The Breakdown

Sentencing for the Celsius founder. Dueling crypto hearings in Washington. Bitcoin back over $100k. NLW and Scott Melker count down the 5 most important stories in crypto this week. 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

The latest FOMC meeting resulted in zero policy changes as the Federal Reserve adopts a cautious "wait and see" stance amid rising economic risks. NLW analyzes Chair Powell’s careful positioning, balancing uncertainty around trade-induced inflation and employment pressures. Plus, the evolving trade landscape: negotiations intensify with China, the UK deal looms, and the U.S. administration signals it's reshaping global economic order—not just settling trade disputes. 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

Yesterday's Congressional crypto hearings descended into partisan theatrics as Democrats led by Maxine Waters staged a dramatic walkout, splitting discussions into dueling roundtables. At issue: allegations of presidential crypto-related corruption versus critical bipartisan efforts to establish regulatory clarity for crypto markets. NLW breaks down the political maneuvers, highlights the substantive points lost in the spectacle, and explains why this standoff could jeopardize crucial legislative progress. Will partisan gamesmanship stall sensible crypto regulation, or can Congress find common ground before the industry loses its momentum? 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

House Democrats, led by Rep. Maxine Waters, plan a walkout to derail a joint hearing on the 212-page crypto market-structure bill, framing it as a protest against Trump-linked stablecoin dealings. NLW dissects the politics, bill revisions, and industry reactions. 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

Today on The Breakdown, NLW discusses Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs' veto of a bill allowing state investments in Bitcoin, highlighting existing crypto exposure via Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy). He also covers Senate Democrats' resistance to stablecoin legislation, led by Elizabeth Warren, threatening bipartisan crypto regulation. On a positive note, Apple now allows crypto for in-app purchases, significantly boosting mobile crypto adoption. 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

From big price targets from major institutions to Ray Dalio sayings its too late to Arthur Hayes saying long everything, NLW breaks down an interesting if confusing week. Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crypto Tax Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Accurate Crypto Taxes. No Guesswork. Say goodbye to tax season headaches with Crypto Tax Calculator: Generate accurate, CPA-endorsed tax reports fully compliant with IRS rules. Seamlessly integrate with 3000+ wallets, exchanges, and on-chain platforms. Import reports directly into TurboTax or H&R Block, or securely share them with your accountant. Exclusive Offer: Use the code BW2025 to enjoy 30% off all paid plans. Don’t miss out - offer expires 15 April 2025! Ledger Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors The Breakdown podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER™ device and secure your crypto today. Buy now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ledger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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

Arthur Hayes says it’s time to “long everything”—and in today’s episode, NLW digs into why. Broadcasting from Token 2049 in Dubai, Hayes makes a bold case for an upcoming liquidity wave that could supercharge markets. NLW breaks down Hayes’ forecast, the return of CZ to the public stage, and insights from BlackRock and Goldman on crypto’s next chapter. Then it’s a deep dive into troubling GDP numbers, the rising recession risk, and how the Fed may respond. Finally, we explore Bitcoin’s strategic reserve deadline, wirehouse ETF adoption, and the Treasury’s $2T stablecoin forecast. It’s a full macro + crypto briefing you won’t want to miss. Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crypto Tax Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Accurate Crypto Taxes. No Guesswork. Say goodbye to tax season headaches with Crypto Tax Calculator: Generate accurate, CPA-endorsed tax reports fully compliant with IRS rules. Seamlessly integrate with 3000+ wallets, exchanges, and on-chain platforms. Import reports directly into TurboTax or H&R Block, or securely share them with your accountant. Exclusive Offer: Use the code BW2025 to enjoy 30% off all paid plans. Don’t miss out - offer expires 15 April 2025! Ledger Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors The Breakdown podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER™ device and secure your crypto today. Buy now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ledger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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

In this episode of The Breakdown, host NLW explores legendary investor Ray Dalio's recent update on the shifting global monetary order. Dalio asserts that the U.S. is nearing a significant decline due to unsustainable economic fundamentals, and nations are now actively reducing their dependence on the U.S. dollar. NLW discusses Dalio’s vision for a cooperative, negotiated global financial realignment rather than a chaotic collapse, highlighting the potential roles of Bitcoin, stablecoins, and digital assets within this transition. The episode concludes with a comprehensive overview of how key countries—including the U.S., Canada, Russia, the UK, and South Korea—are shaping their crypto policies in response to these global changes, underscoring digital assets' increasing influence in international economic strategies. Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crypto Tax Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Accurate Crypto Taxes. No Guesswork. Say goodbye to tax season headaches with Crypto Tax Calculator: Generate accurate, CPA-endorsed tax reports fully compliant with IRS rules. Seamlessly integrate with 3000+ wallets, exchanges, and on-chain platforms. Import reports directly into TurboTax or H&R Block, or securely share them with your accountant. Exclusive Offer: Use the code BW2025 to enjoy 30% off all paid plans. Don’t miss out - offer expires 15 April 2025! Ledger Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors The Breakdown podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER™ device and secure your crypto today. Buy now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ledger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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

Both houses of Arizona legislature have passed a Bitcoin Reserve Bill. The question now is whether the Governor will actually sign it. Meanwhile, bullish sentiment is coming back as BTC floats around $95,000. Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Crypto Tax Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠ Accurate Crypto Taxes. No Guesswork. Say goodbye to tax season headaches with Crypto Tax Calculator: Generate accurate, CPA-endorsed tax reports fully compliant with IRS rules. Seamlessly integrate with 3000+ wallets, exchanges, and on-chain platforms. Import reports directly into TurboTax or H&R Block, or securely share them with your accountant. Exclusive Offer: Use the code BW2025 to enjoy 30% off all paid plans. Don’t miss out - offer expires 15 April 2025! Ledger Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors The Breakdown podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER™ device and secure your crypto today. Buy now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ledger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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

Perma Bitcoin bulls Ark Invest have raised their 2030 bullish bitcoin target. More important than the number is the logic, which argues that we're not accounting enough for lost coins with our supply models. Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠Crypto Tax Calculator⁠⁠⁠ Accurate Crypto Taxes. No Guesswork. Say goodbye to tax season headaches with Crypto Tax Calculator: Generate accurate, CPA-endorsed tax reports fully compliant with IRS rules. Seamlessly integrate with 3000+ wallets, exchanges, and on-chain platforms. Import reports directly into TurboTax or H&R Block, or securely share them with your accountant. Exclusive Offer: Use the code BW2025 to enjoy 30% off all paid plans. Don’t miss out - offer expires 15 April 2025! Ledger Ledger, the world leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors The Breakdown podcast. Celebrating 10 years of protecting over 20% of the world’s crypto, Ledger ensures the security of your assets. For the best self-custody solution in the space, buy a LEDGER™ device and secure your crypto today. Buy now on ⁠⁠⁠Ledger.com⁠⁠⁠. 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