The Breakdown

A daily analysis of macroeconomics, bitcoin, geopolitics and big picture power shifts, hosted by Nathaniel Whittemore @nlw. The Breakdown is part of The Breakdown Network.

Senators Question Prometheum's Ties to CCP 07/11/2023

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: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27437295

Lawyers See Weakness in SEC's Response to Coinbase 07/11/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27427188

Why the Recession Conventional Wisdom is Wrong 07/09/2023

Why the Recession Conventional Wisdom is Wrong A reading of Alex Kruger's thread: Full report from Asgard 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: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27410136

Lawsuit Time! Winklevoss and Gemini Sue DCG and Barry Silbert 07/08/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27404025

Binance Execs Race for the Exits 07/07/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27402735

BlackRock's Larry Fink Gives a Laser-Eyed Bitcoin Interview 07/06/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27394863

Gemini's Furious Open Letter Threatens to Sue DCG and Barry Silbert 07/05/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27380484

Crypto Continues Its Pushback on Washington D.C. 07/03/2023

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://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27358233

The Failure of Gary Gensler 07/02/2023

The Failure of Gary Gensler As the crypto industry takes the fight to the SEC, a reading of 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 /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27341532

Crypto Goes On Offense as the Legal Tide Begins to Turn 07/01/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27341382

A Recap of the Prime Trust Saga 06/30/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27337227

Summer Startup Series on Bitcoin Builders 06/28/2023

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: Learn more about The Breakdown Network: /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27310230

The State of CBDCs 06/27/2023

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 /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27288105

BlackRock SchmackRock: For Emerging Markets, Bitcoin Means More than Gains 06/25/2023

BlackRock SchmackRock: For Emerging Markets, Bitcoin Means More than Gains Today on Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads Noelle Acheson's 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 /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27258639

The Institutions Come Roaring Back to Crypto 06/24/2023

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 /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27255129

The Value Prop - Digital Asset Use Cases with Rebecca Rettig 06/23/2023

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: Check out the Value Prop 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 /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27239805

The Bear Market is Over with Dan Tapiero 06/22/2023

The Bear Market is Over with Dan Tapiero Dan Tapiero has deployed more than a billion dollars into growth stage digital asset companies in the last few years. He's also convinced that the bear market is over. In this conversation, he and NLW discuss the narrative resilience of crypto with institutional investors; why companies are looking global, and more. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27239700

Bitcoin SMASHES Through $30,000 As Institutional Excitement Returns 06/21/2023

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 /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27228366

Do Kwon Goes To Jail 06/20/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27216285

Does Anyone Care About Tether's Chinese Paper? 06/19/2023

Does Anyone Care About Tether's Chinese Paper? On today's episode, NLW looks at the (non) reaction of the crypto community to news that Tether held Chinese bank debt in 2021. The show also covers reactions to the Binance-SEC hearing last week. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27197067

Are Memecoins Silly Fun or an Existential Grift? 06/19/2023

Are Memecoins Silly Fun or an Existential Grift? On Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads 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: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27192015

The Prometheum WTF: Is This an SEC Grift Just to Mess Up Crypto Legislation? 06/17/2023

The Prometheum WTF: Is This an SEC Grift Just to Mess Up Crypto Legislation? This is truly one of the weirdest stories in crypto this year. Today NLW dives deep on Prometheum, a company that only showed up on most people's radar this week when their CEO inexplicably testified before Congress. Was it all a big SEC Grift? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27181200

Is BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Application A Political Message? 06/16/2023

Is BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Application A Political Message? World's largest asset manager BlackRock has filed for a Bitcoin spot ETF. They've been approved for 575 out of their last 576 ETF applications. Given that there are no indications that the SEC has changed its tune on spot ETFs, the industry is left asking: what does Larry Fink know that we don't? Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27178356

The Fed Pauses For The First Time In 15 Months (But Don't Call It A "Pause"!) 06/15/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27163296

Hinman Emails Show SEC Just Making It Up As It Goes Along 06/14/2023

Hinman Emails Show SEC Just Making It Up As It Goes Along Yesterday three consequential legal events happened. Former SEC officer Bill Hinman's emails were released; the SEC was forced to respond to Coinbase; and Binance had their hearing on the SEC's emergency asset freeze request. NLW covers all of the important details. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27152484

A Massive Day For Crypto in the Courts 06/13/2023

A Massive Day For Crypto in the Courts Today in Federal Courts: the Hinman docs get unsealed in Ripple vs. SEC; SEC has to respond to Coinbase; and Binance US in court around SEC request to freeze assets. Plus the new #FireGary bill introduced by Congressional Republicans. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27140049

The Altcoin Apocalypse: Understanding Crypto's Weekend Crash 06/12/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27128886

The SEC's Crypto Legal Battles Aren't Easy 06/11/2023

The SEC's Crypto Legal Battles Aren't Easy On this Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads: - David Z Morris - Michael J Casey Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27097623

TradFi Wants To Run Crypto 06/10/2023

TradFi Wants To Run Crypto Operation Chokepoint 2.0 hasn't stopped savvy tradfi investors from smelling an opportunity. This week, revealing and emblematic comments from the leader of Soros' funds show how tradifitional financiers are seeing opportunity in the carnage. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribeto the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27097611

A Crypto Custodian Becomes the Latest Casualty 06/09/2023

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 Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW /episode/index/show/nlwcrypto/id/27096234

The Breakdown

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