Rephonic
Artwork for The Breakdown

The Breakdown

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes2058Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessInvesting

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Breakdown

Latest Episodes

DeFi just raised $302 million to cover losses from the Kelp DAO hack. David calls it what it is: a bailout.

David runs through four stories from the week — MegaETH, DeFi United, Meta’s stablecoin payouts, and the Blockworks rebrand.

We unpack why M... more

North Korea has had IT workers embedded in DeFi protocols since DeFi Summer — and they’re pretty good devs.

Nick Bax, blockchain investigator and SEAL 911 incident responder, joins us to break down how crypto crime has evolved from SIM swaps to nati... more

Someone guessed Anthropic’s Mythos URL, gained unauthorized access to the most hyped AI model in history, and used it to build websites.

David covers three stories from the week: the Mythos breach, a Tether scam in the Strait of Hormuz, and DoorDash... more

Crypto might be the world’s best test bed for AI trading — and Virtuals Protocol is running the experiment live.

Weekee Tiew, co-founder of Virtuals Protocol, joins us to explain Degen Claw, their AI Council judging system, and why agents will soon ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Unchained
UnchainedLaura Shin
On The Brink with Castle Island
On The Brink with Castle IslandCastle Island Ventures
The Pomp Podcast
The Pomp PodcastAnthony Pompliano

Recent Guests

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 AIsa
AIsa
Episode: The Three Layers of AI Agent Commerce with Jordan Liu | 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
Eric Sernicki
Co-founder of Digital Asset
Digital Asset
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
  • 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 Kingdom2 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 States2 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 States2 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 States3 months ago
  • Bad change

    This shift away from NLW is horrible. Nothing worth while in the first new show

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    VeteranFacts
    United States3 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
#77
France/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#159
Norway/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#171
Spain/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#200
Belgium/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#203
Netherlands/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#218
Brazil/Business/Investing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Fed Governor Miran on Why Inflation Fears Are Overstated | Forward Guidance
Q: Governor Miran, would love to just start by unpacking your current framework and why you dissented there in the last FOMC decision.
He explains the Fed's dual mandate, argues that inflation pressures are overstated due to measurement quirks, and notes that the labor market has been weakening gradually, supporting a case for continued accommodation without triggering a wage-price spiral.
Are We Measuring Crypto All Wrong? | Nick Almond
Q: What did you see as the core shift in how we value blockchains beyond traditional metrics?
We're moving from revenue- or user-centric metrics to a broader set that includes time in the market, Lindy effects, on-chain usage, and the ability to sustain resilience under attack, which together define a network's long-term value.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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

Where can I find podcast stats for The Breakdown?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Breakdown. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Breakdown and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Breakdown get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Breakdown, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Breakdown?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Breakdown, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Breakdown have?

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

How many episodes of The Breakdown are there?

The Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 2058 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Breakdown?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Breakdown from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Breakdown?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Breakdown. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Breakdown?

Recent guests on The Breakdown include:

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

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days