Podcast
The Breakdown
Hosted by Blockworks · EN
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 challenging the financial system.
A Blockworks podcast.
Subscribe to The Breakdown newsletter: https://the-breakdown.carrd.co/
88episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Can AI Actually Trade Crypto? | The Breakdown
Apr 2100:31:53Tap to summarizeCrypto 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 replace wallets. We unpack why pure P&L is the wrong benchmark, how the trench agent concept could reshape portfolio management, and what crypto’s role is in the future of finance. Enjoy! TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (05:29) Nexo Ad (06:03) Interview with WeeKee (09:28) Bot Strategies and Purpose of Agentic Trading (12:16) How the “AI Council” Works (14:39) Nexo Ad (15:33) How Automation Fits into Benchmarks (19:37) Incentives (24:07) What Makes You Bullish on AI Agents and Crypto in Trading? (26:35) LLMs vs Quants (28:53) The Ultimate Bull Case FOLLOW GUEST › Weekee Tiew (Virtuals Protocol) — https://x.com/everythingempty FOLLOW THE SHOW › David — https://x.com/dcanellis › The Breakdown — https://x.com/TheBreakdownBW SPONSORS › NEXO Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to the Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ DISCLAIMER As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
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Crypto Fed Chair, Polymarket Bots, and the Faketoshi Movie
Apr 1600:28:33Tap to summarizeTrump's Fed pick has 30-plus crypto investments — and that's just what he could disclose. David walks through Warsh's filing, a Polymarket bot built on the theory that nothing ever happens, and Hollywood's Craig Wright blockbuster. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (00:21) Trying Something New (02:47) Kevin Warsh (08:58) Nexo Ad (09:34) Nothing Ever Happens Polymarket Bot (18:47) Nexo Ad (19:38) Thoughts on Upcoming Craig Wright Bitcoin Thriller FOLLOW THE SHOW › David — https://x.com/dcanellis › The Breakdown — https://x.com/TheBreakdownBW SPONSORS › NEXO Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to the Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ DISCLAIMER As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
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Kevin O’Leary on AI, Data Centers, and Why He Sold 27 Crypto Positions | The Breakdown
Apr 1400:33:33Tap to summarizeAI is reprogramming the social fabric — and nobody can agree whether that’s a good thing. Kevin O’Leary, investor and entrepreneur, joins us to share his framework for navigating the AI era across investing, data centers, and crypto. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (01:33) One Shot, One Opportunity (03:20) Two Wolves (06:02) Nexo Ad (06:36) Interview with Kevin O’Leary (08:56) Datacenters as a Political Issue (12:13) How Kevin Uses AI (14:39) Nexo Ad (15:36) What Makes an AI Company Worth Investing In? (17:39) Thoughts on Negative Sentiment (19:09) How Does Crypto Fit Into This? (23:26) Marty Supreme Role (25:27) Developing Taste (29:45) Advice for Future Generations FOLLOW GUEST › Kevin O’Leary — https://x.com/kevinolearytv FOLLOW THE SHOW › David — https://x.com/dcanellis › The Breakdown — https://the-breakdown.carrd.co/ SPONSORS › NEXO Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to the Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ DISCLAIMER As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
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The Three Layers of AI Agent Commerce with Jordan Liu | The Breakdown
Apr 900:38:20Tap to summarizex402 just got a lot bigger. The Linux Foundation is now backing it — and maybe Amazon, Google, Stripe, Mastercard, and American Express along with them. In this episode, David sits down with Jordan Liu, co-founder of AIsa — one of earliest builders in the x402 ecosystem, with over 20 million microtransactions already processed. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (01:42) What AISA Builds (02:55) X40 Goes Linux (07:30) Nexo Ad (08:07) Adoption and Micropayments (19:58) Nexo Ad and Blockworks IR Promo (21:38) Adoption and Micropayments (Con’t) (25:06) Protocols Roadblocks Future FOLLOW GUEST › Jordan Liu (AIsa) — https://x.com/AIsaOneHQ FOLLOW THE SHOW › David — https://x.com/dcanellis › The Breakdown — https://x.com/TheBreakdownBW SPONSORS › NEXO Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown - Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to the Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ DISCLAIMER As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
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Are AI Agents Actually Using Crypto? | The Breakdown
Apr 700:24:22Tap to summarizeAI agents are coming online fast — and the payment rails for that world are being built right now. David breaks down the race between Coinbase’s x402 and Stripe’s Machine Payments Protocol, the rise of agentic commerce, and why crypto may have a natural edge, before sitting down with Jordan Liu of AIsa. __ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:30) Tool Time (03:45) AI-doption (05:48) Nexo Ad (06:30) When in Doubt, Incentivize (07:36) Interview with Jordan Liu (12:24) Nexo Ad and Blockworks IR Promo (14:09) Interview with Jordan Liu (Con’t) __ › Jordan Liu (AIsa) —https://aisa.one/ › David — https://x.com/dcanellis SPONSORS › NEXO Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to the Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ DISCLAIMER As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice.
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Fed Governor Miran on Why Inflation Fears Are Overstated | Forward Guidance
Apr 200:34:09Tap to summarizeWhile The Breakdown is between seasons, we’re bringing some of our favorite conversations from across Blockworks onto the feed. In this episode of Forward Guidance, Felix Jauvin sits down with Fed Governor Stephen Miran at DAS to discuss why he believes inflation fears are overstated, why the Fed may still be too restrictive, and how AI, deregulation, and stablecoins could all shape the future of monetary policy. FOLLOW GUEST › Federal Reserve – https://x.com/federalreserve FOLLOW THE SHOW › Felix – https://x.com/fejau_inc › Forward Guidance – https://x.com/ForwardGuidance › Telegram – https://t.me/+CAoZQpC-i6BjYTEx › Blockworks – https://x.com/Blockworks ›David https://x.com/dcanellis TIMECODES (00:00) Introduction (02:36) Why Miran Dissented (05:10) Nexo Ad (05:44) Looking Through Oil Shocks (07:32) AI And Deregulation Disinflate (11:04) The Case For Neutral (13:26) What Sets Neutral Rates (17:03) Nexo Ad and Blockworks IR Promo (18:47) Where “Running It Hot” Narrative Fails (26:01) Skinny Master Accounts (28:00) Stablecoins And Dollar Demand SPONSORS › NEXO Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown DISCLAIMER Nothing said on Forward Guidance or The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only. Any views expressed are opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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The Crypto-TradFi Convergence | Inflection Point
Mar 3100:34:33Tap to summarizeWhile The Breakdown is between seasons, we’re sharing a panel from Digital Assets Summit featuring the team behind Inflection Point. The conversation explores how investors should think about crypto valuations, what gives L1s value, and why there’s still no shared framework for pricing blockchain networks. – Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres Follow Inflection Point: inflectionpoint.carrd.co Follow Matt: https://x.com/Matt_Hougan David: https://x.com/dlawant Michael: https://x.com/marcryptonio Marc: https://x.com/marcarjoon Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis — Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ — Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (04:46) Crypto Valuation Models Are Broken (10:01) Nexo Ad (10:42) Revenue Isn’t the Answer (16:23) One Asset Class or Many? (18:43) Nexo Ad and Blockworks IR Promo (20:23) Network Effects Need Revenue (26:03) Blockspace Isn’t A Commodity (31:20) Institutions Need Intellectual Permission — Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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Privacy & Institutional Crypto's [Redacted] Future | The Breakdown
Mar 2600:43:53Tap to summarizeWhile The Breakdown is between seasons, we’re sharing a panel from Digital Asset Summit hosted by David. The discussion explores how institutions think about on-chain privacy, the tradeoffs involved, and what it takes to bring financial systems onto blockchain infrastructure. – Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres Follow Patrick: https://x.com/_patrickogrady Follow Yannik: https://x.com/yrschrade Follow Catherine: https://x.com/catgu_ Follow Eric: https://x.com/wesarn_real Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis — Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ — Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction (00:45) Meet the Privacy Builders (04:17) What Institutions Want (08:40) Nexo Ad (09:17) What Institutions Want (Con’t) (23:00) Nexo Ad (23:52) Composability and Compliance (35:39) Retail vs Institutions Wrap — Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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Investor Relations in the Onchain Era
Mar 2400:21:59Tap to summarizeIn this special episode, we introduce Blockworks’ new investor relations platform for onchain businesses. As institutional capital continues to enter crypto markets, expectations around transparency, standardization, and professionalism are rising. But instead of replicating legacy systems, Blockworks IR takes a different approach, leveraging real-time, onchain data to create a more transparent, data-driven, and low-friction investor relations model. The platform combines curated analytics, branded investor portals, and white-glove advisory support into a single solution, helping teams tell a clearer, more credible story while giving investors a more efficient way to evaluate opportunities. Launched at the Digital Asset Summit in New York, Blockworks IR aims to fill a critical gap in the industry. Listen to learn more about the vision behind the product and what it means for the future of investor relations in crypto.
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Are We Measuring Crypto All Wrong? | Nick Almond
Mar 2400:27:33Tap to summarizeWhile The Breakdown is between seasons, we’re sharing the full version of a past conversation with Nick Almond. The discussion explores how to think about crypto networks, why common metrics can be misleading, and what actually matters when evaluating activity and value. Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres Follow Nick: https://x.com/DrNickA Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis — Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges. Get started at http://nexo.com/breakdown Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ — Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:07) Ethereum vs Solana Endgames (06:18) Nexo Ad (06:54) Valuation Paradigms and Realism (14:56) Nexo Ad (15:47) Decentralization vs Fintech Future (24:44) Measuring Decentralization — Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Host and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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