The Bitcoin Layer

In this episode, Nik Bhatia breaks down the latest global macro developments including new stress in the repo market, the Fed’s official plan to end QT on November 30, and what these moves mean for liquidity, risk assets, and Bitcoin. Nik explains how the SOFR-to-IORB spread, declining reserves, and Treasury bill issuance point toward tightening conditions that will soon force renewed balance shee...

In this episode, Nik & Demian Schatt break down the Fed’s latest 25-basis-point rate cut, the announcement to end quantitative tightening, and what it reveals about the growing fiscal dominance shaping global markets. They unpack Joseph Wang’s concept of “Balance Sheet Dominance,” the mounting stress in repo markets, and why the Treasury’s massive bill issuance is now steering the Fed’s hand. The...

In this episode, Nik sits down with Kane McGukin to explore how faith, morality, and history shape the global liquidity battle Michael Howell calls The Capital War. Kane explains how reading the Bible helped him understand cycles of credit, power, and moral decay that echo through today’s financial system. The discussion connects biblical wisdom to modern macro, from the U.S.–China rivalry to the...

In this episode, Nik is joined by Matt Dines, CIO of Build Asset Management, for an expansive look at America’s evolving grand strategy. They break down the Fed’s next move in the repo market, the role of gold in global reflation, and how Bitcoin fits into the new era of credit, conflict, and liquidity. Nik and Matt explore the CapEx boom, private credit expansion, and why the U.S. banking system’...

In this episode, Nik breaks down the latest developments in the repo market, the Fed’s growing concern over reserve scarcity, and how these forces connect to America’s reindustrialization strategy. He explains how the shift from LIBOR to SOFR reflects a deeper geopolitical pivot, explores the U.S.–China economic dynamic, and outlines how new capital investment, dollar weakness, and expanding liqui...

In this episode, Nik breaks down what’s happening inside the repo market and why gold’s explosive move toward $4,300 is sending shockwaves through global markets. He explains how rising repo spreads signal emerging reserve scarcity, why the Fed’s standing repo facility is being used again, and what it all means for liquidity, volatility, and Bitcoin’s next move. Nik also shares why the gold price...

In this episode, Nik sits down with Pascal Hügli to explore the philosophical and structural tensions between Bitcoin and today’s fiat credit system. They discuss how stablecoins, central banking, and government spending are reshaping global money creation, and what Bitcoin’s emergence means for fairness, justice, and sound finance. Pascal shares insights from his new book on Bitcoin, explaining h...

In this episode, Nik breaks down how new U.S. tariffs on China triggered a spike in volatility across global markets and sent Bitcoin lower after a strong start to October. He explains how the administration’s re-industrialization policies tie into the Fed’s rate path, the Treasury market, and housing policy. Nik covers the latest moves in oil, yields, and the yield curve, showing how the Fed’s mo...

In this episode, Nik is joined by Robert Warren, author of The Bitcoin Miners Almanac and Head of Research and Education at Bitcoin Park. They discuss the evolution of Bitcoin mining from industrial operations to the new wave of home miners integrating mining into heating, water systems, and solar panels. Robert explains how open source R&D is reshaping hardware, why decentralizing ASIC design mat...

In this episode, Nik breaks down Bitcoin’s strong start to October and what the latest pump means in the context of global macro. He explains how falling policy rates, Treasury yields, and dollar weakness are shaping liquidity conditions and risk markets. Nik highlights why correlations between Bitcoin and stocks matter, what average hourly earnings signal about inflation risk, and how the Fed’s s...

In this episode, Nik is joined by TBL research associate Johan Bergman to analyze Bitcoin’s latest price action and on-chain signals. They break down the bullish engulfing pattern that may mark a trend reversal, explain why high-volume nodes at $105K and $117K act as support and resistance, and discuss the behavior of longs and shorts as positions reset. Johan highlights healthy signals in the der...

In this episode, Nik sits down with Stacie, Christoph and Matthew from the Saving Satoshi team to explore their interactive Bitcoin education project. Saving Satoshi is a story-driven RPG that teaches the fundamentals of Bitcoin’s protocol from mining and hashing to signatures, transactions and Lightning. The conversation covers how the game helps newcomers and developers understand Bitcoin at its...

In this episode, Nik delivers a full global macro update with Bitcoin at a critical crossroads. He explains why funding rates are rolling off, volatility is at record structural lows, and how support levels could determine the next major move for Bitcoin. The update also explores the Bitcoin–gold ratio and why it fits into a long-term power law path, with Bitcoin continuing to outperform tradition...

In this episode, Nik is joined by TBL research associate Johan Bergman for a deep dive into Bitcoin’s latest price action and on-chain signals. Johan explains why the short-term holder cost basis has defined Bitcoin’s trading range for the past three years, and how the $104,000 level aligns with the 200-day moving average and key volume nodes. The discussion covers RSI momentum, Bollinger Band com...

In this episode, Nik is joined by TBL researcher Demian Schatt to break down the Fed’s latest rate cut and why it’s just catching up to what markets have already priced in. He explains the meaning of the Fed’s “neutral rate,” why central bank policy lags economic conditions, and how the SOFR curve and MOVE index signal shifting liquidity dynamics. Nik and Demian explore the market’s expectations f...

In this episode, Nik continues our TBL classroom series on Bitcoin and liquidity. He breaks down the inner workings of the U.S. Treasury market, the role of primary dealers, and how the Federal Reserve interacts with both. This lesson covers the mechanics of QE and QT, Fed balance sheet dynamics, and how treasuries move from issuance to investor portfolios. Nik also introduces the concept of liabi...

In this episode, Nik welcomes Arch Lending CEO and co-founder Dhruv Patel to explore the emerging world of Bitcoin-backed lending. Dhruv explains how Arch provides overcollateralized loans to individuals and institutions, using Bitcoin as pristine collateral without rehypothecation. The conversation covers risk management, loan-to-value dynamics, interest rate trends, and why credit markets help l...

In this episode, Nik Bhatia breaks down the macroeconomic forces driving Bitcoin above $116,000, including a broad decline in interest rates, softening U.S. labor market data, and rising expectations for Fed rate cuts. He walks through updated CPI figures, ISM services and manufacturing signals, and why the Fed is likely to cut another 75bps even without a formal recession. Nik also examines the T...

In this episode, Nik continues our Bitcoin & Liquidity Academy with a deep dive into fixed income market structure and its role in global capital markets. He explains how loans become securities, why bonds trade differently than stocks, and how the Treasury system is organized through CUSIPs. Nik unpacks the scale of the $120 trillion bond market, contrasts equity and debt financing, and walks thr...

In this episode, Nik is joined by Dr. Jeff Ross to assess the US economy, global geopolitics, and what they mean for Bitcoin. They review the post-2020 policy regime, fiscal dominance, and why PMIs and new orders may be turning up, then discuss the Supreme Court path for tariffs, the US push on chips and energy, and the risk of a hot conflict with China. Jeff explains his liquidity blob framework,...

In this episode, Nik sits down with Kane McGukin to map the future of collateral, credit, and liquidity across the global system. They unpack Michael Howell’s Capital Wars, why chips and energy are becoming strategic collateral, how stablecoins can move bank reserves onto usable rails, and where Bitcoin fits as digital collateral. The conversation covers potential credit markets built on Bitcoin,...

In this episode, Nik kicks off a new TBL classroom series on Bitcoin and liquidity. He lays the foundation by teaching balance sheets from the ground up, starting with individuals, then firms, and finally the U.S. government. Nik explains how assets, liabilities, and equity interact, why corporations rely on productive capital and cash flow, and how the U.S. Treasury operates the federal balance s...

In this episode, Nik explores the difference between money and wealth and why Bitcoin may be more than just money. He breaks down three key pillars of societal wealth creation: production and exchange, capital goods, and innovation. Nik explains how Austrian economics helps us understand the true drivers of prosperity. He compares Bitcoin to productive real estate, argues that its accumulation rep...

In this episode, Nik is joined by Mitch Moore, founder of Strong Wealth, to explain why simply HODLing Bitcoin is not enough. Mitch lays out a real financial plan for Bitcoiners, including estate strategies, tax planning, and inheritance protocols. He covers the three pillars of Bitcoin estate planning: legal title transfer, mechanical key access, and heir education. The conversation explores trad...

In this episode, Nik is joined by TBL researcher Demian Schatt to break down a major macro signal flashing caution across markets: a sudden spike in the MOVE Index, the bond market’s volatility gauge. He explains why the recent Treasury refunding announcement is pushing rollover risk higher, and what that means for liquidity, credit creation, and risk assets like Bitcoin. Nik also explores the cur...