David Marcus is CEO & co-founder of Lightspark, a Lightning Network payments protocol. In this interview, we discuss his career in the payments industry and former role as head of Facebook's Libra project, his frustration with the current financial system, how Lightspark is focusing on addressing the challenges of the Lightning Network, the potential impact of real-time payment systems and the scalability of Bitcoin.

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David Marcus' journey into the payments industry began at the age of 23 when he started his first company after working at a bank. He built a successful telco company in Switzerland and later started another company focused on mobile payments. His journey took him to Silicon Valley, where his company was eventually acquired by PayPal.

Despite his success, Marcus feels frustrated with the state of payments and the lack of an open and interoperable protocol for money on the internet. He believes that money is an important aspect of people's lives and how they measure success. He sees a lot of injustice in the current financial system and feels passionate about improving it.

Our conversation covers David’s role in heading Facebook's involvement in the payments space, particularly with the development of Libra, a payment system designed to reach billions of people. We talked about the challenges and pushback the project faced, and how the Libra project was a significant part of Marcus' journey in building his current company, Lightspark. 

David has come to the conviction that Bitcoin is the only form of neutral internet money, which stems from his experience trying to build a technology that could scale and provide a stable form of digital money. He believes that a real-time global payment systems, similar to sending an email or text message, combined with the decentralization and liquidity of Bitcoin, can unleash a significant increase in global GDP. Scaling issues will be a major challenge as adoption increases.

Lightspark seeks to help address these limitations by focusing on the usability and operational challenges of the Lightning network, such as liquidity management and route finding. They have developed technology to simplify Lightning's channel-based system, making it easier to spin up and maintain Lightning Network nodes, allowing for faster and cheaper bitcoin movement. There are also other potential innovations that could greatly enhance Bitcoin’s use as a payments rail.

Building the Global Financial System with David Marcus

Ian Birrell is a renowned British journalist, columnist, and foreign correspondent, known for his work on global conflicts, social justice, and political reform.

In this episode, we discuss the failures of the prison system, whether it's true purpose is punishment or rehabilitation, and how countries like Norway and Texas are tackling recidivism with innovative approaches. We also get into Bitcoin’s role in empowering activists, the impact of social media on political tribalism, and Elon Musk’s controversial approach to free speech as well as the rise of political extremism, the decline of critical thinking, and the challenges of addressing the war on drugs and reforming criminal justice systems.

Ian Birrell on Prison Reform, Global Conflicts, Free Speech & Nostr - MOB009

Ben Arc is an open-source developer and an advocate in the Bitcoin and Nostr ecosystems.

In this episode, we discuss the shift from centralized platforms like Twitter to decentralized systems, discussing how Nostr allows users to control their data and build communities without corporate interference. We get into Bitcoin’s evolution, synthesizing libertarian and socialist ideologies, the future of soft currencies, and the role of CBDCs in global economies. We also talk about the cultural significance of local currencies like the Welsh pound, the importance of free speech in a digital age, and how AI is transforming both daily life and the future of podcasting.

Decentralising Freedom: Bitcoin, Nostr and Artificial Intelligence with Ben Arc - MOB010

Izabella is the Senior Finance Editor at Politico and the founder editor of The Blind Spot. 

In this episode, we discuss the rapid advancement of AI, including how tools like ChatGPT are transforming journalism, the ethics of AI, its role in uncovering hidden information, and whether full transparency will lead to societal improvements or chaos. We also discuss economic stagnation, the collapse of the middle class, and the impact of inflation on daily life. We also get into the over-regulation in Europe, how it’s falling behind in technological innovation, and the parallels between modern challenges and historical examples of power structures and corruption.

The AI Takeover: Media, Money, and the New World Order with Izabella Kaminska - MOB011

David Zell is the Executive Director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, a think tank focused on the public policy implications of Bitcoin.

In this episode, we discuss the political landscape surrounding Bitcoin, its role as an insurance policy for both individuals and nation-states, how Bitcoin competes against traditional currencies, the global demand for stable money, and its implications for U.S. geopolitical strategy, especially in contrast to authoritarian regimes like China. We also discuss the politicisation of Bitcoin, potential regulatory threats, and how Bitcoin's existence challenges traditional financial systems.

The Separation of Money and State with David Zell - MOB012

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

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.

Building the Global Financial System with David Marcus

Mr Obnoxious

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