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In this episode, I chat with Stephan Livera, Bitcoin educator, host of the Stephan Livera Podcast, and advisor at Bold Bitcoin. We explore his journey of escaping the lockdowns in Australia to build a new life in Dubai, and how his libertarian values and understanding of Bitcoin economics shaped that decision. Stephan also shares his thoughts on cycles, proof of reserves, the role of stablecoins, and the long-term outlook for hyperbitcoinization. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world's simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Stephan Livera on X: https://x.com/stephanlivera ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:09 - Escaping Australia and the Birth of a New Life in Dubai 06:34 - How Bitcoin and Libertarianism Shaped Stephan's Exit 12:09 - Feeling Disconnected from Home and Becoming a Global Citizen 16:24 - The Allure of Dubai and Its Strategic Advantages 18:54 - Bitcoin Core vs. Knots, Ordinals, and Relay Filters 23:09 - Consensus vs. Policy and Mining Centralization Risks 28:09 - Core Development, Multiple Implementations, and GitHub Controversy 32:34 - Bitcoin Core Funding and Developer Incentives 35:54 - Bitcoin Treasury Companies and Fiat Arbitrage Opportunities 40:09 - Understanding Risk and the Premium to NAV Debate 45:29 - Global Perspectives: Trapped Capital, Arbitrage, and Institutional Flows 49:49 - The Future of Treasury Companies and Their Evolution 55:09 - Nation-State Adoption and Libertarian Reflections 58:24 - Market Cycles, Future Peaks, and Drawdowns 01:04:49 - Is It Too Late to Stack? Advice for Friends and Family 01:07:54 - Inflation, Recess from the Rulers, and the Tether Debate 01:11:03 - Seven Years of Bitcoin Podcasting: What Keeps Stephan Going 01:12:28 - Aha Moments, Power Laws, and the Path to Hyperbitcoinization DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors. Produced by nilli studio (https://x.com/nillistudio) I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!
James O'Beirne discusses Bitcoin development challenges, the CTV soft fork controversy, and why protocol upgrades have stalled. He explains the community response to his developer letter and Bitcoin's ossification risks.You're listening to Bitcoin Season 2. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 7,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comBitcoin developer James O'Beirne joins us to talk about the current state of Bitcoin development, the controversial CTV (OP_CheckTemplateVerify) soft fork proposal, and why he organized a letter signed by 66+ prominent Bitcoin developers requesting Bitcoin Core focus on protocol upgrades. We dive deep into Bitcoin's development culture, the post-SegWit era challenges, and the growing concern about Bitcoin's ossification.Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com**Notes:**• 66 developers signed CTV support letter• 96% of Bitcoin value uses non-taproot outputs• 19% of global hashrate supports CTV proposal• 5+ years of CTV development and testing• 5 Bitcoin bounty offered for CTV bugs found• 16.5 years since Bitcoin's initial releaseTimestamps:00:00 Start01:55 Jame's work08:33 History of BTC development12:37 Culture & the block size war16:34 Code change process24:29 The CTV letter origin33:53 Reception of the letter38:33 Why is there resistance?40:53 Alternative proposal48:20 Upgrade Hooks50:36 Future outlooks for changes54:49 Reasons for optimism-
// GUEST //X: https://x.com/sthencCastle X: https://x.com/savewithcastleCastle Website: https://savewithcastle.com/ // SPONSORS //iCoin: https://icointechnology.com/breedloveCowbolt: https://cowbolt.com/Heart and Soil Supplements (use discount code BREEDLOVE): https://heartandsoil.co/Blockware Solutions: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/breedloveIn Wolf's Clothing: https://wolfnyc.com/Onramp: https://onrampbitcoin.com/?grsf=breedloveMindlab Pro: https://www.mindlabpro.com/breedloveCoinbits: https://coinbits.app/breedloveThe Farm at Okefenokee: https://okefarm.com/Orange Pill App: https://www.orangepillapp.com/ // PRODUCTS I ENDORSE //Protect your mobile phone from SIM swap attacks: https://www.efani.com/breedloveLineage Provisions (use discount code BREEDLOVE): https://lineageprovisions.com/?ref=breedlove_22Colorado Craft Beef (use discount code BREEDLOVE): https://coloradocraftbeef.com/Salt of the Earth Electrolytes: http://drinksote.com/breedloveJawzrsize (code RobertBreedlove for 20% off): https://jawzrsize.com // SUBSCRIBE TO THE CLIPS CHANNEL //https://www.youtube.com/@robertbreedloveclips2996/videos // TIMESTAMPS //0:00 – WiM Episode Trailer1:21 – Stephen's Background in Silicon Valley12:11 – Discovering Bitcoin in 201316:06 – Adam Back vs Gavin Andresen: The Blocksize Wars27:51 – iCoin Bitcoin Wallet29:20 – Cowbolt: Settle in Bitcoin30:35 – Should Bitcoin's Blocksize Ever Increase?33:28 – Altcoin Distractions: Litecoin & XRP35:59 – Going All In on Bitcoin42:31 – Elon Musk and Bitcoin45:13 – Working in Bitcoin & Angel Investing54:54 – Heart and Soil Supplements55:54 – Mine Bitcoin with Blockware Solutions57:20 – How to Handle Bitcoin's Volatility1:00:36 – Building and Investing in Bitcoin Startups1:04:47 – Castle: Bitcoin for Small Business1:14:26 – Helping Lightning Startups with In Wolf's Clothing1:15:18 – Onramp Bitcoin Custody1:17:15 – Using Bitcoin as a Hurdle Rate for Startup Investing1:24:01 – Will Bitcoin Treasury Companies Blow Up?1:30:38 – Are Bitcoin Treasuries the New Altcoins?1:35:28 – Mind Lab Pro Supplements1:36:38 – Buy Bitcoin with Coinbits1:38:06 – Bitcoin Core vs Knots1:45:48 – State Adoption of Bitcoin1:54:15 – The Farm at Okefenokee1:55:25 – Orange Pill App1:55:50 – Bitcoin Is the Unity of Opposites2:03:57 – The Growth of Bitcoin Treasury Companies2:15:53 – How to Connect with Castle & Stephen Cole // PODCAST //Podcast Website: https://whatismoneypodcast.com/Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-what-is-money-show/id1541404400Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25LPvm8EewBGyfQQ1abIsERSS Feed: https://feeds.simplecast.com/MLdpYXYI // SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL //Bitcoin: 3D1gfxKZKMtfWaD1bkwiR6JsDzu6e9bZQ7Sats via Strike: https://strike.me/breedlove22Dollars via Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/RBreedloveDollars via Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/Robert-Breedlove-2 // SOCIAL //Breedlove X: https://x.com/Breedlove22WiM? X: https://x.com/WhatisMoneyShowLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breedlove22/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breedlove_22/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breedlove22Substack: https://breedlove22.substack.com/All My Current Work: https://linktr.ee/robertbreedlove
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt are joined by Davidson Souza to discuss Newsletter #363.Changes to services and client software● Floresta v0.8.0 released (0:45) ● RGB v0.12 announced (20:38) ● FROST signing device available (25:34) ● Gemini adds taproot support (29:44) ● Electrum 4.6.0 released (38:14) Releases and release candidates● LND v0.19.2-beta (38:51) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #32604 (39:38) ● Bitcoin Core #32618 (40:55) ● Bitcoin Core #31553 (43:03) ● Core Lightning #7725 (46:53) ● Eclair #2716 (47:23) ● LDK #3628 (52:19) ● LDK #3890 (53:22) ● LND #10001 (54:30)
Alex Thorn talks with Alex Leishman (River) about building a bitcoin-only brokerage, how stablecoins interact with bitcoin, why small businesses are beginning to own BTC, the importance of Proof of Reserves, building with Bitcoin Core, and much more. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about Jay Powell and the Federal Reserve's independence. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/
FILL OUT THE SURVEY BY CLICKING HERE Welcome back to The Gwart Show! Today, Carl Dong, founder of Obscura VPN and former Bitcoin Core developer at Chain Code Labs, joins us to talk about his transition from Bitcoin development to building privacy infrastructure. We discuss his work on reproducible builds, supply chain security, the funding dynamics of Bitcoin development, and why he created the first multi-hop VPN that eliminates single points of trust. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 01:09 Carl's professional background 02:54 Personal background 07:50 Open source vs product dev 18:14 Chaincode's influence 23:05 Ellipsis Labs 24:06 Funding open source work 30:21 Obscura VPN 36:07 The state of TOR 40:30 VPN user base 45:10 Easy personal privacy steps 47:57 Privacy in Bitcoin 53:21 Simplicity 58:02 Innovations from the "crypto" space 1:00:21 Wrap up
Sanket Kanjalkar, Jonas Nick, Tadge Dryja, Steven Roose, and Brandon Black join Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt to discuss Newsletter #361.News● Separating onion message relay from HTLC relay (2:06) Changing consensus● CTV+CSFS advantages for PTLCs (5:45) ● Vault output script descriptor (15:21) ● Continued discussion about CTV+CSFS advantages for BitVM (22:57) ● Open letter about CTV and CSFS (27:59) ● OP_CAT enables Winternitz signatures (1:12:27) ● Commit/reveal function for post-quantum recovery (1:22:46) ● OP_TXHASH variant with support for transaction sponsorship (1:53:31) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #32540 (2:13:29) ● Bitcoin Core #32638 (2:14:47) ● Bitcoin Core #32819 (2:15:25) ● LDK #3618 (2:17:41)
Preston Pysh welcomes back NVK, renowned Bitcoin expert and founder of Coinkite, for an in-depth conversation on the future of Bitcoin, the evolving dynamics of its core development, and the promising rise of decentralized platforms like Nostr. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 02:01 - How Bitcoin's increasing price may sustain mining incentives post-halving 09:37 - The evolution from Satoshi's original code to the current Bitcoin Core 14:15 - Insights into Bitcoin Knots and the separation of wallet and consensus code 19:41 - Critiques of Bitcoin's development scene and current conference culture 20:09 - The controversy surrounding Bitcoin Core's GitHub governance 24:22 - Debates around removing the OP_RETURN 83-byte limit 32:23 - Nostr's potential to revolutionize identity and AI communication 35:45 - Key adoption challenges facing Nostr and possible solutions 44:44 - The philosophy and features behind Coinkite's hardware wallets Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES NVK's Company: ColdCard Bitcoin Hardware Wallets. Join NOSTR at Primal. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Bitcoin Fundamentals Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: SimpleMining Hardblock AnchorWatch Human Rights Foundation Unchained Vanta Shopify Onramp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm
In der heutigen Techboost-Folge sprechen Thorsten, Calso und Jan-Paul über die technischen Updates aus den Monaten Mai und Juni 2025. Darunter besprechen wir ausführlich über die Ankündigung des Ashigaru-Teams über die Wiederbereitstellung der CoinJoin Implementierung Whirlpool, den neuen Open Letter des Bitcoin Core Teams, die neue Bitbox Nova und teilen unsere Ansichten zu dem neuen Trend von KYC-freien Kreditkarten, die man mit Bitcoin aufladen kann.Von und mit: - Calso - Jan-Paul - ThorstenProduziert und geschnitten: ThorstenHier könnt ihr uns eine Spende über Lightning da lassen: ⚡️nodesignal@getalby.comWenn euch unsere Arbeit gefällt, könnt ihr unsere Folgen auch auf Podcasting 2.0 Plattformen, wie Fountain, PodcastGuru, Castamatic, Breez oder Podverse hören und uns so eine kleine Aufmerksamkeit da lassen. Danke an alle, die die Bitcoin Community mit ihren Spenden unterstützen! Mit diesen Spenden wird unter anderem unser Bounty Programm verwirklicht, in dem ihr euch für die Mitarbeit an einem Projekt eine Belohnung sichern könnt.Für Feedback und weitergehenden Diskussionen kommt gerne in die Telegramgruppe von Nodesignal und bewertet uns bei Spotify und Apple Podcasts, das hilft uns sehr. Folgt uns auch gerne bei Nostr:npub1n0devk3h2l3rx6vmt24a3lz4hsxp7j8rn3x44jkx6daj7j8jzc0q2u02cy und Twitter.Blockzeit: 902551Samourai Dojo v1.27 Whirlpool back https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/ashigaru-whirlpool-and-terminal-v1-0-0/https://ashigaru.rs/news/announcement-whirlpool/ Aber mit hardcoded pubkey risiko?!Bitcoin Core: policy: uncap datacarrier sizeOpen Letter: Bitcoin Core Development and Transaction PolicyBitcoin Knots zensiert Privacy-Transaktionen: https://x.com/noosphere888x2/status/1936882551995748634 How to connect your Bitaxe to Parasite Pool - Guide auf solosatoshiNeue Bitbox: NovaKYC-freie Kreditkarten: gerade poppen einige Anbieter auf (https://x.com/AlexMasonCrypto/status/1936109847428133104). sehr teuer (Bereitstellung, Servicegebühr, Einzahlung, Bezahlung, Gebühr für fehlgeschlagene Tx). “Corporate Card”. wird wahrscheinlich nicht lange überleben.Timestamps:(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:22) Begrüßung und Blockzeit(00:01:24) Mempool Talk(00:04:07) Samourai Dojo v1.27(00:11:48) Ashigaru Whirlpool and Terminal v1.0.0(00:37:19) Bitcoin Core News(00:48:42) Parasite Pool(00:54:37) Neue Bitbox: Nova(01:00:39) KYC-freie Kreditkarten(01:09:37) Verabschiedung und Outro
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt are joined by Daniela Brozzoni and Naiyoma to discuss Newsletter #360.News● Fingerprinting nodes using `addr` messages (1:00) ● Does any software use `H` in descriptors? (29:36) Selected Q&A from Bitcoin Stack Exchange● Is there any way to block Bitcoin Knots nodes as my peers? (33:42) ● What does OP_CAT do with integers? (42:00) ● Async Block Relaying With Compact Block Relay (BIP152) (43:03) ● Why is attacker revenue in selfish mining disproportional to its hash-power? (52:47) Releases and release candidates● Bitcoin Core 28.2 (57:51) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #31981 (59:21) ● Eclair #3109 (1:00:48) ● LND #9950 (1:01:31) ● LDK #3868 (1:01:56) ● LDK #3873 (1:03:10) ● Libsecp256k1 #1678 (1:04:11) ● BIPs #1803 (1:06:21)
We sat down with Carl Dong — former Bitcoin Core contributor, now founder of Obscura VPN focused on real-world censorship resistance.In this episode, we dive into:- Why Carl walked away from Bitcoin Core development to tackle privacy head-on- What sets Obscura apart from other VPNs- Lessons from the Great Firewall and routing traffic through hostile networks- Chinese numerology- Carl & Casey's long and storied shared historyFOLLOW CARL: https://x.com/carl_dongGet bonus content by subscribing to @hellmoneypod on X: https://x.com/hellmoneypod/creator-subscriptions/subscribeOr support the podcast by sending a BTC donation: bc1qztncp7lmcxdgude4px2vzh72p2yu2aud0eyzys ORDINALS PROTOCOL SHIRT: https://shop.inscribing.com/products/ordinals-protocol-shirtTIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro & Carl's journey to Bitcoin development11:59 Hard problems in Bitcoin16:00 Binaries, compliers, and reproducible builds37:30 Transitioning from Bitcoin core to working on Obscura VPN1:05:00 Advice for current Bitcoin core contributors1:10:00 Ordinals numerology1:39:00 Outro
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt are joined by Antoine Poinsot, Peter Todd, Josh Doman, and TheCharlatan to discuss Newsletter #358.News● Calculating the selfish mining danger threshold (0:52) ● Relay censorship resistance through top mempool set reconciliation (59:26) ● Updating BIP390 to allow duplicate participant keys in `musig()` expressions (55:50) ● Descriptor encryption library (31:35) Bitcoin Core PR Review Club● Separate UTXO set access from validation functions (43:05) Releases and release candidates● Core Lightning 25.05rc1 (58:25) ● LND 0.19.1-beta (58:38) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #32406 (19:54) ● LDK #3793 (1:14:21) ● LDK #3792 (1:14:59) ● LND #9127 (1:18:38) ● LND #9858 (1:20:04) ● BOLTs #1243 (1:21:49)
Stephan & Matt discuss the ‘Save Our Wallets' campaign, which aims to protect non-custodial wallets from regulatory challenges posed by the U.S. government. He highlights the legal risks developers face due to broad interpretations of regulations and the potential consequences of future administrations. The importance of advocacy for legislative change, user engagement, and improving user experience in Bitcoin transactions are emphasized. Additionally, the conversation touches on the implications of AML and FATF regulations, the evolution of wallet technologies, and the need for research into Miner Extractable Value (MEV) in Bitcoin. They also discuss various aspects of Bitcoin and Ethereum, focusing on the implications of MEV (Miner Extractable Value), the risks of mining centralization, and the importance of investing in solutions rather than relying on consensus changes. They explore the challenges posed by private order flow, the philosophical differences in Bitcoin development, and the future of Bitcoin Core and node adoption.Takeaways
My guest today is Parker Lewis, the author of “Gradually Then Suddenly” and head of business development at Zaprite. A long-time fixture in the Bitcoin community, Parker is known for making complex monetary ideas accessible and for championing Bitcoin's role in restoring long-term thinking, personal responsibility, and economic sovereignty. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Parker is a vocal advocate for the state's unique culture of freedom and its potential to lead the next chapter of Bitcoin adoption. In this episode, we explore why Texas attracts high-agency individuals and how its frontier history shaped Parker's views on liberty and resilience. We also dive into the debate around OP_RETURN, what it reveals about centralization risks in Bitcoin Core and mining, and why Parker believes a second implementation of Bitcoin software may be critical to preserving the network's decentralization. This is a conversation about the roots of sovereignty and the technical vigilance required to protect it.► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS & AFFILIATES --►► Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you'll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn ►► Join me on June 19-21 at BTC Prague! Code EFRAT = 10% discount: https://pages.btcprague.com/ambassador-efrat-fenigson ►► Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat ►► Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat ►► Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Parker's Twitter: https://x.com/parkeralewis Parker's Book “Gradually, Then Suddenly”: https://thesaifhouse.com/#Gradually-Then-Suddenly Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Telegram: https://t.me/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 Coming Up…01:26 Intro to Parker, TFTC Takeover & Bitcoin Park Austin04:12 Why is Texas a Hub for Freedom?08:18 Ad Break: Trezor & BTC Prague09:40 The Cultural Significance of Texas History21:08 Gradually, Then Suddenly: Understanding Bitcoin's Adoption29:00 Ad Break: Plan B / Expat Money & New Totalitarian Order Masterclass31:00 Shortcomings of Cash as a Fiat Currency and the Need for Bitcoin38:30 Bitcoin's Future as a Medium of Exchange51:01 Bitcoin in Action: Real-World Applications and Acceptance53:20 OP_Return Saga: Parker's Take & What Risky Precedence Is Being Set1:03:00 Centralization & Decision Making Risks in Bitcoin1:19:40 The Future of Bitcoin: Hope and Challenges1:24:30 Message of Hope from Parker
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt are joined by Jose SK, Clara Shikhelman, Vojtěch Strnad, Robin Linus, and Dan Gould to discuss Newsletter #357.News● Syncing full nodes without witnesses (1:30) Changing consensus● Quantum computing report (17:38) ● Transaction weight limit with exception to prevent confiscation (41:49) ● Removing outputs from the UTXO set based on value and time (53:47) Releases and release candidates● Core Lightning 25.05rc1 (1:07:45) ● LND 0.19.1-beta.rc1 (1:08:02) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #32582 (1:09:08) ● Bitcoin Core #31375 (1:07:45) ● BIPs #1483 (1:14:16)
This week, we're tracking Ethereum's continued ascent, which has now seen an incredible 14 consecutive days of ETF inflows. Bullish sentiment is reflected across the board with both ETH and BTC basis trading above 10%, while Bitcoin's market dominance holds strong at 65.45%. We'll also dive into the recent strength in DeFi tokens like UNI, AAVE, and SKY following favorable comments from former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, and what this signals for the sector's future.The macro landscape is packed with catalysts. We're monitoring US/China trade talks as the July 9th tariff pause deadline approaches, the progress of the "Big Beautiful Bill" through the House, and a critical week for economic data with US CPI and PPI releases. Markets will also be watching the U.S. 30-year bond auction on Thursday for signals on the economy.The main event this week is our stablecoin focus, with the US Senate reportedly set for a vote on the GENIUS stablecoin bill this Wednesday. We'll explore what's next if it passes and the broader industry momentum, including Circle's IPO, Plasma's $500M raise, and reports of major companies like Apple, X, and Airbnb exploring stablecoin payments.We then turn to corporate crypto adoption, discussing a new Standard Chartered report showing 61 public companies now hold 3.2% of Bitcoin's total supply, and how the market is thinking about the risks associated with these growing treasury strategies. We'll also touch on key Bitcoin Core development around transaction relay policy and what it means for the network's future.In the NFT space, Yuga Labs continues to narrow its focus by sunsetting its DAO to launch APE Co.Finally, in Coinbase news: a new report indicates 60% of Fortune 500 firms are working on blockchain initiatives, Prime has advanced its ETH staking capabilities, the "State of Crypto" event is this Thursday and we share a consumer protection PSA.Topics Covered:Market Dynamics:Ethereum's 14-day ETF inflow streak and price ascent.High ETH & BTC basis (>10%) and BTC Dominance (65.45%).DeFi token strength (UNI, AAVE, SKY) following Paul Atkins' comments.Macro & US Policy:US/China trade talks & July 9th tariff deadline.Progress of the "Big Beautiful Bill."Key Economic Data: US CPI, PPI, and the 30-year bond auction.Stablecoin Deep Dive:Upcoming US Senate vote on the GENIUS stablecoin bill.Industry fundraising: Circle IPO, Plasma $500m raise, Noah.Corporate exploration of stablecoin payments (Apple, X, Airbnb).Corporate Adoption & Bitcoin Core:Standard Chartered report: 61 public companies hold 3.2% of BTC.Risks and strategies for corporate crypto treasuries.Bitcoin Core development on transaction relay policy.NFT Ecosystem:Yuga Labs sunsets DAO to launch APE Co.Coinbase News:Report: 60% of Fortune 500 working on blockchain.Product: Advanced ETH staking capabilities on Prime."State of Crypto" on June 12th.A consumer protection PSA.Our latest ad - Who's got the “Price of Housing in Bitcoin” chart?
03:02 Understanding Bitcoin Core Controversy06:09 The Spam Debate in Bitcoin08:59 The Role of Code and Censorship in Bitcoin11:54 The Identity of Bitcoin and Its Purpose14:54 The Anarchy vs. Order Debate in Bitcoin18:12 Consensus and Governance in Bitcoin21:02 The Future of Bitcoin and Its Community28:19 Consensus in Technical Decisions32:10 Market Dynamics and Bitcoin's Price40:32 Gold vs. Bitcoin: A Comparative Analysis51:04 The Future of Gold and Bitcoin01:02:08 Gold's Role in a Bitcoin World01:05:47 Financial Advisors and Bitcoin01:10:32 The Future of Humanity and Bitcoin
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt are joined by Carla Kirk-Cohen, Joost Jager, and Elias Rohrer to discuss Newsletter #356.News● Do attributable failures reduce LN privacy? (0:57) Selected Q&A from Bitcoin Stack Exchange● Which transactions get into blockreconstructionextratxn? (40:40) ● Why would anyone use OP_RETURN over inscriptions, aside from fees? (46:47) ● Why is my Bitcoin node not receiving incoming connections? (48:25) ● How do I configure my node to filter out transactions larger than 400 bytes? (49:44) ● What does not publicly routable node in Bitcoin Core P2P mean? (52:21) ● Why would a node would ever relay a transaction? (52:46) ● Is selfish mining still an option with compact blocks and FIBRE? (55:00) Releases and release candidates● Core Lightning 25.05rc1 (57:25) ● LDK 0.1.3 (57:56) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #31622 (1:00:32) ● Eclair #3065 (37:15) ● LDK #3796 (1:03:04) ● BIPs #1760 (1:03:40) ● BIPs #1850 (1:06:13) ● BIPs #1793 (1:09:05)
Dave Harding is joined by Alex Myers and Rodolfo Novak to discuss Newsletter #355.Changes to services and client software● Cake Wallet added payjoin v2 support (2:38) ● Sparrow adds pay-to-anchor features (6:37) ● Safe Wallet 1.3.0 released (8:00) ● COLDCARD Q v1.3.2 released (9:15) ● Transaction batching using payjoin (19:07) ● JoinMarket Fidelity Bond Simulator (20:46) ● Bitcoin opcodes documented (26:39) ● Bitkey code open sourced (27:59) Releases and release candidates● LND 0.19.0-beta (33:43) ● Core Lightning 25.05rc1 (40:12) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #32423 (46:47) ● Bitcoin Core #31444 (49:51) ● Core Lightning #8140 (52:08) ● Core Lightning #8136 (54:16) ● Core Lightning #8266 (55:52) ● Core Lightning #8021 (58:38) ● Core Lightning #8226 (1:01:29) ● LND #9801 (1:02:54)
"People can use inscriptions today and they do use them.If on the one hand you believe that marginally raising the costs to unwanted usage of the chain is going to succeed in discouraging them, which, fair, we can discuss it. I disagree but we can discuss it. On the other hand, you cannot say that, oh well, making it four times four times more expensive is going to incentivize them to do more of it. They are not compatible arguments.So the OP_RETURN is not an invitation. It's not a signal to VCs or crypto or shitcoiners, because shitcoiners can already use the witness data today for four times less."~ Antoine Poinsot What happens when strong opinions collide in the name of Bitcoin's future? In this episode, I sit down with Bitcoin Core contributor Antoine Poinsot to explore one of the most heated and misunderstood technical debates in the space today — the controversy around OP_RETURN, spam filtering, and the deeper cultural divide over what Bitcoin should be.Antoine reached out after and wanted the chance to present his views on the OP_RETUN debate and respond to some of Bitcoin Mechanic's comments and criticisms from our Roundtable_009 episode. So I brought him on to make his case directly. We get into inscriptions, BitVM, node policy, mining centralization, and how to think clearly in a space full of noise and personal attacks. If you've felt lost in the drama, this is the calm, thoughtful signal you've been waiting for. Bitcoin Audible & Guy Swann Links Guy on Nostr (Link: http://tinyurl.com/2xc96ney) Guy on X (Link: https://twitter.com/theguyswann) Guy on Instagram (Link: https://www.instagram.com/theguyswann) Guy on TikTok (Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguyswann) Guy on YouTube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/@theguyswann) Bitcoin Audible on X (Link: https://twitter.com/BitcoinAudible) The Guy Swann Network Broadcast Room on Keet (Link: https://tinyurl.com/3na6v839) Check out our awesome sponsors! HRF: The Human Rights Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. Subscribe to HRF's Financial Freedom Newsletter today. (Link: https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter) OFF: The Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF) is an international human rights conference series hosted and produced by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF). Bringing together the world's most engaging human rights advocates, journalists, artists, tech entrepreneurs, and world leaders, we aim to share their stories and brainstorm ways to expand freedom and unleash human potential across the globe. Don't miss this year's Oslo Freedom Forum in May. (Link: https://oslofreedomforum.com/event/oslo-freedom-forum-2025/) Pubky: Pubky is building the next web, a decentralized system designed to put control back in your hands. Escape censorship, algorithmic manipulation, and walled gardens by owning your identity and data. Explore the Pubky web and become the algorithm today. (Link: https://pubky.org/) Trying to BUY BITCOIN?
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt are joined by Eugene Siegel, Chris Stewart, Bram Cohen, and Robin Linus to discuss Newsletter #353.News● Vulnerability disclosure affecting old versions of Bitcoin Core (1:17) Changing consensus● Proposed BIP for 64-bit arithmetic in Script (5:28) ● Proposed opcodes for enabling recursive covenants through quines (23:11) ● Description of benefits to BitVM from `OP_CTV` and `OP_CSFS` (36:39) Releases and release candidates● LND 0.19.0-beta.rc4 (1:07:28) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #32155 (1:08:27) ● Bitcoin Core #28710 (1:09:38) ● Core Lightning #8272 (1:13:28) ● LND #8330 (1:14:09) ● Rust Bitcoin #4458 (1:14:52) ● BIPs #1848 (1:04:33) ● BIPs #1841 (1:16:25) ● BIPs #1821 (1:16:42)
KeywordsBitcoin, decentralization, mining, OpReturn, governance, user participation, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Bitcoin Core, community engagementSummaryIn this conversation, Shaun Dunn, Luke, and Bob discuss the evolving landscape of Bitcoin, focusing on governance, the role of miners, and the implications of changes like OpReturn. They emphasize the importance of user participation and the need for education within the Bitcoin community. The discussion highlights the challenges of centralization in mining and the responsibility of participants to engage actively in the ecosystem.TakeawaysBitcoin is experiencing a critical moment in its history.The governance of Bitcoin involves complex processes and decisions.Miners and nodes play a crucial role in Bitcoin's future.Decentralization in mining is essential to prevent censorship.User participation is vital for the health of the Bitcoin network.OpReturn has sparked significant controversy within the community.Defining spam is crucial to maintaining Bitcoin's integrity.Education is necessary for new entrants to understand Bitcoin.The community must engage actively to shape Bitcoin's future.The participatory nature of Bitcoin distinguishes it from traditional investments.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Bitcoin Summit and Current Events04:17 The Evolution of Bitcoin's Code and Governance10:16 The Role of Miners and User Responsibility16:09 Cultural and Technical Perspectives on Bitcoin22:13 Historical Context and Future Implications28:30 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
Stephan and Antoine discuss the complexities surrounding Bitcoin's OP_RETURN functionality and the ongoing debate about spam filtering on the Bitcoin network. They explore the implications of consensus rules, standardness, and the historical context of these discussions. Antoine provides insights into the motivations behind changes in Bitcoin Core's policies and the potential future of Bitcoin as both a currency and a data storage solution. The conversation highlights the urgency of addressing OP_RETURN issues while also considering the broader implications of spam filtering and its impact on Bitcoin's usability and miner centralization. The conversation also touches upon the growth of the UTXO set, the challenges of managing spam, and the philosophical differences between Bitcoin Core and alternative implementations. Takeaways
Its been a while since Bitcoiners had something to fight about!Check out the BitBox02 Hardware Wallet Go to https://www.bitbox.swiss/bitcoinmadesimple use the promo code "bitcoinmadesimple" to get 5% off standard products.BitBox wants to hear from you! Take the survey and help them learn more about what you want in a hardware wallet: https://bitbox.typeform.com/to/VF1DNK4
I'm joined by guests Rob Hamilton, Craig Raw & Matt Odell to go through the list.OP_RETURN Drama (00:00:52) Odell's thoughts (00:04:29) Craig's thoughts (00:05:59) NVK's thoughts (00:07:47) Rob's thoughtsBitcoin • Software Releases & Project Updates (00:22:10) COLDCARD (00:22:35) Cove Wallet (00:24:03) BTCPay Server (00:24:06) Nunchuk Android (00:24:12) Bitcoin Keeper (00:24:14) Bitcoin Safe (00:24:18) Wasabi Wallet (00:25:43) RoboSats (00:25:46) Umbrel (00:25:57) Zaprite (00:26:22) Blockstream Satellite (00:26:45) Stratum Work (00:26:58) SeedHammer II (00:27:11) ESP-Miner• Project Spotlight (00:27:34) Bitcoin Feature Matrix (00:27:41) secp256k1lab (00:28:00) GPGap (00:28:16) NVK Validation Tweet (00:28:54) BriberBrother (00:29:11) Stack MathVulnerability Disclosures(00:30:23) CVE-2024-52919(00:33:02) CVE-2025-43707(00:34:46) Hackers breach LockBitAudience Questions (00:35:12) What's the difference between test net and signet? And what are the benefits of each? (00:37:15) Can you explain, in simple terms, what OP_CHECKCONTRACTVERIFY does?Nostr • Software Releases & Project Updates (00:46:55) Nostr Messaging Layer Security (00:48:42) Primal (00:48:43) DamusBoosts (01:01:58) Shoutout to top boosters Rod Palmer, AVERAGE_GARY, pink money, user4, Wartime & btconboardTech Tip of the Day (01:03:51) A free online cryptography course repository by Alfred MenezesLinks & Contacts:Website: https://bitcoin.review/Substack: https://substack.bitcoin.review/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitcoinreviewhqNVK Twitter: https://twitter.com/nvkTelegram: https://t.me/BitcoinReviewPodEmail: producer@coinkite.comNostr & LN: ⚡nvk@nvk.org (not an email!)Full show notes: https://bitcoin.review/podcast/episode-96
On this episode of Hell Money, we're locking in on final updates before we take over Las Vegas, Nevada. We're auctioning the first piece from FUN!, the debut collection by Casey Rodarmor and Parker Day, and showing why Bitcoin-native auction tech beats the grift of legacy art houses.We explore:- Why Sotheby's and Christie's can't compete with Bitcoin builders- Launching Megalith.art, the first Ordinals + Bitcoin-native auction platform- The debut piece from FUN! by Casey + Parker- How to use Ordinals Satscards for in-person trading of inscriptions, runes, and more- The OP_RETURN drama: Bitcoin podcasters vs. Bitcoin Core devsGet bonus content by subscribing to @hellmoneypod on X: https://x.com/hellmoneypod/creator-subscriptions/subscribeOr support the podcast by sending a BTC donation: bc1qztncp7lmcxdgude4px2vzh72p2yu2aud0eyzys 10% OFF INSCRIBING VEGAS: https://pretix.eu/inscribing/vegas/redeem?voucher=HELLMONEY10% OFF BITCOIN 2025: https://tickets.b.tc/code/inscribing/event/bitcoin-2025ORDINALS PROTOCOL SHIRT: https://shop.inscribing.com/products/ordinals-protocol-shirtTIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro and Inscribing Vegas9:12 Megalith.art auction of FUN!27:50 Ordinals Satscards32:00 Ordinals Satscard tutorial42:15 OP_RETURN drama57:00 Outro
Subscribe to the podcastWe bring Heavily Armed Clown back to the show to talk about how people are overreacting in a very dangerous way for themselves over the OP_RETURN debate. What are the problems with switching to Knots and what might an attack in the form of a chain fork look like?Heavily Armed Clown on TwitterHeavily Armed Clown explains the OP_RETURN issueLearn about Bitcoin at a trickleBitcoinTrickle.comSponsorLiberty MugsKeep in touch with us everywhere you areJoin our Telegram groupLike us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter: @libertymugs (Rollo), @Slappy_Jones_2Check us out on PatreonLearn everything you need to know about Bitcoin in just 10 hours10HoursofBitcoin.comPodcast version
58 crypto wallets have made millions on Trumpcoin while 764,000 have lost moneyFEATURING:Ben Arc (https://twitter.com/Arcbtc)Victoria Jones (https://twitter.com/satoshis_page)Thomas Hunt (https://twitter.com/MadBitcoins)THIS WEEK: Since when does bitcoin acquiesce to flash in the pan business models ?https://twitter.com/djbooth007/status/1919517956398252118?s=46Source: Twitter/XRemoving Bitcoin's Guardrailshttps://blog.bitmex.com/removing-bitcoins-guardrails/Source: Blog BitmexOP_RETURN shitcoinery intensifies. To do this, these folks need to both find AND pay miners willing to mine these shitcoin transactions. https://twitter.com/fractalencrypt/status/1920139895164613040?s=46Source: Twitter/XOP_RETURN debate is novel due to how factions are split.1) Ruthlessly rational technical folks who understand the dynamics of the network and don't want to play unending subjective games.2) Ideological folks upset by how others use the network who want to play those games.https://twitter.com/lopp/status/1920474177930195408?s=46A quiet change in Bitcoin Core just blew open a years-long battle.https://twitter.com/simpleminingio/status/1920172025072791814?s=46Source: Twitter/XIs Bitcoin about to go parabolic? BTC price targets include $160K nexthttps://cointelegraph.com/news/is-bitcoin-about-to-parabolic-btc-price-160k-nextSource: Cointelegraph$45 million stolen from Coinbase users in the last week — ZachXBThttps://cointelegraph.com/news/45-million-stolen-coinbase-users-last-week-zack-xbtSource: CointelegraphTrump crypto adviser David Bailey raises $300M for Bitcoin investment firmhttps://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-advisor-david-bailey-nakamoto-bitcoin-fundSource: CointelegraphPump.fun Hits Back at Report That Claimed 98% of Memecoins on the Platform Are Fraudulenthttps://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/05/07/98-of-tokens-on-pump-fun-have-been-rug-pulls-or-an-act-of-fraud-new-report-saysSource: CoindeskJUST IN:
Bitcoin developers are clashing over relaxing OP_RETURN limits. This technical debate about arbitrary data on Bitcoin has sparked divisions about what constitutes "spam" and revealed tensions between Bitcoin Core devs and those seeking a "purer" Bitcoin experience.You're listening to Bitcoin Season 2. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 12,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comWhat started as a technical proposal has exploded into community division, with accusations of "destroying Bitcoin" flying around. The hosts break down what OP_RETURN is, why some devs want to increase its size limit, and why others view it as enabling "spam" on the blockchain. At its core, this fight reveals deeper tensions about who controls Bitcoin's future and what the network should be used for.Notes:- OP_RETURN limit currently set at 83 bytes- Proposal would increase limit to ~1 megabyte- 30-45% of Bitcoin transactions are "non-financial"- Bitcoin Knots node usage has grown to 7-8%- Out-of-band transactions bypass node relay- Core devs facing diminished community trustTimestamps:00:00:00:00 Start00:00:36:16 Why's everyone so mad?00:02:04:14 Claim your bias00:04:00:03 The backstory00:08:27:09 Changing the OP_RETRUN limit00:11:24:06 Post to relax the limit00:15:39:23 Out of Band payment00:17:39:06 Standard vs valid consensus00:19:52:29 What is spam?00:28:41:05 Arch Network00:29:13:14 Cons of increasing the limit00:32:34:25 That's too "woke" bro!00:35:56:27 Knots-
This week on Dee Weekly we unpack the OCC's surprise green-light for U.S. banks, Ethereum's freshly-activated Pectra upgrade, a Bitcoin Core overhaul, and adoption moves from Morgan Stanley, Visa, and PayPal—all while BTC flirts with $103 K and ETH rockets 29 %. Stay ahead of the market with concise analysis across regulation, global policy, tech breakthroughs, price action, and real-world adoption.Links to All Articles MentionedOCC clarifies bank authority to engage in crypto custody — https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/news-releases/2025/nr-occ-2025-42.htmlU.S. House schedules FIT21 market-structure vote — https://www.bhfs.com/insights/alerts-articles/2024/house-passes-landmark-crypto-billESMA issues MiCA market-abuse guidelines — https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-04/ESMA75-453128700-1408_Final_Report_MiCA_Guidelines_on_prevention_and_detection_of_market_abuse.pdfNexus Global Payments launch (Project Nexus) — https://fintechnews.sg/109698/payments/nexus-global-payments/Ethereum Pectra upgrade activated — https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/05/07/ethereum-activates-pectra-upgrade-raising-max-stake-to-2048-ethBitcoin Core 27.0 release notes — https://bitcoincore.org/en/releases/27.0/Solana Firedancer testnet hits 1 M TPS — https://nexo.com/blog/solana-firedancerBitcoin reclaims $100 K — https://www.investopedia.com/watch-these-bitcoin-price-levels-as-cryptocurrency-reclaims-usd100k-level-11731488BTC price data — https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/BTC%3DF/history/ETH price data — https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/ETH%3DF/history/SOL price data — https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SOL-USD/history/Morgan Stanley to add crypto trading to E*Trade — https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/morgan-stanley-plans-to-offer-crypto-trading-to-e-trade-clientsVisa invests in BVNK and expands USDC settlement — https://bvnk.com/blog/visa-invests-in-bvnkCoinbase × PayPal integrate fee-free PYUSD — https://www.coinbase.com/blog/coinbase-and-paypal-to-advance-stablecoin-paymentsLinks:HIO Discord: https://discord.gg/Mq6TUHv4Codex Discord: https://discord.gg/ChK3ew3AWaku Discord: https://discord.gg/UADwEA64Status Discord: https://discord.gg/cWTjmjNKLogos Discord: https://discord.gg/SrtQBha3Website: https://Thebitcoinpodcast.com
The Bitcoin Infinity Show is going live! We will cover topical subjects and pressing issues with guests throughout the Bitcoin space. Our first guest is Samson Mow, and we will be covering the Bitcoin Core and OP_RETURN drama. Samson is one of the most knowledgeable figures on the topic, and as a veteran of the Blocksize wars, he has some lessons that are worth remembering from that fight. The Bitcoin Infinity Live Show is a new weekly show where Knut Svanholm and Luke de Wolf tackle topical issues in Bitcoin, often with some of the top figures in the space. Connect with Samson: https://x.com/Excellion Connect with Us: https://www.bitcoininfinityshow.com/ https://bitcoininfinitystore.com https://primal.net/infinity https://primal.net/knut https://primal.net/luke https://twitter.com/BtcInfinityShow https://twitter.com/knutsvanholm https://twitter.com/lukedewolf Join the Bitcoin Infinity Academy at our Geyser page: https://geyser.fund/project/infinity You can also support us by sending some sats to our Alby Hub at bitcoininfinity@getalby.com
The Canadian Bitcoiners Podcast - Bitcoin News With a Canadian Spin
FRIENDS AND ENEMIESMrRGnome makes another appearance on the CBP. He is a former mod the the Bitcoin subreddit, current mod of the Bitcoin channel on Discord, and Bitcoin Maxi. He will hopefully help make sense of what is going on with the OP_RETURN Drama in Bitcoin Core.#Bitcoin #BTC #Investing #finance #opreturn #BitcoinCore #BitcoinKnotsJoin us for some QUALITY Bitcoin and economics talk, with a Canadian focus, every Monday at 7 PM EST. From a couple of Canucks who like to talk about how Bitcoin will impact Canada. As always, none of the info is financial advice. Website: www.CanadianBitcoiners.comDiscord: / discord A part of the CBP Media Network: www.twitter.com/CBPMediaNetwork
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Sjors Provoost discuss Newsletter #352.News● Comparison of cluster linearization techniques (0:41) ● Increasing or removing Bitcoin Core's `OP_RETURN` size limit (6:46) Releases and release candidates● LND 0.19.0-beta.rc3 (1:01:16) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #31250 (1:02:10) ● Eclair #3064 (1:06:02) ● BTCPay Server #6684 (1:07:46) ● BIPs #1555 (1:10:34)
Aaron and Sjors discuss the proposal to remove the OP_RETURN limit from Bitcoin Core.This episode's sponsor: CoinKite, maker of the ColdCard.Aaron's Nostr: npub1art8cs66ffvnqns5zs5qa9fwlctmusj5lj38j94lv0ulw0j54wjqhpm0w5Sjors' Nostr: nprofile1qyvhwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnnwpex7an0daehgtnwdshsqgyxsh477ejn8rwkjv0zen0ncxwe7rj6zpnujx8j9ecgrsj43786lqyul0f2
Udi Wertheimer discusses Bitcoin Core's controversial OP_RETURN changes, mounting community backlash, and why Core developers are losing social capital with Bitcoiners over technical decisions they can't properly communicate.You're listening to Bitcoin Season 2. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 7,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comUdi Wertheimer, co-founder of the Taproot Wizards and famous Bitcoin provocateur, joins us to talk about the explosive OP_RETURN debate dividing the Bitcoin community. We dive deep into why Bitcoin Core developers are facing unprecedented backlash, how they've lost touch with newer Bitcoiners, and what Greg Maxwell's sudden reappearance signals about Core's weakening position. Udi offers surprising insights on both sides and proposes solutions for rebuilding trust between developers and the community.Follow our guests: @udiwertheimer**Notes:**• OP_RETURN controversy spans over a decade• Greg Maxwell returns after years of silence• Core devs disconnected from 5+ year Bitcoiners• ~50 readers engage with Bitcoin OpTech weekly• 6-month delay suggested for PR merge• JPEGs benefit from controversy attentionTimestamps:00:00 Start03:08 OP_RETURN Debate Summary10:21 SPAM on Bitcoin17:17 Is this a Core blunder?27:26 How SHOULD Core do?34:42 What if Core doesn't communicate better?37:38 What does a pleb do?-
Un nuevo cambio en Bitcoin Core parece poner en jaque todo lo construido hasta ahora… pero, ¿es realmente así? ¿Es tan radical y amenazante lo que se propone?En el pod de hoy, grabado en directo y con vuestras preguntas, me siento a charlar con Sergi Delgado, desarrollador de Bitcoin Core, que me cuenta TODO lo que necesitas saber para entender bien lo que está pasando —y de paso, aprender mucho bitcoin por el camino.LINKS:X de Sergi: https://x.com/sr_giPR de la discordia: https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/32359#issuecomment-2835467933Recibe el podcast en tu correo. Únete!
For years, Bitcoin was tamed — declawed, defanged, and made palatable to Wall Street and regulators. But behind the scenes, the code never forgot. Now, the great awakening is underway. The core devs are quietly reactivating the opcodes. BitVM, OP_CAT, and the Great Script Restoration aren't just technical upgrades — they're signals. Bitcoin is preparing… The post Deep Dive into the Future of BTC: Bitcoin Knots vs Bitcoin Core [VIDEO] appeared first on The Crypto Vigilante.
- bitcoin core policy change sparks debate https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/32359 + https://antoinep.com/posts/relay_policy_drama/- https://mempool.space/tx/902248efc147345fda0b70a2f297983d899d8d5f4fdae4d2a1363f12bfe399af- fold rings nasdaq https://x.com/DocumentingBTC/status/1918301113599549914- The Bitcoin Dev Kit Foundation announced new corporate members for 2025, including AnchorWatch, CleanSpark, and Proton Foundation - primal v2.2 on ios and android released https://primal.net/e/nevent1qqsy92jd3aks8qn8p9xtgnhpzq6kjg89lkcauv77ur68hlfqnmakjdql3n5qw- Cashu Dev Kit (CDK) v0.9.1 https://github.com/cashubtc/cdk/releases/tag/v0.9.1- LNBig shares revenue numbers https://primal.net/e/nevent1qqsfjq45qu5d8tzjhz2kqtzsw49dn8tucyva2jat8trpxnlh4muqzjsqg42hg - Bitcoin Policy Summithttps://www.btcpolicysummit.org/0:00 - Intro3:04 - Double zoomers - Bitcoin Core issue37:24 - Bitcoin policy43:25 - Is Marks a zoomer?49:44 - Dashboard52:23 - Samourai57:08 - Victory Royale against Apple1:09:55 - Llama and secure enclaves1:19:17 - Fold NASDAQ bell1:21:06 - BDK1:23:32 - Underwriting mortgages or something1:29:06 - Software updates1:36:54 - Closing riffShoutout to our sponsors:Coinkitehttps://coinkite.com/Unchainedhttps://unchained.com/rhr/Bitkeyhttps://bitkey.world/Stakworkhttps://stakwork.ai/Follow Marty Bent:Twitterhttps://twitter.com/martybentNostrhttps://primal.net/martyNewsletterhttps://tftc.io/martys-bent/Podcasthttps://tftc.io/podcasts/Follow Odell:Nostrhttps://primal.net/odellNewsletterhttps://discreetlog.com/Podcasthttps://citadeldispatch.com/
Jordan Bush, Ahshuwah Hawthorne, Tim Fox, and Jim McAndrew look at some of the latest news in Bitcoin through Christian eyes.
Bitcoin Core is in the spotlight again — and not in a good way. In this roundtable, Jeff Swann, Simple Steve, Bitcoin Mechanic, and I dig into the growing divide over mempool policies, the latest controversial pull request, and what it means for node sovereignty. Why is Core removing user configurability? Are we witnessing a philosophical shift away from Bitcoin's foundations? And more importantly — who's really in control of your node? This conversation is raw, fiery, and filled with high-level critique, speculation, and serious concerns about Bitcoin's future. If you've been hearing about “spam,” “filters,” and “dickbutts” on Bitcoin Twitter and want to know what the hell it's all about — this is the episode. Guest Links Steve Simple Nostr (Link: https://tinyurl.com/3s6a8yn8) Steve Simple on X (Link: https://x.com/stevesimple) Bitcoin Mechanic Nostr (Link: https://tinyurl.com/2tm827ut) Bitcoin Mechanic on X (Link: https://x.com/GrassFedBitcoin) Jeff Swann Nostr (Link: https://tinyurl.com/3sjc3bcp) Jeff Swann on X (Link: https://x.com/agoristview) Host Links Guy on Nostr (Link: http://tinyurl.com/2xc96ney) Guy on X (Link: https://twitter.com/theguyswann) Guy on Instagram (Link: https://www.instagram.com/theguyswann) Guy on TikTok (Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguyswann) Guy on YouTube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/@theguyswann) Bitcoin Audible on X (Link: https://twitter.com/BitcoinAudible) The Guy Swann Network Broadcast Room on Keet (Link: https://tinyurl.com/3na6v839) Check out our awesome sponsors! HRF: The Human Rights Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. Subscribe to HRF's Financial Freedom Newsletter today. (Link: https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter) OFF: The Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF) is an international human rights conference series hosted and produced by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF). Bringing together the world's most engaging human rights advocates, journalists, artists, tech entrepreneurs, and world leaders, we aim to share their stories and brainstorm ways to expand freedom and unleash human potential across the globe. Don't miss this year's Oslo Freedom Forum in May. (Link: https://oslofreedomforum.com/event/oslo-freedom-forum-2025/) Pubky: Pubky is building the next web, a decentralized system designed to put control back in your hands. Escape censorship, algorithmic manipulation, and walled gardens by owning your identity and data. Explore the Pubky web and become the algorithm today. (Link: https://pubky.com) Trying to BUY BITCOIN?
James O'Beirne is a Bitcoin developer who's not afraid to support unpopular improvement proposals: recently, he spoke about increasing the block size on the stage of OP_NEXT. He also works on CTV & CSFS, and tends to favor technical data over clout. Time stamps: 00:00:52 - Introducing James O'Beirne 00:02:00 - James O'Beirne's Current Bitcoin Core Contributions (CTV/CSFS) 00:02:55 - Shared Motivations and Concerns About Bitcoin Scaling & Financialization 00:05:24 - Discussing New Opcodes (CTV, CSFS, CAT) and MEV Risk 00:06:45 - OP_CAT: Existing Implementations, Unknown Unknowns, and Layer 2 Scaling Needs 00:08:26 - Ordinals Controversy, Permissionless Transactions, and Miner Security Budget 00:11:11 - Security Budget Concerns and Potential Miner Manipulation Risks 00:13:48 - Fee Smoothing (CTV) and Doubts About MEV's Relevance to Bitcoin 00:15:13 - Exploring Citrea, ZK Rollups, and Trustless DeFi on Bitcoin 00:19:08 - Bitcoin's Disintermediation Goal vs. Custodial Layer 2 Solutions 00:20:50 - Starkware Airdrop, GitHub Censorship Claims, and Ordinals Filtering Debate 00:25:03 - Analyzing Luke Dash Jr., Ocean Pool, and Blockstream's Influence 00:29:57 - Blockstream's History, Funding, and Impact on Bitcoin Scaling Debate 00:33:37 - Evaluating SegWit/Taproot Complexity vs. Current Soft Fork Hurdles 00:37:23 - Discussing BIP 300 Drivechains: Concept, Implementation, and Potential 00:40:40 - Re-evaluating the Case for Bigger Bitcoin Blocks 00:44:20 - Block Size Increase Mechanisms (Soft Forks) and Future Demand Scenarios 00:48:05 - Privacy Solutions: MimbleWimble, ZK-SNARKs, and Learning from Other Chains 00:53:19 - Ignoring Real-World Usage: The Danger of Bitcoin Maximalist Echo Chambers 00:57:45 - Sponsor Message: Sideshift.ai 00:59:11 - Block Size War Fallout and the Risk of Institutional Capture 01:01:51 - Bitcoin's Future: Potential Capture vs. Seeding Future Alternatives 01:03:34 - Necessary Hard Forks vs. Closing Window for Desirable Soft Forks 01:07:35 - The Evolution of Covenant Proposals: From CTV to OP_Vault and Back 01:18:03 - Comparing Activation Prospects: CTV/CSFS vs. OP_CAT 01:20:40 - Sponsor Messages: Bitcoin.com News, NoOnes.com, Hodling.ch 01:24:27 - CTV Explained: Functionality, Use Cases (Vaults, L2s, DLCs), and Simplicity 01:27:47 - Layer 2 Unilateral Exit Problem and CTV's Congestion Control Solution 01:33:21 - CTV's Benefits for Lightning, Programmability, and Miner Revenue 01:37:30 - Will CTV/CSFS Bring Users Back? Bitcoin vs. Solana/Ethereum Niches 01:41:19 - The Security Budget Problem, On-Chain Culture, and Tail Emission Debate 01:45:40 - High Fees Fallacy, Ivory Tower Mentality, and Being Bought Off 01:49:37 - Self-Custody Challenges, Developer Frustration, and the Politics of Bitcoin Core 01:54:18 - Bitcoin as Religion/Politics, Core Developer Motivations, and Tail Emission Revisited 01:58:40 - BIP 42, Tail Emission as Inflation, and the 21 Million Cap Dilemma 02:02:21 - Analyzing the Roger Ver Case and Political Persecution in Crypto 02:10:31 - Deconstructing the "Never Sell Bitcoin" Meme and Collateralized Loans 02:13:32 - James O'Beirne's 10-Year Bitcoin Prediction (Post-CTV/CSFS) 02:17:34 - Reception to James's Big Blocks Talk at OP_Next 02:19:06 - Learning from Bitcoin Cash: Big Blocks and Covenant Implementations 02:22:33 - James O'Beirne's Current Work and Where to Follow Him 02:23:38 - Closing Remarks and Sponsor Plugs
Rencontrez Jon Atack, développeur Bitcoin Core depuis plusieurs années. Avec Jon nous avons parlé de nombreux sujets notamment concernant les risques autour des différentes surfaces d'attaques du protocole.Rediffusion du live du 22 avril 2025.
Mark “Murch” Erhardt and Mike Schmidt are joined by Jonas Nick and Salvatore Ingala to discuss Newsletter #351.News● Interactive aggregate signatures compatible with secp256k1 (0:50) ● Standardized backup for wallet descriptors (21:34) Selected Q&A from Bitcoin Stack Exchange● Practicality of half-aggregated schnorr signatures? (17:16) ● What's the largest size OP_RETURN payload ever created? (41:17) ● Non-LN explanation of pay-to-anchor? (43:29) ● Up-to-date statistics about chain reorganizations? (48:08) ● Are Lightning channels always P2WSH? (52:33) ● Child-pays-for-parent as a defense against a double spend? (53:40) ● What values does CHECKTEMPLATEVERIFY hash? (59:06) ● Why can't Lightning nodes opt to reveal channel balances for better routing efficiency? (59:32) ● Does post-quantum require hard fork or soft fork? (1:02:27) Releases and release candidates● LND 0.19.0-beta.rc3 (1:07:39) Notable code and documentation changes● Bitcoin Core #31247 (1:07:58) ● LDK #3601 (1:10:14)
I'm joined by guests Rob Hamilton & Rijndael to go through the list.Housekeeping (00:01:09) OP_Next recapBitcoin • Software Releases & Project Updates (00:15:18) Coldcard (00:42:53) Bitcoin Core (00:47:21) BDK (00:48:12) Coinswap (00:48:56) Electrum Wallet (00:52:45) BTCPay Server (00:53:33) Nunchuk Android (00:54:04) Liana (00:54:51) The Mempool Open Source Project (00:57:01) BoltzExchange boltz-web-app (00:57:16) RoboSats (00:57:21) Bitcoin Safe (00:57:58) Blockstream Green (00:58:08) Rust Payjoin (01:01:15) Zaprite (01:01:48) Krux (01:02:29) Iris Wallet Desktop (01:02:46) Bitcoin Core Config Generator (01:02:52) UTXOracle• Project Spotlight (01:04:14) SwiftSync (01:04:43) PrivatePond (01:05:00) JoinMarket Fidelity Bond Simulator (01:05:52) DahLIAS (01:06:00) Satoshi Escrow (01:06:12) Taplocks (01:15:48) bitcoin.softforks.org (01:15:52) CTV and CSFS Enabled Bitcoin Node (01:16:03) UTXOscope (01:16:13) Block Bitcoin Treasury (01:16:47) Waye (01:17:08) Sovereign Craft(Not) a Vulnerability Disclosure (01:17:17) Pay-to-Anchor outputs now exploited for blockchain spamAudience Questions (01:23:46) How do we use open time stamps for transfer of assets using two party integrity between holders? (01:24:50) Does Cove have testnet4? (01:25:15) Can you explain like I'm 5 what opcodes are, how they are used on the network, and the level of optionality that applies to them? (01:26:49) Please discuss this idea: Block-based TOTP for bitcoin wallet passphrase validation.Privacy & Other Related Bitcoin Projects • Software Releases & Project Updates (01:28:48) Tor Browser (01:28:51) TailsOS (01:28:53) NymVPN (01:28:55) MapleAILightning + L2+ • Project Spotlight (01:29:17) Misty Breez (01:29:25) Sovereign Tools (01:29:28) Silk Road on Lightning (01:29:37) Cashu Token Decoder• Software Releases & Project Updates (01:29:48) Zeus (01:29:49) LDK (01:31:40) Minibits Wallet (01:31:42) HydrusNostr • Project Spotlight (01:31:44) Atomic Signature Swaps over Nostr (01:31:51) Lantern (01:31:59) Promenade (01:32:09) Noauth-enclaved (01:32:27) GM SwapBoosts (01:33:04) Shoutout to top boosters Rod Palmer Bugle News, pink monkey, btconboard, jespada, AVERAGE_GARY & larryoshi finkamotoLinks & Contacts:Website: https://bitcoin.review/Substack: https://substack.bitcoin.review/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitcoinreviewhqNVK Twitter: https://twitter.com/nvkTelegram: https://t.me/BitcoinReviewPodEmail: producer@coinkite.comNostr & LN: ⚡nvk@nvk.org (not an email!)Full show notes: https://bitcoin.review/podcast/episode-95
Aaron and Sjors talk about the new Bitcoin Core 29.0 release..===This episode's sponsor: CoinKite, maker of the ColdCard.Aaron's Nostr: npub1art8cs66ffvnqns5zs5qa9fwlctmusj5lj38j94lv0ulw0j54wjqhpm0w5Sjors' Nostr: nprofile1qyvhwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnnwpex7an0daehgtnwdshsqgyxsh477ejn8rwkjv0zen0ncxwe7rj6zpnujx8j9ecgrsj43786lqyul0f2
more info: https://rhr.tv- ESP32 microcontroller vulnerabilities https://cryptodeeptech.ru/bitcoin-bluetooth-attacks/- Trump Signs Resolution Blocking IRS Reporting Rule for 'DeFi Brokers' https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/trump-signs-resolution-blocking-irs-reporting-rule-for-defi-brokers/- Tether to back OCEAN Pool with its hashrate https://tether.io/news/tether-to-deploy-hashrate-on-ocean-advancing-decentralized-bitcoin-mining-infrastructure/- New Voltage Enterprise Platform enables fastest way to enable bitcoin and soon stablecoin transactions https://www.voltage.cloud/blog/new-voltage-platform-enables-fastest-way-to-enable-bitcoin-and-soon-stablecoin-transactions- BitGo and Voltage Team Up to Deliver Instant Bitcoin and Stablecoin Payments via Lightning https://www.voltage.cloud/blog/bitgo-and-voltage-team-up-to-deliver-instant-bitcoin-and-stablecoin-payments-via-lightning- OpenSats Eleventh Wave of Nostr Grants https://opensats.org/blog/eleventh-wave-of-nostr-grants- OpenSats Impact Report: Advancements in Lightning Infrastructure https://opensats.org/blog/advancements-in-lightning-infrastructure- Unchained has launched the Bitcoin Legacy Project https://www.unchained.com/blog/introducing-the-bitcoin-legacy-project- Bitcoin mining centralization in 2025 https://b10c.me/blog/015-bitcoin-mining-centralization/- South Korea | 7-Eleven Accepting Discounted CBDC Payments During Pilot PhaseSouth Korea launched a nationwide pilot of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), enrolling 100,000 South Korean users. As part of the rollout, 7-Eleven will accept CBDC payments and offer a 10% discount on all products. Governments facing public skepticism regarding their CBDCs increasingly use similar incentive tactics to onboard users. For example, Nigeria discounts taxi fares to push its e-Naira CBDC, while Thailand is distributing its CBDC directly to citizens for free. While South Korea's CBDC project aims to modernize payments, it is part of a broader push from countries, even democratic ones, to integrate state-controlled digital currencies into everyday transactions. A move that is diametrically opposed to individuals' freedom, privacy, and human rights. FinancialFreedomReport.org- Bitcoin Core v29.0 https://bitcoincore.org/en/releases/29.0/- ColdCard Firmware Updates - MK4 5.4.2 and Q 1.3.2 https://x.com/COLDCARDwallet/status/1912896809682247765- Liana Wallet v10.0: Wallet Backups & Dependencies Update https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/liana-wallet-v10-0/- LNbits v1.0.0: Stable, Hardened, and Production-Ready https://www.nobsbitcoin.com/lnbits-v1-0-0/- Ross Ulbricht joins nostr https://primal.net/ross0:00 - Intro3:04 - Zoomer perspective28:00 - Base memecoins38:32 - ESP32 vulverability43:30 - Trump blocks defi broker rule45:15 - Tether hashrate on OCEAN1:02:06 - Bitaxe quantum sniping1:08:46 - Voltage1:11:02 - OpenSats1:12:44 - Unchained Legacy Project1:14:12 - HRF Story of the Week1:17:47 - Software updates1:25:00 - Ross on Nostr1:25:26 - Zoomers againShoutout to our sponsors:Coinkitehttps://coinkite.com/Unchainedhttps://unchained.com/rhr/Bitkeyhttps://bitkey.world/Stakworkhttps://stakwork.ai/Follow Marty Bent:Twitterhttps://twitter.com/martybentNostrhttps://primal.net/martyNewsletterhttps://tftc.io/martys-bent/Podcasthttps://tftc.io/podcasts/Follow Odell:Nostrhttps://primal.net/odellNewsletterhttps://discreetlog.com/Podcasthttps://citadeldispatch.com/
I'm joined by guests Rob Hamilton & Future Paul to go through the list.Timecodes coming soon...Links & Contacts:Website: https://bitcoin.review/Substack: https://substack.bitcoin.review/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitcoinreviewhqNVK Twitter: https://twitter.com/nvkTelegram: https://t.me/BitcoinReviewPodEmail: producer@coinkite.comNostr & LN: ⚡nvk@nvk.org (not an email!)Full show notes: https://bitcoin.review/podcast/episode-94
Despite your bad memories from the Block Size war, you should support Roger Ver's campaign for clemency – or at least this is what Layer Two Labs CEO Paul Sztorc thinks you should do. In this episode, we discuss why Roger deserves to stay free. Time stamps: Introducing Paul Sztorc (00:00:54) The host welcomes listeners and introduces guest Paul Sztorc, discussing Roger Ver's situation. Paul's Connection with Roger Ver (00:01:42) Paul shares his connection to Roger Ver and his experiences in the Bitcoin community. Roger Ver's Contributions (00:02:54) Discussion on Roger's significant investments and efforts in early Bitcoin companies. Challenges at Mt. Gox (00:03:59) Paul recounts Roger's volunteer work during the Mt. Gox crisis, highlighting his dedication. Bitcoin's Early Days (00:05:05) Reflections on Bitcoin's obscurity before mainstream recognition, including the Financial Times article. The Evolution of Bitcoin Conferences (00:06:18) Paul reminisces about early Bitcoin conferences and their small scale compared to today. Tax Evasion Claims and Bitcoin's Value (00:08:23) Discussion on misconceptions about Bitcoin's value and Roger's tax situation during its early days. Roger's Generosity and Alliances (00:10:34) Highlighting Roger's contributions to various libertarian causes and his personal sacrifices. The Block Size War (00:11:39) Introduction to the block size debate and its impact on Roger's reputation in the Bitcoin community. Michael Saylor's Skepticism (00:12:29) The host references a tweet from Michael Saylor expressing doubts about Bitcoin in 2013. Roger's Early Bitcoin Investments (00:13:13) Paul shares a story about Roger's commitment to Bitcoin, selling his Lamborghini for more BTC. Roger's Influence and Marketing (00:14:26) Discussion on Roger's positive energy and efforts to promote Bitcoin to the public. The Role of BitPay (00:15:38) Explaining how BitPay helped businesses accept Bitcoin, making it more accessible. Roger's Vision for Bitcoin (00:18:48) Paul discusses Roger's motivations during the block size war and his vision for Bitcoin's future. Aftermath of the Block Size War (00:20:06) Reflections on the complacency of the Bitcoin community post-war and the resulting divisions. Playing the Villain (00:20:45) The host introduces a playful debate format, questioning Roger's promotion of Bitcoin Cash. The Scammer Accusation (00:21:18) Discussion about accusations against Roger Ver being labeled a scammer due to perceived financial losses. The Block Size Debate (00:21:35) Debate on the implications of hard forks and naming conventions in the context of Bitcoin's block size. Satoshi's Conflicted Views (00:22:22) Exploration of Satoshi Nakamoto's ambiguous stance on block sizes and their impact on Bitcoin. Mt. Gox Video Controversy (00:24:23) Reference to Roger Ver's video on Mount Gox and its perceived implications for Bitcoin's credibility. Self-Custody Awareness (00:25:03) Discussion on the understanding of self-custody in Bitcoin during the early days compared to now. Roger's Involvement with Mt. Gox (00:26:57) Analysis of Roger Ver's proactive attempts to assist Mount Gox during its crisis. Historical Context of Criticism (00:29:06) Reflection on how hindsight alters perceptions of Roger's actions during the Mt. Gox incident. Debate Dynamics (00:31:00) Insights into Roger Ver's debate style and the challenges faced by opponents like Jimmy Song. Roger's Support of Craig Wright (00:36:22) Discussion on Roger Ver's past support for Craig Wright and subsequent regrets regarding that decision. Legal Battles with Craig Wright (00:40:14) Mention of Roger Ver's successful lawsuit against Craig Wright as a potential redemption. Romance Scams and Reporting (00:40:53) Discussion on how victims of romance scams often feel ashamed and do not report incidents. Karmic Justice and Roger Ver (00:44:16) Exploration of public anger towards Roger Ver and perceptions of justice regarding his past actions. Chaos Climbers in the Bitcoin Community (00:45:03) Analysis of individuals rising in influence by criticizing opposing factions during the block size war. Debate Analysis: Samson vs. Roger (00:46:02) Reflection on the 2018 debate between Samson and Roger, highlighting performance over substance. Clipping and Public Perception (00:48:11) Discussion on how clipped statements can distort public perception and impact reputations. Economic Growth and Human Welfare (00:49:07) The importance of economic growth for human welfare and the misunderstanding surrounding its implications. Performativity in Bitcoin Discourse (00:50:26) Critique of the performative outrage in Bitcoin discussions and its effects on community dynamics. Debate Takeaways and Misrepresentation (00:51:08) Observations on how the narrative from the debate overshadowed substantive discussions about Bitcoin. Scaling Solutions: Lightning vs. Bitcoin Cash (00:52:13) Comparison of the Lightning Network and Bitcoin Cash as competing solutions to Bitcoin's scaling issues. Hard Forks and Community Splits (00:54:43) Discussion on the implications of hard forks on community cohesion and the future of Bitcoin. Victimless Crimes in Forks (00:57:54) Reflection on the benefits of Bitcoin forks and the perception of them as victimless crimes. Toxic Bitcoin Maximalism (00:58:41) Analysis of how toxic maximalism emerged as a reaction to the proliferation of altcoins and forks. Conception of Money and Community (00:59:03) Discussion on the importance of a unified currency and the challenges posed by multiple forks. Ethereum as the Opposition (01:00:28) Exploration of Ethereum's role as a competing force against Bitcoin and its community dynamics. Network Effects and Complacency (01:00:52) Discussion on how dominant networks can lead to complacency and hinder competition in the crypto space. Block Size War and Ethereum's Rise (01:01:40) Exploration of Ethereum's growth during the block size debate and its impact on the crypto landscape. Scaling Challenges in Bitcoin (01:02:52) Overview of scaling solutions and the failures that led to external developments outside Bitcoin. Layer Two Labs Promotion (01:04:00) Introduction of Layer Two Labs and its mission to scale Bitcoin through sidechains. Drive Chains vs. Tree Chains (01:05:15) Comparison of Drive Chains and Tree Chains, highlighting conceptual differences and critiques. Bitcoin.com News Collaboration (01:08:40) Discussion about Bitcoin.com News and its valuable coverage of cryptocurrency topics. Critique of Current Thought Leaders (01:09:46) Speaker expresses disappointment in the insights provided by prominent figures in the crypto community. Exit Tax Controversy (01:11:20) Debate on the legitimacy and implications of the U.S. exit tax in relation to Roger Ver. Berlin Wall Explanation (01:21:19) Description of the Berlin Wall's historical significance and its role in the Cold War. The Berlin Wall Discussion (01:23:06) The speakers discuss the historical significance and implications of the Berlin Wall and its impact on families. Roger Ver's Moral Responsibility (01:27:02) A conversation about Roger Ver's rejection of the social contract based on his moral beliefs regarding taxation. Exit Tax Controversy (01:27:30) Debate on the fairness of the exit tax and its implications for individuals like Roger Ver. Roger Ver's Legal Representation (01:28:09) Discussion on Roger Ver's legal situation and the role of his law firm in his tax issues. Greg Maxwell's Threats (01:29:33) Mention of Greg Maxwell's threats towards Roger Ver and the potential consequences of such actions. Birthday Surprise (01:30:18) A light-hearted moment as the host celebrates a birthday surprise during the podcast. Tax Law Complications (01:32:07) The complexity of tax law and its implications for Roger Ver's financial situation are explored. Jameson Lopp's Tweet (01:35:14) Analysis of a tweet discussing Roger Ver's tax issues and the IRS's claims against him. CoinFlex Bankruptcy Discussion (01:37:01) Exploration of Roger Ver's financial troubles related to CoinFlex and the implications of his legal battles. Roger's Video Explanation (01:39:14) Discussion about a video Roger Ver released explaining his situation with CoinFlex and legal constraints. Legal Challenges and Persecution (01:42:43) Reflections on Roger Ver's past legal challenges and the perception of him as a criminal in the Bitcoin community. Vindictiveness of the Blocksize War (01:43:46) Commentary on the negative attitudes and tactics used by some during the blocksize debate against Roger Ver. Discussion on Roger Ver's Bitcoin Contributions (01:44:56) We discuss Roger Ver's early contributions to Bitcoin and the controversies surrounding him. Twitter Controversies and Public Perception (01:46:00) The conversation touches on Twitter dynamics and public perceptions of Roger Ver's financial status. Taxation and IRS Issues (01:49:02) Concerns are raised about the lack of clarity from the IRS regarding tax obligations for Roger Ver. Critique of Tax System (01:50:05) A critique of the U.S. tax system and the complexities faced by taxpayers is presented. Roger Ver's Future and Clemency (01:52:39) Discussion on Roger Ver's potential return to the U.S. and the implications of his clemency. Plea Deals and Coercion in Legal System (02:01:29) The speakers examine the coercive nature of plea deals in the U.S. legal system. Justice System Inequities (02:03:59) A reflection on the inequities in the justice system and the challenges of sentencing. Introduction to Alexander Vinnik (02:05:07) Discussion about Vinnik's arrest and his connection to the Mount Gox hack. Comparison with Roger Ver (02:06:18) Contrasting Vinnik's criminal actions with the legal troubles faced by Roger Ver. Plea Deals and Legal System Issues (02:06:39) Exploring the coercive nature of plea deals in the justice system. Vinnik's Sentencing and Release (02:08:39) Details about Vinnik's sentencing and the circumstances of his release. Negotiations for Prisoner Exchange (02:09:50) Discussion about the political implications of Vinnik's negotiation for freedom. Details on the Trade (02:10:46) Information about the American teacher traded for Vinnik and her situation. Question from the Audience (02:12:54) Transition to audience questions regarding Bitcoin's scalability and potential forks. The Exodus Question (02:13:02) Audience inquiry about the potential migration to alternative cryptocurrencies. Forking Bitcoin Discussion (02:15:17) Analysis of the challenges and implications of forking Bitcoin. Cultural Apathy in Bitcoin Community (02:20:15) Reflection on the disconnection between miners and Bitcoin's philosophical discussions. Future of Bitcoin and Sidechains (02:22:33) Speculation on Bitcoin's ability to scale and the role of sidechains in its future. Discussion on Bitcoin Market Dynamics (02:27:41) Exploration of Bitcoin's market behavior and the implications of pricing strategies in a competitive landscape. Contention in Bitcoin Governance (02:28:31) Debate on the contentious nature of Bitcoin governance and the challenges of achieving consensus within the community. Concerns Over Bitcoin's Cultural Issues (02:30:31) Discussion on potential cultural problems within Bitcoin and the implications for its future success. Measuring Decentralization (02:31:58) Introduction to the concept of decentralization and its measurement within cryptocurrency contexts. Critique of Mining Centralization (02:32:08) Examination of the complexities and contradictions in defining mining centralization in Bitcoin. Transparency and Decentralization (02:34:03) Discussion on the importance of transparency and the peer-to-peer nature of Bitcoin versus traditional systems. State Rejection of Bitcoin Reserves (02:40:55) Insights into states rejecting Bitcoin reserve bills due to volatility concerns, reflecting on societal attitudes toward Bitcoin. Bitcoin's Role in Black Market Transactions (02:44:27) Analysis of Bitcoin's potential as a payment system in both legal and illegal markets, emphasizing its dual utility. Roleplay Request on BTC vs BCH (02:48:10) Engagement in a roleplay scenario discussing the market's preference for BTC over BCH and its implications. Orthodox Plan for Scaling (02:49:21) Discussion on the orthodox plan for Bitcoin scaling and competition with Ethereum and other altcoins. Competition and Market Share (02:50:39) Analysis of market competition and the declining market share of Bitcoin compared to Ethereum and Monero. Libertarian Party Dynamics (02:53:11) Exploration of the fragmentation within the Libertarian Party and its implications for political strategy. Libertarian Vote in Elections (02:54:52) Investigation into the percentage of votes received by the Libertarian Party in recent elections. Trump's Influence on Libertarians (02:56:40) Discussion on Trump's appeal to Libertarians and its impact on voting patterns. Free Ross Campaign Strategy (02:59:17) Strategy for political advocacy, focusing on the Free Ross campaign and leveraging support for major candidates. Comparing Cryptocurrency Market Positions (03:01:56) Examination of the market positions of various cryptocurrencies and their relative values. Bitcoin Cash Capabilities (03:02:50) Discussion on the capabilities of Bitcoin Cash and its potential for innovation in the crypto space. Historical Context of Bitcoin Development (03:04:12) Reflection on Bitcoin's development history and the missed opportunities for innovation. Language and Technological Change (03:06:27) Analogy between language evolution and cryptocurrency dominance, emphasizing technological impacts. Early Bitcoin Innovations (03:09:39) Revisiting early innovations in Bitcoin and their relevance to today's cryptocurrency landscape. Ossification and Innovation in Blockchain (03:11:36) Discussion on the ossification of blockchain and the need for innovation in Layer 2 solutions. Programming Languages Debate (03:12:43) Comparison of programming languages used in Bitcoin and Ethereum, referencing Steve Jobs' philosophy. Bitcoin's Imperfections (03:14:15) Discussion on Bitcoin's evolution and the ongoing need for improvements despite claims of perfection. Vulnerabilities in Bitcoin (03:15:21) Concerns over the delayed disclosure of vulnerabilities in Bitcoin's code and its implications. Power Dynamics in Bitcoin Development (03:16:41) Analysis of the influence of Bitcoin Core on development and the challenges faced by forks. John Dillon's Controversial Emails (03:18:00) Exploration of accusations against John Dillon and the implications for Bitcoin's governance. Coinjoin Bounty Scandal (03:20:19) Revelation of John Dillon's involvement with a bounty fund and its impact on project funding. The Role of Competition in Development (03:22:14) Importance of competition among software in driving innovation and user satisfaction. Roger Ver's Legal Troubles (03:25:28) Discussion about the potential consequences for those prosecuting Roger Ver and the nature of his accusations. Mail Fraud Charges Against Roger Ver (03:27:12) Overview of the legal accusations against Roger Ver, particularly concerning mail fraud. Hypothetical Perspective on Roger Ver (03:28:44) A thought experiment about how perceptions of Roger Ver would change based on exposure to propaganda. Thoughts on Taxation and Consent (03:32:32) Discussion on the ethics of taxation and Roger Ver's views on consent in financial matters. Tax Dollars and Freedom (03:33:53) Discussion on how American tax dollars fund IRS enforcement and the implications for those wanting to leave the country. Exit Tax Debate (03:35:06) Debate on the fairness of an exit tax and its implications for American citizens leaving the country. Roger Ver's Legal Battle (03:36:04) Analysis of Roger Ver's resources and challenges in his ongoing legal issues with tax authorities. Future Tax Laws and Risks (03:36:30) Concerns about potential future tax laws and their impact on individuals' financial situations. Legal Precedents and Justice (03:37:53) Discussion on how Roger Ver's case may set precedents for others facing similar legal challenges. Political Influence on Justice (03:38:58) Exploration of the arbitrary nature of legal sentences and political influences on the justice system. Dignity in Departure (03:39:29) Reflections on the emotional toll of leaving the U.S. while maintaining dignity and facing potential repercussions. Logistics of a Pardon (03:40:30) Speculation on the political motivations behind a potential pardon for Roger Ver. Tax Law Evolution (03:41:53) Discussion on how tax laws have changed over time, affecting the classification of Bitcoin. Legal Advice and Accountability (03:43:14) Questioning the responsibilities of tax attorneys in guiding clients through complex legal issues. Closing Remarks and Thanks (03:44:15)