BREAKDOWN: Why Today's Crypto Exchange Leaders Are Powerful, but Not Inevitable
As crypto asks why prices shot down, the power and influence of exchanges are at the center of the conversation.
Feb 21, 2020
Listen or watch all the new CoinDesk podcast episodes wherever you want.
ABOUT
After settling in to the $10,000 price level, BTC suddenly and rapidly dipped more than 5% in an hour on Wednesday. As the market discusses possible explanations, some floated the unexpected simultaneous downtime of Binance and Coinbase as a causal factor.
In this episode of The Breakdown, we discuss the power exchanges wield - both in terms of market liquidity as well as the ability to shape news cycles. The good news is that new funding for insurgent exchanges suggest that power today is not inevitable.
Lastly, we discuss the latest in central bank digital currencies, with Sweden launching an e-krona pilot; a former head of China’s national bank saying Coronavirus could accelerate efforts; and a new member of the Libra Association.
HOST
CoinDesk
CoinDesk is the world leader in news, prices and information on bitcoin and other digital currencies.
We cover news and analysis on the trends, price movements, technologies, companies and people in the bitcoin and digital currency world.
EPISODES
The Blockspace Pod: Quantum: The Next Battleground For Bitcoin
Is Bitcoin quantum ready or is it just more FUD? We dive into the technical and social battles between developers and...
1 hour ago
The Blockspace Pod: Bitcoin Craters, French Gov't Challenge MARA Acquisition, Cipher's Note Sees $13B But Interest
Bitcoin nukes to $65k as the industry faces a historic selloff. We cover a massive 13% difficulty drop, France’s push...
Feb 6, 2026
Patrick Witt says 'let's not let perfect be the enemy of good' in stablecoin standoff
Feb 3, 2026
COINDESK SERIES
0 EPISODE
The Mining Pod
Feb 10, 2025
1419 EPISODES
CoinDesk Podcast Network
The top stories and best shows in the blockchain world, delivered daily from the team at CoinDesk.
Dec 20, 2023
1361 EPISODES
Markets Outlook
Tune in as CoinDesk runs down action in the crypto market and some of the most important recent industry development.
Dec 19, 2023
0 EPISODE
Unchained
Unchained, your no hype resource for all things crypto by former Forbes senior editor Laura Shin, author of The Cryptopians.
Dec 18, 2023
