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Artwork for The Breakdown

The Breakdown

Blockworks
Bitcoin
Stablecoins
Federal Reserve
Ethereum
Coinbase
SEC
Crypto
Tether
Inflation
Microstrategy
Circle
Jerome Powell
Gold
Crypto Regulation
Cryptocurrency
Market Structure Bill
Stablecoin
Genius Act
Tokenization
Solana

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 ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2066Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessInvesting

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Breakdown

Latest Episodes

David unpacks the Ethereum Foundation exits, the Polymarket / UMA Oracle dispute mess revealed by the WSJ, and OpenAI's push to sell guaranteed compute on 1–3 year commits. Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:23) ETH Foundation Departures

(17:00... more

Nick Almond of the Jito Foundation joins David to walk through why DAO governance is a mess, what “pragmatic decentralization” looks like in practice, and how the CLARITY Act will reshape governance going forward. Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

more

Hyperliquid enabled early exposure to the biggest AI IPO of the year. Claude helped recover a Bitcoin wallet locked for 11 years. And CLARITY made it through markup. David runs through all three. Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro

01:05 Cerebras

12:4... more

Bhutan timed the Bitcoin top almost perfectly. The CLARITY Act may only let 10–20 chains qualify as “decentralized.” And onchain Pokémon cards are popping off. David runs through all three.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:31) Bhutan Sells

(06:37) N... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Nick Bax
Crypto analytics and forensic specialist
CL911
Episode: How Crypto Is Fighting Back Against North Korea | The Breakdown
Weekee Tiew
Co-founder of Virtuals Protocol
Episode: Can AI Actually Trade Crypto? | The Breakdown
Kevin O'Leary
Famed investor, Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank
Self/Various ventures
Episode: Kevin O’Leary on AI, Data Centers, and Why He Sold 27 Crypto Positions | The Breakdown
Jordan Liu
Co-founder of AI Payments, AIsa
AIsa
Episode: Are AI Agents Actually Using Crypto? | The Breakdown
Stephen Miran
Federal Reserve Governor
Federal Reserve System
Episode: Fed Governor Miran on Why Inflation Fears Are Overstated | Forward Guidance
David Lawan
Head of Research at Anchorage Digital
Anchorage Digital
Episode: The Crypto-TradFi Convergence | Inflection Point
Matt Hogan
Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise
Bitwise
Episode: The Crypto-TradFi Convergence | Inflection Point
Michael Marcantonio
Head of DeFi at Galaxy Digital
Galaxy Digital
Episode: The Crypto-TradFi Convergence | Inflection Point
Yannik Schreit
CEO and co-founder at Arqium
Arqium
Episode: Privacy & Institutional Crypto's [Redacted] Future | The Breakdown

Hosts

David Canellis
Host of the show, providing grounded analysis and commentary on cryptocurrency and macroeconomic topics.
NLW
Former host, known for his pragmatic insights into the crypto landscape and macroeconomic developments.
Nathaniel Whittemore
Previously a significant contributor to discussions around cryptocurrency and institutional adoption.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Meh

    Meh

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    kfixbwhdisa
    United States11 days ago
  • Interested in hearing how Bitcoin fits into today’s world?

    Imagine having an erudite acquaintance who tirelessly follows the stories you need to know about. Someone who trawls through the day’s news stories, distilling both the salient lessons and the social responses to them, and then delivers a concise summary that is a pleasure to listen to. Nathaniel Whittemore is that man, and The Breakdown is the result.

    2026 update: Nathaniel Whittemore has now left the show. My above recommendation does not apply to the new incarnation of The Breakdown. The sol... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    T o W S
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Different show as of February 2026

    I’ve been a long-time listener and really valued the format prior to February 2026. The shorter episodes covering top news and weekly sentiment were efficient and high-signal. The Friday Five in particular was often all I needed to stay current.

    The newer, longer interview format on nuanced topics doesn’t fit my listening style. I appreciate the work, but I preferred the previous structure.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RowboTony
    United States3 months ago
  • My first bad review

    I just can’t get into the show anymore. I miss NLW.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Yesse Golden Eye
    United States3 months ago
  • Hoping new host goes back to old format

    New format isn't nearly as good as last. It's cold, boring and long. I'm hoping it gets better as we go.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Disneyyensid
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is recognized for its ability to translate complex topics into digestible formats, catering to both novice and experienced listeners alike.
Some reviews mention dissatisfaction with format changes or perceived biases, reflecting a desire for consistent quality and neutrality in reporting.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth analysis of crypto and macroeconomic news, making the content insightful and relevant for understanding market trends.
There is a strong sentiment for the host's insightful perspectives, often calling it a must-listen for anyone interested in the digital asset space.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#26
Russia/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#161
Israel/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#182
Russia/Business
Apple Podcasts
#187
Denmark/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#201
South Africa/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#203
India/Business/Investing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Crypto Is Fighting Back Against North Korea | The Breakdown
Q: What practical steps can individuals take to protect themselves given the prevalence of social engineering and SIM-swaps historically?
Advice centers on hardware wallets for those under a million dollars, pursuing OPSEC services for high net-worth individuals, and recognizing that education, cautious practices, and using secure tooling are essential as attackers constantly evolve.
How Crypto Is Fighting Back Against North Korea | The Breakdown
Q: Can you walk us through what happened during the Arbitrum/KelpDow incident from a security operations perspective?
Nick Bax describes triage like medical emergency response, freezing funds, identifying attackers, and the need to understand where the money is to prevent further loss, emphasizing that even when the code is improved, social and operational factors often drive breaches.
Kevin O’Leary on AI, Data Centers, and Why He Sold 27 Crypto Positions | The Breakdown
Q: What is your view on how crypto fits into a world dominated by AI and rapid tech advancement?
Crypto fits as a prudent, liquid allocation within a diversified portfolio, with particular focus on established assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum; institutional adoption hinges on regulatory clarity and market structure, while speculative tokens largely lack sustainment unless they have clear utility and demand.
Kevin O’Leary on AI, Data Centers, and Why He Sold 27 Crypto Positions | The Breakdown
Q: What actually makes an investible AI company?
Investable AI companies balance measurable impact, such as margin enhancement and productivity gains, with a clear path to meaningful adoption and revenue, supported by leadership that can execute in real markets; diversification and risk management remain essential.
Fed Governor Miran on Why Inflation Fears Are Overstated | Forward Guidance
Q: How do you think about the oil shock and its relevance to policy settings given the lags of monetary transmission?
Oil shocks push headline inflation up in the short term, but their effects on the real economy and inflation expectations further out are much less certain; policy should focus on 12-18 month horizons as the main channel for any adjustments.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Breakdown

What is The Breakdown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content typically centers around the interactions between cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and broader macroeconomic factors. Discussions focus on how crypto fits within the financial ecosystem, examining its relationship to traditional finance, fintech, and various regulatory challenges facing the industry. Notably, the series emphasizes the philosophical and cultural aspects of crypto, particularly the implications of emerging technologies like AI and decentralized finance on society. Its unique selling point is the ability to translate complex and technical information into easily digestible insights, making it a valuable resource for listeners seeking a deeper understanding of the crypto landscape and its evolving role in global m... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Breakdown has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Breakdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Breakdown:

1. CoinDesk Podcast Network
2. On The Brink with Castle Island
3. The Wolf Of All Streets
4. Unchained
5. The Pomp Podcast

How many episodes of The Breakdown are there?

The Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 2066 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Breakdown?

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What guests have appeared on The Breakdown?

Recent guests on The Breakdown include:

1. Nick Bax
2. Weekee Tiew
3. Kevin O'Leary
4. Jordan Liu
5. Stephen Miran
6. David Lawan
7. Matt Hogan
8. Michael Marcantonio

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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