Location: El Salvador
Date: Monday 10th May
Project: Independent
Role: Bitcoin Writer

Growing food, gunpowder and the printing press, while these don't appear to have much in common, they have been the catalyst for some of the most fundamental shifts ever seen in human history.

The agricultural revolution led man from small groups of hunter-gatherers to relatively large settled communities; this provided the basis for centralised political structures.

The gunpowder revolution changed warfare. It removed the ultimate power of a knight on horseback and rebalanced power back towards the people.

With the advent of the printing press, the spread of ideas became possible on a previously unimaginable scale; this, in turn, turbocharged the Renaissance and removed power from the church.

Each one has been responsible for revolutionising how society operates and transformed people's lives.

With Bitcoin, are we now amidst the next significant revolution that will change the course of history?

In this interview, I talk to Bitcoin writer Robert Breedlove. We discuss the mega-political variables that shape society, the role of technology, and the logic of violence.

The What Bitcoin Did Podcast

The Sovereign Individual Pt 2 - The Logic of Violence with Robert Breedlove

Location: El Salvador
Date: Friday 18th June
Project: El Salvador
Role: President

Twenty years ago, El Salvador became a dollarised nation, bringing economic stability to the country and improving the country's potential for investment. However, it did so at the cost of giving up its monetary policy to the US Federal bank.

Two decades later, following the COVID-19, the global economic outlook has changed significantly. As a result, the Fed has taken extreme measures to combat the economic impact of the pandemic and is printing money at previously unseen levels. 

The stimulus packages that help American's do not make their way to dollarised El Salvador, but the people of Salvadorans do suffer the adverse effects of the US debasing the dollar.

Two years ago, Nayib Bukele won a landslide presidential election in El Salvador, becoming the first President since the Salvadoran Civil War who did not represent either of the two major parties.

As the founder of the political party Nuevas Ideas, President Bukele lived up to his reputation when on the 8th of June 2021, El Salvador enacted its Bitcoin Law, making it the first country to adopt bitcoin as a legal tender. The decision has been met with excitement and scepticism. 

Could this bold move be a catalyst for prosperity in El Salvador? And will other nations follow suit, potentially helping billions?

In his first interview since the Bitcoin law was passed, I talked to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. We discuss the decision to make bitcoin legal tender, education & infrastructure, volcano mining, and why he believes bitcoin is a ‘no-brainer’.

Why El Salvador Made Bitcoin Legal Tender with President Nayib Bukele

Location: Miami
Date: Monday 29th November
Company: Microstrategy
Role: CEO

In August 2020, MicroStrategy commenced with the bold defensive move to invest significant treasury assets in Bitcoin in response to inflationary pressures. Since then, MicroStrategy has strategically enhanced their holdings to become the largest corporate owner of Bitcoin and just last week announced an additional $414 million purchase. 

The strategy has been led by CEO Michael Saylor. As a developer of enterprise software, Saylor has long espoused digital transformation. Bitcoin is part of that process, digitising the last major building blocks of the analogue society: property, energy, and money.

Whilst this first wave of corporate adoption is entrepreneurial in spirit, the advantages of corporate adoption are clear. Yet, despite a glut of Bitcoin miners maximising their Bitcoin hodling, MicroStrategy hasn't been followed by a wave of institutions following suit. Such inertia is predicated on a range of impediments that may fall away in the next few years.

In this interview, I talk to Michael Saylor, the CEO of MicroStrategy. We discuss the evolution of their Bitcoin strategy, technological disintermediation, and Bitcoin as a foundational societal technology.

Bitcoin is Digital Energy with Michael Saylor

Location: Miami
Date: Thursday 2nd December
Company: Validus Power Corp
Role: Bitcoin Strategist

Credit is central to the modern capitalist system. This makes bonds the most important financial contract in the world, significantly more important than equities. So, when credit markets get sick, all other markets suffer. 

Bonds have performed well for nearly two generations. However, the market looks like it’s about to turn. Yields are being suppressed by unprecedented government purchase schemes. This has to end, and when it does, yields will increase, prices will drop, and debt will become more costly for governments.

The demand side effects are just as damaging. Pension funds are mandated to make significant bond purchases (usually representing 40% of a portfolio). Low bond yields in a high inflation environment result in increased liabilities for pension funds. Rising yields are obviously better, but not for those holding bonds dropping in value.   

Is it time for pension funds to be allowed to add bitcoin to their portfolios?   

In this interview, I talk with Bitcoin Strategist Greg Foss about how government bond markets are being manipulated through quantitative easing and how this will soon have to end. We further discuss what this means for equities and pensions and the potential for investors to seek refuge in bitcoin.

Bitcoin & the Future of Bonds with Greg Foss

Location: Los Angeles
Date: Wednesday 2nd February
Company: N/A
Role: N/A

Web3 is a co-opted term that was originally used to describe an internet that gives users greater control over their privacy and data. It is now commonly referred to as the metaverse.

The metaverse, originally described in Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash, was a dystopian future that envisions a virtual reality-based successor to the internet. The metaverse has been picked up on by VCs and Silicon Valley and is now promising to revolutionise the way we interact with the internet taking advantage of NFTs and 'crypto'.

However, bitcoiners remain sceptical. Over the last 13 years, thousands of projects have come and gone, promising huge innovation with little to back it up, from altcoins that promise to be 'the new bitcoin' to narratives like 'blockchain, not bitcoin' and the ICO boom, and bust.

In this interview, American HODL and Junseth take aim at Web3, NFTs and the metaverse and discuss why they believe that it will not only fail but that it doesn't even exist in the first place.

Web3 Does Not Exist with American HODL & Junseth

Dylan LeClair is a Bitcoin and macro analyst working for Bitcoin Magazine. In this interview, we discuss the playing out of the long term debt cycle, the coming commodity wars, how Bitcoin is a lifeboat, and transitionary investments. 

- - - - 

We are living through unprecedented times, where the old ways of order are expected to crumble. And yet, life seems comfortably familiar. This can lure people into a false sense of confidence that the political, economic, and monetary norms will continue undiminished into the future. 

The same sense gripped German citizens during the 1920s. ‘When Money Dies’ documents how “Financially, for nearly four years, the ultimate cataclysm was always just around the corner. It always arrived, and there was always an even worse one on its way — again, and again, and again.” And we’re seeing the beginnings of such cataclysms affecting the price of living.

Inflation, shortages of goods, energy price spikes, and currency failures could be mischaracterized as isolated singular events. But are they in fact, signals of a wider connected pattern of seismic shocks as the global economy adjusts to the impact of the long-term debt cycle? 

If Bitcoin is a lifeboat, why isn’t it reflected in the price? Bitcoin is still acting like a risk asset, but for how long?

End of the Long-Term Debt Cycle with Dylan LeClair

Jeff Booth is Entrepreneur and Author of ‘The Price of Tomorrow’. In this interview, we discuss the distortion of money, how Bitcoin can herald in a fairer system based on truth and a free market of ideas, and the transition from scarcity to abundance.  

- - - - 

Bitcoin is revolutionary. More than its cryptographic protocol, monetary policy, and decentralised technology, Bitcoin is built on promulgating truth. It is feasible that a new economic paradigm is being built that democratises knowledge and information. 

The old ways of spin, exaggeration, false equivalence, hustle, denial, and outright lies served the fiat system well during the 20th century. Being ‘economical with the truth’ became a necessary tactic of the game, employed by leaders of companies, institutions, and countries alike. 

The corrosive effects of increasingly systematic subterfuge were inevitably going to counter balance any fallacious societal benefits. This has become increasingly clear since the beginning of the new millennium: events and shocks have chipped away at the current economic edifice.

It’s not that a new system would be beneficial to society, it’s rather a new system is required to enable the major issues of today to be resolved. Can Bitcoin be the basis of this new system?

The Distortion of Money with Jeff Booth

Jeff Snider is co-host of the Eurodollar University podcast and Head of Global Research at Atlas Financial Advisors. In this interview, we discuss the fundamentals of money, how the Eurodollar controls the global monetary system, and signals of a deflationary depression.    

- - - - 

The common narrative about the global economy is bleak. Money printing by central banks has been out of control. This new money fed into the economy and resulted in runaway inflation. Years of interest cuts to stimulate economies means cash is now trash, whilst economies are stagnating. Debt is unmanageable. The search for alpha is focused on wealth protection. 

But others think this narrative is wrong. Our perceived reality is a mirage. Central banks are not in control of the levers of money, they are mere bystanders playing the role of the wizard behind the curtain. The global monetary system is controlled by an opaque and unregulated dollar exchange market developed in the 1950s: the Eurodollar system.

The Eurodollar market is sending signals that defy the forecasts that inflation will endure. The market predicts inflation will be transitory. In its wake, an aggressive period of deflation will soon rock the global economic order. Various economists over time have argued that whilst inflation is damaging, deflation is a worse evil. It has been blamed for depressions throughout history. 

If these forecasts are right, we could be about to enter a period of significant economic stress.

Whilst there is consensus on the cause of the current economic malaise, i.e. profligate behaviours within the financial industry, opinions on solutions couldn’t be more different. Those who follow Eurodollar signals believe global financial systems need more US dollars in the form of debt. A lack of liquidity is leading to a lack of risk-taking that is hurting the global economy.

So, as we stand on the brink of widespread societal hardship, we have a representation of cause and response at odds with conventional wisdom. With the stakes so high, can we afford to reject these emergent opinions?

Everything You Know About the Economy is Wrong with Jeff Snider

Cathie Wood is the founder, CEO and CIO of Ark Invest. In this interview, we discuss investing in disruptive technologies, the importance of research for investment, deflationary signals, uncertainty in the Fed’s decision-making, and Ark’s continued bullish outlook for Bitcoin.    

- - - - 

Back in 2015, Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest became the first public fund manager to invest in Bitcoin. This was a very early trade for an institutional basis, prior to some of the major news events that have led others to have followed Ark in recent years. But this is Ark’s business, identifying nascent technologies that could serve to be the basis for real societal change. 

Cathie Wood’s business strategy is to get into the detail of the markets they're interested in. This means research by informed analysts who can unpick the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for each specific industry. Any bullish statement they make is based on hard business data, not just an extrapolation of financial performance. 

The elephant in the room for Ark is that their Innovation ETF is down 75% from its highs in the early part of 2021. This has placed Ark and Cathie in the firing line of commentators. And for every negative article or tv piece, there will be a line of nervous investors seeking reassurance. This is when research pays off - it matters when you have a strong narrative to fall back on if you want to maintain investor confidence.

So, when Ark makes statements about Bitcoin we should all take note, as they’re not in the market for unwarranted hyperbole. Well, they remain one of the biggest cheerleaders for Bitcoin within the institutional space. Ark followed up a bullish prediction for Bitcoin’s valuation at the beginning of this year by doubling down on their forecast a few weeks ago: they are expecting a $1 million per coin valuation in the coming years.

In an interview with Bloomberg earlier this month, Ark stated Bitcoin is in “an arms race” against traditional finance and asset classes. Ark is confident of Bitcoin’s ability to be at the heart of a revolution in money given its multiple use cases. Seeing as their fund has tracked the performance of the S&P500 over the past few years, despite it being an extended and brutal bear market for tech stocks, you wouldn’t bet against them getting this call right.

Cathie Wood on Bitcoin

Anthony Jared is a 30-year Navy veteran and who has operated nuclear reactors on both nuclear submarines & aircraft carriers. In this interview, we discuss the truth about nuclear energy, the safety concerns and why there has been such a prolific anti-nuclear movement.

- - - - 

Nuclear energy is a contentious issue. And yet…

In terms of death rates per unit of electricity production, accounting for accidents and conservative pollution assessments, nuclear energy is the second safest source of energy: solar has 0.02 deaths per TWh, nuclear 0.03, Oil 18.43, coal 24.62, and brown coal 32.72. This equates to someone dying prematurely as a result of nuclear every 33 years in a town of 150,000, whilst in the same town as a result of coal 25 people per year would die prematurely.

Nuclear is the cleanest energy source. Per GWh, nuclear produces 3 tonnes of greenhouse gases, solar 5 tonnes, natural gas 490 tonnes, oil 720 tonnes, and coal 820 tonnes.

Little nuclear waste is generated, particularly where waste is reprocessed: in France, less than 0.2 of the waste is high level. US Oak Ridge National Laboratory estimates coal-powered plants carry 100 times more radiation than nuclear power plants into the surrounding environment.

Further, nuclear has the potential to be the cheapest energy source. A cost comparison is complex: for every analysis stating nuclear is the most economical energy source, there’s a report stating the opposite. However, nuclear investment has dropped considerably. In 1979 234 reactors were under construction around the world. In 2022 there were 59. Innovation and economies of scale haven’t benefited nuclear. Rather, it’s been beset by increasing regulatory costs.

Why is nuclear energy a contentious issue and what is the truth?

The Truth About Nuclear Energy with Anthony Jared

Caitlin Long is the Founder and CEO of Custodia bank. In this interview, we discuss the events that have led to three banking failures within a week, one of which saw the biggest bank run on record. We talk about anti-crypto coordination involving the US government, the inherent instability of the traditional finance system and how this is another signal that the game is up. 

- - - - 

As the saying goes, to lose one bank may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose two banks looks like carelessness. How should we regard the loss of three banks within a week? To the uninitiated, this may look like a contagion, but it’s the impacts of two different systemic problems affecting two different markets: crypto and fiat. What it lays bare is the hypocrisy and instability of the traditional financial system.

The failures of Silvergate and Signature are rooted in the 2022 implosion in crypto. Precipitated by the collapse of Luna, we all know what followed: a nest of over-leveraged, hypothecated and fraudulent investments that fell like a house of cards. Who knows when it will end. Regardless, more recent failures seem to have been expedited by coordinated government action. 

The obvious signal from the levers of power is that crypto is bad, and traditional finance is good. But what should have been an opportunity for the government to present the perceived weaknesses within digital asset markets, was significantly undercut by the biggest bank run in history: Silicon Valley Bank’s customers were withdrawing more than $1 million per second for 10 hours straight a little over a week ago.

The sorry mess is actually a clear vindication of Bitcoiners' assertions that both crypto and fiat are both fundamentally unstable. The search for yield is endemic. The management of risk is too often criminally deficient. The argument is that narrow banking (full reserve banking) will suck deposits from risky banks, making risky banks even riskier, increasing systemic risk. 

However, the system is becoming increasingly dysfunctional. Moral hazard seems endemic. Increasingly large bailouts are being used to keep the game going. The aim is to maintain the illusion that the financial system is stable. It is anything but, and everyone knows it. We’re entering a period on unknown risks. The time to change the rules of the game has long passed.

Bank Runs, Bailouts & Bitcoin with Caitlin Long

Michael Saylor is the CEO of MicroStrategy. In this interview, we discuss his 10 tips for young adults, the opportunities and threats of AI, the importance of Bitcoin in an automated world, the strength of ossification compared to accelerating change, and the criticality of Bitcoin miners to the Bitcoin network. We also talk about Michael’s navigation of the bear market.   

- - - - 

Chat GPT was released a little over 6 months ago. It is arguably the most significant tech innovation since the internet. People are now routinely using chatbots to interact with technology and access information tailored to very specific needs. Whilst the impacts of this are yet to be fully understood, it is widely accepted that we have entered a new exciting and equally frightening paradigm.

The issue at hand is that the world is becoming increasingly automated. As a result, human beings are being viewed as a constraint on productivity, which AI technology can mitigate. Where does this leave humans? In a world predicated on code and efficiency and automation, what controls are in place to ensure these systems are secure such that they can not be centralised and exploited such that the general population suffers rather than flourishes? 

Michael Saylor is of the opinion we need an automated tool that is secure and outside of any centralised control. Bitcoin, in this scenario, is the tool that can compete with new digital advances, but, enable humans to retain some control of their lives. As such, it is imperative that we protect the integrity of the innovation such that its utility remains available for both existing and future generations.

The question then becomes how do we best protect Bitcoin? Saylor argues that it is the Bitcoin miners that are Bitcoin’s “fortresses”: they provide brute force security, a cryptographic defence, and the means to marshall the means to advocate effectively for Bitcoin within the corridors of power. Bitcoin miners, therefore, need protection to ensure they continue to act as Bitcoin’s standing army. We do this by ensuring stability: ossifying Bitcoin’s base layer protocol.

WBD Michael Saylor

Matthew Pines is the Director of Intelligence at the Krebs Stamos Group and a Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute specializing in national security. In this interview, we discuss the growing sense that the US government may imminently disclose the existence of craft of non-human origin and that it actually possesses intact and partially intact examples of such craft.  

- - - - 

On July 26th, next Wednesday, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), a new term government agencies use for UFOs. Many believe that this change in nomenclature and the hearing is part of a process aimed at preparing the public for disclosure that the existence of non-human technology is real and that US government agencies and corporations may have retrieved craft of non-human origin. 

Until recently, UAPs/UFOs were considered a fringe topic. Those in political circles and mainstream media organisations would publicly avoid the subject: it was officially ridiculed, and those who engaged in it risked career suicide. Now, it has suddenly become acceptable to seriously discuss the matter. On Monday (17th July), the White House itself stated UAPs are a "real issue" having "an impact" on the United States Air Force. 

What changed?

Matthew Pines take us through the mechanisms of government bureaucracy in terms of official secrets: who gets clearances and the ‘need to know’. Matthew then takes us through the recent extraordinary whistleblower claims of a government coverup in relation to UAPs, why some within the government now feel enabled and compelled to come forward with extraordinary claims, and an effort to silence them. 

It’s not hyperbolic to state that if such claims are publicly substantiated, it will be the biggest event in human history. It is telling that esteemed people who have close knowledge of this subject matter, including prominent politicians, high-ranking officials and qualified professionals, give credence to the UAP phenomenon. We wait with bated breath to see if these extraordinary claims are backed with extraordinary evidence.

Is the Government Hiding Aliens? With Matthew Pines

On September 9th What Bitcoin Did hosted a live show in Sydney. In this first of two podcasts, the guests were the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Iris Energy Dan Roberts, Glassnode’s Lead On-chain Analyst Checkmate, & the Open Software & Lightning Network developer Rusty Russell. Across these interviews, we discussed various topics related to Bitcoin, including its meaning, its impact on people's thinking, and its potential to reshape the financial system.

- - - - 

What Bitcoin Did’s live events are a growing part of our work. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to host shows across the US and in the UK. Now, we’ve had the huge honour of hosting a show in Sydney Australia. It is important to extend our reach into new geographies, as the number of talented people working in Bitcoin obviously extends to all corners of the world. But importantly, each geography has invaluable perspectives.

This show, as with all the live shows, covered a huge amount of ground. The conversation commenced with Checkmate providing his views on the meaning of Bitcoin. He described money as time and saw Bitcoin as a source of hope and an opportunity to think differently. Further, Checkmate believes that Bitcoin can reshape our understanding of money and its role in society.

Rusty Russell, a civil engineer turned Bitcoin advocate, shared his journey from scepticism about finance to working in the field. He explained that as an engineer, he views the world from a problem-solving perspective, which differs from the traditional economic viewpoint. He believes that Bitcoin defies logic for traditional economists because it is too simple and elegant for them to understand.

Dan Roberts and I talked about Iris Energy, a Bitcoin mining company that supports What Bitcoin Did. Dan explained Bitcoin mining’s opportunity in the context of the energy market, and how Bitcoin mining acts as a demand-side battery allowing miners to adjust their energy consumption based on market pricing. We addressed the misconception that Bitcoin miners are exploiting the energy grid, emphasising that they are part of a functioning market and contribute to grid stability.

The show also covered many other important topics, including the value of data to trading Bitcoin, patterns of behaviour in the Bitcoin market, the Potential of next-generation computing and AI for Bitcoin mining, the different stages of Bitcoin's development, and the potential risks and uncertainties associated with stablecoins. Watch out for the second show which has the discussion with the equally awesome pairing of Nik Bhatia and Willy Woo.

WBD Live in Sydney Pt 1 with Checkmate, Dan Roberts & Rusty Russell

Nik Bhatia is the founder of ‘The Bitcoin Layer’ & author of ‘Layered Money’. This interview delves into Nik's work in the Bitcoin industry and his background in trading interest rates. We discuss the impact of low-interest rates on the economy, the relationship between inflation and interest rates, and the impact of central bank actions on markets. The conversation expands to include global recessions, the Chinese economy, and the future of Bitcoin. 

- - - - 

The unprecedented period of low-interest rates that followed the 2008-09 financial crisis was deemed a golden opportunity for those leveraging debt. However, this environment hid many significant dangers. Chief among them was the encouragement of irrational investments.  The problem comes, as we have seen, when this period of low interest ends. A reasonable cost of capital provides a check on such behaviour.

Interest rates are influenced by both the market and central banks, with central banks often lagging behind market movements. When the central bank raises rates, they are adjusting the target rates for various lending markets. There is therefore an interplay between central bank actions and market forces in determining interest rates. In addition, there is feedback as investors anticipate interest rate hikes and adjust their investments accordingly. 

As we have seen, central banks have used interest rates to temper inflation. This is a crude tool and can risk tipping economies into recession. Purchasing Managers' Indexes (PMIs) can be used to analyse economic activity at the nation-state level; the PMIs in Europe are all in contractionary territory, indicating a deteriorating economy. The issue is, that in our globalised economy, such problems leak into other economies, such as China. 

The underlying issue in such a situation is the significant risks associated with the traditional financial instruments of the fiat economy. Financial institutions' liabilities are approaching concerning levels. The problem is that such liabilities are essentially infinite. This is why Bitcoin’s value tends to rise when central banks implement easing measures, as many can see the eventual unwinding of the fiat system. The question is how close are we to this unwinding?

The Breaking of the Global Economy with Nik Bhatia

Whitney Webb is an independent investigative journalist who founded Unlimited Hangout, which covers intelligence, tech, surveillance and civil liberties. In this interview, we discuss the importance of independent journalism, the challenges of media manipulation and the rise of tyranny. We also talk about the risks of AI, the influence of powerful figures like Elon Musk and the need for public scrutiny, and the potential co-opting of Bitcoin by powerful institutions.

- - - - 

Whitney Webb left mainstream media to pursue independent investigative journalism, a decision driven by her commitment to sharing accurate information and encouraging readers to do their own research. In this interview, she highlighted the lack of coverage on certain topics by both mainstream and independent media. Whitney also emphasized the need to question the actions of those in power who have never been held accountable.

We discussed the current state of the world, including the potential for global conflict and the rise of tyranny. Many people questioned the motives behind certain decisions made during the pandemic and raised concerns about the manipulation of information and the control exerted by those in power. We delved into the potential dangers of AI controlling and curating online content, as well as the cognitive impact of relying too heavily on AI. 

Our conversation shifted to the topic of Elon Musk and his mixed reputation. We questioned his true motivations and the extent of his influence, raising concerns about his ties to the government and his involvement in censorship on Twitter. Whitney highlighted the need to scrutinize the actions of powerful figures like Musk and not blindly trust their words.

Finally, we talked about the potential co-opting of Bitcoin by powerful institutions and the need for people in the Bitcoin space to be aware of this. Whitney focused on the importance of personal responsibility and being aware of the push to regulate the internet and the destruction of the existing financial system. Powerful interests take advantage of events to grab more power, but their power grab can only succeed if we consent and give in to fear and panic.

The End of the World as We Know It with Whitney Webb

Whitney Webb is an independent investigative journalist and founder of Unlimited Hangout & Mark Goodwin is Editor in Chief at Bitcoin Magazine. In this interview, we discuss the BlackRock ETF, their plans for a new financial system, media psy-ops & tokenizing everything.

Why We Shouldn’t Trust BlackRock with Whitney Webb & Mark Goodwin

Junseth is an OG Bitcoiner and the former co-host of Bitcoin Uncensored. In this show we dissect what started as a scam phishing call to Junseth and turned into an interview of the scammer, how people are vulnerable to scams, and how to protect yourself.

The Bitcoin Scammer Uncensored with Junseth

Michael Saylor is the CEO of MicroStrategy. In this interview, we discuss ossification, user rights, sovereignty, funding Bitcoin development, the political war over digital asset regulation, and the sly roundabout revolution.

Bitcoin is Forever Money with Michael Saylor

Derrick Broze is an investigative journalist, author, documentary filmmaker, and activist. In this interview, we discuss Trump & Bitcoin, the Ross Ulbricht case, the rise of the technocratic state, surveillance & privacy and the AI digital arms race.

The Technocratic State with Derrick Broze

Whitney Webb is an independent investigative journalist and founder of Unlimited Hangout & Mark Goodwin is the author of The Bitcoin Dollar. In this interview, we discuss the Bitcoin dollar system, corruption & compromised elites and proliferating the US dollar hegemony.

The Bitcoin US Dollar Hegemony with Whitney Webb & Mark Goodwin

Allen Farrington is a writer and investor. He co-wrote Bitcoin Is Venice and he’s a co-founder of Axiom, a Bitcoin-focused venture firm.

In this episode, we discuss the distortions caused by fiat money, the consequences of misallocated capital, and the philosophical underpinnings of a Bitcoin standard. We get into how these issues impact both individuals and economies, dissect the flaws of modern capitalism, and discuss how Bitcoin offers a path toward financial sovereignty and a more equitable economic future, as Allen provides a compelling case for why the current system is unsustainable and what can be done to change it.

Bitcoin Fixes Capitalism with Allen Farrington

Winston Marshall is a musician, cultural commentator, and former member of the band Mumford & Sons. 

In this episode, we discuss his journey from rock star to cultural commentator, the challenges of holding conservative opinions in the entertainment industry, and his exit from Mumford & Sons. We also get into the failures of corporate media, the rise of alternative media through podcasts, and the impact of political realignment in the U.S. and the UK. We also cover the ongoing struggle for free speech, the role of populism, and the future of liberty in a world increasingly dominated by censorship and ideological conformity.

Winston Marshall on Free Speech, Censorship, Cancel Culture and UK Politics - MOB013

Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and a leading advocate for Bitcoin's role in promoting freedom.
In this episode, we discuss his work empowering activists under authoritarian regimes, the structural issues facing human rights funding, and how technology like Bitcoin are transforming the fight for liberty. We also get into the impact of peer-to-peer networks like Nostr, the evolution of Ecash, and the digital arms race between oppressive governments and freedom technologies. We cover forgotten global conflicts, the role of Western democracies, and how Bitcoin helps people survive hyperinflation and financial oppression.

Technology Powered Freedom with Alex Gladstein - MOB014

Mike Brock is a political commentator, writer, and former executive.

In this episode, we explore the dynamics of power politics versus distributive politics, the transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, and the struggle to uphold liberal values in a rapidly changing political climate. We dive into the role of economic incentives in shaping political actions, examine government corruption, and analyze the escalating U.S.-China economic rivalry. Additionally, we discuss how media influences public perception and why Mike sees the centre-left as perhaps the last hope for sustaining capitalism.

Trump vs Kamala with Mike Brock - MOB016

Peter St Onge is an Economist at the Heritage Foundation and a Fellow at the Mises Institute.

In this episode, we discuss the challenges posed by government overreach, and the intricacies of the bureaucracy-politician dynamic. We get into how historical developments have influenced current political structures and the role of debt and its impact on economic growth. Peter also shares his thoughts on the possibility of reforming the current system, from central banking to taxation, and the path to a more efficient government.

Peter St Onge: Liberty, Central Banks, Sound Money & Free Speech - MOB017

Joseph Robertson is a political commentator and advocate focused on free-market economics and personal sovereignty.

In this episode, we discuss the shifting political landscape in the UK, examining the impact of recent budgets on various social classes and the ideological shift from conservatism to socialism. Joseph and I explore the role of debt, inflation, and economic illiteracy among voters in shaping current policies, as well as the influence of career politicians who lack real-world experience. We also discuss the potential for Bitcoin as a hedge against financial overreach and the implications of regulation on self-sovereignty.

Joseph Robertson: Debt, Inflation, Culture, Cost of Living & Regulations - MOB018

Dr. Tarik Sammour is a colorectal surgeon specialising in advanced bowel cancer and has worked across various healthcare systems, including in Australia, New Zealand, and the US.

In this episode, we explore the complexities of modern healthcare systems and the impact of healthcare inflation on patient outcomes and accessibility. We get into the differences between public and private healthcare models, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of hybrid systems and the unique challenges of funding healthcare sustainably. Tarik shares his experiences with administrative burdens, rising costs, and the ethical dilemmas posed by pharmaceutical influence. We also discuss the broader societal issues, from obesity trends to the role of sound money, and the potential for a more balanced approach to healthcare.

Tarik Sammour: Healthcare, Big Pharma, Inflation & Outcomes - MOB019

In this podcast, I chat with Cypherpunk and BitGo engineer Jameson Lopp aka @lopp. We discuss both the philosophical and technical aspects of Bitcoin, the scaling debates, forks and the various leading personalities in the community.

The What Bitcoin Did Podcast: Bitcoin & Crypto Trading | Strategy | Business | Mining

Bitcoin Philosophy and Tech with Jameson Lopp

Interview location: Skype
Interview date: Monday 1st October 2018
Company: Programming Blockchain | Blockchain Capital

The recent Bitcoin protocol bug, CVE-2018-1744, received considerable amounts of alarmist press, “For less than $80,000, you could have brought down the entire network,” “The most catastrophic bug in recent years, and certainly one of the most catastrophic bugs in Bitcoin ever.” Despite these claims, few looked into the detail of the bug and the game theory behind executing an attack.

Code has bugs; code has always had bugs, rather than focus on criticising developers it is important to assess how it happened, why it happened and how to avoid similar problems in the future. Alongside process, it is also important to not just analyse the potential damage a bug can cause but also the game theory behind an attack. 

While the founder of the bug, Awemany, used his discovery of the bug to launch a scathing and personal attack on Bitcoin, Jimmy Song analysed the bug, how it could be exploited and the game theory behind such an attack.

This week I caught up with Jimmy to discuss his findings, and also:
- State level attacks
- Mining centralisation
- 51% attack game theory
- Why proof of work needs to be expensive
- How non-techies can support Bitcoin

The What Bitcoin Did Podcast: Bitcoin & Crypto Stories | Trading | Strategy | Business | Mining

Jimmy Song on the Game Theory of Bitcoin Attacks and why Proof of Work Needs to be Expensive

Interview location: SkypeInterview date: Monday 29th OctoberProject: Debunking Economics

Steve Keen is challenging modern economic theory which led us into the 2008 crisis. With his two books: Debunking Economics and Can We Avoid Another Financial Crisis, Steve outlines the inherent flaws in the capitalist system which are required to make them work.

Bitcoin is often praised by proponents of Austrian Economics, but Steve believes that Bitcoin will fail due to flaws in the protocol design. In this interview I talk to Steve about why the 2008 financial crisis happens, the flaws in the current capitalist model and what Steve like and dislikes about cryptocurrencies.

Debunking Economics and Why Bitcoin Will Fail With Steve Keen

Interview location: Florida
Interview date: Wednesday 8th May, 2019
Company: Bitcoin Uncensored
Role: Co-hosts

Coming into Bitcoin in late 2016 comes with a range of challenges in respecting and understanding the history of the space. Not only understanding the tech but the various people and projects which have come and gone.

There is also a long history of scams and/or poorly thought out projects promising riches from the mythical properties of the blockchain. With Bitcoin Uncensored, Chris DeRose and Junseth actively regularly dissected these projects, exposing the false promises and scams prevalent in the space but they acrimoniously split in 2017 as their visions and personal objectives were no longer aligned.

The podcast was very popular with many Bitcoiners but also created them enemies with their no holds barred content. Chris and Junseth agreed to come on the What Bitcoin Podcast to discuss the history of the show, their current view on the space, scams, changing narratives and the pressures of running a podcast.

Bitcoin Uncensored with Chris DeRose and Junseth

Interview location: New York
Interview date: Saturday 11th May, 2019
Company: Bitfinex & Tether
Role: Chief Strategy Officer at Bitfinex | Co-Founder at Tether

Creating a Bitcoin business is hard, especially one processing hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars in value. For exchanges, these challenges are especially difficult, from defending against relentless hack attempts to securing banking services.

Starting a Bitcoin business today is undoubtedly easier; companies have become more open to working with Bitcoin businesses and specialist providers now exist. Still, the regulatory challenges exist as companies serve international customers with a broad set of unclear, jurisdiction-specific laws.

Bitfinex has a long history in Bitcoin, surviving many of its own challenges. It too suffered a major hack which nearly destroyed the business and faced the challenges of navigating the regulatory framework while struggling for banking services. Further, many of the team at Bitfinex were responsible for the creation of Tether, itself facing many difficulties.

In this interview, I talk with Phil Potter, who was Chief Strategy Office at Bitfinex and co-founder of Tether. We discuss the Bitfinex hack, challenges of getting banking services, the history of Tether and the difficulty of auditing reserves.

Phil Potter on Bitfinex and Tether

The media lies, governments mismanage, and our financial systems are failing us. In Mr Obnoxious, Peter McCormack explores the new frontier of tech, money and governance.

Mr Obnoxious

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