What Bitcoin Did

Nik Bhatia is the author of Layered Money and The Bitcoin Age. In this episode, we discuss the structure and evolution of the modern financial system, how banks run the world and why understanding liquidity is essential to grasping Bitcoin’s place in the world. We also get into the Eurodollar system, the coming end of quantitative tightening, the behavioural vs mechanical impact of QE, and how the...

In this episode, I am joined by Pierre Rochard & Michael Goldstein. We discuss the Nakamoto Institute, why they believe money is a foundational pillar of civilisation, how Austrian economics helped them recognise Bitcoin’s potential so early and why everyone should hoard Bitcoin. We also get into speculative attacks, why they think Bitcoin’s incentives are designed to win, and how a state adopting...

Luke Gromen is the founder of FFTT, an economic research firm focused on global macro trends. In this episode, we discuss why Luke believes the U.S. is approaching a sovereign debt crisis, how rising interest costs and capital outflows are driving the system toward a breaking point, and why the current path could lead to inflation, capital controls, and a repricing of gold. We also get into the po...

Parker Lewis is the author of Gradually, Then Suddenly and Head of Business Development at Zaprite. In this episode, Parker pushes back on Jeff Snider’s ideas about the monetary system, challenging the idea that central banks don’t actually print money, the fallacy of elastic money and why the world will ultimately converge on Bitcoin as its dominant currency. We also discuss why Parker believes t...

Avik Roy is a policy analyst, and the president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. In this episode, we discuss why Avik believes the U.S. fiscal situation is heading toward a crisis within the next 20 years, the growing debt problem, and the likelihood of government-imposed capital controls and repression. We also get into Bitcoin's role in this economic landscape, whether the U....

Jeff Snider is a macro analyst and the host of Eurodollar University. In this episode, we discuss why Jeff believes the Federal Reserve has far less control over the economy than people assume, the true nature of money creation, and whether inflation was ever really about money printing. We also get into his perspective on the global economic landscape, the long-term effects of the pandemic’s econ...

Hunter Beast is a Bitcoin researcher focused on mitigating the risks quantum computing may pose to Bitcoin. In this episode, we discuss the potential threat quantum computers pose to Bitcoin’s cryptographic security, whether Q-Day—the moment when quantum computers can break Bitcoin’s encryption—is an imminent reality, and how governments and institutions are preparing for this future. We also get...

Matthew Pines is a national security consultant and a Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. American HODL is an OG Bitcoiner. In this episode, we discuss the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the geopolitical game theory behind nation-states accumulating Bitcoin and the details of the executive order. We also get into the implications for monetary policy, how this shifts incentives for developers, and...

Josh Hendrickson is a professor of economics and Chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Mississippi, William Luther is an associate professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University and a senior fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this episode, we discuss why many mainstream economists misunderstand Bitcoin and why monetary economists remain skeptical, the flaws of mo...

Daniel Batten is a Bitcoin environmental analyst and investor focused on mining and sustainable energy. In this episode, we break down why this cycle is different, with sovereign funds, pension funds, and miners driving demand. We discuss landfill gas-powered mining, methane mitigation, and how Bitcoin turns stranded energy into an asset. We also get into the collapse of environmental FUD, the shi...

Checkmate is an on-chain analyst and founder of Checkonchain. In this episode, we break down the recent Bitcoin correction, what’s driving sentiment, and whether this is just a shakeout. We discuss the role of long-term holders in market cycles, how ETFs are reshaping Bitcoin’s liquidity flows, and why Bitcoin dominance has caught many off guard. We also get into the macro forces influencing Bitco...

James Lavish is a macro investor, former hedge fund manager, and managing partner at the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund. In this episode, we discuss global liquidity cycles, the role of the Federal Reserve in managing market liquidity, and the implications of U.S. deficit spending. We also get into Bitcoin’s correlation with liquidity cycles, the potential for Bitcoin-backed bonds, whether Bitcoin will...

Preston Pysh is an investor, GP at Ego Death Capital and host of The Investor’s Podcast & Nico Lechuga is Founding Partner at Ego Death Capital. In this episode, we discuss Bitcoin-backed bonds, the role of Bitcoin in corporate finance, and whether the U.S. or nation-states will adopt Bitcoin as a strategic reserve. We also get into game theory behind sovereign wealth funds, companies following Mi...

Eric Yakes is the author of The 7th Property and Managing Partner at Epoch, a Bitcoin venture firm. In this episode, we discuss Bitcoin adoption trends, the role of ETFs and institutional buyers, and whether nation-states will adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset and the rise of Bitcoin-backed corporate finance. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd C...

Becca Rubenfeld is the co-founder and COO of Anchor Watch. In this episode, we discuss Becca’s journey from corporate America to Bitcoin, Anchor Watch’s Trident Vault, the role of MiniScript in securing Bitcoin, the role of Lloyd’s of London, and why insured custody is the future. We also get into the challenges of startup life, raising money in a bear market, and what it takes to insure all the B...

Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and Fictitious Capital is a writer and researcher. In this episode, Alex and Fictitious Capital discuss Bitcoin's potential to challenge the current global financial order. They debate the feasibility of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the implications for U.S. financial dominance, and whether Bitcoin adoption can truly const...

Alex Thorn is the Head of Research at Galaxy Digital. In this episode, we discuss the growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin, the role of the U.S. government, whether a strategic Bitcoin reserve is on the table and Trump's Policies on Bitcoin. We a also get into the end of Operation Choke Point 2.0, Bitcoin’s current cycle, the role of ETFs, and why Bitcoin not crypto. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPO...

Rational Root is a Bitcoin on-chain & cycle analyst. In this episode, we discuss the current state of the Bitcoin market, why institutional adoption remains in its early stages, and how on-chain metrics suggest there’s still room for upside. We also get into the impact of Trump's policies, why Bitcoin is still considered a risk asset, the role of ETFs and the likelihood of a Bitcoin strategic rese...

Jameson Lopp is the co-founder of Casa, and a long-time Bitcoin security expert. In this episode, we discuss the state of Bitcoin self-custody, the growing threat of physical attacks on Bitcoiners, and why UX remains a major barrier to adoption. We also get into the ossification debate, whether Bitcoin development is stalling, and how institutional adoption could impact Bitcoin’s ability to upgrad...

Jeff Walton is a financial analyst and a former reinsurance broker with a focus on MicroStrategy. In this episode, we discuss MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin playbook, the impact of FASB fair value accounting, and how MSTR are using convertible debt and equity issuances. We also get into the risks of leverage, the potential for MicroStrategy to become the most valuable company in the world, and whether co...

Alex Leishman is the CEO & CTO of River. In this episode, we discuss the nuances of self-custody versus custodial solutions, the challenges of securing Bitcoin, and the trade-offs between decentralisation and scalability. We also get into the quantum threat to Bitcoin, scaling self-custody and the implications of protocol changes in Bitcoin’s future. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://w...

Erik Cason is a Bitcoin OG and author of Crypto Sovereignty. In this episode, we discuss the philosophy of Bitcoin, it's role in preserving freedom and resisting censorship, its parallels to historical moments of change, and its potential to reshape societal structures. We also get into its connection with cryptography and tools like Nostr, and why he believes Bitcoin represents a shift in the bal...

Lyn Alden is a macro analyst, investment strategist and the author of Broken Money. In this episode, we discuss the impact of fiscal policy on inflation, the Federal Reserve's constraints under fiscal dominance, and the role of tariffs in shaping the economic landscape. We also get into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and what Donald Trump’s Administration will mean for Bitcoin. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR...

Mark is the former editor in chief of Bitcoin Magazine and the author of The Bitcoin-Dollar: An Economic Monomyth. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of the Bitcoin-dollar thesis, Tether, and Bitcoin as a tool for challenging state power. We also get into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, if Bitcoin was created by intelligence agencies, and Mark's latest article, The Evolution of the Militariz...

Jeff Ross is a macroeconomist, bitcoiner and Founder & CEO of Vailshire Capital Management. In this episode, we discuss global liquidity cycles and its impact on Bitcoin price movements, predictions for Bitcoin in 2025, and the potential for nation-state adoption. We also get intothe Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, the challenges of global stagflation, and why Jeff chose to go “Nostr-only”. MAS...