The Breakdown

A daily analysis of macroeconomics, bitcoin, geopolitics and big picture power shifts, hosted by Nathaniel Whittemore @nlw. The Breakdown is part of Blockworks. Subscribe to The Breakdown newsletter: https://the-breakdown.carrd.co/
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Last Episode : August 7, 2025 11:59am
Last Scanned : 37 minutes ago


Episodes
Episodes currently hosted on IPFS.

Confirmed 3
President Trump is preparing an executive order targeting financial institutions over politically motivated debanking, but critics argue it's missing the real culprits—federal regulators. NLW dives into the legacy of Operation Chokepoint, what this new order aims to change, and whether it will prevent future abuses. Then, in a big move for crypto, the SEC clarifies that most liquid staking protocols don’t constitute securities offerings—unlocking DeFi potential. We also look at new stablecoin accounting guidance and the growing calls for serious banking reform from leaders across the political spectrum.
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Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published Thursday

Confirmed 3
Washington is buzzing with crypto action. From the CFTC's new crypto sprint to Hester Peirce's bold stand for privacy, this episode dives into the shifting regulatory winds—and what they mean for the future of Bitcoin, markets, and crypto infrastructure. NLW covers ETF outflows, macro pressures, and why the AI economy might be holding up GDP while the labor market struggles. Plus, Project Crypto at the SEC might be the biggest institutional shift yet. It's a packed episode on the changing rules, power struggles, and financial transformations playing out right now.
Brought to you by:
Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published Wednesday

Today NLW unpacks a stunning escalation as President Trump fires the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after a weak jobs report. The move has shaken confidence in the independence of US economic institutions, with critics across the spectrum warning of authoritarian overreach. We look at what this means for the Fed, interest rate policy, and the future of economic data in America. From market reactions to historical comparisons with Venezuela and Argentina, this episode explores whether the blow up around this is TDS or if we’ve crossed a line that can't be uncrossed—and why some are calling Bitcoin the new insurance policy.
Brought to you by:
Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published Tuesday

This week’s Friday Five is dominated by a stunning speech from the new SEC Chair, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. crypto policy. NLW breaks down the speech’s implications, from safe harbors and tokenization to a renewed embrace of crypto within securities law. Also on the docket: Powell’s hawkish tone and Trump’s renewed feud with the Fed, Ray Dalio’s bold portfolio advice, a volatile week for crypto treasury companies, and the game-changing JPMorgan-Coinbase partnership that redefines institutional crypto access. All that plus Bitcoin weathers an 80,000-coin liquidation without blinking.
Brought to you by:
Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published Friday
Powell's Hawkish Wait-and-See
The July FOMC meeting delivered no rate change—but plenty of political drama. Powell refused to guide toward September cuts, triggering hawkish market reactions and rare dissent from Fed governors Waller and Bowman. Meanwhile, the White House unveiled a sweeping crypto policy roadmap during Powell's press conference, signaling a new era of fiscal dominance and shifting central bank relevance. NLW breaks it all down—from Powell’s quiet rebellion to the Fed’s waning independence and the rise of crypto on the policy stage.
Brought to you by:
Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published Friday

Crypto treasury companies like Bitmine and Backed are under pressure as investor enthusiasm wanes. Bitmine’s share buyback failed to move markets, raising concerns about narrative exhaustion despite bullish projections and backing from major crypto firms. Meanwhile, Backed’s discounted public offering cratered its stock, and Tether-backed 21 Capital ramps up ahead of listing. NLW explores whether the crypto treasury trend is stalling—and what it means for the broader market.
Brought to you by:
Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published 07/31

In a sobering comments, legendary hedge fund manager Ray Dalio recently warned that the U.S. has crossed a fiscal Rubicon. NLW breaks down Dalio’s thesis of irreversible debt doom, currency devaluation, and the looming end of American monetary dominance. With interest payments surpassing the defense budget and the government falling short on reform, Dalio argues that fiat systems are expiring—and that investors should seek refuge in hard assets like gold and Bitcoin. Plus, updates on Interactive Brokers' stablecoin plans, PayPal’s expanded crypto support, and the ECB’s warnings of monetary irrelevance.
Brought to you by:
Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published 07/30

Galaxy Digital just executed one of the largest Bitcoin OTC deals in history—moving 80,000 BTC worth $9 billion for a mysterious Satoshi-era wallet. In today’s episode, NLW breaks down how the market absorbed the sale with barely a blip, explores speculation around the identity of the seller, and examines what the transaction signals for sovereign reserves and institutional confidence. Plus: ideological divisions among OG Bitcoiners, estate planning vs. capitulation, and what this sale says about the next era of Bitcoin adoption.
Brought to you by:
Grayscale offers more than 20 different crypto investment products. Explore the full suite at grayscale.com. Invest in your share of the future. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal.
To learn more, visit Grayscale.com -- https://www.grayscale.com//?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=paid-other&utm_campaign=brand&utm_id=&utm_term=&utm_content=audio-thebreakdown)
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Published 07/29

This week's Friday Five dives into a deceptively quiet but consequential stretch for crypto. NLW and Scott Melker break down Dan Tapiero’s massive $50 trillion crypto prediction, institutional progress like JPMorgan’s collateralized crypto lending and Christie's $1B real estate crypto push, and how Ethereum is finally finding its moment. Plus, a look at the evolving Senate version of the crypto market structure bill, lobbying momentum in D.C., and Coinbase’s bold new move with U.S.-based perpetual futures. The theme? The institutional floodgates are opening—and crypto is normalizing fast.
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Published 07/26

In today’s episode of The Breakdown, NLW dives deep into the evolving trade dynamics between the U.S. and Japan, asking whether the current trade war is really masking a larger capital or currency war. We explore the details behind a new $550 billion Japan-US investment vehicle, why Japan secured a lower tariff rate, and the controversy surrounding the deal’s legitimacy. NLW also unpacks the political upheaval in Japan, the long-term consequences of the BOJ’s extreme monetary policies, and whether the yen's behavior signals a shift in global financial strategy. Is this just brinksmanship, or a new era of macroeconomic warfare? Tune in for the full breakdown.
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Published 07/25
Inside the Genius Act: Trump Signs Landmark Stablecoin Bill into Law
NLW breaks down the newly signed Genius Act—the first major piece of U.S. crypto legislation. He unpacks what the law actually contains, from reserve requirements and audit rules to the “Libra clause” banning Big Tech stablecoins. With Circle and Tether taking center stage at the White House, what does this mean for the future of stablecoins, tokenization, and U.S. financial dominance? Plus, thoughts on DeFi tailwinds, CBDC fears, Schwab’s crypto plans, and the latest crypto IPO filings.
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Published 07/22

For this Long Read Sunday, NLW hands the mic to AI to read three of Byron Gilliam’s standout essays from the Breakdown newsletter. First, “Crypto’s Competitive Advantage” draws a bold parallel between 19th-century U.S. capital markets and the wild world of meme coin ICOs—arguing that pump.fun may be the Erie Railroad of Web3. Next, “Can the Genius Act Save Banks from Stablecoins?” explores how America’s newest crypto legislation recalls the era of Regulation Q, money market funds, and toaster giveaways. Finally, “Anarchy, Crime, and Stablecoins” reflects on how Timothy May might interpret Congress' surprising embrace of crypto—and where the fences still stand. A sweeping historical and philosophical ride through one of crypto's most pivotal weeks.
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Published 07/20