Everyone from blockchain lobbyists to Senators to an esteemed group of academic legal experts have filed amicus briefs in the Coinbase vs. SEC case. NLW breaks it down, along with news that SBF's bail has been revoked. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to 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

Everyone from blockchain lobbyists to Senators to an esteemed group of academic legal experts have filed amicus briefs in the Coinbase vs. SEC case. NLW breaks it down, along with news that SBF's bail has been revoked. Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribe to the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

A Flurry of Amicus Briefs in Coinbase vs. SEC

A reading of a 2019 Nic Carter classic: "The Cat is Out of the Bag: Bitcoin is everyone’s problem now"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

A reading of a 2019 Nic Carter classic:<a href="https://medium.com/the-bitcoin-times/the-cat-is-out-of-the-bag-fc1344c46bc1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> "The Cat is Out of the Bag: Bitcoin is everyone’s problem now"</a>Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

The Bitcoin Genie Isn't Going Back in the Bottle 

A reading of Stablecoins Can Keep the Dollar the World’s Reserve Currency - Brian Brooks, Charles CalomirisPayPal’s Stablecoin Is a Watershed Moment for Finance - Austin Campbell 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

A reading of <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/stablecoins-can-help-keep-the-dollar-the-worlds-reserve-currency-yuan-china-ef1047c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stablecoins Can Keep the Dollar the World’s Reserve Currency</a> - Brian Brooks, Charles Calomiris<a href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/08/09/paypals-stablecoin-is-a-watershed-moment-for-finance/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PayPal’s Stablecoin Is a Watershed Moment for Finance</a> - Austin Campbell Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

The Massive Significance of the PayPal Stablecoin 

On today's week catch up: Post Malone and Rogan discuss CBDCs; SEC to appeal Ripple 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

On today's week catch up: Post Malone and Rogan discuss CBDCs; SEC to appeal Ripple and more.Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

Why Post Malone Is Against CBDCs

Coinbase has launched BASE to much fanfare and excitement. The skeptics ask how much it will be about memecoins and speculation vs real utility, but even they're not enough to dampen enthusiasm. 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

Coinbase has launched BASE to much fanfare and excitement. The skeptics ask how much it will be about memecoins and speculation vs real utility, but even they're not enough to dampen enthusiasm. Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

Will Coinbase's Launch of BASE Ignite the Crypto Builders?

On the same day that bitcoin surged more than 3%, the Federal Reserve released some new guidance for banks it regulates around interacting with crypto and stablecoins. Does this clear a path for more active engagement or is it just codifying Operation Choke Point 2.0's pressure on banks to stay away from the sector. 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

On the same day that bitcoin surged more than 3%, the Federal Reserve released some new guidance for banks it regulates around interacting with crypto and stablecoins. Does this clear a path for more active engagement or is it just codifying Operation Choke Point 2.0's pressure on banks to stay away from the sector. Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

Did the Fed Just Institutionalize Operation Choke Point 2.0?

In today's episode, NLW dives deep on PayPal's Announcement, which he argues forms a matched pair with BlackRock's spot BTC ETF application as the key events in the most important trend of this bear market. 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

In today's episode, NLW dives deep on PayPal's Announcement, which he argues forms a matched pair with BlackRock's spot BTC ETF application as the key events in the most important trend of this bear market. Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

PayPal's Stablecoin is the (Second) Biggest Crypto News Story of the Year 

Coinbase argues that crypto is a "major question" that requires Congress to explicitly authorize the SEC to oversee. 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

Coinbase argues that crypto is a "major question" that requires Congress to explicitly authorize the SEC to oversee. Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

Crypto and the Major Questions Doctrine

On this Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads:Pass the Stablecoin Bill Now - Austin CampbellStablecoins: A Potential Counter to Dedollarization - Yiannis Giokas 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

On this Long Reads Sunday, NLW reads:<a href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/07/31/pass-the-stablecoin-bill-now/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pass the Stablecoin Bill Now</a> - Austin Campbell<a href="https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/08/03/stablecoins-a-potential-counter-to-de-dollarization/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stablecoins: A Potential Counter to Dedollarization</a> - Yiannis Giokas Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

How Stablecoins Could Save the Dollar's Global Reserve Role 

On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at Worldcoin's issues in Kenya; the NYT's weird defense of SBF's leaking of Caroline Ellison's journal; guilty pleas from the Bitfinex hacker 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

On this edition of the Weekly Recap, NLW looks at Worldcoin's issues in Kenya; the NYT's weird defense of SBF's leaking of Caroline Ellison's journal; guilty pleas from the Bitfinex hacker and more. Enjoying this content?<ul> <li>SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620</li> <li>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a></li> <li>Subscribeto the newsletter: <a href="https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/</a></li> <li>Join the discussion: <a href="https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8</a></li> </ul>Follow on Twitter:<ul> <li>NLW: <a href="https://twitter.com/nlw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nlw</a></li> <li>Breakdown: <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW</a></li></ul>

Worldcoin Iris Scanning Shut Down in Kenya 

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.

NLW’s The Breakdown daily gospel is my evening java...so relevant &amp; informative...delivered thru an scute intellect...good stuff!!

The Breakdown

Nathaniel does an incredible job with this podcast, summarizing the top stories of each day and providing his own valuable insight. He cuts through all the bs and tells you what you need to know while also providing perspectives from all sides of the issues. HIGHLY recommend this podcast. A must subscribe if you are at all interested in crypto current events and the narratives shaping our industry and the world.

The Walter Cronkite of Crypto

Peter Zeihan

“Some countries just aren’t going to emerge from the Coronavirus.” Peter Zeihan is one of the world’s foremost geopolitical experts. In his new book “Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World,” Zeihan argues that we’re at the end of the largest expansionary period in human history. As America withdraws from global leadership, a totally new (and for most parts of the world, more painful) ‘normal’ will emerge.  On this episode of The Breakdown, Zeihan joins @NLW to discuss why the Coronavirus crisis is rapidly accelerating the end of the era of globalization.   How the American-led global order used the dollar as the tool to keep the world together  Why geopolitics and demography are coinciding to end the era of globalization  Why Covid-19 will spark a massive return of American manufacturing  Why, when it comes to the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency “Never before has the “exorbitant privilege” of being the world’s reserve currency felt more exorbitant or more like a privilege.  Why the crisis could spell the end for the Euro  Why China isn’t nearly as well positioned in the post globalization era as many assume  Why the best positioned countries in the coming era are the US, Japan, Argentina, France and Turkey 

“Some countries just aren’t going to emerge from the Coronavirus.” Peter Zeihan is one of the world’s foremost geopolitical experts. In his new book “Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World,” Zeihan argues that we’re at the end of the largest expansionary period in human history. As America withdraws from global leadership, a totally new (and for most parts of the world, more painful) ‘normal’ will emerge.  On this episode of The Breakdown, Zeihan joins @NLW to discuss why the Coronavirus crisis is rapidly accelerating the end of the era of globalization.  <ul> <li>How the American-led global order used the dollar as the tool to keep the world together </li> <li>Why geopolitics and demography are coinciding to end the era of globalization </li> <li>Why Covid-19 will spark a massive return of American manufacturing </li> <li>Why, when it comes to the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency “Never before has the “exorbitant privilege” of being the world’s reserve currency felt more exorbitant or more like a privilege. </li> <li>Why the crisis could spell the end for the Euro </li> <li>Why China isn’t nearly as well positioned in the post globalization era as many assume </li> <li>Why the best positioned countries in the coming era are the US, Japan, Argentina, France and Turkey</li> </ul>

How Coronavirus Is Accelerating the End of Globalism, Feat. Peter Zeihan

Luke Gromen

QE infinity. Corporate bailouts. Nudging UBI. The incredible economic phenomena going on now didn’t happen out of the blue. They are the byproducts of a key events spread across the 70 year history of the US dollar led global monetary system.  Luke Gromen is the founder of Forest From The Trees, a macro/thematic research firm. In this episode, Luke provides a TL;DR on those key events that got us to where we are today, including:   Bretton Woods and why the world went on a USD-based system rather than Keynes idea for a non-sovereign ‘bancor’ world reserve currency The move to the Petrodollar in the 1970s The financialization of commodities that started in the 1980s The monetary policy vacuum after the Cold War ended How a shift in executive compensation rules led to many of today’s problems with Wall Street The export of Treasury Bills as a business model The fallout of 2008 globally and domestically The end of Treasury Bill buying in 2014 Why the Fed is the only sugar daddy left 

QE infinity. Corporate bailouts. Nudging UBI. The incredible economic phenomena going on now didn’t happen out of the blue. They are the byproducts of a key events spread across the 70 year history of the US dollar led global monetary system.  Luke Gromen is the founder of Forest From The Trees, a macro/thematic research firm. In this episode, Luke provides a TL;DR on those key events that got us to where we are today, including:  <ul> <li>Bretton Woods and why the world went on a USD-based system rather than Keynes idea for a non-sovereign ‘bancor’ world reserve currency</li> <li>The move to the Petrodollar in the 1970s</li> <li>The financialization of commodities that started in the 1980s</li> <li>The monetary policy vacuum after the Cold War ended</li> <li>How a shift in executive compensation rules led to many of today’s problems with Wall Street</li> <li>The export of Treasury Bills as a business model</li> <li>The fallout of 2008 globally and domestically</li> <li>The end of Treasury Bill buying in 2014</li> <li>Why the Fed is the only sugar daddy left</li> </ul>

The History of the Dollar System From Bretton Woods to QE Infinity, Feat. Luke Gromen 

Bitcoin is having a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day. Many are using the dump - which from a timing perspective aligns with a broader market selloff among Coronavirus fears - as a way to diminish the “bitcoin as a safe haven” narrative.  In this episode, @nlw revisits that narrative and argues that it is uncomfortably bunched up with the uncorrelated asset narrative, or, as Chamath Palihapitiya calls it “schmuck insurance.” This episode also covers:  Central bank digital currency (CBDC) news: Canada says it doesn’t see the need right now but that could change if private cryptos get more traction, while China’s work on a digital yuan is paused due to Coronavirus shutdowns.  The six year anniversary of Mt. Gox’s lost 750,000 BTC coming to light. 

Bitcoin is having a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day. Many are using the dump - which from a timing perspective aligns with a broader market selloff among Coronavirus fears - as a way to diminish the “bitcoin as a safe haven” narrative.  In this episode, @nlw revisits that narrative and argues that it is uncomfortably bunched up with the uncorrelated asset narrative, or, as Chamath Palihapitiya calls it “schmuck insurance.” This episode also covers: <ul> <li>Central bank digital currency (CBDC) news: Canada says it doesn’t see the need right now but that could change if private cryptos get more traction, while China’s work on a digital yuan is paused due to Coronavirus shutdowns. </li> <li>The six year anniversary of Mt. Gox’s lost 750,000 BTC coming to light.</li> </ul>

Is Bitcoin A Safe Haven or ‘Schmuck Insurance’? 

Bitcoin (and the rest of the markets) absolutely cratered yesterday, with BTC dropping from nearly $10k to under $8k before resetting a bit. Is it Bakkt backlash? Bitmex margin calls? Or a fat load of who the hell knows? Speaking of crashes, Adam Neumann is out as CEO of WeWork, the fall guy in what appears to be the beginning of a larger market reset on technology company valuations. Does that reset have implications for the crypto markets? Finally, a number of new financings including for Fold, a cashback-in-bitcoin app that keeps your data private.  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

Bitcoin (and the rest of the markets) absolutely cratered yesterday, with BTC dropping from nearly $10k to under $8k before resetting a bit. Is it Bakkt backlash? Bitmex margin calls? Or a fat load of who the hell knows? Speaking of crashes, Adam Neumann is out as CEO of WeWork, the fall guy in what appears to be the beginning of a larger market reset on technology company valuations. Does that reset have implications for the crypto markets? Finally, a number of new financings including for Fold, a cashback-in-bitcoin app that keeps your data private.  Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

What's behind the BTC price crash? / Does WeWork matter for crypto? / Incognito mode for payments

Dan Held

Bitcoin is on a 7 week upward trend. Having already smashed through its $9,000 Vegeta memes, it is now inching closer towards $10k.    On this episode, @nlw is joined by Kraken’s Dan Held to discuss how bitcoin has changed in a number of ways since the last time we were at the $10,000 price level last year. They look at:  Narrative - Speculation around bitcoin as a safe haven and the role of the halvening continue to shape the conversation Infrastructure - The tools for how people can interact with bitcoin - from lending to derivatives - have never been broader  Audience - Institutions are no longer just around the corner but actively participating in the market 

Bitcoin is on a 7 week upward trend. Having already smashed through its $9,000 Vegeta memes, it is now inching closer towards $10k.  On this episode, @nlw is joined by Kraken’s Dan Held to discuss how bitcoin has changed in a number of ways since the last time we were at the $10,000 price level last year. They look at: <ol> <li>Narrative - Speculation around bitcoin as a safe haven and the role of the halvening continue to shape the conversation</li> <li>Infrastructure - The tools for how people can interact with bitcoin - from lending to derivatives - have never been broader </li> <li>Audience - Institutions are no longer just around the corner but actively participating in the market</li> </ol>

Kraken’s Dan Held on What’s Different About Bitcoin At $10k This Time 

In the game of coins, you [replace the USD as the world's reserve currency or at least shore up your sovereign currency's position in the new global mix] or you die.  Over the last few months, we've seen China accelerate work on its digital currency; Binance launch Venus, a regional alternative to Libra; Tether (reportedly) working on a China yuan pegged stablecoin; and now, one of the world's best known central bankers has proposed a "synthetic hegemonic currency" to replace the USD as the world's global reserve currency. What does it all mean?  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

In the game of coins, you [replace the USD as the world's reserve currency or at least shore up your sovereign currency's position in the new global mix] or you die.  Over the last few months, we've seen China accelerate work on its digital currency; Binance launch Venus, a regional alternative to Libra; Tether (reportedly) working on a China yuan pegged stablecoin; and now, one of the world's best known central bankers has proposed a "synthetic hegemonic currency" to replace the USD as the world's global reserve currency. What does it all mean?  Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

Narrative Watch: The Game of Coins & The Battle Over The Global Reserve Currency 

Libra Association on the verge of losing members? That's the report from FT as members get spooked by EU antitrust proceedings. Over in the trade war, Trump ratchets up the rhetoric against China, and we explore both how it might drive Chinese innovation and what it means for the BTC safe haven narrative. Finally, we do a quick recap of Berlin Blockchain Week so far, including the anti-surveillance forces and furries alike.  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

Libra Association on the verge of losing members? That's the report from FT as members get spooked by EU antitrust proceedings. Over in the trade war, Trump ratchets up the rhetoric against China, and we explore both how it might drive Chinese innovation and what it means for the BTC safe haven narrative. Finally, we do a quick recap of Berlin Blockchain Week so far, including the anti-surveillance forces and furries alike.  Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

Stablecoin battles / Trade Wars & Safe Havens / Berlin Blockchain Recap

On Wednesday, Zuckerberg responded to the largely hostile US Congress by reminding them that, if the US didn't proactively assert leadership around digital currencies, then China would be more than willing to fill the gap. As if they coordinated it, China's President Xi then made his first formal comments ever about blockchain, asserting that China needed to take a leadership role. Bitcoin soared 15% (although whether related or not isn't clear) and crypto Twitter debated: was this an indication of how far behind the US is getting; an affirmation that blockchain can be a tool of surveillance and control; or both?  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMKxYhVC2lJat7iB9Gec5kw/videos 

On Wednesday, Zuckerberg responded to the largely hostile US Congress by reminding them that, if the US didn't proactively assert leadership around digital currencies, then China would be more than willing to fill the gap. As if they coordinated it, China's President Xi then made his first formal comments ever about blockchain, asserting that China needed to take a leadership role. Bitcoin soared 15% (although whether related or not isn't clear) and crypto Twitter debated: was this an indication of how far behind the US is getting; an affirmation that blockchain can be a tool of surveillance and control; or both?  Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMKxYhVC2lJat7iB9Gec5kw/videos" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMKxYhVC2lJat7iB9Gec5kw/videos</a>

Bitcoin Soars on China President Xi's Blockchain Comments

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress today, nominally about Libra but actually about a lot of things. In this (opinionated) recap of the testimony, we look at:  What was different vs. the same in FB's narrative What was different vs. the same in Congress' questions The negotiation factors moving forward Highlights Predictions   Watch: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress today, nominally about Libra but actually about a lot of things. In this (opinionated) recap of the testimony, we look at: <ol> <li>What was different vs. the same in FB's narrative</li> <li>What was different vs. the same in Congress' questions</li> <li>The negotiation factors moving forward</li> <li>Highlights</li> <li>Predictions </li> </ol> Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

SPECIAL EDITION: An Opinionated Recap Of Zuckerberg's Libra Testimony Before Congress

Caitlin Long

An incredible amount of work has gone into convincing institutional investors that bitcoin and crypto should be on their radar. Now that many are convinced, however, they face some significant limitations in the infrastructure.  A new crypto bank out of Wyoming is designed to address those problems. Founded by Caitlin Long, Avanti is apply for a special purpose depository institution (SPDI) charter and already has 8 products in its pipeline not currently available to US investors.  In this interview, Caitlin and @nlw discuss:  Why Avanti is needed Why Avanti will have 100% of assets in reserve at all times Why the right model for crypto custody is more akin to valeting a car than current financial market models  Why building a crypto bank is important in the context of macro market turmoil How Coronavirus is exposing pre-existing problems in the global economy 

An incredible amount of work has gone into convincing institutional investors that bitcoin and crypto should be on their radar. Now that many are convinced, however, they face some significant limitations in the infrastructure.  A new crypto bank out of Wyoming is designed to address those problems. Founded by Caitlin Long, Avanti is apply for a special purpose depository institution (SPDI) charter and already has 8 products in its pipeline not currently available to US investors.  In this interview, Caitlin and @nlw discuss: <ul> <li>Why Avanti is needed</li> <li>Why Avanti will have 100% of assets in reserve at all times</li> <li>Why the right model for crypto custody is more akin to valeting a car than current financial market models </li> <li>Why building a crypto bank is important in the context of macro market turmoil</li> <li>How Coronavirus is exposing pre-existing problems in the global economy</li> </ul>

Caitlin Long on Coronavirus, Crypto Custody and Building a Bank

Three stories about tokenization today: ShapeShift launching FOX (an exchange token); BlockTV launching a token for media contributions; Satoshi's Treasure helping Tezos distribute tokens through games. That's enough to get me curious and thinking about tokens in a historical context: the promise, the problems, and the latest.  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

Three stories about tokenization today: ShapeShift launching FOX (an exchange token); BlockTV launching a token for media contributions; Satoshi's Treasure helping Tezos distribute tokens through games. That's enough to get me curious and thinking about tokens in a historical context: the promise, the problems, and the latest.  Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

Narrative Watch: The Tokenization Saga Continues

Much hyped Bakkt has launched, but the volume is...less than massive. What should we think about it? Is it a sign of failure; a sign that there simply isn't demand from institutions; or was this always the likely launch pattern? Meanwhile, in the "whoa" files, messenger app Kik has shuttered to focus all remaining efforts on KIN. Hail mary (or was the ICO the hail mary in the first place)? Finally, the SEC testified in front of Congress about crypto amongst other topics. Hope you're not hungry, because this was a nothingburger.  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

Much hyped Bakkt has launched, but the volume is...less than massive. What should we think about it? Is it a sign of failure; a sign that there simply isn't demand from institutions; or was this always the likely launch pattern? Meanwhile, in the "whoa" files, messenger app Kik has shuttered to focus all remaining efforts on KIN. Hail mary (or was the ICO the hail mary in the first place)? Finally, the SEC testified in front of Congress about crypto amongst other topics. Hope you're not hungry, because this was a nothingburger.  Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

Bakkt launch flop or fly? / Kik kicks the bucket, Kin lives on / SEC testifies before Congress

Mati Greenspan

Bitcoin is up more than 8% in the last 24 hours. BSV, meanwhile, is up nearly a whopping 100%. The question is, of course, why? Is it some larger macro context? A pump-and-dump? Or just the crypto markets being as crazy as they are. The Breakdown invited guest Mati Greenspan, former e-Toro analyst and now founder of Quantum Economics to give his take.  We also look at two stories around the growing crypto derivative markets: the launch of the CME’s options on bitcoin futures and CFTC Chair Heath Tarbert’s comments yesterday that regulated derivatives will bring legitimacy to the space. Finally, we look at a just-released Investor Alert from the SEC on IEOs. 

Bitcoin is up more than 8% in the last 24 hours. BSV, meanwhile, is up nearly a whopping 100%. The question is, of course, why? Is it some larger macro context? A pump-and-dump? Or just the crypto markets being as crazy as they are. The Breakdown invited guest Mati Greenspan, former e-Toro analyst and now founder of Quantum Economics to give his take.  We also look at two stories around the growing crypto derivative markets: the launch of the CME’s options on bitcoin futures and CFTC Chair Heath Tarbert’s comments yesterday that regulated derivatives will bring legitimacy to the space. Finally, we look at a just-released Investor Alert from the SEC on IEOs.

Mati Greenspan on the Technical and Macro Roots of Bitcoin’s Price Surge 

Mark Yusko

Mark Yusko is the founder of Morgan Creek Capital Management. In this wide-ranging conversation, he and @NLW discuss:   Why bitcoin has fallen with stocks over the last few weeks Why price and value are not the same thing Why stocks have been manipulated  An argument for buy backs being illegal  Why cronyism is not capitalism  Why bailouts and other types of intervention help zombie companies that should perish A debate about whether the “cure is worse than the disease” The costs of a 0-risk tolerance  The polarization of health vs. economics  Why there should be a market holiday  Why bitcoin is the last and only free market  Why the big market announcements are always on Sunday  Why we’re headed to debt jubilee  There is a non-zero probability that Trump tries to cancel the election   Why a lack of leadership is the biggest cause for pessimism today 

Mark Yusko is the founder of Morgan Creek Capital Management. In this wide-ranging conversation, he and @NLW discuss:  <ul> <li>Why bitcoin has fallen with stocks over the last few weeks</li> <li>Why price and value are not the same thing</li> <li>Why stocks have been manipulated </li> <li>An argument for buy backs being illegal </li> <li>Why cronyism is not capitalism </li> <li>Why bailouts and other types of intervention help zombie companies that should perish</li> <li>A debate about whether the “cure is worse than the disease”</li> <li>The costs of a 0-risk tolerance </li> <li>The polarization of health vs. economics </li> <li>Why there should be a market holiday </li> <li>Why bitcoin is the last and only free market </li> <li>Why the big market announcements are always on Sunday </li> <li>Why we’re headed to debt jubilee </li> <li>There is a non-zero probability that Trump tries to cancel the election  </li> <li>Why a lack of leadership is the biggest cause for pessimism today</li> </ul>

Cronyism, Zombie Companies and the True Cost of the Corona Crisis, Feat. Morgan Creek's Mark Yusko 

Luis Cuende

The aftershock of the 2016 The DAO hack meant that DAOs weren’t nearly as hyped as ICOs and later some other aspects of the web3 movement. In 2019, however, DAOs came roaring back and start 2020 with the wind at their sails.  In this episode, we look at the 2019 DAO tale of the tape - what people thought would happen and what actually did happen, including the launch of Moloch, MetaCartel, Ethereum’s MarketingDAO and more than 1000 DAOs on Aragon. We also hear from Aragon founder Luis Cuende who discusses 1) why the newly launched Aragon courts expand what DAOs can do; 2) examples of the need for subjective human intervention in DAOs; and 3) why 2020 is poised to be DAOs best year yet.

The aftershock of the 2016 The DAO hack meant that DAOs weren’t nearly as hyped as ICOs and later some other aspects of the web3 movement. In 2019, however, DAOs came roaring back and start 2020 with the wind at their sails.  In this episode, we look at the 2019 DAO tale of the tape - what people thought would happen and what actually did happen, including the launch of Moloch, MetaCartel, Ethereum’s MarketingDAO and more than 1000 DAOs on Aragon. We also hear from Aragon founder Luis Cuende who discusses 1) why the newly launched Aragon courts expand what DAOs can do; 2) examples of the need for subjective human intervention in DAOs; and 3) why 2020 is poised to be DAOs best year yet.

Why 2020 Is The Year Of DAOs feat Aragon's Luis Cuende

Binance.US

The FED has pumped the equivalent of half of Bitcoin's market cap into the markets over the last couple days in what some are likening to a TAF 2.0. We discuss why this, plus today's anticipated rate cuts, matter for Bitcoin. Binance US launched today with surprise support for BNB. Finally, one of the leading Bitcoin ETF contenders withdrew its proposal yesterday.  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

The FED has pumped the equivalent of half of Bitcoin's market cap into the markets over the last couple days in what some are likening to a TAF 2.0. We discuss why this, plus today's anticipated rate cuts, matter for Bitcoin. Binance US launched today with surprise support for BNB. Finally, one of the leading Bitcoin ETF contenders withdrew its proposal yesterday.  Watch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

Fed cuts & repo / Binance.US's BNB surprise / Bitcoin ETF withdrawn

Travis Kling

There’s no denying that 2020 is off to a roaring start. From prices to volume to social media, sentiment is up up up.  But what’s driving it? On this special Valentine’s Day episode, @nlw reacts to listeners votes about which narratives are most driving the shift in energy, discussing:   The BTC halving Coronavirus and volatility Fed action Central bank digital currency intrigue Ethereum and DeFi Price reflexivity and Lindy effects   The episode finishes up with some hot takes on what is driving the markets and what we should be most concerned about and most excited for with Ikigai Asset Management’s Travis Kling.

There’s no denying that 2020 is off to a roaring start. From prices to volume to social media, sentiment is up up up.  But what’s driving it? On this special Valentine’s Day episode, @nlw reacts to listeners votes about which narratives are most driving the shift in energy, discussing:  <ul> <li>The BTC halving</li> <li>Coronavirus and volatility</li> <li>Fed action</li> <li>Central bank digital currency intrigue</li> <li>Ethereum and DeFi</li> <li>Price reflexivity and Lindy effects </li> </ul> The episode finishes up with some hot takes on what is driving the markets and what we should be most concerned about and most excited for with Ikigai Asset Management’s Travis Kling.

The Top Narratives Driving Crypto Market Growth feat. Travis Kling

The Fed cut interest rates today for the first time in Bitcoin's life. This move is interesting directly because lower rates lead to more money in the markets. It's interesting symbolically as it represents a major narrative evolution where financial markets are actively discussing Bitcoin and not the other way around. We also look at IEO performance a few months into the phenomenon and do a quick roundup of funding and M&amp;A action - it's all infrastructure and base layer protocols.  Watch the original at https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

The Fed cut interest rates today for the first time in Bitcoin's life. This move is interesting directly because lower rates lead to more money in the markets. It's interesting symbolically as it represents a major narrative evolution where financial markets are actively discussing Bitcoin and not the other way around. We also look at IEO performance a few months into the phenomenon and do a quick roundup of funding and M&amp;A action - it's all infrastructure and base layer protocols.  Watch the original at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

Crypto Daily 3@3 - 7.31 | What Fed rate cuts mean for BTC / IEO performance / Funding/M&A Roundup

The conversation about whether bitcoin is a safe haven asset continues in the wake of Iranian missile strikes, which saw the price of BTC both surge and retrace in parallel with crude and gold. To help explain what’s going on, we feature comments from Ikigai Asset Management’s Travis Kling.  Also in today’s episode, we look at newly published priorities from the SEC around crypto including investor suitability, trading practices, and compliance program effectiveness. We also discuss former Bakkt CEO and now Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler’s appointment to the committee that oversees the CFTC. Is it a conflict of interest, something good for the crypto industry, or both?

The conversation about whether bitcoin is a safe haven asset continues in the wake of Iranian missile strikes, which saw the price of BTC both surge and retrace in parallel with crude and gold. To help explain what’s going on, we feature comments from Ikigai Asset Management’s Travis Kling.  Also in today’s episode, we look at newly published priorities from the SEC around crypto including investor suitability, trading practices, and compliance program effectiveness. We also discuss former Bakkt CEO and now Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler’s appointment to the committee that oversees the CFTC. Is it a conflict of interest, something good for the crypto industry, or both?

Travis Kling on the BTC Bump and Safe Haven Status

Weekly countdown of the 5 most important essays and threads from the week before on Long Reads Sunday. This week featuring Lightning Network vs the encroaching surveillance state; a US Congressman's response to Circle leaving the US; a hot take on the Trump Administration's interest in backdoor encryption and more.  Video produced by BlockTV Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto

Weekly countdown of the 5 most important essays and threads from the week before on Long Reads Sunday. This week featuring Lightning Network vs the encroaching surveillance state; a US Congressman's response to Circle leaving the US; a hot take on the Trump Administration's interest in backdoor encryption and more.  Video produced by BlockTV Watch the full episode: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto</a>

Crypto Daily 3@3 - 7.29 | Lightning Network vs. surveillance / US Congress response to de-Americanization / Paradigm shifts

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