The Importance Of The Token Transparency Framework The Breakdown podcast

14:08

In today’s episode, NLW breaks down the newly released Senate draft of the crypto market structure bill—a shockingly slim but significant proposal that could redefine how digital assets are treated in U.S. law. From developer protections to a clean new definition of digital assets and a crypto-native disclosure regime, the Senate's version takes a very different approach than the House’s Clarity Act. NLW explores the bill’s core provisions, the implications for open-source developers, investor protections, and whether tokens are securities. He also covers reactions from legal experts, the next steps in Congress, and what the bill could mean for crypto’s regulatory future. Plus, JPMorgan’s move toward crypto-backed loans and Coinbase’s launch of regulated perpetual futures for U.S. traders. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

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Alt Season or Exit Liquidity? Parsing the Crypto Market’s Next Move 12:56

1 day ago12:56

12:56

Bitcoin dominance is falling. Ethereum is rallying. Altcoins are exploding. Today on The Breakdown, NLW asks: is this the start of a new leg up in the bull market—or the beginning of the end? From surging ETH ETF inflows and treasury company buy pressure to warning signs of froth and echoes of 2021, this episode examines the competing narratives shaping the current moment. NLW unpacks the shifting risk spectrum, the legitimization of crypto through stablecoin legislation, and whether the explosion of altcoin treasury companies signals sustainable innovation—or just the next leverage bubble. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

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Inside the Genius Act: Trump Signs Landmark Stablecoin Bill into Law 11:20

3 days ago11:20

11:20

NLW breaks down the newly signed Genius Act—the first major piece of U.S. crypto legislation. He unpacks what the law actually contains, from reserve requirements and audit rules to the “Libra clause” banning Big Tech stablecoins. With Circle and Tether taking center stage at the White House, what does this mean for the future of stablecoins, tokenization, and U.S. financial dominance? Plus, thoughts on DeFi tailwinds, CBDC fears, Schwab’s crypto plans, and the latest crypto IPO filings. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
The Eerie Railroad of Crypto, Stablecoin Regulation, and the Cypherpunk Legacy 14:52

5 days ago14:52

14:52

For this Long Read Sunday, NLW hands the mic to AI to read three of Byron Gilliam’s standout essays from the Breakdown newsletter. First, “Crypto’s Competitive Advantage” draws a bold parallel between 19th-century U.S. capital markets and the wild world of meme coin ICOs—arguing that pump.fun may be the Erie Railroad of Web3. Next, “Can the Genius Act Save Banks from Stablecoins?” explores how America’s newest crypto legislation recalls the era of Regulation Q, money market funds, and toaster giveaways. Finally, “Anarchy, Crime, and Stablecoins” reflects on how Timothy May might interpret Congress' surprising embrace of crypto—and where the fences still stand. A sweeping historical and philosophical ride through one of crypto's most pivotal weeks. Get the Breakdown newsletter here: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/the-breakdown Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

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This Week's Top 5(00) Crypto Stories 28:32

6 days ago28:32

28:32

NLW returns with a jam-packed Friday Five (or Friday 500) to break down the biggest crypto week of the summer. The Genius and Clarity Acts both pass the House with overwhelming bipartisan support—marking the first major crypto legislation on its way to becoming law. Trump floats a retirement-focused crypto investment EO, while the total crypto market cap tops $4 trillion and Ethereum ETFs begin to shine. Meanwhile, a dormant Bitcoin whale awakens, moving billions, raising speculation about Roger Ver or Adam Back. Plus: the U.S. Marshals' BTC holdings spark FOIA drama, and Trump fires up the Fed chaos machine with Powell threats. A defining week in crypto’s march to legitimacy. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
The Longest Vote in House History and a Crypto Week in Chaos 11:20

7 days ago11:20

11:20

NLW breaks down the dramatic twists of Crypto Week on Capitol Hill, where GOP infighting brought legislative progress to a near halt. From Trump’s Oval Office intervention to the 7-hour procedural vote—the longest in House history—he unpacks the fragile deal to move the anti-CBDC bill forward. Also in this episode: the mysterious movement of $4.6B in ancient Bitcoin, speculation around Adam Back’s treasury strategy, a $100M Coin Metrics acquisition, and signs of retail returning as Ethereum and altcoins stir to life. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
CBDC Fears Derail Stablecoin Bill 12:32

7 days ago12:32

12:32

Crypto Week got off to a rocky start in Washington as internal GOP conflict—driven by fierce opposition to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)—blocked a key procedural vote. NLW breaks down how the House Freedom Caucus derailed the crypto agenda over concerns about the Genius Act and its perceived lack of anti-CBDC protections. We explore what this means for the future of crypto legislation, Trump’s response, and whether the bills can still pass. Plus, NLW unpacks Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan’s case for why clear crypto rules could reduce risk—and why inflation data might complicate the Fed’s next move. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
Why This Crypto Bull Run Feels Different 12:03

9 days ago12:03

12:03

Crypto analysts are calling it early: this isn’t just another speculative bull market. In today’s episode, NLW breaks down why institutions, not retail, are driving the current rally, and what makes this cycle categorically different. From Bernstein’s $200K Bitcoin target to Wintermute’s data on diverging investor behavior, this episode dives into the macro conditions, institutional sentiment, and evolving narratives transforming Bitcoin into a full-fledged hedge against fiscal instability. Plus, Coinbase’s surge, Grayscale’s IPO ambitions, and why even Peter Schiff is revising his bearish forecasts. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
Bitcoin Breaks $120K as Crypto Week Kicks Off in Washington 11:45

10 days ago11:45

11:45

Bitcoin starts the week by smashing through $120,000, triggering a wave of excitement on crypto Twitter and in traditional finance alike. NLW breaks down the immaculate vibes, the record ETF inflows, and how institutional capital is finally moving with urgency. Meanwhile, Washington launches its most ambitious legislative push on crypto to date, with stablecoins leading the charge and opposition intensifying. From BlackRock’s record-breaking ETF to Grayscale’s legal showdown with the SEC, and from Trump’s crypto ties to the global monetary backlash against U.S. stablecoins—this is one of the most pivotal weeks yet in Bitcoin’s history. Sources: ⁠https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2025/07/07/without-operational-alpha-bitcoin-treasury-company-premiums-will-collapse⁠ ⁠https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-07-09/bitcoin-buying-and-coffee-are-too-frothy-a-mix?sref=qUxVp6JU⁠ Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
The State of Bitcoin Treasury Critique 14:27

12 days ago14:27

14:27

On today's Long Read Sunday, NLW explores two critiques of the growing phenomenon of Bitcoin treasury companies. First, Bloomberg columnist Lionel Laurent argues that corporate Bitcoin purchases signal a frothy market frenzy reminiscent of past speculative bubbles. Then, K33’s Torbjørn Bull Jenssen warns that without an actual operational strategy beyond simply buying Bitcoin, these companies' market premiums are doomed to collapse. NLW dissects where these critiques land—and where they miss the mark—in a thoughtful discussion about the real financial engineering at play and what might come next for Bitcoin treasury firms. Sources: https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2025/07/07/without-operational-alpha-bitcoin-treasury-company-premiums-will-collapse https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-07-09/bitcoin-buying-and-coffee-are-too-frothy-a-mix?sref=qUxVp6JU Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto This Week 25:12

13 days ago25:12

25:12

It's another Friday Five, and the top story is clear: Bitcoin has surged to a new all-time high, nearing $119,000. NLW breaks down what's driving the price action, from broader market optimism fueled by IPO resurgence and treasury company mania, to structural crypto demand spurred by ETFs. Plus, Elon Musk's America Party embraces Bitcoin, Fed minutes hint at imminent rate cuts amid tariff uncertainty, a mysterious whale moves $8 billion in ancient Bitcoin, and Capitol Hill gears up for a crucial crypto policy showdown next week. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
Bitcoin Hits New All-Time High as Macro Forces Align 12:46

14 days ago12:46

12:46

Bitcoin has quietly surged to a new all-time high above $112,000, driven less by crypto-specific news and more by broader macroeconomic trends. In this episode, NLW explores how Bitcoin's latest rally isn't a sudden frenzy but rather the inevitable outcome of ongoing dollar weakness, shifting treasury policies, and persistent market uncertainty. As institutions and investors increasingly view Bitcoin as a necessary hedge against global financial volatility, the question isn't whether Bitcoin will rise further—it's how high and how quickly. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
The Push to Accelerate Crypto ETFs 11:41

15 days ago11:41

11:41

Crypto ETFs are front and center as Trump Media Group files a controversial application featuring Cronos alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP—sparking debate over ETF standards. Meanwhile, Grayscale’s stalled ETF approval fuels frustration and uncertainty, pushing the SEC to clarify token listing guidelines. Plus, Robinhood faces regulatory scrutiny over tokenized stocks, MetaPlanet outlines its bold Bitcoin treasury strategy, and Ego Death Capital launches a $100 million Bitcoin-focused fund to fuel innovation. NLW breaks down the high-stakes developments reshaping crypto markets. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
Elon Musk Launches a Bitcoin-Friendly Political Party 10:39

16 days ago10:39

10:39

Elon Musk just announced the formation of the "America Party," embracing Bitcoin and sparking political chaos. Meanwhile, Congress bets on explosive economic growth through massive spending, and House Republicans prioritize crypto legislation. Plus, the government drops its appeal in the landmark Tornado Cash sanctions case, but the criminal trial against its developer looms large. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW…

1
The Mystery of the $8 Billion Ancient Bitcoin Whale 13:47

17 days ago13:47