Python Politics Part 1: The US Government's Slow Squeeze on Crypto via the Banking System



Operation Choke Point was an Obama-era initiative that put political pressure on banks and financial institutions to deny service to out-of-favor industries. Something similar is happening again with intense pressure being exerted for banks not to service the crypto industry. On this first part of a two-episode special, NLW looks at what’s happening, as well as the key recent history of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the U.S.’ main banking regulator.

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Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.coindesk.com.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Lusky/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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Python Politics Part 2: Operation Choke Point 2.0 Begins



The crypto industry is increasingly facing a U.S. banking system that has been weaponized against it. In this second part of a two-part special, NLW looks at the post-Brian Brooks era at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and examines how crises like Luna and FTX have changed the situation.

Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2e_E7wgxcjtfQ Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M= Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.coindesk.com.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Lusky/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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‘A Paternalistic and Lazy Regulator’: What the SEC-Kraken Staking Settlement Means for Crypto



On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW goes over the latest front in the crypto wars. On Thursday, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced a $30 million settlement with Kraken over their staking-as-a-service program. The move is rumored to be part of a much larger offensive against crypto involving numerous government offices.

Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1438693620?at=1000lSDb Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/538vuul1PuorUDwgkC8JWF?si=ddSvD-HST2e_E7wgxcjtfQ Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ubHdjcnlwdG8ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M= Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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Are Regulators Spending Too Much Time on Crypto?



This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Circle and FTX US.

On today’s episode, NLW looks at the latest chatter around the crypto industry, including:

Jamie Dimon’s newest negative comments on crypto Acting OCC Hsu’s comments that crypto is taking up too much mental bandwidth among regulators SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s comments about the role of the CFTC in regulating crypto

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“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsors today is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle and “The Life We Had” by Moments. Image credit: OsakaWayne Studios/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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