The Breakdown

This week’s Friday Five is a whirlwind tour through one of the most bullish weeks for crypto on Wall Street in recent memory. NLW and Scott Melker break down Coinbase’s historic addition to the S&P 500, Galaxy’s NASDAQ uplisting, and eToro’s surprisingly strong IPO. They also cover a surprisingly soft inflation print, new Bitcoin treasury players raising eyebrows, a potential regulatory shift at the SEC, and the return of Meta’s stablecoin ambitions. From index fund legitimacy to political stablecoin fights, this episode is packed with signals that crypto may be entering a new phase of mainstream integration.

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eToro's successful NASDAQ debut signals renewed investor appetite for crypto-focused companies, potentially reopening the IPO window for others like Kraken and Circle. Meanwhile, traditional finance giants JPMorgan and Standard Chartered accelerate their blockchain integrations, highlighting growing convergence with crypto. Plus, Bitcoin treasury company 21 Capital gears up for a massive market entry amid debates over the next crypto bubble.

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Blockworks announced that we're bringing together their daily newsletter together with The Breakdown brand to build the best daily content package in crypto. In celebration of that, NLW is joined by Byron Gilliam to discuss some of the big explorations of the moment.

Find Byron on X: https://x.com/bgilliam1982

Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/daily

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Coinbase has officially become the first crypto company added to the S&P 500, signaling a new era of legitimacy for crypto in traditional finance. Meanwhile, Bitcoin's increasing acceptance is marked by Goldman Sachs ramping up client exposure, Galaxy Digital's upcoming NASDAQ listing, and Nakamoto Holdings going public. NLW explores how these developments underline a deepening convergence between digital assets and mainstream financial markets.

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Bitcoin has surged back above $100,000, but why does this record-breaking rally feel so muted? As markets quietly climb higher, NLW explores the curious lack of excitement, alongside major developments like the U.S.-China trade truce and ongoing struggles over crucial stablecoin legislation in Washington. Is this calm confidence or cautious skepticism? This episode decodes the week ahead and what's quietly shaping crypto's new normal.

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Democrats are at a critical crossroads: Can embracing decentralized crypto reshape their electoral future? This Long Read Sunday dives into how crypto represents not just an emerging technology but a political opportunity to reclaim young voters lost in recent cycles.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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