seconds
What OPEC's Surprise Oil Production Cuts Have to Do With De-Dollarization
A reduction in oil output of 1.65 million barrels per day was announced by OPEC+ members on Sunday night. In the face of a global economic slowdown, analysts are debating whether the cartel is acting politically or merely anticipating softer demand. 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: <a h
04/04/2023 • 16 minutes 52 seconds
The US Government Attack on Crypto Certainly Seems Coordinated
On this edition of Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads “Editorial: It Sure Looks Like the U.S. Is Trying to Kill Crypto” by Kevin Reynolds 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/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc
02/04/2023 • 15 minutes 39 seconds
The USA’s Crypto Loss is Hong Kong and China’s Crypto Gain
It’s no secret that the US is pushing banks away from crypto companies. What’s surprising is that Chinese state owned banks are apparently actively recruiting crypto customers in Hong Kong – seemingly in response to growing US anti-crypto attitudes. 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/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9
01/04/2023 • 15 minutes 4 seconds
Elizabeth Warren has Declared War on Crypto
“Then they fight you” but for real this time. Elizabeth Warren is running for re-election to the Senate, and she’s running on the platform of being a crypto antagonist. NLW explores the reactions from the crypto community. 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
01/04/2023 • 16 minutes 12 seconds
The RESTRICT Act Isn’t About Banning TikTok, It's About Expanding Government Powers
The movement to ban TikTok in the U.S. is growing. The recently introduced RESTRICT Act in the U.S. Congress is nominally about that, but some are concerned it would significantly expand government powers over the internet. 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 discussio
31/03/2023 • 18 minutes 26 seconds
The Evidence for Operation Choke Point 2.0, With Nic Carter
On today’s episode, NLW is joined by Castle Island Ventures’ Nic Carter. Nic was the first to identify the concerted effort to deplatform crypto from the banking system as “Operation Choke Point 2.0.” In their conversation, Nic discusses the original Operation Choke Point, how that operation came to an end, when he began to notice signs of a similar strategy targeting crypto and where the industry is now. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR
30/03/2023 • 49 minutes 37 seconds
The CFTC Sues Binance, but Is It Regulatory Turf War?
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a lawsuit against Binance on Monday, alleging seven different charges related to derivatives exchange registration. In this episode, NLW explores the charges and to what extent they reflect not only a case against Binance but an ongoing regulatory turf war between the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9y
29/03/2023 • 20 minutes 17 seconds
Are Deutsche Bank and Charles Schwab Actually in Trouble or is it Just Doomporn?
Ever since the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, markets have been waiting with bated breath for another shoe to drop. Coming into the weekend, it looked like Deutsche Bank and Charles Schwab were the most wobbly. NLW explores whether there is actually reason to be concerned or whether fintwit (and short sellers) are just looking for another mark. 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:
28/03/2023 • 15 minutes 47 seconds
Why We’ll Remember This Banking Crisis as a Turning Point for Bitcoin
On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “This Crisis Will Define the Future of Money” - Michael J. Casey “Bitcoin Is a Clear Winner of the U.S. Banking Crisis” - George Kaloudis 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:
26/03/2023 • 18 minutes 30 seconds
Safe Haven From Banks? Bitcoin’s New Narrative Comes Into View
On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW combines two previous YouTube shows focused on Balaji’s $1 million bitcoin bet and the emergence of the mainstream narrative of bitcoin as a safe haven from banks. 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: <a href="https:
26/03/2023 • 30 minutes 6 seconds
The Fed Hikes, Credit Tightens and Commercial Real Estate Looks Like the Next Problem for Banks
NLW catches up on the macro in the wake of the recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting and interest rate decision. The stakes were higher going into this meeting thanks to the banking crisis. As the Federal Reserve stays determined to keep hiking, is commercial real estate poised to be the next challenge? “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Malte Mueller/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.
25/03/2023 • 16 minutes 36 seconds
The SEC Finally Picks a Fight With Someone Who Can Fight Back
Gary Gensler just doesn't stop. This week we’ve seen actions against Justin Sun, SushiSwap and now Coinbase. NLW covers the latest Wells Notice from the SEC and why Coinbase might prove a tougher opponent than what Gensler is used to. “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Kevin Dietsch/Staff/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8. Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that We
24/03/2023 • 17 minutes 7 seconds
The Fed's Balance Sheet Jumped $300B Last Week. Is That Inflationary?
NLW is joined by Ram Ahluwalia, CEO of Lumida Wealth Management. In this conversation, they discuss: The fall of Credit Suisse The Federal Reserve’s new Bank Term Funding Program and whether it’s inflationary Why this crisis is currently deflationary And more. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgk
23/03/2023 • 1 hour 2 minutes 50 seconds
The FDIC is Exploring How to Ensure All US Bank Deposits
Just a week after backstopping Silicon Valley Bank and Signature, the FDIC is reportedly exploring how they could feasibly cover all US deposits. NLW explores the implications. <div data-pm-
22/03/2023 • 15 minutes 53 seconds
Was UBS Buying Credit Suisse Just ‘Soft Nationalization’?
Due to its global systemic importance, Credit Suisse appeared to be in serious trouble last week. In the past weekend, Swiss authorities, along with their counterparts in the US, EU, and UK, hammered out a deal that nobody is really happy with, aside from the fact that it may prevent banking contagion. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M
21/03/2023 • 15 minutes 53 seconds
Bitcoin Was Created for Times Like These
On this week’s Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads: “Should I Keep My Money in Bitcoin or a Bank?” By Daniel Kuhn “Evaluating Bitcoin as a Store of Value” by Joe Orsini “Bitcoin Was Built for This Moment” by Tatianna Koffman Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: <a href= "https:/
19/03/2023 • 16 minutes 21 seconds
A Real-Time History of the Crypto Banking Crisis, With Austin Campbell
NLW is joined by Austin Campbell, Adjunct Professor at Columbia University and former banker and stablecoin operator, to discuss the recent crypto banking crisis. They discuss: Why interest rate risk, not crypto troubles, was the source of the problems Why even banal regulatory disinterest in crypto could create significant problems for the industry What rules need to change for crypto to fit in a U.S. banking framework
18/03/2023 • 59 minutes 31 seconds
The 5 Key Bitcoin Building Themes, With Wolf Lightning Accelerator CEO Kelly Brewster
Kelly Brewster is the CEO of Wolf, a new Lightning and Bitcoin startup accelerator in New York City. In this conversation, he and NLW discuss five big themes they’re seeing among Bitcoin builders, including Bitcoin DeFi, Lightning Network infrastructure, gaming, Nostr/social media and ordinals. 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/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnl
18/03/2023 • 33 minutes
Apparently, U.S. Regulated Banks Are Riskier Than Stablecoins
Stablecoins have long been seen by U.S. policymakers as risky and a potential threat to U.S. financial stability. How ironic, then, that it was the failure of a U.S.-regulated bank in SVB that caused peril to USDC last weekend. NLW explains how USDC fell off and then recovered its peg, while also giving an update on Operation Choke Point 2.0. 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
17/03/2023 • 16 minutes 41 seconds
Is Credit Suisse the Next Banking Domino?
Following the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature, markets are holding their breath for more trouble in the banking sector. Wednesday morning, comments from one of the biggest investors in Credit Suisse sent that company’s stock tumbling. Numerous European banking stocks followed Credit Suisse lower, leading some to wonder if the U.S. banking crisis was moving overseas. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3lu
16/03/2023 • 15 minutes 17 seconds
The Banking System Broke; Will That Force a Fed Pivot?
At this point, markets are racing to figure out what they believe the recent spate of U.S. bank failures means for monetary policy. Will the Federal Reserve stay the course? Will it be forced to pivot on raising interest rates? NLW brings you the debate as well as how the latest CPI inflation data affects the discussion.
15/03/2023 • 16 minutes 27 seconds
Even Barney Frank Thinks Signature Was Shut Down to Send an Anti-Crypto Message
On Sunday, as government authorities announced that Silicon Valley Bank depositors would be protected, they added that the New York Department of Financial Services would be shuttering Signature Bank. Little explanation was given but some, including Signature board member and bank regulation architect Barney Frank, think it was a calculated move to send an anti-crypto message. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luL
14/03/2023 • 20 minutes 41 seconds
We Pushed Semiconductors Offshore; Are We Doing the Same to Crypto?
On this week’s Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads: Semiconductors: A Cautionary Tale by Sheila Warren The SEC’s Other Option by TuongVy Le SEC Bitcoin ETF Dissent - Commissioner Hester Peirce and Commissioner Mark Uyeda Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538v
12/03/2023 • 16 minutes 13 seconds
The Government Game Plan: Call Ether a Security, Tax the Crap Out of Bitcoin Mining
What a week. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW updates on the Silicon Valley Bank situation, discusses the New York Attorney General’s lawsuit against KuCoin that claims ether is a security and looks at the Biden Administration’s plan to lay a 30% excise tax on energy used for crypto mining. 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/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub
11/03/2023 • 16 minutes 40 seconds
The 2nd Biggest Bank Failure In American History: Silicon Valley Bank Is No More
Just days after Silvergate announced an orderly winding down, Silicon Valley Bank has come to a very disorderly end. Today, California regulators stepped in to put the bank in FDIC receivership. NLW explains how we got here and what it might mean. 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=
11/03/2023 • 17 minutes 5 seconds
The Real Reasons Silvergate Collapsed
Beleaguered Silvergate Bank has announced that it will be winding down. NLW examines whether the turn of events is due to banking crypto companies, specific business decisions made by Silvergate or a coordinated political campaign against the company. 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= </
10/03/2023 • 18 minutes 47 seconds
Fed’s Powell Brings the Dog and Pony Show to DC for the Semiannual Monetary Policy Review
In today's episode, NLW looks at the macro as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell discusses monetary policy this week before Senate and House of Representatives banking committees. The markets are betting on a 50 basis point rate hike at the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting based on his Tuesday comments. 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/
09/03/2023 • 15 minutes 15 seconds
Fireworks in the Grayscale Bitcoin ETF Lawsuit as Judge Visibly Rattles SEC Attorney
Last year, Grayscale, a CoinDesk sister company, filed suit against the Securities and Exchange Commission after its proposal to convert the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into a bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund was rejected. Today the hearing began, and the SEC was almost immediately put on the defensive. In this episode, NLW explains the background of the SEC and bitcoin ETFs, the specifics of the Grayscale case and how the community is reacting to today's hearing. 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 <di
08/03/2023 • 18 minutes 22 seconds
Are the WSJ Articles on Binance and Tether ‘Trial by Press’?
Today, NLW discusses recent Wall Street Journal articles about Tether using fraudulent bank accounts to access banking services and private chat threads from former Binance employees arguing that Binance and Binance.US were closely aligned. 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=<
07/03/2023 • 13 minutes 19 seconds
Crypto’s Center of Gravity Is Shifting Away from the U.S.
On this “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: The Future of Crypto Markets Will Be Driven by Developments in the East - Noelle Acheson Keep Crypto in America - Emily Parker - “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Nataliia Nesterenko/ Getty Images, modified by CoinDe
05/03/2023 • 20 minutes 29 seconds
The Hole on the FTX Balance Sheet Remains Gaping
In this week's “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the latest from the FTX bankruptcy estate and stirrings that Democrats in Congress aren't fond of SEC Chair Gary Gensler's regulatory methods. 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: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfK
04/03/2023 • 16 minutes 29 seconds
With Congress Impotent, Courts Are the Only Option for Fighting SEC Overreach
Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW discusses Silvergate, a scathing open letter from three U.S. senators to Binance and whether courts can stop an overreaching Securities and Exchange Commission. 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: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrK
04/03/2023 • 15 minutes 25 seconds
What the Silvergate Death Spiral Means for the Crypto Industry
In today's episode, NLW discusses Silvergate Bank's painful collapse. In order to understand the industry's banking resources, he examines where the bank came from, why it became important to the industry and how it faltered. 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= </d
03/03/2023 • 17 minutes 33 seconds
The Vise Tightens on SBF as Former FTX Engineering Head Nishad Singh Pleads Guilty
The latest big news, in the wake of FTX's collapse: Nishad Singh, former head of engineering, has pleaded guilty to six charges as well as a “no contest” to civil charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In todays’ episode, NLW explores what we've learned from the charges, including new revelations about FTX's 2021 revenue. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: erhui1979/ Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8. </p
02/03/2023 • 14 minutes 59 seconds
NFT’s Biggest Company Is Coming to Bitcoin Ordinals
In today’s episode, aside from fist-shaking at SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, NLW discusses an announcement from Bored Ape Yacht Club creator, Yuga Labs, that it is creating a generative art collection for Bitcoin with Ordinal inscriptions. As part of an emerging Bitcoin Builder moment, he argues, the move makes sense. 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
01/03/2023 • 16 minutes 16 seconds
Gary Gensler, Bitcoin and the Bad-Faith SEC
Ah, the industry was once so hopeful about Gary Gensler’s appointment to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Yet, as the years have progressed he has become the industry's most aggressive antagonist. In the wake of increasing congressional scrutiny of his dealings with Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX, Gensler is fighting back in media appearances. In today's episode, NLW discusses Gensler's argument that all crypto assets are securities, aside from bitcoin. 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 Goog
28/02/2023 • 16 minutes 46 seconds
Central Bankers Triumphantly Declare Fiat to Have Beaten Crypto
Today on “Long Reads Sunday”: Travis Kling on why we haven’t won yet Cosmo Crixter – An Open Letter to Agustin Carstens Brendan Malone – The real problems of central banking 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_E7wgx
26/02/2023 • 14 minutes 3 seconds
Bank Regulators Say ‘No Operation Choke Point 2.0! Seriously! Believe Us!’
Apparently all our angry howling worked. This week, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, while nominally speaking about the liquidity risks of crypto banking, took pains to say they weren’t saying banks weren’t allowed to work with crypto companies. As you might guess, many in the crypto space aren’t buying it. We thinks the Regulator Doth Protest Too Much? 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<
25/02/2023 • 16 minutes
Class-Action Lawsuit Accusing Digital Basketball Cards of Being Securities Allowed to Proceed
On today’s episode, NLW covers the ruling of a federal judge in New York allowing a class-action lawsuit to proceed against Dapper Labs for allegedly offering unregistered securities. He also covers a new slate of charges against Sam Bankman-Fried, disgraced founder of FTX. “The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Westend61/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: <a h
25/02/2023 • 14 minutes 8 seconds
5 Takeaways From Coinbase's 'Base' Layer 2 Chain Launch
In this episode, NLW examines Coinbase's announcement of its new layer 2 chain, paying particular attention to: Exchanges moving from layer 1s to layer 2s No token Wall Street not getting it Developer competition On-chain know-your-customer (KYC)? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/
24/02/2023 • 17 minutes 17 seconds
Is Custodia a ‘Sacrificial Lamb’ to the Fed’s War on Crypto Banking?
In a recent tweet, Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell suggested U.S. regulators like it when bad actors beat good actors because it takes down the crypto industry and the bad actors can be jailed later. In this episode, NLW explores the issue in the context of Custodia Bank's battle to join the Federal Reserve system, and its argument that it is being unlawfully used as a “sacrificial lamb” in the wake of the FTX failure. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/sho
23/02/2023 • 16 minutes 34 seconds
Narrative Watch: Hong Kong Nudges Towards Legalizing Crypto Trading for Retail
Hong Kong's securities regulator published proposed rules on Monday for virtual asset trading platforms, fueling the narrative that the next bull market will start in Asia. NLW explores whether the moves are connected to broader changes in the Chinese economy. - 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=<
22/02/2023 • 17 minutes 37 seconds
How to Fight Back Against Rogue Regulators
Featured on this week’s “Long Reads Sunday”: “Regulating Crypto by Enforcement and Stealth Will Set the US Back” – Michael Casey https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/02/10/regulating-crypto-by-enforcement-and-stealth-will-set-the-us-back/ “The Right Analogy for Crypto Markets” – Nic Carter https://twitter.com/nic__carter/status/1625221587673702400 “How to Fight the Rogue SEC” – Balaji Srinivasan https://twitter.com/balajis/status/1625720725645692928 “The State of Crypto Policy” – Jake Chervinsky <a href="https:
19/02/2023 • 19 minutes 38 seconds
Why the Newly Proposed Custody Role Could Represent a De Facto Ban on Crypto
On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the newly proposed custody rule from the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the rule has broader implications other than crypto, many in the crypto industry are concerned that Chairman Gary Gensler may use the rule as a roundabout way to expand the SEC’s jurisdiction and therefore cut investment advisers off from the crypto industry. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjc
18/02/2023 • 17 minutes 17 seconds
Is the SEC’s Terra Lawsuit Trying to Set Precedent That Stablecoins are Securities?
In today’s episode, NLW breaks down a slew of late-breaking news, including: Terraform Labs and Do Kwon are being sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission Binance US made strange transfers of $400 million between 2020 and 2021, according to Reuters Judge Kaplan threatens to revoke Sam Bankman-Fried's bail Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.s
18/02/2023 • 17 minutes 52 seconds
Why Bitcoin Rallied 11% on Wednesday
In this episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW examines the various explanations for Wednesday's 11% increase in BTC’s price, including: Market structure Global liquidity conditions Stablecoin concerns Ordinals Debt ceiling debates The Asian bid Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb<
17/02/2023 • 16 minutes 47 seconds
Regulators Only Have Themselves to Blame for Crypto Not Being Better Regulated
On Tuesday, the Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on the “Crypto Crash.” NLW discusses the opening statements of the ranking committee member and chairman, as well as the regulatory proposals put forward by witnesses. He also discusses the ruling by a U.S. judge that FTX will not have an independent examiner appointed. 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.goog
16/02/2023 • 17 minutes 8 seconds
Slightly Hot Inflation Print Probably Won’t Change the Fed’s Perspective
On today’s episode, NLW updates on the Paxos situation. Paxos made a statement that it is willing to fight the Securities and Exchange Commission in court over whether BUSD is a security. The main part of the episode is focused on January’s inflation data, which came in slightly higher than expected. NLW argues it’s not enough for the Federal Reserve to consider shifting course. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3
15/02/2023 • 15 minutes 12 seconds
The Latest Front in the Crypto Wars Is Binance-Paxos and BUSD
Last week, rumors swirled that Paxos was the next target for regulatory action. On Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported the Securities and Exchange Commission was preparing a suit accusing the company of issuing an unregistered security. Then on Monday, the New York-regulated company announced it would cease issuing Binance USD after the state banking regulator said Paxos couldn’t do so in a safe and sound manner. - Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.coindesk.com. - “The Breakdown” is written, produced by
14/02/2023 • 15 minutes 37 seconds
Are Ordinals Sneakily a Boon to Bitcoin Security?
On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “A Pragmatic View of ChatGPT in a Web3 World” by Jesus Rodriguez “How Bitcoin NFTs Might Accidentally Fix Bitcoin's Security Budget” by George Kaloudis Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwg
13/02/2023 • 18 minutes 59 seconds
‘A Paternalistic and Lazy Regulator’: What the SEC-Kraken Staking Settlement Means for Crypto
On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW goes over the latest front in the crypto wars. On Thursday, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced a $30 million settlement with Kraken over their staking-as-a-service program. The move is rumored to be part of a much larger offensive against crypto involving numerous government offices. 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:
11/02/2023 • 19 minutes 24 seconds
Python Politics Part 2: Operation Choke Point 2.0 Begins
The crypto industry is increasingly facing a U.S. banking system that has been weaponized against it. In this second part of a two-part special, NLW looks at the post-Brian Brooks era at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and examines how crises like Luna and FTX have changed the situation. 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/aHR0cHM6Ly9
11/02/2023 • 23 minutes 48 seconds
Python Politics Part 1: The US Government's Slow Squeeze on Crypto via the Banking System
Operation Choke Point was an Obama-era initiative that put political pressure on banks and financial institutions to deny service to out-of-favor industries. Something similar is happening again with intense pressure being exerted for banks not to service the crypto industry. On this first part of a two-episode special, NLW looks at what’s happening, as well as the key recent history of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the U.S.’ main banking regulator. CORRECTION NOTE: At the 4:18 mark, NLW states: “At present there are two outstanding applications for licenses to operate national trust banks from Anchorage and Paxos, and these applications appear likely to be rejected by the OCC.” This was a mis-statement. Anchorage Digital is the only operational OCC-chartered digital asset bank, with their charter was approved by the OCC in January 2021. Paxos and Protego are the outstanding applications. <div data-pm-s
10/02/2023 • 21 minutes 15 seconds
Here Comes ‘Britcoin’
On today’s episode, NLW looks at the news that the U.K. has released a public consultation paper on a digital pound. While the British government hasn’t fully greenlit a U.K. central bank digital currency, the announcement argues “the Bank of England and HM Treasury judge that it is likely a digital pound will be needed in the future.” NLW also looks at progress on an Indian digital rupee as well as catches up on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5
09/02/2023 • 18 minutes 25 seconds
The Fed’s Hawkish Walk Back
At last week’s FOMC meeting, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell surprised many market watchers with a more doveish than expected FOMC speech and Q&A. On Friday, however, the January non-farm payrolls report came in with 517,000 new jobs added – far more than the 185,000 economists expected. Early this week, the Fed responded by deploying a number of officials to suggest that the continued tightness of the labor market was justification for more rate hikes this year. 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</di
08/02/2023 • 15 minutes 38 seconds
Would a Genesis/DCG Deal With Creditors End the Crypto Contagion?
Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW catches up on 2022 fallout, including: The White House letter about crypto from last week FTX hearing on whether to appoint an independent examiner Binance temporarily suspending USD deposits and withdrawals Reports of an agreement between Genesis/DCG and major creditors Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id143869362
07/02/2023 • 13 minutes 22 seconds
Why Crypto Fundraising Could Be in for a Painful Winter
On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “The Narrative Problems With Crypto VC” – Regan Bozman “What’s Holding DAOs Back” – Scott Fitsimones “Initial Coin Offerings Deserve a Rethink” – Don Phan Enjoying this content? S
05/02/2023 • 19 minutes 40 seconds
The Tragedy of Lebanon’s Currency Devaluation
This week, the Lebanese pound (or lira) was devalued from 1,500 lira per U.S. dollar to 15,000 lira per USD. At the same time, the black market price of a dollar is 64,300 lira. In this episode, NLW gives the story behind the headlines and tweets, and explains why the World Bank calls Lebanon one of the worst economic crises in the last 150 years. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luL
04/02/2023 • 13 minutes 40 seconds
Is the Narrative Around ESG and Bitcoin Mining Shifting?
Bitcoiners are no stranger to environmental FUD. NLW argues, however, that there are more and more examples of mainstream media telling the story of bitcoin mining’s potential for positive environmental impact. What’s more, some of that thinking is finding the way into state government actions. 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
04/02/2023 • 14 minutes 39 seconds
Jerome Powell Finally Believes He Might Actually Get His Soft Landing
On today’s episode, NLW breaks down the Federal Open Markets Committee rate hike decision, as well as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s comments on inflation, the labor force, the debt ceiling and loosening financial conditions. While many commentators have argued that Powell failed to be as hawkish as he wanted, NLW argues that Powell’s ultimate objective may have actually changed over the last few months. 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: <a href= "https://po
03/02/2023 • 15 minutes 20 seconds
A Primer on the Debate Around Ordinal Inscriptions, aka Bitcoin NFTs
For the last week, the Bitcoin community has been locked in fierce debate around Ordinal Inscriptions, a type of Bitcoin-native NFT that allows people to associate data like JPEGs with individual sats. Some find it an interesting, novel experiment. Others – including at least one core dev – think they should be censored as an illegitimate usage of the Bitcoin blockchain. NLW breaks down the debate(s). 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: <a href= "ht
02/02/2023 • 21 minutes 41 seconds
Independent Examiner Excoriates Celsius as a Ponzi
On today’s episode, NLW breaks down the newly filed report from the Celsius Network bankruptcy court’s independent examiner. The extremely thorough document argues that not only was Celsius engaged in extremely problematic practices, but that numerous employees raised concerns around them. The show also covers the debate around an independent examiner in the FTX case. - Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26–28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.c
01/02/2023 • 14 minutes 57 seconds
Hawks vs. Bulls: The Fed Clashes With Optimistic Investors
On today’s episode, NLW previews the Federal Open Markets Committee meeting this week. While most still believe the Federal Reserve will raise rates by just 0.25%, there is a growing sense the hike will be accompanied by some harsh talk for a market the Fed thinks is getting overly optimistic around rapidly loosening financial conditions. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3
31/01/2023 • 18 minutes 4 seconds
Is 2023 the Year the US Gets Serious About Protecting Privacy?
On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” it’s all about privacy. NLW reads: “Sweeping Crypto Regulation? First Update the Bank Secrecy Act” - Mark Lurie “Privacy Is a Human Right – and the 118th Congress Must Defend It” - Lia Holland, Eseohe Ojo Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podc
29/01/2023 • 17 minutes 40 seconds
What’s Next for NFTs?
On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at a number of stories from the non-fungible token (NFT) industry this week that suggest where the industry might be headed, including Doodles’ acquisition of an animation studio and Porsche’s contentious entrance into the space. 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/aHR0cHM
28/01/2023 • 15 minutes 53 seconds
Commingling Customer Funds? Binance Under Scrutiny for B-Token Wallet
On today’s episode, NLW catches up on the continued fallout of Crypto 2022, including: Scrutiny around wallet balances that suggest Binance has had commingled user funds and company reserves around B-tokens The latest from the FTX bankruptcy, including accidental revelations around BlockFi A Celsius Network proposal for an asset-recovery token Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: <a href=
28/01/2023 • 15 minutes 55 seconds
‘We Want to Make Sure America Is the Place for Innovation in FinTech’
On today’s episode, NLW examines recent interviews with Republican congressional leaders including Representatives Patrick McHenry, Tom Emmer, Warren Davidson and French Hill, around the state of crypto in Washington, D.C. NLW argues that the key plans and talking points are pretty clear when the interviews are looked at 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M=" re
27/01/2023 • 14 minutes 10 seconds
Here Comes Nuclear-Powered Bitcoin Mining
Today is a mining day on “The Breakdown” as NLW looks at: News of nuclear-powered bitcoin-mining coming to the U.S. A new report on the state of mining from Galaxy Digital The impact of Kazakhstan’s miner exodus on the global bitcoin energy mix Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: ht
26/01/2023 • 15 minutes 25 seconds
Up 40% YTD, Bitcoin Is 2023’s Best-Performing Asset
On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at bitcoin’s impressive January rally and discusses what’s driving it. Specifically, he explores claims of market manipulation versus simple mean reversion. Finally, he looks at whether it is reflective of a broader macro shift as well. 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/
25/01/2023 • 15 minutes 38 seconds
Does Crypto Have a Banking Problem?
On today’s episode, NLW breaks down the latest news from the weekend, including: Signature Bank limiting services, and what it means for the industry as a whole U.S. government seizing $700 million of assets associated with Sam Bankman-Fried Genesis first-day bankruptcy hearing information (Genesis and CoinDesk are both subsidiaries of Digital Currency Group.) Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.app
24/01/2023 • 15 minutes 22 seconds
The Future of Crypto Isn’t With Wall Street
On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “Worldwide Grassroots Projects Can Lead Crypto Recovery” by Michael J. Casey “Remembering Hal Finney on the 14th Anniversary of the First Bitcoin Transaction” by Daniel Kuhn - Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: <a href= "https:/
22/01/2023 • 13 minutes 6 seconds
What Davos Thinks of Crypto
On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the discussions around crypto and blockchain from the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland. - Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26–28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.coindesk.com. - “The Breakdown” is written
21/01/2023 • 15 minutes
Genesis Files for Chapter 11
After weeks, if not months, of speculation, Genesis has finally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing more than $5.1 billion in liabilities. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the implications of the filing plus the battles to come. He also covers the FTX hearing on the suitability of representation by Sullivan & Cromwell. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvb
21/01/2023 • 16 minutes 20 seconds
Would a Genesis Bankruptcy Actually Be Good for Crypto?
Yesterday, news outlets started reporting that a prepackaged bankruptcy for DCG subsidiary Genesis was close to completion. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the community’s reaction on whether this would be a good or bad thing for the space. He also reviews news that FTX bankruptcy CEO John J. Ray III is open to restarting the exchange. (CoinDesk is an independent subsidiary of DCG.) 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
20/01/2023 • 16 minutes 54 seconds
Bitz Who Now? Department of Justice Takes Down Russian Exchange Bitzlato
On today’s episode, NLW catches up on the latest on crypto crime and fall out, including: Disgraced 3AC founders’ attempt to build a new exchange with bankrupt CoinFLEX called GTX. Sam Bankman-Fried’s latest blog post arguing about how FTX.US assets should be considered by the bankruptcy committee. The DoJ’s much anticipated announcement about an “international enforcement action” that turned out to be an exchange most people had ever heard of. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb" rev= "en
19/01/2023 • 17 minutes 30 seconds
Bitcoin at $21K: Bull Trap or Ooo Baby We're Back?
Bitcoin (and crypto more broadly) has been on a tear the last few days, but the question on everyone’s mind is: why? Is it a real, fundamentals-based movement? Does it reflect a changed macro setup for risk assets or just market structure and a short squeeze? Could it be a U.S. government conspiracy? (Tucker Carlson thinks so.) Is it, as so many fear, just one big bull trap? NLW breaks it down. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.g
18/01/2023 • 15 minutes 41 seconds
The Legacy of Aaron Swartz 10 Years Later
On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: Why I Am Optimistic for Crypto - Stefan George 13 Narratives to Watch in 2013 - the DeFi Edge Aaron Swartz - Patrick Campbell Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id143869
15/01/2023 • 15 minutes 9 seconds
The SEC Sues Gemini/Genesis as SBF Starts a Blog
On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit against Gemini and Genesis involving the Gemini Earn program. He also sums up the recent developments around FTX, including $5 billion of recovered funds and Sam Bankman-Fried’s new Substack. 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/
14/01/2023 • 14 minutes 55 seconds
How Big a Deal Was Binance’s Previous $1B BUSD Collateral Gap?
Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW catches up on some crypto cleanup stories from earlier in the week. He looks at community reactions to research uncovering that at times in 2020 and 2021 Binance peg BUSD was undercollateralized by as much as $1 billion, as well as to the latest fire and fury around Silvergate Bank. 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
14/01/2023 • 15 minutes 26 seconds
Will Negative Inflation Prompt a Shift in Fed Policy?
On today’s episode, NLW digs into December’s just-released CPI numbers. For the sixth month in a row, year-over-year inflation declined. For the first time in more than two years, month-over-month inflation declined. For many, this confirms a Federal Reserve shift back to raising rates by 25 basis points at the FOMC’s next meeting at the end of this month. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8u
13/01/2023 • 14 minutes 57 seconds
DCG Responds as Gemini Accuses Company of Fraud
Crypto 2023 – like Crypto 2022, but angrier. This week, Gemini co-CEO Cameron Winklevoss accused Genesis, DCG and DCG CEO Barry Silbert of fraud in a major escalation of their fight over frozen funds. Silbert and DCG, CoinDesk’s parent, responded with their own letter and Q&A arguing that Genesis and DCG are fundamentally different entities. NLW covers the war of words and the community’s response to it. - Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26–28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit <span st
12/01/2023 • 20 minutes 6 seconds
The Fed’s Interest Rate Message Is Clear: Get to 5% and Keep It There
On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest communiques from Federal Reserve officials, including comments by Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, as well as a speech on Tuesday by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The message is “higher for longer” even if the markets don’t agree. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M=" rev= "en
11/01/2023 • 16 minutes 7 seconds
The SEC and DOJ Are Reportedly Investigating DCG
On today’s episode, NLW catches up on: Why bitcoin’s price went up firmly above $17,000 The latest Binance concerns Reports the Securities and Exchange Commission and Justice Department are investigating DCG’s internal transfers (CoinDesk is an independent subsidiary of DCG.) Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: <a href= "ht
10/01/2023 • 14 minutes 18 seconds
Where Bitcoin Mining Goes From Here
On this Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads: The worst of Bitcoin mining in 2022 by Zack Voell What Will It Take for Bitcoin Mining Companies to Survive in 2023? By George Kaloudis Bitcoin Mining: A Positive or Negative Indicator for the Future of Crypto? By Daniel Kuhn Enjoying this cont
08/01/2023 • 16 minutes 3 seconds
Is Political Gridlock Good for Crypto?
On the first Weekly Recap of 2023, NLW hones in on the political impasse in Washington D.C. and explores whether a divided Congress (and a divided Republican party within Congress) might be good for crypto in a year that politicians are feeling animosity towards the industry. 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/aHR0cHM6L
08/01/2023 • 15 minutes 54 seconds
The Crypto Reckoning Continues
NLW profiles another brutal week in the crypto computation and cleanup following the disasters of 2022. He examines: Celsius ex-CEO Alex Mashinsky sued by NYAG 3AC subpoenaed via Twitter Silvergate laying off 40% Genesis laying off 30% And more Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com
07/01/2023 • 15 minutes 3 seconds
The Fed Is Scared of Stock Market Animal Spirits
In today's episode, NLW looks at the macro landscape that will set the tone for the markets in 2023. According to the minutes of the December Federal Open Markets Committee Meeting, released on Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is concerned about investor enthusiasm regarding a theoretical future pivot undermining monetary policy tightening. 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: <a href= "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLm
06/01/2023 • 16 minutes 14 seconds
SBF Pleads Not Guilty; Trial Set for October
On today’s episode, NLW discusses Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX, including his bail hearing from December, the unusual request to keep his bail bond-backers private, and his not guilty plea from yesterday’s arraignment. 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= <d
05/01/2023 • 15 minutes 15 seconds
On Bitcoin’s 14th Birthday, the Gemini-DCG War of Words Heats Up
Bitcoin celebrates its birthday today! This is also the first Breakdown of the year. NLW discusses the news and events from the past couple weeks, including the arrest of Mango Markets exploiter Avraham Eisenberg as well as the escalating feud between Gemini and the Genesis/DCG leadership. 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/
04/01/2023 • 16 minutes 48 seconds
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 -</p
31/12/2022 • 38 minutes 21 seconds
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 - <a href= "https://nexo.io/
30/12/2022 • 29 minutes 10 seconds
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 - <a href= "https
29/12/2022 • 33 minutes 14 seconds
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 - <a href= "https://nexo.
29/12/2022 • 25 minutes 38 seconds
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 -
28/12/2022 • 33 minutes 46 seconds
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 - <
26/12/2022 • 32 minutes 15 seconds
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 Stroligh
24/12/2022 • 12 minutes 51 seconds
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: <a href= "https://messar
23/12/2022 • 40 minutes 22 seconds
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 guilt
23/12/2022 • 16 minutes 52 seconds
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 o
22/12/2022 • 16 minutes 43 seconds
Elon Bans Journalists, Kills Spaces and Asks if He Should Quit
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest out of Twitter, including a dust-up about location doxxing and the journalists who were suspended as a result, a new policy banning links to external social networks and a poll from Elon Musk asking whether he should step down as CEO. -
21/12/2022 • 19 minutes 38 seconds
Audit Firms Don’t Want to Work With Crypto Companies, and That’s a Problem
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW catches up on the latest in the crypto industry, including: Sam Bankman-Fried changes his tune on extradition DCG-owned coi
20/12/2022 • 15 minutes 26 seconds
What ChatGPT Might Mean for Web3
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle, Kraken and the Galaxy Brains Podcast. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads:</s
18/12/2022 • 15 minutes 46 seconds
Exchange Fears Roil Crypto Following SBF’s Arrest
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle, Kraken and the Galaxy Brains Podcast. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at how the FTX bankruptcy is proceeding follow
17/12/2022 • 15 minutes 48 seconds
Trump NFTs Sell Out In Hours
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle, Kraken and the Galaxy Brains Podcast. On today’s episode, NLW catches up on the latest non-FTX crypto news, including: <ul
17/12/2022 • 17 minutes 43 seconds
Jerome Powell Says ‘More Work to Be Done’ as FOMC Hikes Rates 50 Basis Points
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle, Kraken and the Galaxy Brains Podcast. Today’s episode is a deep dive into the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. NLW covers not j
16/12/2022 • 17 minutes 28 seconds
For Once, a Positive Inflation Surprise
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle, Kraken and the Galaxy Brains Podcast. On today’s episode, NLW catches up on the most recent inflation numbers. U.S. headline inflatio
15/12/2022 • 17 minutes 24 seconds
Sam Bankman-Fried Arrested for Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle, Kraken and the Galaxy Brains Podcast. In a shocking turn of events, Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested on Monday, Dec. 12 by Bahamian aut
14/12/2022 • 21 minutes 7 seconds
SBF ‘Loaned’ the CEO of The Block $43M
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle, Kraken and the Galaxy Brains Podcast. Another day, another betrayal. On Friday, news broke that former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried made
13/12/2022 • 19 minutes 3 seconds
Why Is Bitcoin Dominance So Much Lower Than in Previous Bear Markets?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On this episode of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Noelle Acheson’s “BTC Dominance Is Behaving Weirdly, and That’s Sort of Good<span style="font-weight: 400;"
11/12/2022 • 19 minutes 47 seconds
Congressman Who Called Bitcoin an ‘Unstoppable Force’ to Become House Financial Services Committee Chair
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW catches up on the latest U.S. regulatory news, including the legal battle around the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s actions against the Ooki DAO, a new bill that would have the Environmental Protection Agency study crypto mining, and more. <span style="font-wei
10/12/2022 • 16 minutes 20 seconds
2022’s Most Influential Bitcoiners
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Crypto Twitter was in a tizzy this week about CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2022. Specifically, bitcoin maximalists decried its lack of bitcoin maximal
10/12/2022 • 18 minutes 38 seconds
Sherrod Brown Tells SBF, ‘Show Up or Get Subpoenaed’
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the shift in tone around SBF following the FTX collapse. Both the House and the Senate are holding hearings on FTX next week, and have confirmed that if former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried doesn’t testify voluntarily, he could be compelled via subpoena. The show also covers Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s fight
09/12/2022 • 18 minutes 19 seconds
The White-Collar Recession
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW provides an overview of the broader economy, including: Wall Street’s predictions for a bad 2023 PepsiCo layoffs</li
08/12/2022 • 14 minutes 46 seconds
Goldman’s Going on a Crypto Company Buying Spree, but Is That Good for Crypto?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. In a conversation with Reuters, Goldman Sachs’ head of digital assets suggested the bank would be spending tens of millions of dollars to invest in, or buy outright, crypto firms whose prices had come down significantly in the wake of the FTX collapse. In today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest news on that collapse and whether
07/12/2022 • 18 minutes 18 seconds
SBF Declines a Congressional Invite; Alameda CEO Is Seen in New York City
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW catches up on the latest surrounding the fallout of FTX, including Sam Bankman-Fried’s back and forth with House Financial Services Committee Chair Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) over a congressional appearance next week, a spotting of Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison in New York City, the latest in th
06/12/2022 • 17 minutes 29 seconds
Bitcoin and Opting Out of the IMF & World Bank
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Alex Gladstein’s Twitter version of his new essay "Structural Adjustment: How the IMF and World Bank Repress Poor Countries and Funnel Their Resources to Rich Ones<span st
04/12/2022 • 16 minutes 49 seconds
Market Whiplash as Jobs Report Undermines Powell’s Less Hawkish Speech
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW catches up on the macro landscape, including recapping Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech on Wednesday and how the jobs report released Friday might undermine it as a market signal. - <a href= "https://nexo.i
04/12/2022 • 16 minutes 25 seconds
Apple’s Monopoly App Store Tax Coming to Crypto?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, we catch up on the crypto industry, including: Apple’s dust-up with Coinbase around fees for NFT transfers Stripe’s new fiat-to
03/12/2022 • 16 minutes 50 seconds
Will Sam’s Frenetic Media Tour Save Him or Damn Him?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Ah Sam, will we ever be able to escape you? This week, “main character syndrome” came roaring back into fashion as Sam Bankman-Fried broke his silence with a string of interviews culminating in appearances with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the New York Times DealBook Summit and on “Good Morning America” with George Stephanopoulos. NLW b
02/12/2022 • 19 minutes 25 seconds
Post-FTX, India and Europe Push Ahead With CBDCs
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. In today’s global regulatory roundup, NLW looks at news from: Europe: EU holds a hearing on the FTX collapse and France tests a CBDC India: RBI announces In
01/12/2022 • 16 minutes 28 seconds
Fed Officials Say Interest Rates to Remain Higher for Longer
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW turns back to the macro, where some amount of optimism had seeped into risk assets since a better-than-expected inflation report a few weeks ago. On Monday, a group of Federal Reserve officials were trotted out to make the point to markets they might once again be getting ahead of themselves with expectations of an
30/11/2022 • 16 minutes 55 seconds
BlockFi Files for Bankruptcy, Becoming Latest FTX Domino
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW returns to his usual daily programming with a review of crypto contagion that took place during the last week. He looks at BlockFi, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey today, as well as Genesis and FTX itself. (Genesis Global Capital is a subsidiary o
29/11/2022 • 16 minutes 16 seconds
The Progressive Case for Bitcoin, With Jason Maier
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. For our concluding episode of “Grateful for Bitcoin,” NLW chats with Jason Maier, who is currently working on a book on a progressive’s case for bitcoin. In this conversation, they discuss which progressive values align with bitcoin’s impact in the world, and why bitcoin has been so successful in remaining nonpartisan. <span sty
28/11/2022 • 26 minutes 53 seconds
Bitcoin Gas Flare Mining, With Matt Lohstroh
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. For this edition of “Grateful for Bitcoin,” NLW is joined by Matt Lohstroh, cofounder of Giga Energy. Matt and Giga are leaders in the bitcoin gas flare mining space. On this episode, he and NLW discuss the state of the bitcoin mining industry and how it’s changed over the years. Find our gue
26/11/2022 • 24 minutes 38 seconds
Why Lightning Isn’t Just for Bitcoin Believers, With Graham Krizek
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On this episode of “Grateful for Bitcoin,” NLW is joined by Voltage cofounder and CEO Graham Krizek. Voltage provides enterprise-grade infrastructure for the Lightning Network. On this episode, Graham and NLW talk about the current state of Lightning and discuss why some of the customers interested in bitcoin might surprise you. <sp
24/11/2022 • 22 minutes 6 seconds
‘A Fight Worth Having’: A Conversation With Jesse Powell
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode of “Grateful for Bitcoin,” NLW is joined by Kraken cofounder and former CEO Jesse Powell. They discuss the fallout from FTX, philosophy, regulations, non-fungible tokens and how the industry can move on in a positive direction. - <a href= "https://pro.nexo.io/
23/11/2022 • 33 minutes 56 seconds
The Top 5 Times Bitcoin Was Supposed to Die, With Dan McArdle
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today, NLW is joined by Dan McArdle, a bitcoin OG who co-founded Messari, built Case for Bitcoin and more. In this episode, they discuss the top five times bitcoin was supposed to die. Find our guest online: <span style= "font
22/11/2022 • 28 minutes 44 seconds
Okay Proof of Reserves, But for Real This Time?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Nic Carter’s newest “Let’s Actually Commit to Proofs of Reserve This Time, Okay?”
20/11/2022 • 16 minutes 39 seconds
The State of Play in Fed Commentary and the Crypto Contagion
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW follows the path of the crypto contagion including the latest from FTX, Silvergate Bank and Genesis Lending. He also looks at the slate of officials the Federal Reserve trotted out to tamp down market enthusiasm following signs the pace of inflation may be slowing. <span style=
19/11/2022 • 15 minutes 48 seconds
Is DCG in Danger Now, Too?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest FTX contagion discussion. He examines the Genesis withdrawal shutdown and growing question of whether it has exposed parent company Digital Currency Group to larger financial issues. (Genesis Global Capital is a subsidiary of Digital Curren
19/11/2022 • 15 minutes 28 seconds
Guy Who Oversaw Enron Says FTX Is Worse
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. Today NLW covers two major updates in the FTX saga. The first is first-day declarations by FTX’s new CEO John J. Ray III that argue that, in short, FTX is worse run than Enron. The second are messages between Sam and a Vox reporter in which Sam lets the veneer of ethics down and reveals his true beliefs about power.
18/11/2022 • 18 minutes 31 seconds
Genesis and Gemini Earn Halt Withdrawals as FTX Contagion Spreads
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW covers the latest fallout from the FTX collapse. Genesis Capital has paused withdrawals and loan origination, which has also led to Gemini pausing its Earn program. NLW also covers the latest in why last week’s CPI print may not be as bullish as it seems and why Apple plans to move semiconductor manufacturing onsho
17/11/2022 • 16 minutes 28 seconds
The State of Post-FTX and Alameda Research Market Contagion
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and Kraken. On today’s episode, NLW explores the state of the market in the wake of the collapse of FTX and Alameda Research. He looks at hedge funds that have reported funds stuck on FTX as well as overall liquidity conditions. He also looks at the divergence between crypto and other risk assets over the last two weeks. <span style
16/11/2022 • 18 minutes 38 seconds
Sam Bankman Fraud: Inside the Collapse of FTX’s Hollow Empire
As NLW said on each day’s show, “in addition to them being a sponsor of the show, I also work with FTX.” On today’s show, NLW gives an insider’s view of the timeline, from the beginnings of trouble as the crypto community turned on Sam Bankman-Fried for his role in shaping industry regulations to the chaotic week that saw FTX go from high flyer to bankrupt. Along the way, [NLW] shares how he and other FTX employees felt as they realized that they, along with the rest of the crypto industry, had been duped, lied to and defrauded. “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 “War” by Enoch Yang. Image credit: Danny Nelson/CoinDesk
15/11/2022 • 58 minutes 1 second
OFAC Backtracks (Somewhat) on Tornado Cash Sanctions
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io and Circle. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at some small but potentially significant shifts to the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s sanctions against Tornado Cash, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s victory over LBRY and more. - Nexo Pro <span style= "font-we
12/11/2022 • 16 minutes 30 seconds
Jonathan Wu on Why Technology Might Be a Better Solution to Privacy Than Public Policy
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io and Circle. Jon Wu works on growth with Aztec Network and is a deep thinker when it comes to the challenges of privacy in a digital age. In this conversation, he and NLW discuss privacy from a principle and ethics standpoint, zero-knowledge proofs and whether technology could solve problems that many think only public policy holds an answer for. Find out guest on Twitter: <span style= "font-weigh
12/11/2022 • 22 minutes 41 seconds
The Fight for DeFi in Washington, D.C., With Miller Whitehouse-Levine
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, and Circle Editor's note: This interview was recorded on Oct. 24 and so it doesn’t reference the events of the last week. On today’s “Breakdown” interview, NLW is joined by Miller Whitehouse-Levine, policy director at the DeFi Education Fund. They discuss the state of regulatory discourse in Washington, D.C., along with key recent events including Treasury Department sanctions. Find our guest on Twitter:</sp
11/11/2022 • 29 minutes 26 seconds
What the US Midterm Elections’ Lack of a ‘Red Wave’ Means for Crypto
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the U.S. election results, including pro-crypto candidates who were elected (or re-elected) and what the overall balance of power means for crypto and business in general. He also previews Thursday’s October inflation numbers, which will be one of the key pieces of data that will influen
10/11/2022 • 17 minutes 8 seconds
Tyrone Ross on Why the Institutions Are Building During This Bear Market
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. In today’s interview, NLW talks with returning guest Tyrone Ross about the state of financial advice and why the biggest institutions in the world are spending the bear market gearing up for the next cycle. They also discuss Tyrone’s new 401 Financial and Turnqey Labs ventures. <span style="font-
07/11/2022 • 40 minutes 13 seconds
Why There Is No 'Bitcoin Is Dead' Talk This Cycle
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “Bitcoin Is the Song That Does Not End” – Isaiah
07/11/2022 • 15 minutes 9 seconds
The Industry Coalesces Around Ripple’s Battle Against the SEC
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: Reports that Twitter is shelving a crypto wallet project Instagram bringing creation
05/11/2022 • 17 minutes 2 seconds
Jason Choi on How Crypto Investing Can Better Align With Decentralization Goals
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW is joined by Jason Choi. Jason is an investor with Web3 angel collective Tangent, and also produces the long running “Blockcrunch” podcast (and companion VIP newsletter). In this conversation, he and NLW talk about the state of the markets, why crypto venture capital can be misaligned with the go
05/11/2022 • 31 minutes 24 seconds
No Pivot and Higher Terminal Rate Talk at FOMC Send Markets Back Down
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW covers Wednesday’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Nominally the big news was the fourth consecutive 75 bps rate hike. But the big news was Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell used the presser as an occasion to again remind markets that any talk of pivots or changes is premature. In fact,
04/11/2022 • 15 minutes 43 seconds
Dan Held on Bitcoin and the Battle Against CBDCs
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. Dan Held is a serial bitcoin entrepreneur, the former head of growth marketing at Kraken and currently an adviser to Trust Machines and other crypto companies. In this discussion, he and NLW talk about the state of crypto narratives, bitcoin maximalism versus bitcoin moderates and why central bank digital currencies are
03/11/2022 • 31 minutes 56 seconds
Can Elon Musk’s Twitter Challenge the Internet’s Advertising Model?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW recaps the first few days following Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, including who he has fired and brought in, how the company is thinking about content moderation, a new payment plan for verification and, of course, dogecoin. -
02/11/2022 • 20 minutes 46 seconds
Reflections on the Crypto Market Cycle, With David Hoffman
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW speaks with David Hoffman, the co-founder of Bankless. They discuss how this bear market is alike and different from the previous one, as well as the state of Ethereum post-Merge. Find our guest on Twitter: <a href= "https://twitter.c
01/11/2022 • 39 minutes 3 seconds
What Bitcoin and the Stock Market’s Correlation Really Means
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “Bitcoin Is Macro, but Not ‘Correlated’ in the Way You Think<
01/11/2022 • 17 minutes 45 seconds
Xi and the Shift From Economics to Ideology
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW gives an overview of the 20th Chinese Party Congress, including the power moves made by President Xi Jinping, Western reactions and why the leader is shifting from economics to ideology. - <a href= "https://p
29/10/2022 • 17 minutes 40 seconds
Why Energy Is the Most (Geo)Political Market, With Tony Greer
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. In this interview, NLW chats with Tony Greer, a veteran trader and author of the Morning Navigator newsletter. They discuss energy markets, inflation and geopolitics. Find our guest on Twitter: <span style= "font-weight:
29/10/2022 • 36 minutes 11 seconds
Why Bitcoin’s Bear Market Hashrate Surge May Not Be Bullish
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW catches up on the bitcoin mining industry, and why soaring hashrate and mining difficulty represent something very different in a bear market than they did during the bull. - <a href= "https://pro.nexo.io/?utm_source=coindesk&u
28/10/2022 • 18 minutes 18 seconds
Crypto Markets Put the ‘Pump’ in ‘Pumpkin’
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the positive price action of the past few days, with an eye to understanding how people are understanding the move. Is it a macro shift and a belief in a coming Federal Reserve pivot? Is it a crypto-specific narrative? Is it the market getting ahead of itself? <em
27/10/2022 • 17 minutes 38 seconds
Reddit NFTs Show People Like Crypto When They Don’t Know It’s Crypto
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks into how different pre-Web3 tech companies are getting involved with Web3. Specifically, he looks at how Reddit non-fungible tokens (NFT) are lighting up the Reddit community, and how Apple’s new terms might be problematic for Web3 game developers. He also catches up on news that pro-crypto
26/10/2022 • 18 minutes
Does the Bank of Japan’s Intervention Spell Trouble for the US Treasury Market?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. “The Breakdown” kicks off the week with a look at one of the big global macro stories shaping markets right now, which is the first Bank of Japan interventions into the country’s currency markets in two decades. Some are speculating the BoJ’s actions could have implications for the U.S. as well because Japan has to liqu
25/10/2022 • 16 minutes 17 seconds
The Debate Around SBF’s Regulatory Ideas
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Sam Bankman-Fried’s “Possible Digital Asset Industry Standards.”
23/10/2022 • 30 minutes 50 seconds
Is Voluntary Regulation the Right Approach to DeFi?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the state of crypto legal proceedings and global regulatory discussions, including: Hodlonaut wins against Craig Wright in Norway <li style="font-weight: 400;" ari
22/10/2022 • 19 minutes 13 seconds
The Institutions Aren’t Just Sticking With Crypto, They’re Expanding Their Offerings
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW gives the latest in his recurrent theme on “post-narrative institutionalization” – the idea that during the 2022 bear market institutional actors have not only not abandoned the crypto industry but increased their stake with a look forward to the next bull run. <span style="fon
22/10/2022 • 17 minutes 37 seconds
A Head of Lettuce Outlasted British PM Liz Truss
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the short, fitful reign of the U.K.’s shortest-serving Prime Minister, Liz Truss. He argues that the problems with her time in office were not just about British politics, but serve as a reminder of how every global politician is forced to react to forces much larger than their domestic
21/10/2022 • 17 minutes 10 seconds
100% Chance of Recession
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the various signals markets are grappling with, including continued hawkish commentary from the Fedeal Reserve, financial modeling that keeps increasing the likelihood of recession in 2023, better-than-expected data in Q3 earnings but painful data coming from the housi
20/10/2022 • 16 minutes 55 seconds
A CFTC Commissioner Proposes a New Definition of Retail Investor
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW covers a number of stories from across the crypto space, including: A new definition of retail investors? <span style= "font-weight: 400;"
19/10/2022 • 18 minutes 49 seconds
Are NFTs Still Disruptive in a Zero-Royalty World?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the non-fungible token community’s current debate about royalties. Marketplaces are moving to zero-royalty or royalty-optional models, while many in the space think it is precisely automated royalties that made NFTs so disruptive for artists and creators in the first place. <p
18/10/2022 • 20 minutes 16 seconds
Is Bitcoin Maximalism a Historical Aberration?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads “The Rise and Fall of Bitcoin Culture” by Dr. Paul J. Dylan-Ennis. <span style="font-weight:
16/10/2022 • 22 minutes 41 seconds
Why Chip Manufacturing Is at the Center of Great Power Tension
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this episode, NLW provides a 101-style primer on chip manufacturing and why it has become a key geopolitical concern for the U.S. and China, especially over the last few years. - <a href= "https://pro.nexo.io/?utm_source=coindesk&utm_medium=fixed&utm_campaign=coindes
15/10/2022 • 18 minutes 4 seconds
Are Regulators Spending Too Much Time on Crypto?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest chatter around the crypto industry, including: Jamie Dimon’s newest negative comments on crypto Acting OCC Hsu’s
15/10/2022 • 17 minutes 38 seconds
Inflation Surprise! Markets Swerve Wildly as Core CPI Rises at Fastest Pace Since 1982
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. Today’s release of the September inflation numbers surprised economists with a larger-than-expected growth in inflation – particularly in the core inflation data on which the U.S. Federal Reserve focuses its decision-making. On today’s episode, NLW explores what markets had expected, how they reacted and what it means for what comes next.
14/10/2022 • 17 minutes 50 seconds
Post-Narrative Institutionalization vs. Regulatory Enforcement
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW covers stories that reflect the two big themes of the 2022 crypto bear market: post-narrative institutional adoption on the one hand, and regulatory enforcement on the other. He covers the news that BNY Mellon has been approved to custody crypto (along with accusations from some in the industry that the approval sh
13/10/2022 • 17 minutes 22 seconds
Will Earnings Reports Portend Recession?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW checks in on the macro scene, including: What the earnings report season that begins this week might tell us about where corporate America is headed <span style= "fo
12/10/2022 • 17 minutes 6 seconds
Is PayPal Going to Fine You for Your Opinions?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On Saturday, a PayPal policy was announced where customers could be fined up to $2,500 for misinformation and other causes, at the sole discretion of the company. The internet’s outrage was quick and loud, and very soon PayPal retracted the policy and said it was published in error. NLW explores what the policy would have done and why som
11/10/2022 • 16 minutes 47 seconds
A Legal Argument for Why Staking Doesn’t Make ETH a Security
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads “Ethereum's New ‘Staking’ Model Does Not Make ETH A Security.” The piece was authored by: <li s
09/10/2022 • 18 minutes 48 seconds
Ray Dalio and Big-Picture Power Shifts
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at a slew of Federal Reserve comments indicating that no pivot on interest rates is on the horizon. He also reads a set of Ray Dalio threads as the famous hedge funder transitions away from his firm. - <a href= "https://pr
08/10/2022 • 17 minutes 8 seconds
Hacks and Doxxing Raise Questions About CeFi Masquerading As DeFi
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this crypto recap episode, NLW looks at the latest news including: Binance Smart Chain exploit Celsius user data leak <li style="font-weight: 400;" a
08/10/2022 • 16 minutes 54 seconds
What OPEC+ Oil Cuts Mean for the Global Economy and Geopolitics
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. As inflation rages, the global economy slows, and the U.S. releases more and more oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, OPEC+ has decided to decrease oil output. The move happens in spite of significant pressure from the Biden Administration. NLW discusses what it means for economic prospects as well as for shifting geopolitical allia
07/10/2022 • 17 minutes 4 seconds
Elon’s Twitter Deal Is Back On!
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW checks in on “Uptober” and asks whether the market rally has legs beyond Monday. He then looks at the news that Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter is back on track, and explores what we learned from text messages made public as part of the pretrial process. - <
06/10/2022 • 16 minutes 58 seconds
After Rektember, Is Uptober Back?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. After a brutal “Rektember,” might a green “Uptober” be back on the menu? On today’s episode, NLW looks at the markets’ impressive October Day One performance and what’s behind the positive shift. He also looks at the SEC’s Kim Kardashian enforcement action and a new report on crypto from the Financial Stabili
05/10/2022 • 18 minutes 1 second
Is Credit Suisse the Next Lehman Brothers?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. After a wild weekend of speculation and discussion, NLW breaks down what’s actually happening with beleaguered Credit Suisse, as well as why the FinTwit doom machine seems so focused on it. - <a href= "https://pro.nexo.io/?utm_source=coindesk&utm_medium=fixed&utm_campai
04/10/2022 • 16 minutes 13 seconds
What One Crypto VC Is Focusing on During the Bear Market
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads threads from MacroAlf on the problems of pensions, degentrading on <a href= "https://twitter.com/hodlKRYPTONITE/status/1574322588095
03/10/2022 • 17 minutes 30 seconds
The Fed Crushes the Idea of a UK-Inspired Pivot
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW summarizes the Bank of England’s intervention into U.K. bond markets and covers comments from various Federal Reserve officials that make clear the BOE’s actions aren’t affecting Fed thinking in any meaningful way. - <a href= "
01/10/2022 • 15 minutes 44 seconds
Jerome Powell Confusingly Calls Out DeFi for Lack of Transparency
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW catches up on recent crypto news including: Jerome Powell’s recent comments on DeFi California enforcement actions
01/10/2022 • 15 minutes 51 seconds
Is the Problem That Not Enough Is Breaking?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW examines a theory articulated by folks like analyst Jim Bianco. His theory is, the biggest issue for equities markets right now isn’t that things are breaking but that while markets are down they’re down in an orderly fashion, unlikely to convince the Federal Reserve it ne
30/09/2022 • 19 minutes 30 seconds
As Bank of England Intervenes, Druckenmiller Sees Crypto Renaissance
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. The Bank of England made huge news today when it intervened in the U.K. bond markets to prop up pension funds in the country that were in serious trouble due to recent volatility. On this episode, NLW explores how the markets reacted, and whether market breakages will force the U.S. Fede
29/09/2022 • 16 minutes 59 seconds
The Dollar Is Our Currency and Your Problem
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. The joke du jour on FinTwit has been that the British pound is trading like an emerging market currency (or on Crypto Twitter, like a s**tcoin). On today’s episode NLW looks at what’s happening and why dollar strength is wreaking havoc around the world. <span style="fo
28/09/2022 • 19 minutes 40 seconds
A Surprise Crypto Bill Veto in California
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks a set of recent crypto news, including: A veto of California’s version of New York’s BitLicense bill <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level=
27/09/2022 • 18 minutes 30 seconds
Will the Debt Crush Powell’s Volker Dreams?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads America’s Middle Class is Vanishing by Eric Basmajian and</
25/09/2022 • 19 minutes 44 seconds
The 'New Weird' and the Terror of the In-Between
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: The market’s reaction to the FOMC, a few days on Th
24/09/2022 • 16 minutes 44 seconds
The CFTC Goes After a DAO
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at news that a draft of the House stablecoin bill is now circulating, and would, among other things, set out a two-year ban on algorithmic stablecoins like Terra. He also looks at late breaking news last night that the CFTC has named a DAO as part of an enfo
24/09/2022 • 19 minutes 18 seconds
The Single-Mandate Fed Says There Are Too Many Employed People
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised the benchmark federal funds rate by 75 basis points, the third consecutive hike of that size. The market expected this, but reacted negatively to projections the federal funds rate will remain elevated all the way through 2023. NLW breaks it
23/09/2022 • 19 minutes 35 seconds
'Housing Recession?' How the Beleaguered Real Estate Market Tells the Story of the Broader Economy
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the housing market, which has shifted dramatically in the last six months. Mortgages today cost more than double what they did last year – the biggest year-over-year jump since those numbers started being recorded in 1975. Homebuilder sentiment is down fo
22/09/2022 • 18 minutes 38 seconds
Why Today’s News Tells You Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 Crypto Bear Market
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis <em style= "font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open
21/09/2022 • 20 minutes 54 seconds
Bleak Week as Bitcoin Hits 3-Month Low
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at why bitcoin hit a three-month low over the weekend. He also discusses traders’ predictions about the upcoming interest rate hike at this week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting and a new enforcement action from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
20/09/2022 • 19 minutes 20 seconds
After the Merge, How Do We Think About Change Within Bitcoin?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. For this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses Chris Castiglione’s “Bitcoin Should Change … Slowly,” as
20/09/2022 • 16 minutes 53 seconds
Two Regulatory Hearings Show Difference in SEC and CFTC Approaches to Crypto
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at the latest in market action plus how two congressional hearings highlighted differences in the approaches the CFTC and SEC are taking to crypto. - <a href= "https://nexo.io/?utm_source=coindesk&utm_medium=fi
17/09/2022 • 15 minutes 39 seconds
White House ‘Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets’ Is Neither Comprehensive nor a Framework
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at a set of three reports around crypto out of the Treasury Department as well as examines the White House’s just-released framework for digital assets. He argues there are big, important questions that remain unaddressed. - <a hr
17/09/2022 • 17 minutes 46 seconds
Welcome to the Post-Merge Era in Crypto
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. At 2:44 a.m. ET Thursday, Ethereum successfully transitioned from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. On today’s show, NLW breaks down what that means for the network’s security and economics and looks at the political dimensions that could impact Bitcoin and the rest of the crypto industry. <span style="font-we
16/09/2022 • 19 minutes 46 seconds
Unsatisfying Clarifications on the Tornado Cash Sanctions
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW catches listeners up on the latest news in crypto, including: Arrest warrants for Do Kwon and others from Terra El Salvad
15/09/2022 • 16 minutes 40 seconds
Markets Plummet as Inflation Comes In Hot
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. July’s inflation report provided the first glimmers that the U.S. might have turned a corner in its fight against inflation. For the past several days, investors have been betting on a continuation of that trend from July into August. Unfortunately, the inflation print for August came in hotter than expected, sending markets re
14/09/2022 • 17 minutes 33 seconds
Investors Are Betting on Inflation Declining. Are They Right?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Bitcoin was up 15% over the weekend. Stocks have seen four days of green. The reason? Investors are anticipating that August’s inflation numbers (to be released on Tuesday) will show another monthly reduction in the inflation rate, suggesting that we’re past peak inflation. Will they be proven right? <span st
13/09/2022 • 18 minutes 36 seconds
Gensler’s Latest Take on Crypto and Securities Rules
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW digs in on the latest speech from SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. It appears reasonable, but does the crypto industry believe him? - <a href= "https://nexo.io/?utm_source=coindesk&utm_medium=fixed&utm_campaign=coindesk_po
10/09/2022 • 17 minutes 31 seconds
So, Is the White House Banning Bitcoin Mining, or Promoting It to Help Climate Change?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW examines the new report from the White House about crypto mining and its impact on climate change. He argues that the report is effectively a Rorschach test for people’s prior beliefs about what they expect or want the White House to say about crypto mining. <span style="font-weight: 4
10/09/2022 • 17 minutes 36 seconds
The Rise of CBDC Skepticism Among US Officials
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. The discussion around a United States-issued central bank digital currency is heating up, but not in the way one might expect. Increasingly, U.S. regulators and elected officials are showing signs of skepticism about a CBDC, particularly a retail CBDC. - <a h
09/09/2022 • 17 minutes 56 seconds
38 Things We Learned About Crypto and the Economy in the Last Year
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW celebrates his 38th birthday with 38 lessons we’ve learned in the last year, from inflation to macro to geopolitics to crypto. - <str
08/09/2022 • 26 minutes 38 seconds
Could the European Energy Crisis Become a Debt Crisis?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the latest in the European energy crisis, including: Gazprom keeping the Nord Stream pipeline closed <span style= "font-weight
07/09/2022 • 18 minutes 6 seconds
Does AML Even Work?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Today on “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses David Z. Morris’ “The Perverse Impacts of the Anti-Money-Laundering System.”</span
05/09/2022 • 17 minutes 50 seconds
‘Piles of Risk’: An Outlook for Autumn
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. NLW reviews the key events from August with an eye to how they will shape September and the fall, including: Sanctions The Merge <li style="fo
05/09/2022 • 17 minutes 27 seconds
‘Soft Landing’ Is Out. ‘Growth Recession’ Is In.
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Today NLW looks at the shifting Fed narrative. We’ve moved from “soft landing” to “softish landing” to “growth recession” as the goal for monetary policy. With the jobs report coming in slightly stronger than expected, what does it suggest for the September Fed meeting? -</span
03/09/2022 • 16 minutes 42 seconds
D.C. vs. Saylor
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, we look at the District of Columbia’s new lawsuit against Michael Saylor claiming that he has lived in D.C. for more than the requisite 183 days a year that would require him to pay taxes. NLW explores the reactions to the news, as well as previewing what he predicts will be an action-packed autumn when it c
02/09/2022 • 17 minutes 32 seconds
Paraguay President Vetoes Crypto Bill
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW does a global regulatory check-in, focused on: A veto for crypto mining regulation in Paraguay Brazil’s biggest b
01/09/2022 • 18 minutes 5 seconds
Europe’s Energy Crisis
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. European energy markets have been roiled as the price of energy futures rockets to up to 30 times the five-year average. In the U.K., restrictions on the cost of energy have been lifted, increasing prices by two to five times overnight. Across Europe, governments are considering radical interventions. NLW breaks down wh
31/08/2022 • 17 minutes 24 seconds
The ‘Higher-for-Longer’ Fed Reality Hits Markets
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. The week ended badly. Equities were down big and over the weekend crypto followed, with bitcoin (BTC) dipping under $20,000 and ether (ETH) losing 14% following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ’s speech Friday at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. On today’s episode NLW explores how the markets are internalizing the reality of a
30/08/2022 • 16 minutes 3 seconds
Ethereum’s Censorship Trial by Fire
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Nic Carter’s “If Ethereum Starts Slashing, It Burns.” -
28/08/2022 • 17 minutes 39 seconds
Corporate Profits the Most Elevated Since 1950
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: A new stock settlement system The latest on the arrested Tornado Cash developer </sp
27/08/2022 • 16 minutes 31 seconds
Jackson Hole Closes the Door on the Fed’s Dovish Pivot
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Each year, U.S. central bankers gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to discuss big-picture changes in medium- and long-term monetary policy and the economy. This year, the markets have been watching extra closely for signals about whether the Federal Reserve would be taking a turn to the dovish. <span st
27/08/2022 • 15 minutes 31 seconds
Tether Chooses to ‘OFAC Around and Find Out’
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest news on Tornado Cash sanctions. Specifically, he looks at Tether’s announcement this week that the stablecoin issuer would not blacklist addresses from Tornado Cash unless U.S. law enforcement specifically asked it to do so. -
27/08/2022 • 19 minutes 8 seconds
Student Debt Relief Shows Why All Politics Is Now an Inflation Debate
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. According to reports, U.S. President Joe Biden is about to finally take action on student debt relief, wiping away $10,000 in federal debt for those making less than $125,000 a year (or $250,000 as a married couple). While the debate started on the campaign trail in 2020 as one of economic fairness and justice, today it
25/08/2022 • 20 minutes 17 seconds
Are Gary Gensler's Crypto Battles Crossing Into Mainstream Politics?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW explores Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler’s latest op-ed on crypto regulation, in the Wall Street Journal. NLW also explores whether conservative accusations of overreach are moving a crypto industry battle into the political mainstream. <span style="
24/08/2022 • 17 minutes 46 seconds
The US Appears in No Rush on CBDCs
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.On today’s episode, NLW looks at the state of the U.S. discussion about a central bank digital currency. Based on statements from the Federal Reserve, members of Congress and others, does it look like the U.S. is headed towards a CBDC? In fact, N
23/08/2022 • 20 minutes 2 seconds
Are Crypto Safe Harbors an Idea Whose Time Has Come?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: “Let Ugly Ducklings Grow: Why Crypto Needs a Safe Harbor<span style="font
21/08/2022 • 17 minutes 41 seconds
Welcome to the ‘We Just Don’t Know’ Economy
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at why markets went down on high European inflation data, and why market signals in general are pointing in multiple directions at once. - <a href= "https://nexo.io/security?utm_source=coindesk&utm_medi
21/08/2022 • 16 minutes 32 seconds
A Food Crisis on the Horizon?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Today on “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at something that could cause a new set of “big picture power shifts” – a growing global food crisis. He explores a set of causal factors including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, inflation and environmental policies that are combining to form a perfect storm. <span s
20/08/2022 • 18 minutes 18 seconds
After Fed Meeting Minutes, Is the ‘Peak Hawkishness’ Narrative Still On?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s grab bag episode, NLW looks at: Last month’s Fed meeting minutes Professional musical chairs in crypto <
19/08/2022 • 19 minutes 4 seconds
The Macroeconomic Signals Have Rarely Been This Confusing
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Homebuilder sentiment is going through its worst stretch since the 2007-2008 housing and financial crisis. New York manufacturing data also surprised with some of the weakest numbers in a decade. On the other hand, U.S. industrial production rose to a new all-time high. So are we headed for a recession or not? NLW explo
18/08/2022 • 17 minutes 5 seconds
The Bear Market Evolution of Crypto Institutions
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Despite the bear market, both crypto-native and TradFi institutions in the crypto sector continue to plug along. In today’s episode, NLW looks at an update to how crypto banks can get direct access to the Federal Reserve via master accounts and how venture funds are evolving to meet a new type of financial technology er
17/08/2022 • 18 minutes 1 second
The Arrest Heard Round the World
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the crypto industry’s response to news that 29-year-old Alexey Pertsev was arrested for his work on Tornado Cash. He also looks at Coin Center’s new potential court challenge to the Office of Foreign Asset Controls sanctions, which argues that the agency doesn’t have the authority to san
16/08/2022 • 17 minutes 57 seconds
Why Economic Wars Are Inflationary
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR. On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW excerpts Credit Suisse analyst Zoltan Pozsar’s “<a href= "https://advisoranalyst.com/2022/08/03/zoltan-pozsar-war-and-interest-rates.h
15/08/2022 • 15 minutes 23 seconds
Tornado Cash Sanctions: The Most Significant Crypto Overreach by the US Government Yet?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW reflects on the July inflation data as well as the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions on Tornado Cash. <span style="font-
13/08/2022 • 16 minutes 9 seconds
A Primer on How Oil Has Reflected Macro and Geopolitics
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR. On today’s episode, NLW provides a primer on the recent history of oil markets. He looks at how oil went from trading in negative territory in April 2020 to being a massive contributor
13/08/2022 • 17 minutes 14 seconds
How Much Privacy and Decentralization Really Matter, Feat. Jill Gunter
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR. NLW is joined today by Jill Gunter, the chief strategy officer at Espresso Systems. In this conversation, they discuss why the U.S. Treasury Department might have chosen an action that
12/08/2022 • 48 minutes 30 seconds
Have We Passed Peak Inflation?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR. The biggest driver of the macroeconomic backdrop is inflation. At the last FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve made it clear that its fall decisions about interest-rate increases would be
11/08/2022 • 16 minutes 34 seconds
Is the Jobs Report Hiding Economic Weakness?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR. Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 528,000 U.S. jobs were added in July. This was nearly double economists’ estimates. The Biden administration used the report as e
10/08/2022 • 16 minutes 53 seconds
Are the US Sanctions on Tornado the Beginning of a War on Privacy?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR. In breaking news, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on Monday that it was adding Tornado Cash and associated addresses to its sanctions list. It
09/08/2022 • 19 minutes 27 seconds
Complexity Theater: Why Luna Was the First Time DeFi Complexity Risk Was Transferred to Regular Investors
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads: What Is Crypto’s Downfall? Its Complexity – Jameson Lopp <a href= "https://medium.
07/08/2022 • 17 minutes 55 seconds
The UK Argues Crypto Is a New Type of Property
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW homes in on an interesting report out of the U.K. that would define crypto as a fundamentally new type of property – something that some crypto lawyers have been arguing in the U.S. for some time. - <a href=
07/08/2022 • 15 minutes 30 seconds
Crypto's No-Fun Hack Week
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. One of the biggest challenges to the mainstreaming of crypto is the propensity for novel protocols to be exploited. This week, the Nomad bridge was drained of some $200 million while another vulnerability led to more than 10,000 wallets (largely but not exclusively holding Solana's SOL) being attacked. NLW looks at what
06/08/2022 • 16 minutes 41 seconds
Crypto's Institutional Narrative: Less Dead Than It Seems?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. One would be forgiven for thinking the crypto institutional narrative is dead. Tesla sold bitcoin. Cboe took a huge write-down on the exchange it bought last year. Even Cathie Wood and ARK sold $COIN! But taking a deeper look, NLW argues that institutional adoption
05/08/2022 • 18 minutes 17 seconds
US Senators Say BTC and ETH Are Commodities
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Another day, another bipartisan crypto bill. On today’s episode, NLW covers the latest in a string of legislation that shows that Congress and the Senate are taking their role in determining how crypto is to be regulated seriously. He also covers the news that Michael Saylor is stepping down from the CEO role at MicroSt
04/08/2022 • 16 minutes 41 seconds
‘Nancy Pelosi is going to Taiwan so she can buy the dip she's about to create.’
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. After weeks of speculation, debate and increasingly bellicose rhetoric, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has decided to go to Taiwan. In today’s episode, NLW explains discussion around the strategy behind the decision, why the timing makes a harsh Chinese response more likely and how the markets are
03/08/2022 • 19 minutes 4 seconds
Sucker’s Rally or the Worst Is Over?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. In today’s episode, NLW looks at June and July as paired months that remade the market landscape. He looks at market data, key events in crypto and key events in macro to paint a picture of where things stand heading into August. The key question he explores is whether we’re in a “sucker’s rally” or the worst really is behind us
02/08/2022 • 18 minutes 18 seconds
Crypto Credit Isn’t Dead
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads Nic Carter’s “The Credit Crunch Is Not the End of Crypto Lending.” <s
31/07/2022 • 16 minutes 49 seconds
The Recession Discussion Is Incredibly Dumb
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. “Recession” is the latest word to run afoul of our shifting definitions and political newspeak. This week, numbers from Q2 came out showing that the U.S. had seen a declining GDP for the second quarter in a row – a fairly standard definition of a recession. The political spin was immediate and tortured, but in today’s e
30/07/2022 • 19 minutes 31 seconds
Volatility Ahead?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at four reasons markets could see heightened volatility between now and November: Fund managers making YOLO bets to avoid redemptions <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level
30/07/2022 • 18 minutes 5 seconds
Why Markets Viewed the Fed's Latest 75 Basis Point Hike as 'Dovish'
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Yesterday was “Fed Day” and the U.S. Federal Reserve announced its second 75 basis point interest rate hike in a row. Despite the fastest pace of monetary tightening in a generation, markets rallied after Chair Jerome Powell’s presser. On today’s episode, NLW explains why so many in the market interpreted the Fed’s Q&A
29/07/2022 • 19 minutes 22 seconds
What's Behind Growing US-China Tensions?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. U.S. President Joe Biden is slated to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week. In the background lurks growing tensions around House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan next month. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the big issues behind these headlines that are shaping both the U.S. and China’
28/07/2022 • 20 minutes 12 seconds
The State of Crypto in 3 Themes
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at a slate of news from the crypto industry, organized around three big-picture themes: Regulatory – including the latest from the SEC, CFTC and Treasury Department <li style="font-wei
27/07/2022 • 18 minutes 16 seconds
The SEC’s Escalating Battle Against Crypto
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW catches listeners up on the criminal charges filed against a former Coinbase employee and two of his associates last week around insider trading. The charges come from the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and it is the SEC’s charges that have the biggest implications
26/07/2022 • 19 minutes 32 seconds
How Bitcoin Can Support the Green Energy Transition
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW looks at two discussions of the positive role Bitcoin can play in greening the grid. He reads: <span style="font-we
26/07/2022 • 15 minutes 35 seconds
What Crypto Needs to Build Next, Feat. Qiao Wang
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Qiao Wang is a creator of and core contributor to Alliance DAO, an accelerator for Web3 companies in decentralized finance (DeFi), infrastructure, distributed autonomous organizations (DAO), non-fungible tokens (NFT) and more. In this episode, he and NLW discuss the macro landscape, how this bear market is different and what he’
26/07/2022 • 25 minutes 53 seconds
Jim Bianco on Inflation, Recession and the Need to Reimagine the Economy for a New Era
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW is joined by Jim Bianco, the president of Bianco Research. In this wide-ranging discussion, they talk about the bind the Federal Reserve finds itself in, the stickiness of inflation, structural economic changes post-coronavirus, and why crypto matters even when prices go down.
23/07/2022 • 44 minutes 21 seconds
The Future of the Bitcoin Energy Debate, Feat. Troy Cross
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. Today, the Bitcoin energy debate is all about how much energy bitcoin mining consumes, and what percentage of that comes from renewable sources. Today’s guest Troy Cross argues that in the future, Bitcoin will be seen as a technology that actually enables the overall economy to move to cleaner, greener energy sources even beyond
22/07/2022 • 52 minutes 3 seconds
The Geopolitical Shifts Shaping the Economy, Feat. Demetri Kofinas
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. NLW kicks off his “Midsummer Macro” series with a deep dive conversation with Demetri Kofinas, host of the “Hidden Forces” podcast. They discuss the Fed, inflation, the secular shift to stagflation and the tectonic geopolitical shifts that must be understood to truly understand the macroeconomic picture.
21/07/2022 • 49 minutes 5 seconds
For Russia and Ukraine Refugee Charities, Crypto Is a Lifeline
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the possible reasons for crypto’s recent rally and discusses the growing role of crypto in Russia and Ukraine related to refugee nonprofits and charities. - <a href= "https://nexo.io/security?utm_so
20/07/2022 • 16 minutes 55 seconds
The Ethereum Merge Settles In as Next Crypto Narrative
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW covers the crypto industry chatter around the Ethereum Merge. Last week, ETH devs pointed to September as a likely date for the transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, and the price of ether has been going up ever since. But does the Merge also create political risk?
19/07/2022 • 17 minutes 1 second
A Primer on Balaji’s “Network State”
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs. On this week’s Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads the “essay” version of Balaji Srinivasan’s new book <spa
18/07/2022 • 18 minutes 56 seconds
Markets Are Betting On a 100bps Rate Hike This Month
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs. On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at: The markets new expectations for
17/07/2022 • 16 minutes 54 seconds
A K-Shaped Recession?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs. Is a recession coming? Are we in a recession already? Can we be in a recession with only 3.6% unemployment? On today’s episode, NLW explores the new narrative of recession start
16/07/2022 • 17 minutes 49 seconds
Giving Up the Ghost? It’s Chapter 11 Time for Celsius
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs. On today’s episode, NLW covers Celsius moving into Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. This move has been anticipated for some time, but in advance Celsius sought to repay as man
15/07/2022 • 15 minutes 44 seconds
Now at 9.1%, Inflation Just Keeps Going Up
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs. Nothing is more important to markets right now than how the Fed responds to inflation. On today’s show, NLW discusses the latest consumer price index numbers for June. He argues that the
14/07/2022 • 16 minutes 57 seconds
The Battle Around Three Arrows Capital
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs. On today’s episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the latest in the battle involving toppled former crypto giant hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, including accusations from li
13/07/2022 • 16 minutes 30 seconds
Elon Pulls Out
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and Ava Labs. After months of dithering, Elon Musk announced last Friday he would officially be pulling out of his deal to acquire Twitter for $44 billion. He cited as his reason a lack of tr
12/07/2022 • 16 minutes 31 seconds
Can DAOs Do More Than Coordinate Money?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and discusses: “DAOs Are the Real Me
10/07/2022 • 15 minutes 12 seconds
After Prime Minister Boris Johnson Resigns, Are the UK’s Crypto Hub Dreams Dead?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. After years of what many would consider hostility to the industry, the British government did a major about-face in April when Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced the country’s intention to make the U.K. a global crypto hub. But as Sunak resigned as part of a mass e
10/07/2022 • 14 minutes 30 seconds
The Wall Street Journal Calls Out SEC Chairman Gensler Over Crypto
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. The crypto industry hasn’t been particularly pleased with the SEC under Gary Gensler. In particular, the continued rejections of bitcoin spot ETFs (even after a futures ETF was approved last year) have been particularly irksome – even leading to legal action. In this epi
09/07/2022 • 17 minutes 51 seconds
Should the People Making Crypto Policy Own No Crypto?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. The U.S. Office of Government Ethics released rules this week that executive branch staffers who owned crypto would not be allowed to work on any crypto-related regulation. NLW explores the pros and cons of this, and expands the discussion to ethics and financial conflicts of int
08/07/2022 • 17 minutes 19 seconds
The Dollar Wrecking Ball
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW digs into the idea of the U.S. dollar as a global wrecking ball, and explores why the dollar is the strongest it has been against other currencies in 20 years. As part of this, he also looks at structural weakness in Japanese and European currencies. </spa
07/07/2022 • 15 minutes 24 seconds
Why Argentina Is Paying a Premium for Stablecoins
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at a number of crypto events from the long weekend, including: Why Argentines flooded into stablecoins and drove the price of tether above $1 over the week
06/07/2022 • 16 minutes 39 seconds
After Bitcoin Maximalism
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads and reflects on Nic Carter’s “Setting the Record Straight.”<
04/07/2022 • 21 minutes 27 seconds
June Was Bitcoin’s Worst Month Ever
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at: The progress around two major European crypto regulation frameworks. <span style= "font-wei
02/07/2022 • 14 minutes 23 seconds
Powell: “How Little We Understand About Inflation”
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at: Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments on inflation at the ECB conference. <span style= "font-weig
02/07/2022 • 16 minutes 28 seconds
Grayscale’s Legal Battle Against the SEC
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. Late Wednesday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rejected Grayscale’s proposal to convert the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust to a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Within minutes, Grayscale, a CoinDesk sister company, had filed suit against th
01/07/2022 • 18 minutes 58 seconds
A Primer on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW gives a 101-level overview of the Lightning Network, including where it came from, how it works, and who is building on it. - <a href= "https://nexo.io/get-star
30/06/2022 • 13 minutes 28 seconds
Alex Gladstein on Why Human Rights Activists Don’t Care About the Price of Bitcoin
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. NLW is joined today by Alex Gladstein, chief strategy officer of the Human Rights Foundation. They discuss the Oslo Freedom Forum, the human rights use case for Bitcoin and what Alex is excited about heading into the bear market.
29/06/2022 • 26 minutes 6 seconds
The Battle for Self-Hosted Wallets
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW explores the ongoing policy debate around “unhosted” (or, as crypto users call them – “self-hosted”) wallets, looking at MiCA legislation in Europe, an updated policy for the U.K. and hints from the Biden administration in the U.S
28/06/2022 • 14 minutes 42 seconds
Putin Weaponizes Inflation
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On this week’s “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW builds off of Stack Hödler’s thread on a recent Putin speech
26/06/2022 • 15 minutes 38 seconds
Slouching Toward Crypto Winter
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. In this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW argues that this week saw the crypto community settling into the bear market. He looks at why both the macro landscape and crypto’s recent string of problems could be the beginning of a longer lull.
25/06/2022 • 17 minutes 40 seconds
Can a Solana Phone Beat the Bear?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at two big events: Congress held a committee meeting about the role of the CFTC in regulating and overseeing the crypto i
25/06/2022 • 16 minutes 54 seconds
Powell Finally Talks Recession
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. For the past two days, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been testifying on the Hill before both committees in the Senate and House. One of the most pointed discussions has been around the possibility that the Fed’s rapid about-face on interest rates and
24/06/2022 • 16 minutes 10 seconds
Is Miner Selling Contributing to Bitcoin's Price Troubles?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the state of bitcoin miners’ balance sheets. Specifically, he looks at increased selling of bitcoin over the past few months, and to what extent it has to do with additional debt and leverage taken on during the
23/06/2022 • 17 minutes 41 seconds
How Real Is This Relief Rally?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On today’s show, NLW explores the discussion around the bitcoin relief rally of the last two days, following the crash last Friday and Saturday. Some think that there are a plethora of bottom signals that suggest we may have a mean reversion and return t
22/06/2022 • 16 minutes 20 seconds
How Much of the Market Meltdown Is Macro vs. Crypto Specific?
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. The crypto market just went through one of its most turbulent and brutal weekends in recent memory. In today’s episode, NLW looks at how much the broader downturn as well as these more recent moves are being driven by the crypto specific factors such as Terra, Ce
21/06/2022 • 17 minutes 56 seconds
The Importance of an Open Metaverse
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On this “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW reads a thread from Punk6529, “On Why The Metaverse Needs Crypto.”</spa
20/06/2022 • 15 minutes 3 seconds
Why Coin Center Is Suing the US Government
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW looks at two stories from the past week in crypto. The first is advocacy group Coin Center’s lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS around what it argues is an unconstitutional surveillance pro
18/06/2022 • 18 minutes 36 seconds
US Recession Odds Surge Over 70%
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. Yesterday, the Federal Reserve increased the target Federal Funds rate by 0.75% – the biggest increase since 1994. While the markets initially popped on the news, stocks subsequently tanked and began pricing in even more economic pain to come. In today’s
17/06/2022 • 17 minutes 40 seconds
What a More Aggressive Fed Means for the Housing Market
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On this episode of “The Breakdown,” NLW looks at the Federal Reserve’s increasing hawkishness on inflation. He explains how market expectations around Fed interest rate raises have shifted, and also explains how the mortgage and housing markets are being
16/06/2022 • 16 minutes 39 seconds
The Second Horseman of the Cryptopocalypse
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, NEAR and FTX US. On today’s episode, NLW looks at the market’s reaction to Celsius’ struggle to remain solvent. He also examines to what extent the recent downturn is being driven by Celsius and other crypto-specific considerations, compared with being a by-product of la