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The Breakdown
The Breakdown
Author: Blockworks
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The Breakdown dives into the deepest topics in crypto, blockchain, and the macro forces shaping markets and power structures. Each episode breaks down complex ideas into clear, grounded analysis — separating signal from noise across crypto, finance, and geopolitics.
Hosted by David Canellis, The Breakdown features explainers, interviews, and conversations with the people building, regulating, and challenging the financial system.
A Blockworks podcast.
Subscribe to The Breakdown newsletter: https://the-breakdown.carrd.co/
2042 Episodes
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From miners to institutional buyers, David breaks down why Bitcoin’s halving cycle may still shape the market — even if the supply shock itself is fading. Plus, a conversation with Marc Arjoon.
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
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Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
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Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
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Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:47) Halving Started the Fire
(04:47) Nexo Ad
(05:14) DAS Promo
(06:08) Shock Factor
(08:54) Never Too Early
(10:51) Nexo Ad
(11:35) Interview with Marc Arjoon
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
How should crypto tokens be valued? Haseeb Qureshi breaks down why cash-flow rights won’t “fix” prices, and how AI agents transacting on-chain could drive the next wave of demand.
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
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Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Haseeb: https://x.com/hosseeb
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:40) Tokens and Valuation Basics
(03:02) Why Disclosures Matter
(07:19) Aave Drama and Transparency
(09:13) Nexo Ad
(09:47) Aave Drama and Transparency (Con’t)
(12:32) Cash Flows and Token Demand
(14:21) AI Agents and the Future
(19:35) Nexo Ad
(20:24) DAS Promo
(21:12) AI Agents and the Future (Con’t)
(26:53) Closing Thoughts
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
In this first episode of Inflection Point, we explore the accelerating convergence between traditional finance and crypto as institutional adoption begins reshaping the foundations of global financial infrastructure. The conversation examines ETFs, DeFi innovation, market structure shifts, institutional flows, and how evolving investor behavior is changing Bitcoin and digital asset markets. Along the way, we discuss regulation, credit markets, technology limitations, and the broader implications of finance moving onchain. Enjoy!
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Inflection Point:
Apple 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3QKdX5a
Spotify 🎙️: https://bit.ly/3YhGJy3
YouTube 🎥: https://link.blockworks.co/46Cee2q
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https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-nyc-2026
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Timestamps
(00:00) Intro To Inflection Point
(06:48) The Convergence Between TradFi & Crypto
(22:20) Crypto's Biggest Advantages & Hurdles
(36:15) Crypto's Changing Market Structure
(41:00) Prices, Sentiment & Long-Term Allocators
(46:00) Evolution Of Crypto Options & Yield
(51:30) Is The 4-Year Cycle Dead?
(01:02:00) Final Thoughts
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Inflection Point is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
#Crypto #DeFi #Bitcoin #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #CryptoPodcast
Are retail investors just exit liquidity? We unpack the token premium, forced price discovery, and what Ethereum and Tron data reveals about when fundamentals actually matter. Featuring insights from Haseeb Qureshi of Dragonfly.
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Haseeb: https://x.com/hosseeb
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at https://nexo.com/breakdown
__
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:26) Premium Economy
(03:21) Same, But Different
(04:59) Nexo Ad
(05:27) DAS Promo
(06:20) Price Is Like An Onion
(11:18) Nexo Ad
(12:07) Interview with Haseeb Qureshi
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Crypto and fintech are converging. But who captures the value? Nick Almond on stablecoins, DAOs, and the future of capital formation.
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Nick: https://x.com/DrNickA
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
—--
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:07) FinTech vs Crypto Today
(03:28) Banks Onramps and Walled Gardens
(07:53) Where Value Accrues Onchain
(16:47) DAS PROMO
(17:39) Where Value Accrues Onchain (Con’t)
(25:02) Tokens Culture and Market Outlook
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
With no clear external enemy left, crypto may be facing its next antagonist: fintech. This episode explores whether crypto is winning — or being domesticated. Plus, a conversation with Nick Almond.
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Nick: https://x.com/DrNickA
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
—--
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
(01:42) The Birth of TradFintech
(05:04) Make Way, Crypto Natives
(08:55) Rising Tides
(10:40) DAS Promo
(11:30) Interview with Nick Almond
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Daniel Shapiro joins to break down why AI and crypto may be destined to converge — from agent payments and identity to privacy, data markets, and the next big investable primitive.
Thanks for tuning in!
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Daniel: https://x.com/_dshap
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
—--
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(04:17) Can AI Be Crypto’s Lifeline?
(02:43) AI-Native Payments
(06:35) Agents as the New Target Customer
(10:54) Agent Trading and Security Concerns
(13:00) Consumer vs Enterprise
(16:14) DAS Promo
(17:03) Will Crypto and AI Merge?
(21:40) Tokens in the AI x Crypto Stack
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Some worry that AI could create a permanent underclass. Can crypto’s next primitive change that — or will value accrue elsewhere? Plus, insight from Daniel Shapiro, Blockworks Research analyst
Thanks for tuning in!
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Daniel: https://x.com/_dshap
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
—--
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:45) Primitive Technology
(04:39) More than Picks and Shovels
(09:30) DAS Promo
(10:15) Accruel World
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Paul Dylan-Ennis joins David Canellis to discuss decentralization theater, public goods, and the growing tension between crypto’s ideological roots and market-driven reality.
–
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Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
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Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
—--
Timestamps:
(02:04) Token Economy and WEF Essay Comparison
(08:15) The Gap Between Usage and Price
(17:45) Public Goods and Market Incentives
(26:57) Future of Crypto and Final Thoughts
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
What does it actually mean to “own” a token? As regulation catches up, the token economy may be facing its biggest identity crisis yet. Plus, a conversation with Paul Dylan-Ennis.
Thanks for tuning in!
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Paul: https://x.com/post_polar_
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:57) You Will Eat The Bugs
(03:18) Ownership Vs Access
(06:23) Regulatory Arbitrage
(08:55) DAS Promo
(09:44) The Triangle of Decentralization
(15:37) Onchain-Offchain Symmetry
(17:14) Interview with Paul Dylan-Ennis
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
The race to be the “most used blockchain” misses the point. This episode examines the metrics behind Solana vs Ethereum — and why usage, revenue, and adoption are being misunderstood — followed by a discussion with Nick Almond on where these networks are actually headed.
Thanks for tuning in!
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Nick: https://x.com/DrNickA
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/
—-
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro - The Fight Over ‘Real’ Crypto Metrics
(1:43) Ethereum By The Numbers
(3:56) Is Solana The ‘Most Used Chain?’
(6:09) Why No Single Chain Can Win Everything
(11:47) Different Chains, Different Jobs
(14:00) Interview with Nick Almond
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Privacy is back at the center of crypto’s narrative. This episode examines the limits of on-chain privacy, the role of KYC and the app layer, and how crypto onboarding has changed — before closing with Andrew M. Bailey of the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Enjoy!
As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
–
Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres
Follow Andrew: https://x.com/resistancemoney
Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis
—
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:20 The Limits of On-Chain Privacy
3:00 Reality of the App Layer
7:57 DAS Promo
8:44 From Self-Mining to KYC Funnels
11:14 The Future of Privacy in Crypto
14:49 Interview with Andrew M. Bailey
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Today’s episode is the last episode of The Breakdown with me, NLW. To mark the end of this chapter, this show looks back at the biggest story from each year of the podcast, from the strange early days of 2018 through cycles of collapse, rebuilding, mainstreaming, and normalization, tracing how Bitcoin and crypto evolved alongside the show itself. It’s a reflection on the moments that mattered, the themes that endured, and why the story of power, money, and incentives is far from over, even as my time behind this mic comes to a close.
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Tether has officially launched its US-compliant stablecoin, USAT, a Genius Act–aligned, Treasury-backed token designed to operate squarely inside the American regulatory perimeter, giving the company a powerful hedge as global rules harden and tokenization accelerates. But the bigger story may be what comes next: Tether’s rapid accumulation of gold, now rivaling central banks and openly framed by CEO Paolo Ardoino as preparation for a fractured monetary order where gold-backed alternatives to the dollar emerge. The episode explores why USAT is less about replacing USDT than expanding optionality, how Tether is positioning itself as a quasi-sovereign financial actor straddling competing systems, and why dire warnings about stablecoin yield draining bank deposits look far less destabilizing when set against the scale of the global financial system.
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Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8
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A crypto-native deep dive into the systems, incentives, and power structures shaping the industry. Hosted by David C.
As Washington digs out from a winter storm, there are signs that the long-stalled crypto market structure bill may be inching forward again, with behind-the-scenes negotiations aiming to revive a bipartisan path in the Senate Agriculture Committee. The episode unpacks the competing narratives around whether talks are truly back on track, the political tradeoffs shaping the next markup, and why stablecoin yield remains the most stubborn blocker. It also looks at how pressure is building from outside Washington, from Coinbase and Bloomberg’s Neil Ferguson pushing back on banking-lobby arguments, to new yield-bearing products from Bitwise and BlackRock that could make parts of the debate obsolete, before closing with a look at how Bitcoin miners’ grid-balancing role showed up during the latest round of extreme winter weather.
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Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW
Bitcoin stumbles through another Sunday-night slide as gold rips to historic highs, pulling attention and liquidity away from crypto and fueling talk of a speculative metals mania layered on top of genuine macro fear. This episode digs into why gold’s breakout is happening now, how ETF outflows, loss realization, and shaken conviction are weighing on Bitcoin, and why the growing contrast between physical metal liquidity and Bitcoin’s always-on exit may ultimately reinforce the long-term thesis even as short-term sentiment stays ugly.
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Brian Armstrong takes Bitcoin to the World Economic Forum as Davos wrestles with the visible unraveling of the old global order, putting the Bitcoin standard, stablecoin yield, and crypto market structure squarely in front of central bankers and political leaders. This episode walks through Armstrong’s exchanges with European officials, Trump and the White House weighing in on legislation, growing pressure to strike a deal on market structure, and why the real fight now centers on stablecoin yield and DeFi protections as the industry pushes to get a bill across the finish line.
Enjoying this content?
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NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw
Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW
Markets are selling off across the board as stocks, bonds, and the dollar all fall together, signaling something bigger than a routine drawdown. This episode unpacks why the latest crash feels like a true regime shift, tying together the Japanese bond market shock, escalating trade and geopolitical conflict, and explicit declarations from global leaders that the post–Cold War rules-based order is breaking down. From Greenland to Davos to Tokyo, the common thread is uncertainty about what comes next—and what it means for risk assets, rates, and the global financial system.
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Today’s episode digs into the deepening market structure fallout in Washington, tracing how Coinbase’s withdrawal from the bill triggered White House anger, exposed fractures across the crypto lobby, and reignited bipartisan resistance in the Senate, particularly around DeFi liability and stablecoin yield. The episode explores why stablecoin yield has become the central fault line between banks and crypto, with banks warning of deposit flight while critics argue the real issue is banks protecting profits at the expense of consumers, leaving the bill stuck between irreconcilable interests. The result is a pessimistic moment for crypto legislation, where momentum still exists but the path forward increasingly looks like it will require one side to cave—or the effort to collapse entirely.
Enjoying this content?
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Listening to this in Dec 2024 and hearing people talk about FTX the way they did back then is a good lesson when I hear people speak so highly about projects today.
Episode mix-up: This is the latest AI Breakdown episode, not what the title shows.
Pretty sure this is a double-post of yesterday's episode.
please have her back with decent audio
Nathaniel thank you. great guests, great insights. went down the rabbit-hole a couple years ago. one of your few over 60 listeners. bob