Stephan Livera Podcast

In this conversation, Davidson, a Bitcoin developer, discusses his project Floresta, which aims to provide a lightweight Bitcoin node solution that balances privacy, security, and usability. He explains the technical aspects of Floresta, including its architecture, the use of compact block filters, and its relationship with Utreexo. Davidson emphasizes the importance of making Bitcoin more accessi...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Kevin Loaec discuss the challenges and advancements in self-custody and multi-signature (multisig) wallets for businesses. They explore the reasons why many businesses are hesitant to adopt self-custody, including regulatory constraints and the current limitations of available tools.  The discussion highlights the evolution of multisig, the risks associated...

Stephan Livera and Kevin Cai dive into the Bitcoin spam debate, breaking down the different camps in the community, the line between consensus and policy, and how transaction filters, dust limits, and Libre Relay affect the network. They explore mining economics, fee dynamics, and the subjective nature of what people call spam. Kevin also discusses UTXO consolidation, decentralization, and how BRC...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Carel Van Wyk discuss the evolution of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, focusing on the role of MoneyBadger in facilitating Bitcoin payments across South Africa. They explore the journey of integrating Bitcoin payments into major retailers, the technological innovations that have made this possible, and the implications for merchants and consumers alike. Th...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera interviews Gustavo Flores, the CEO and founder of Aureo, a Bitcoin startup in Mexico. They discuss Gustavo's journey in the Bitcoin space, the cultural differences he has observed while building in Mexico, and the unique financial landscape of the country. The conversation delves into the challenges of educating the Mexican population about Bitcoin and the...

In this episode, Kevin Hurley, CTO and co-founder of Lightspark, discusses the Layer 2 solution called Spark, which aims to enhance Bitcoin's scalability and user experience. He shares insights from his journey transitioning from the Libra project to building on Bitcoin, addressing challenges faced with the Lightning Network, and the unique features of Spark, including its architecture, user exper...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Matt McClintock delve into the complexities of wealth management in the context of Bitcoin, exploring the concept of the Sovereignty Paradox. They discuss the nuances of sovereignty, the importance of preparing the next generation for wealth, and the role of philanthropy. The conversation also covers tax implications, strategies for managing Bitcoin wealth,...

On Day 2 of Plan B Lugano, I sat down with Jack Mallers to discuss the rapid growth in the market for bitcoin collateralized loans, and with Chris Pavlovski on freedom technology and the state of free speech in the West with Rumble. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:49) - Jack Maller’s journey with Strike (02:49) - How does Strike lending work?; Liquidation levels (13:12) - Should people fear borrow...

Join me as I interview some of the leading voices that are building on Bitcoin - Philip Walton Bringing affordable energy to Africa, Value transfer over payments & Time2Build by Roy and how Arkade is enhancing Bitcoin’s layer 2 with Tiero.   Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (2:37) - Philip’s background and the genesis of Gridless (4:20) - Why build Gridless in Africa?  (06:09) - Difference between...

In this episode, Stephan Livera discusses the latest developments in Bitcoin Core with The Charlatan, focusing on the significant updates in version 30, including the removal of the legacy wallet, preparations for the Great Consensus Cleanup, and the introduction of the Bitcoin Kernel project.  The conversation also covers the implications of alternative implementations, the ongoing data carrier s...

In this conversation, André Loja discusses the Free Madeira project, which aims to promote Bitcoin adoption through education and community engagement. He highlights the success of merchant adoption on the island, the impact of Bitcoin conferences, and the development of the Basalto Fund, which allows investors to gain residency in Portugal while investing in Bitcoin. The conversation also touches...

In this episode, NVK, CEO of CoinKite, discusses the advancements in Bitcoin self-custody solutions, particularly focusing on the Coldcard wallet and its new spending policies. The conversation explores the challenges businesses face in self-custody, the complexities of accounting for Bitcoin transactions, and the growing trend of Bitcoin treasuries among corporations. NVK emphasizes the importanc...

Stephan Livera interviews Prashanth, the CEO and founder of Bringin, a startup focused on providing seamless Bitcoin solutions for users in the Eurozone. Prashanth shares his journey into the Bitcoin space, the pain points he identified regarding Bitcoin liquidity, and how Bringin addresses these challenges through innovative products like virtual IBAN accounts and debit cards. The conversation al...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera discusses the RGB protocol with Anant and Federico, exploring its significance in the Bitcoin ecosystem. They explore how RGB enables smart contracts on Bitcoin, the role of stablecoins, user experience, and the efficiency of transactions.  The discussion also covers the process of creating and managing assets on RGB, comparisons with other Bitcoin protocols, a...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Jesse Myers discuss the current state and future of Bitcoin treasury companies, focusing on Smarter Web Company's strategies and performance. They explore the implications of PIPE deals, the importance of a solid track record in delivering Bitcoin yield, and the regulatory environment's impact on investment strategies.  The discussion highlights suc...

In this conversation, Jungly discusses his work on P2Pool V2, a decentralized mining pool aimed at improving upon the limitations of the original P2Pool. He emphasizes the importance of decentralization in Bitcoin mining and explains the technical innovations that P2Pool V2 introduces, such as sharechains and atomic swaps for non-custodial payouts. Jungly also highlights the need for community inv...

In this conversation, Shone Anstey, CEO of LQWD, discusses the evolution of his company from a Lightning Network service provider to a Bitcoin treasury company. He shares insights on the current state of the Bitcoin market, the importance of the Lightning Network, and the strategies LQWD employs to accumulate Bitcoin and generate yield. The discussion also touches on the unique aspects of the Cana...

In this episode, Stephan Livera and Max K discuss the recent Baltic Honey Badger conference, highlighting the shift in focus from institutional adoption to innovative projects like Ark. They explore the workings of Debifi, a Bitcoin-backed lending platform, explaining its marketplace model, loan structures, and interest rates.  The discussion revolves around the evolving landscape of Bitcoin lendi...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Calle discuss the critical importance of privacy in financial systems, particularly in the context of Bitcoin and eCash. They explore the evolution of privacy technology, the challenges posed by current financial regulations, and the need for user-friendly privacy-preserving systems. Calle elaborates on the mechanics of eCash and the Cashu protocol, highlig...

In this conversation, Andrew Poelstra discusses the recent launch of Simplicity on Liquid, a federated sidechain of Bitcoin. He explains the technical aspects of Liquid, its advantages, and how Simplicity serves as a new scripting language that enhances expressivity and formal verification capabilities. The discussion covers potential use cases for Simplicity, including advanced covenant implement...

In this episode, Stephan Livera and Calvin talk about Utreexo. They discuss the latest updates, including the publication of three BIPs related to Utreexo, which aim to improve the efficiency of Bitcoin nodes. The conversation covers the mechanics of Utreexo, including its accumulator structure and the concept of a Merkle forest. They also explore different types of nodes, such as compact state no...

Stephan & Rod Roudi discuss the importance of building Bitcoin communities, the evolution of Bitcoin narratives, and the future of Bitcoin custody and treasury strategies. They explore the role of local meetups in fostering Bitcoin adoption, the significance of educating the next generation of Bitcoiners, and the impact of events on the Bitcoin ecosystem. Rod shares insights on upcoming events...

In this episode, Jan Kotas discusses the growing Bitcoin community in Paraguay, the benefits of living there for digital nomads, and the tax advantages of Paraguayan residency. He shares insights on the local infrastructure, safety, and the vibrant expat community. Jan also explains how to structure income through US LLCs for tax efficiency and the regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrency...

In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Kane McGukin discuss the evolving landscape of Bitcoin treasury companies, exploring the risks, potential failures, and the role of Bitcoin in financial services. They explore the dynamics of equity versus preferred shares, the importance of education in Bitcoin investments, and the impact of market volatility on investor behavior. The discussion highlights...

In this episode, Stephan Livera interviews Evan (VNPRC), the creator of HashPool, discussing the importance of decentralizing Bitcoin mining. They explore the current state of mining centralization, the risks it poses, and how HashPool aims to empower small miners through innovative technologies like eCash and e-Hash tokens. The conversation also explores the challenges of privacy, custodial risks...