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Nik Bhatia is an author of two economics books, a visiting fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and the founder of The Bitcoin Layer. In Nik's first appearance on the podcast, he discusses his niche in the Bitcoin community, the role of Bitcoin as a transaction asset, the threat or lack thereof of quantum computing on Bitcoin, his issues with the current eurodollar market, his new proposal to use stablecoins as statecraft, and much more. Watch the full length video on our new YouTube Channel! Check out the transcript for this week's episode, now with links. Recorded on May 5th, 2026 Subscribe to David's Substack: Macroeconomic Policy Nexus Follow David on X: @DavidBeckworth Follow Nik X: @Timevalueofbtc Follow the show on X: @Macro_Musings Check out our Macro Musings merch! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:49 - Nik's Career and Background 00:12:32 - Crypto Assets for Transactions 00:18:28 - Quantum Computing and Bitcoin 00:24:08 - Stablecoins as Statecraft 00:58:36 - Outro
The market for AI tokens barely exists yet and that's exactly why this moment matters. In this Bitcoin Policy Hour, the team debates whether the AI industry disperses into many players or consolidates into an "AI Google," and what either outcome means for freedom, surveillance, and the dollar. They also tackle the US–China compute race, autonomous weapons, and data centers in space.
Description:In this episode of John Solomon Reports, Florida Republican Byran Donalds joins John to discuss his plans to reform his state's permitting process, including creating a one-stop permit shop, implementing an efficiency shot clock, and establishing a corporate business court to expedite litigation.Donalds also talks about his proposal to personalize success plans for students with parental opt-in and highlights his support for the Financial Freedom Act. The measure aims to expand 401k retirement investment opportunities and overall help Americans have greater financial freedom. Donalds expresses appreciation that President Trump endorsed his gubernatorial campaign and stresses the importance of reducing property taxes, which he says have doubled in a decade. Finally, Donalds touts Trump and Congress's recent successes, including securing the border, deporting illegal immigrants, tax reforms and making housing more affordable.In the second segment, Thomas Keuhns, a senior intelligence community official under President Barack Obama, discusses the dishonesty of the former intelligence officers who signed the Hunter Biden laptop letter and claimed it was a Russian operation. Keuhns' identification memo that it was a deception operation with lack of FBI input, poor writing and selective information was referred to the Justice Department. He reflects on his deployment in Iraq, extensive work with counterterrorism analysis, the CIA, and DNI, as well as his decision to leave the intelligence community.In the third segment, Sam Lyman, the head of research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, dives into the artificial intelligence competition between China and the U.S., specifically how China uses AI to predict and suppress domestic and international political dissent.Lyman discusses how the Neville Singham network's connection to American media outlets spreads fear about AI and data centers, ultimately funding political agitation in the United States and causing people to disagree with policies that in fact benefit the U.S. government.He explains that the U.S. tax code protects some of these organizations pushing American frustration, as well as why filtering out foreign influence is important for ensuring disseminated information is accurate and transparent.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Welcome to Navigating Bitcoin's Noise, the show where we cut through the clutter and bring you the clearest insights on Bitcoin. I'm your host, Kane McGukin, and today I'm joined by Nik Bhatia, author of Layered Money and visiting fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this conversation, we break down Nik's landmark paper on stablecoins and statecraft and why the GENIUS Act may be one of the most strategically important pieces of legislation in decades. We get into how the Eurodollar system quietly exported dollar governance offshore, how stablecoins are designed to bring it back, and why the end of China's deflationary unsystem is forcing America's hand. We ask the question that matters: are stablecoins just a fintech product, or are they America's most powerful tool for our next money layer? If you're tired of hype and want a first-principles breakdown of how dollar dominance actually works, and what the U.S. is building to protect it, this episode is for you. So sit back, relax, and let's get started. Kane McGukinX: https://twitter.com/kanemcgukinSubstack: kanemcgukin.substack.com Nik Bhatia X: https://x.com/timevalueofbtcThe Bitcoin Layer: https://thebitcoinlayer.com/Bitcoin Policy Institute: https://www.btcpolicy.org/authors/nik-bhatiaPaper: https://www.btcpolicy.org/articles/stablecoins-as-statecraft-reclaiming-us-financial-sovereignty-in-the-eurodollar-market
Could a New York court really declare 3.8 million dormant Bitcoin — including coins linked to Satoshi — as "abandoned property"? This week the Bitcoin Policy Institute team dissects an anonymous lawsuit built on an obscure lost-and-found statute, and explains why the legal theory is weak but the precedent could be devastating. Ken Egan, Zack Shapiro, and Zack Cohen also cover the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) after its Senate Banking Committee markup and the surprising opposition from sheriffs' associations. Alex Thorn Article about New York case attempting to seize bitcoin:https://www.galaxy.com/insights/research/satoshi-bitcoin-salomon-brothers-patoshi-abandoned-property-new-york-noah-doe-lawsuitForeign Influence on AIhttps://www.btcpolicy.org/articles/foreign-influence-in-the-campaign-against-american-ai
Pope Leo has likened AI to the Tower of Babel, and the Chinese government is funding the push against AI data centers in the US. Welcome back to The Blockspace Podcast! For our top story today, Pope Leo's latest encyclical – in which Leo likens AI to a modern, cyber Tower of Babel – gives us the Catholic Church's official stance on AI. For interviews, Lygos Finance CEO Jay Patel touches on Strategy's latest balance sheet clean up, and Sam Lyman of the Bitcoin Policy Institute joins us to talk about BPI's new research on how China and other foreign actors are leveraging the media and dark money networks to astroturf opposition against AI data centers in the US. For other news, we break down TeraWulf's plans for a 1 GW AI data center in Kentucky and Strategy's repurchase of $1.5 billion in convertible notes and its latest BTC purchase. Check out our latest report, “What's a Megawatt Worth?” where we quantify the trillion dollar opportunity for bitcoin miners venturing into the AI sector. Download here: https://megawattreport.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates for all of our shows and content: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com
In this enlightening episode of John Solomon Reports, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and the energy sector, featuring insights from the U.S. Oil and Gas Association's recent meeting in Washington, D.C. John Solomon discusses the pivotal role of the energy industry in powering the AI revolution, emphasizing how innovations in energy are keeping the U.S. ahead of China in this critical race for technological supremacy.Joining the conversation is Tim Stewart, President of the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, who outlines the transformative impact of the shale revolution on AI development. He highlights the importance of reliable energy sources in supporting the burgeoning AI sector and dispels myths surrounding energy consumption and data centers.We also hear from Nathan Ough, CEO of VoltaGrid, who shares how his company is revolutionizing energy supply for data centers through innovative mini grids, ensuring minimal impact on local communities while fostering job growth and manufacturing in the U.S.Congressman Randy Weber adds a historical perspective on America's energy leadership and the necessity of winning the AI race against China, while Sam Lyman from the Bitcoin Policy Institute reveals alarming insights about disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining American progress in AI, tracing these tactics back to foreign influences.This episode is packed with valuable insights into the future of AI and energy, the importance of innovation, and the ongoing battle against misinformation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On April 29th, the US Senate hosted a panel on the "existential threat" of AI and two of the four panelists worked for the Chinese government. One month earlier, Bernie Sanders and AOC introduced legislation imposing a federal moratorium on American AI data centers. On Bitcoin Policy Hour EP 38, Zack Cohen, Ken Egan, and Zack Shapiro unpack a new Bitcoin Policy Institute report by Sam Lyman exposing the CCP influence operation steering US AI policy. They also cover the Clarity Act vote in Senate Banking, the BRCA fight, and the Digital Asset Parity Act. Sam Lyman's BPI Report: https://www.btcpolicy.org/articles/foreign-influence-in-the-campaign-against-american-ai
Sam Lyman, Head of Research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and former Senior Advisor and Chief Speechwriter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, shares what it looks like inside the U.S. Treasury when Bitcoin, stablecoins, and AI are being treated as strategic national assets. He explains why the current administration's approach marks a fundamental break from the Gensler era; how freedom tech is becoming a geopolitical tool to challenge authoritarian capital and information controls; and why the time to shape crypto and AI policy through legislation is now. Key Takeaways: How AI, Bitcoin, and stablecoins form a "trifecta of freedom tech," and why policymakers are starting to see them as such Why China banned both Bitcoin and stablecoins, and what that tells us about the real threat these technologies pose to authoritarian regimes What AI agents prefer to use as money, and what a first-principles study of frontier models revealed about savings vs. payments Why executive orders aren't enough, what legislation like the Clarity Act can protect, and how this legislation couldn't be easily undone with an administration change How AI could actually make the economy more human Guest Bio: Sam Lyman is the head of research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. He served previously as senior advisor and chief speechwriter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Prior to working at the U.S. Treasury, Sam served as public policy director at Riot Platforms, a leading digital assets and AI infrastructure company. He holds a master's in public policy from Princeton University. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte
Why are bankers, the AFL-CIO, and law enforcement unions all storming Capitol Hill at the same time? In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, Zack Cohen sits down with Zack Shapiro and Ken Egan to dissect the CLARITY Act markup, the BRCA developer protection carve-out, and the bizarre coalition trying to kill stablecoin yield. They explain why Tim Scott and the Senate Banking Republicans held the line and what 100+ amendments from Senator Cortez Masto really mean.
"If we popped the quantum solution today, I think we'd be at $150K in two months." That's Ken Egan's call on Bitcoin Policy Hour Episode 36, joined by Zack Shapiro and host Zack Cohen. The trio walk through the Tillis-Brooks stablecoin yield compromise, the Clarity Act markup window, Admiral Paparo's watershed Indo-Pacom Bitcoin testimony, Secretary Hegseth's national security follow-up, and the quantum issue holding institutional capital on the sideline.
https://rhr.tv/stream PRESENTED BY BLOCK: https://block.xyz/ Hot Style Sponsors: Aven: https://www.aven.com/bitcoin-visa-card Anchorwatch: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ Cake Wallet: https://cakewallet.com/ Bitcoin Policy Institute: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ Shoutout to our sponsors: Coinkite https://coinkite.com/ Strike https://strike.me/ Stakwork https://stakwork.ai/ Salt of the Earth https://drinksote.com/rhr Follow Marty Bent: Twitter https://twitter.com/martybent Nostr https://primal.net/marty Newsletter https://tftc.io/martys-bent/ Podcast https://tftc.io/podcasts/ Follow Odell: Nostr https://primal.net/odell Newsletter https://discreetlog.com/ Podcast https://citadeldispatch.com/
The GENIUS Act passed last summer, and now Washington is asking the next question: what do we actually do with stablecoins? Nik Bhatia walks Ken Hagan through the layered money framework, the offshore Eurodollar plumbing, and why exporting U.S. dollar stablecoins is a direct response to the e-CNY rollout. Along the way, he explains why stablecoins are a hidden Bitcoin accelerant and why every dollar minted offshore eventually finds its way to layer-one money.
The New York Times just published a major investigation claiming Adam Back is Satoshi Nakamoto and the hosts of Bitcoin Policy Hour think that's a problem. Ken Egan, Zack Shapiro, and Zack Cohen explain why Bitcoin was specifically designed so the founder's identity doesn't matter, and why unmasking Satoshi could do more harm than good. The conversation also covers the Iran conflict and the creative U.S. reverse blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the truth behind viral claims about crypto being used for toll payments, BPI's new stablecoin policy paper on dollarization, and Anthropic's Mythos model, an AI so powerful they refuse to release it to the public. Click here to get 10% off bitcoin 2026 Conference in Las Vegas: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=YT10
Is Bitcoin's encryption more vulnerable to quantum computing than we thought? A new Google paper says the threshold to crack elliptic curve cryptography dropped from 20 million qubits to just 500,000. Sam Lyman, Zack Cohen, Zack Shapiro and Ken Egan from the Bitcoin Policy Institute discuss the geopolitical implications, the race between developers and institutions to lead Bitcoin's quantum upgrade, and why "not your keys, not your coins" is about to be tested like never before.
60 congressional staffers packed a room to hear why Bitcoin should be tax-free for everyday purchases. BPI joined a major Hill briefing on de minimis with Coinbase, Block, and River, drawing bipartisan interest from tax staffers who've never dealt with crypto lobbyists before. The team also unpacks the CoinCenter litigation setback, a quick win against Kentucky's self-custody threat, and why the stablecoin yield fight might need to wait. Ken Egan gives a geopolitical read on US-Iran tensions.
The Iran conflict is sending global oil markets into crisis, and the ripple effects could trigger a geopolitical reset with massive implications for Bitcoin. In this episode of Bitcoin Policy Hour, Ken, Zack Shapiro, and host Zack Cohen break down Bitcoin's strategic role in U.S.-China competition, why Lightning Network is becoming the payment standard for AI agents, and the CFTC's precedent-setting no-action letter on non-custodial wallets. They also tackle Basel III's punitive 1,250% capital requirements for banks holding Bitcoin and the fight for a Bitcoin de minimis tax exemption on Capitol Hill. Click here to get 10% off bitcoin 2026 Conference in Las Vegas: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=YT10
Marty sits down with David Zell, Executive Director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, to discuss the Coinbase de minimis lobbying controversy, the battle to make Bitcoin tax reform a legislative priority, and why engaging the national security community may be Bitcoin's most durable long-term protection. David on X: https://x.com/DavidZell_ BPI: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ Contact a representative: https://btcismoney.xyz/ STACK SATS hat: https://tftcmerch.io/ Our newsletter: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ TFTC Elite (Ad-free & Discord): https://www.tftc.io/#/portal/signup/ Discord: https://discord.gg/VJ2dABShBz Opportunity Cost Extension: https://www.opportunitycost.app/ Shoutout to our sponsors: Bitkey https://bitkey.world/ OPNEXT https://tinyurl.com/tftc2026 Unchained https://unchained.com/tftc/ SLNT https://slnt.com/tftc Salt of the Earth: https://drinksote.com/tftc Join the TFTC Movement: Main YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TFTC21/videos Clips YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQcW3jxfQfEUS8kqR5pJtQ Website https://tftc.io/ Newsletter tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ Twitter https://twitter.com/tftc21 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tftc.io/ Nostr https://primal.net/tftc Follow Marty Bent: Twitter https://twitter.com/martybent Nostr https://primal.net/martybent Newsletter https://tftc.io/martys-bent/ Podcast https://www.tftc.io/tag/podcasts/
The US launches strikes on Iran and the global power balance is shifting fast. Ken Egan breaks down the geopolitics, from the BRICS setback to what happens when Trump meets Xi in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the White House is taking sides against the banks on the GENIUS Act as the stablecoin yield fight heats up ahead of midterms. Plus, BPI drops a groundbreaking study where they tested 36 AI models across 9,000+ conversations, and Bitcoin was chosen nearly 50% of the time without ever being mentioned in the prompts. Luke Danielian walks through the findings and Zack Shapiro explains why machine-to-machine commerce is about to reshape financial regulation. Check out the BPI Study here: https://www.moneyforai.org/
Your right to self-custody is being quietly negotiated away. Bipartisan deal-making on the stablecoin bill could gut the BRCA provisions that protect Bitcoin developers and your right to hold your own keys. Meanwhile, the Basel framework's 1,250% risk weight makes it so expensive for banks to hold Bitcoin that none of them will and that may be by design. They also dig into Trini Research's viral 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis report and why mass AI disruption could actually be hyper-bullish for Bitcoin.
Zack Shapiro, Head of Policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and Founder of Rains, joins us to talk about the shifting landscape of crypto regulation under the Trump administration. We discuss why the CLARITY Act is in limbo, the "Defi mullet" and the legal challenges facing AI agents. Zack gives a behind-the-scenes look at the banking lobby's war on stablecoin yields and evaluates the progress of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Notes: * Banks lobbied for 1:1 yield ban. * Coinbase takes their pound of flesh * AI ends billable hour standard. Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:24 Who is Zack? 01:25 Bitcoin Policy Institute 04:23 Current policy outlook 10:49 CLARITY Act 17:34 Will CLARITY pass? 19:32 Commodities vs Securities 21:02 Safe harbor 21:19 Howey & Utility tokens 22:37 Developer protections 24:25 How good are protections in CLARITY? 28:56 Crypto crashout & AI agents 33:43 Front ends & KYC 36:13 OFAC 39:43 Ideals in crypto 42:21 BASE 43:30 Crypto in-fighting 46:55 LLMs & the law 52:17 Prediction markets The Gwart Show is sponsored by Ellipsis Labs. Ellipsis Labs builds the most efficient on-chain markets. Their orderbook and Prop AMM products have delivered price improvement to hundreds of billions of dollars in retail volume. Now, they are bringing their expertise to build Phoenix, the best on-chain perpetuals platform. Ellipsis Labs is hiring New York-based engineers. If you're an engineer looking to work with a proven team in making DeFi better, go to ellipsislabs dot xyz slash careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're living in the "centaur era" of AI and if you're not combining human judgment with AI tools, you're already falling behind. In this episode, Zack Cohen and the Bitcoin Policy Hour team break down the BCG study proving that AI-augmented workers crush both pure humans and blind AI users, then pivot to Secretary Rubio's landmark Munich Security Conference speech signaling the end of the postwar order with Europe. Plus, the hosts analyze Bitcoin ETF flows, whale selling pressure, and why a federal judge just ruled your AI chat logs aren't privileged.
AI agents are no longer just tools, they're becoming autonomous economic actors. In this episode of Bitcoin Policy Hour, we explore how AI agents are already using bitcoin to transact and coordinate inside emerging bot-run economies, including early experiments like Moltbook, an AI-driven social network where autonomous agents interact with each other and, in some cases, create wallets and move value without direct human control. The discussion breaks down why bitcoin, especially when paired with Lightning is uniquely suited for machine-to-machine payments, permissionless settlement, and autonomous economic activity, and what this shift means for policy, regulation, and the future of money as machines begin to participate in real economies.
Privacy is back at the center of crypto's narrative. This episode examines the limits of on-chain privacy, the role of KYC and the app layer, and how crypto onboarding has changed — before closing with Andrew M. Bailey of the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Enjoy! As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice. – Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres Follow Andrew: https://x.com/resistancemoney Follow David: https://x.com/dcanellis — Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:20 The Limits of On-Chain Privacy 3:00 Reality of the App Layer 7:57 DAS Promo 8:44 From Self-Mining to KYC Funnels 11:14 The Future of Privacy in Crypto 14:49 Interview with Andrew M. Bailey — Disclaimer: Nothing said on The Breakdown is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Why did Tether launch a U.S. stablecoin now? Why does Coinbase have so much influence in Congress? And what's really behind the SEC–CFTC harmonization push? Bitcoin Policy Hour breaks down the biggest regulatory stories shaping Bitcoin's future plus a deep look at the debasement trade driving gold, silver, and potentially Bitcoin higher.
Why are banks fighting stablecoin yield and why does it matter for Bitcoin? Zack Shapiro, Ken Egan, and Zack Cohen, break down the political battle unfolding in the U.S. Senate and why Coinbase's opposition could derail market structure reform in the latest Senate bill. From developer protections to self-custody rights, this episode explores what's at stake for the future of Bitcoin in the United States.
Global power is shifting and bitcoin is at the center of it. In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, leaders from the Bitcoin Policy Institute break down Venezuela, US foreign policy, stablecoins, and the emerging Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. From DOJ bitcoin seizures to looming market structure legislation, this conversation reveals how bitcoin is becoming a core instrument of global policy.
For the first time, Bitcoin is no longer being pushed into a corner in Washington. In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, Zack Shapiro, Ken Egan, and Stephen Pollock break down the rise of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and what it signals for U.S. policy. From the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to market structure legislation, this conversation shows how far the Overton window has shifted.
This week on Bitcoin Policy Hour, Zack Cohen, Zack Shapiro, and Ken Egan break down a change in U.S. financial policy: the Bitcoin for America Act, a bill that could allow Americans to pay taxes in bitcoin and fund a strategic national bitcoin reserve. We also explore Middle East Bitcoin adoption, why Harvard's endowment just made BTC its largest equity position, and the economic crisis facing young Americans — with new research showing it may take $140,000 a year just to survive in 2024.
The Bitcoin payment revolution is here and it's changing how the world moves money. In this episode of Pushing the Limits, Lisa Tamati sits down with Dr. Simon Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Lightning Pay NZ, a pioneering Kiwi startup making Bitcoin payments faster, cheaper, and more accessible through the Lightning Network. Simon shares his insights on the evolving world of Bitcoin, from the future of payment systems and scaling, to mining energy debates, New Zealand's crypto tax rules, and how Bitcoin is reshaping the global financial system. Whether you're a Bitcoin veteran, a business owner, or just curious about digital money, this deep dive covers the technology, economics, and policy behind the next generation of payments. What You'll Learn: Bitcoin Payment Systems & Scaling: How Lightning Pay uses the Lightning Network to enable instant, low-cost Bitcoin transactions and solve Bitcoin's base layer limitations Bitcoin vs. Other Cryptocurrencies: Why Bitcoin's decentralisation, fixed supply, and proof-of-work make it unique in the crypto ecosystem. Bitcoin Mining & Energy Use: The real story behind mining energy - renewables, stranded power, and how Bitcoin can drive green innovation. Mining Centralisation: Why the network remains decentralised despite large mining pools and how geographic shifts (e.g., post-China) enhance security. The Future of Payments: How Lightning Pay is helping New Zealand merchants accept Bitcoin seamlessly with instant fiat conversions and zero volatility risk. Bitcoin & Taxes in NZ: Simon explains how the IRD treats Bitcoin profits, GST rules, and what compliance means for individuals and businesses. Bitcoin Policy Institute: Why sound Bitcoin policy matters and how organisations like BPI are shaping global conversations on regulation and innovation. Simon Collins Bio: Dr. Simon Collins, PhD, is the Co-Founder and CRO of Lightning Pay, a New Zealand-based company building scalable Bitcoin payment infrastructure on the Lightning Network. Co-founded with Rob Clarkson and Brandon Bucher, Lightning Pay is revolutionising how Kiwis use Bitcoin for real-world payments. Simon is also a Bitcoin researcher and advocate, contributing to organisations like Satoshi Action and the Bitcoin Policy Institute, and frequently shares insights on X about Bitcoin's role in the global economy. Catch up on the episode with Brandon Bucher here: Building the Future of Bitcoin Payments Resources & Links: Lightning Pay NZ Website Simon Collins on X Bitcoin Policy Institute IRD Crypto Guidance
Zack Shapiro is the head of legal and policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and a key architect behind the Peer-to-Peer Rights Fund. He's spent years on the frontlines where law, technology, and human freedom intersect—helping lawmakers and judges understand what it means to hold value in the digital age. In this episode, Zack joins The Bitcoin Frontier to break down why self-custody is foundational to bitcoin's value, how the Clarity Act could define financial freedom for a generation, and why the right to hold your own money might be the most American right of all.We dig into the constitutional roots of property rights, how U.S. law is being stretched to fit a peer-to-peer world, and why the fight for non-custodial software developers will determine the future of bitcoin in America.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe → Leave a review → Share the show with your friends and family → Send us an email: podcast@unchained.com→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=you... → Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?ut...TIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Intro & the mission behind The Last Free Americans series2:00 – What self-custody really means and why it's the foundation of bitcoin's value3:45 – ETFs, financialization, and the fading connection to real bitcoin5:00 – Why self-custody matters more than ever in 20256:15 – How outdated laws are clashing with a peer-to-peer world7:40 – The Clarity Act and the battle for non-custodial rights9:00 – Would bitcoin even be valuable without self-custody?10:00 – How self-custody connects to America's founding values12:00 – The Constitution's protections for holding bitcoin: 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th Amendments16:00 – The history lesson: Executive Order 6102 and gold confiscation18:30 – Enumerated powers, the 9th Amendment, and the people's retained rights21:00 – Why protecting non-custodial developers is critical to freedom23:30 – Tornado Cash, Samurai Wallet, and the dangerous new legal precedents27:30 – Knowledge vs. intent: how the DOJ's theories stretch the law31:00 – The risk of calling developers “money transmitters”33:30 – Steelmanning the other side: why regulators see a loophole37:00 – How the Bank Secrecy Act evolved from mob busting to digital dragnet40:30 – From halawa networks to bitcoin: applying old laws to new rails42:30 – The real ideological divide: state control vs. individual liberty46:00 – Why self-custody embodies the American idea of limited government47:30 – If Bitcoin existed in 1776, would the framers have protected self-custody?49:00 – Strategy going forward: the Clarity Act, education, and vigilance52:00 – The political battle ahead: Elizabeth Warren, ICOs, and what's really at stake54:00 – How bitcoin helps the least powerful—and why that matters mostWHERE TO FOLLOW US: → Unchained X: https://x.com/unchained → Unchained LinkedIn: / unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter:
In this episode of The Bitcoin Policy Hour, the conversation turns to the accelerating game theory of institutional adoption—why major banks, asset managers, and policymakers now find it strategically necessary to engage with Bitcoin. From JP Morgan's acceptance of bitcoin as collateral to shifting credit dynamics and liquidity constraints, the panel unpacks how traditional finance is being pulled, not pushed, into digital monetary infrastructure.But with adoption comes risk. As bitcoin transitions from a counter-institutional asset to a core financial instrument, questions of governance, regulatory capture, and monetary independence take center stage. Is Bitcoin's integration into Wall Street a validation of its inevitability—or a test of its principles? This episode examines both the bullish structural forces and the subtle dangers behind Bitcoin's institutional era.
Teruko Neriki shares her mission of educating the nation of Japan about Bitcoin. $ BTC 103,750 Block Height 922,194 Today's guest on the show is Teruko Neriki, who joins me to discuss why she felt compelled to take action to educate people in Japan about Bitcoin. Why did she choose to start translating the Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous, and how many months did it take her to finish this task? What experiences in her fiat career led her to discover Bitcoin and quit everything she had been doing to launch herself headfirst into finding a role in the Bitcoin ecosystem? A huge thank you to Teruko for coming on the show and for all that she is doing for Bitcoin. Follow Teruko here; X - https://x.com/TerukoNeriki NOSTR - npub19x0h8jm3mnwzhv4tpq62zta05er0qlyge73m0pwsp7h666khkd9qev2ree Get to BTC Japan and use code BITTEN for a discount. BTC JAPAN - TPKYO - 23rd - 24th November. https://btc-jpn.com/en USE CODE BITTEN - 10% Check out my book ‘Choose Life' - https://bitcoinbook.shop/search?q=prince ALL LINKS HERE - FOR DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS - https://vida.page/princey - https://linktr.ee/princey21m Pleb Service Announcements: Join 18 thousand Bitcoiners on @orangepillapp https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/princey Support the pod via @fountain_app -https://fountain.fm/show/2oJTnUm5VKs3xmSVdf5n The Once Bitten YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Princey21m The Bitcoin And Show: https://www.bitcoinandshow.com/ https://fountain.fm/show/eK5XaSb3UaLRavU3lYrI Shills and Mench's: CONFERENCES 2025: BITFEST - MANCHESTER - ENGLAND - 21st - 23rd November 2025. https://bitfest.uk/ - USE CODE BITTEN - 10% PAY WITH FLASH. Accept Bitcoin on your website or platform with no-code and low-code integrations. https://paywithflash.com/ RELAI - STACK SATS - www.relai.me/Bitten Use Code BITTEN SWAN BITCOIN - www.swan.com/bitten BITBOX - SELF CUSTODY YOUR BITCOIN - www.bitbox.swiss/bitten Use Code BITTEN PLEBEIAN MARKET - BUY AND SELL STUFF FOR SATS; https://plebeian.market/ @PlebeianMarket ZAPRITE - https://zaprite.com/bitten - Invoicing and accounting for Bitcoiners - Save $40 KONSENSUS NETWORK - Buy bitcoin books in different languages. Use code BITTEN for 10% discount - https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=bitten SEEDOR STEEL PLATE BACK-UP - @seedor_io use the code BITTEN for a 5% discount. www.seedor.io/BITTEN SATSBACK - Shop online and earn back sats! https://satsback.com/register/5AxjyPRZV8PNJGlM HEATBIT - Home Bitcoin mining - https://www.heatbit.com/?ref=DANIELPRINCE - Use code BITTEN. CRYPTOTAG STEEL PLATE BACK-UP https://cryptotag.io - USE CODE BITTEN for 10% discount. AI Summary. In this episode of the Once Bitten podcast, Daniel Prince interviews Teruko, a key organizer for BTC Japan and a translator of the Bitcoin Standard, about her work in promoting Bitcoin adoption in Japan, her involvement with Folga Ventures, and ANAP, a Japanese clothing brand integrating Bitcoin into its business model. Key Topics: Bitcoin Standard translation Folga Ventures ANAP business model Bitcoin conferences Tokyo Bitcoin Base Summary: In this episode of the Once Bitten podcast, Daniel Prince interviews Teruko, a key organizer for BTC Japan and a translator of the Bitcoin Standard. Teruko recounts her entry into Bitcoin in 2017, initially driven by a market crash following her purchase, leading her to research and discover the transformative potential of Bitcoin through resources like Vijay Boyapati's "The Bullish Case for Bitcoin" and Saifedean Ammous's "The Bitcoin Standard." Teruko shares the story of translating "The Bitcoin Standard" into Japanese, a task initiated by Wids, who saw the book's potential impact on Japan. Despite lacking prior translation experience, Teruko undertook the project, dedicating significant time daily for six months. She faced challenges in accurately conveying Austrian economics terminology and cross-referencing footnotes with Japanese translations, often requiring visits to Japan's largest library. She also spoke about working with Safeadean, and having to exclude the part about transgenderism from the book, as it would be poorly received in Japanese society. Teruko discusses her work with Folga Ventures Japan, a venture capital firm investing exclusively in Bitcoin projects, with a focus on lightning technology, sidechains, and open-source projects. She highlights the challenge of finding Bitcoin companies in Japan and the importance of education to foster interest in Bitcoin and related businesses. Furthermore, Teruko elaborates on her involvement with ANAP, a Japanese clothing brand aiming to revive its business by integrating Bitcoin into its operations. ANAP is launching a new lifestyle brand inspired by Bitcoin's ethos, with subtle designs intended to pique customer curiosity about Bitcoin. The discussion shifts to the upcoming BTC Japan conference in Tokyo, organized by Teruko, emphasizing its aim to educate and provide hands-on Bitcoin experiences. The conference will feature speakers like Grant from the Bitcoin Policy Institute and Roger from "Will Mao Buy Bitcoin," along with Luke Dash Jr. and possibly Shinobi. Teruko also highlights the development of Tokyo Bitcoin Base, a co-working and co-living space aimed at creating a Bitcoin circular economy in Tokyo, including the acquisition of hotel properties to accommodate Bitcoin enthusiasts. Teruko emphasizes the importance of external influence in Japan's Bitcoin adoption, inviting individuals from Western countries to work at Tokyo Bitcoin Base and inspire local engagement with Bitcoin. She highlights efforts to legitimize Bitcoin within the neighborhood by hosting community-friendly events and educating residents about Bitcoin's potential. The episode concludes with a discussion on the need to approach Bitcoin in a sustainable way, especially in light of current distractions such as Bitcoin treasury companies and loan product offerings. Daniel encourages listeners to stack sats, take self-custody seriously, and draw inspiration from individuals like Teruko who are building and promoting Bitcoin adoption through education, conferences, and community engagement. He also promotes upcoming Bitcoin conferences like BitFest in Manchester and encourages listeners to check out resources and services for stacking sats and taking self-custody.
In episode 19 of The Bitcoin Policy Hour, Washington is tightening its grip on crypto. Zack Cohen, Zack Shapiro, and Ken Egan of the Bitcoin Policy Institute break down what that really means for your wallet and your freedom to build. From the fallout over the leaked DeFi regulation memo to renewed fights on Capitol Hill over self-custody and market structure, this week's discussion dives into how power, politics, and innovation are colliding in D.C.From President Trump's pardon of former Binance CEO CZ to how quantum computing breakthroughs could challenge Bitcoin's security to how the conflict between stablecoins and traditional banking might change the future of money — the BPI team analyzes the shifting political economy of Bitcoin.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Natalie Brunell is joined by Matthew Pines, Executive Director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute and advisor at Skywatcher, to discuss how Bitcoin is influencing U.S. policy and the global financial order. Topics discussed: Washington's plans for Bitcoin: Is it our secret weapon against China? The role of stablecoins in maintaining dollar dominance The intersection of AI, quantum computing, and decentralization UAPs: Is there physical evidence? The future of human freedom in an age of accelerating technology Follow Matthew Pines on X https://x.com/matthew_pines ----- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie ---- Coin Stories is powered by Bitwise. Bitwise has over $10B in client assets, 32 investment products, and a team of 100+ employees across the U.S. and Europe, all solely focused on Bitcoin and digital assets since 2017. Learn more at https://www.bitwiseinvestments.com ---- Bitdeer Technologies Group ($BTDR) is a global leader in Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing for AI, with operations spanning four continents. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product and Event Links: For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie Genius Group (NYSE: $GNS) is building a 10,000 BTC treasury and educating the world through the Genius Academy. Check out *free* courses from Saifedean Ammous and myself at https://www.geniusgroup.ai Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput= Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie Your Bitcoin oasis awaits at Camp Nakamoto: A retreat for Bitcoiners, by Bitcoiners. Code HODL for discounted passes: https://massadoptionbtc.ticketspice.com/camp-nakamoto ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing
Jacob Shapiro is joined by Matt Pines, Executive Director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, to discuss the accelerating convergence of Bitcoin, AI, geopolitics, and energy. Pines argues that technological change is happening faster than existing frameworks can manage, pushing once-fringe ideas into mainstream policy debates. They explore how AI and Bitcoin are straining U.S. infrastructure, particularly the electrical grid, and what this means for national security and economic stability. The discussion also considers the rise of “techno-feudal” elites, political backlash risks, and whether America can maintain an edge against China's state-driven infrastructure build-out. Pines closes with reflections on Bitcoin's rapid rise as both a strategic asset and a test of U.S. policy adaptability.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(01:33) - The Acceleration of Change(07:16) - Energy Consumption and Infrastructure Challenges(15:24) - Political and Economic Implications(21:35) - US vs China: Technological Race(27:26) - Future of Sovereignty and Power(33:11) - The Future of AI and Techno-Surveillance Capitalism(35:01) - Economic Implications of Universal Basic Income(35:35) - Sci-Fi Futures and Technological Transformations(36:27) - Bitcoin's Role in a Techno-Feudal World(41:25) - Political and Social Reactions to Technological Change(42:58) - The Rapid Evolution of AI and Its Impacts(53:14) - Bitcoin Policy and National Interest(58:38) - Geopolitical and Monetary Challenges Ahead(01:02:45) - Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook--Referenced in the Show:Bitcoin Policy Institute - https://www.btcpolicy.org--Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com --Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today's volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
In an era where free markets are increasingly shaped by state power, investors need to understand the nexus of geopolitics, political economy and exponential technologies as a tool of statecraft. BPI's Matt Pines and Zack Shapiro join Zack Cohen to examine how U.S. industrial policy, AI breakthroughs, and Bitcoin regulation are converging to reshape global markets.The conversation explores the latest market structure bill and its impact on Bitcoin liquidity, the strategic Bitcoin reserve as a potential geopolitical hedge, and what Intel's bailout signals about the rise of national champions and state-directed capital allocation.The discussion goes beyond policy into the heart of investing in an age of fiscal dominance and technological disruption. How should investors interpret the tension between free markets and government intervention?What does AI-driven productivity and labor displacement mean for macro volatility? And in a world where political cycles, liquidity cycles, and market cycles are increasingly intertwined, can Bitcoin serve as a neutral reserve asset, hedge, and beneficiary of state-led capitalism?
Jerry Dwyer is a professor emeritus of economics at Clemson, a vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and is currently a senior fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In Jerry's first appearance on the show, he discusses what it was like having Milton Friedman as a mentor, the history of free banking, the status of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, and much more. Check out the transcript for this week's episode, now with links. Recorded on July 22nd, 2025 Subscribe to David's Substack: Macroeconomic Policy Nexus Follow David Beckworth on X: @DavidBeckworth Follow Jerry on X: @GPDwyer Follow the show on X: @Macro_Musings Check out our Macro Musings merch! Subscribe to David's new BTS YouTube Channel Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:24 - Jerry's Career 00:12:01 - Free Banking Period 00:28:37 - Bitcoin and Stablecoins 00:55:44 - Outro
Institutional Bitcoin adoption is accelerating — with record ETF inflows, corporate treasuries buying BTC, and policy shifts that could open trillions in capital flows. In this episode of Bitcoin Policy Hour, special guests Alex Thorn and Stephen Pollock join the show to break down the $54B surge into Bitcoin ETFs, the growing list of Bitcoin treasury companies, and Washington's moves on banking access and 401(k) modernization.We also cover the Tornado Cash verdict and what it means for privacy tools, money transmission laws, and the future of crypto regulation. From Wall Street to Washington, Bitcoin's path to becoming a global reserve asset is taking shape.⭐ Join Bitcoin Magazine @ Bitcoin Asia 2025, Aug. 28-29 in Hong Kong! Get your tickets at: https://asia.b.tc/ today!
Will Luther is an associate professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University and a fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Josh Hendrickson is a professor of economics and the chair of the economics department at the University of Mississippi. Josh is also a fellow at BPI. Will and Josh return to the show to defend the idea of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, discuss the future of Bitcoin, and contend with the problem of Bitcoiners, and much more. Check out the transcript for this week's episode, now with links. https://www.mercatus.org/macro-musings/will-luther-and-josh-hendrickson-future-bitcoinRecorded on June 25th, 2025 Subscribe to David's Substack: Macroeconomic Policy Nexus Follow David Beckworth on X: @DavidBeckworth Follow Will Luther on X: @WilliamJLuther Follow Josh Hendrickson on X: @RebelEconProf Follow the show on X: @Macro_Musings Check out our Macro Musings merch! Subscribe to David's new BTS YouTube Channel Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:39 - Strategic Bitcoin Reserve 00:23:33 - Future of Bitcoin 00:45:07 - Scaling Bitcoin 00:50:46 - Outro
In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, hosts Zack Cohen, Zack Shapiro, and Matt Pines unpack the most revealing U.S. government crypto report to date — and how it quietly lays the groundwork for a Bitcoin-aligned, post-CBDC dollar strategy.With references to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a clear rejection of retail CBDCs, and surprising pro-Bitcoin signals embedded in White House language, the report reads less like bureaucratic filler — and more like a covert blueprint for crypto-dollarization.The group provides an outlook on strategic bitcoin accumulation by the US government as well as the latest on Tornado Cash, Samourai Wallet and implications for open source crypto development. Read the full Digital Assets Report: https://www.whitehouse.gov/crypto/⭐ ANNOUNCING the BPI Congressional Fellowship Program 2025 - applications now open!
What future risk does quantum computing pose to Bitcoin, and how can we think of those risks in terms of their potential geopolitical outcomes?In this episode of Bitcoin Policy Hour, Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro and Zack Cohen recap the "Crypto Week" legislative wins, followed by a deep dive on the "Q-Day" threat—the moment quantum computers become powerful enough to threaten Bitcoin's core cryptographic security.This leads to the question: with the ability to undermine Satoshi's coins, could a quantum breakthrough trigger a global monetary crisis, and ignite a new geopolitical arms race between the U.S., China, and tech giants?As Bitcoin becomes embedded in 401(k)s, sovereign reserves, and global ETFs, the risks—and consequences—go far beyond crypto and deep into the political economy of capital, social structure and geoeconomic competition.⭐ Join Bitcoin Magazine @ Bitcoin Asia 2025, Aug. 28-29 in Hong Kong! Get your tickets at: https://asia.b.tc/ today!
Marty sits down with Yael, a fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, to discuss the intersection of Bitcoin, AI, and energy policy, the importance of negative rights versus positive rights in legislation, the problems with the Bank Secrecy Act, and practical policy priorities for protecting Bitcoin users and developers. Yaël Ossowski on Twitter: https://x.com/YaelOss Yaël's Website: https://yael.ca/ BPI: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ STACK SATS hat: https://tftcmerch.io/ Our newsletter: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ TFTC Elite (Ad-free & Discord): https://www.tftc.io/#/portal/signup/ Discord: https://discord.gg/VJ2dABShBz Opportunity Cost Extension: https://www.opportunitycost.app/ Shoutout to our sponsors: Coinkite https://coinkite.com Unchained https://unchained.com/tftc/ Join the TFTC Movement: Main YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TFTC21/videos Clips YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQcW3jxfQfEUS8kqR5pJtQ Website https://tftc.io/ Newsletter tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ Twitter https://twitter.com/tftc21 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tftc.io/ Nostr https://primal.net/tftc Follow Marty Bent: Twitter https://twitter.com/martybent Nostr https://primal.net/martybent Newsletter https://tftc.io/martys-bent/ Podcast https://www.tftc.io/tag/podcasts/
Avik Roy joins Bitcoin Magazine Political Correspondent Frank Corva for a discussion on the passage of the GENIUS Act, the future of Bitcoin in Washington as well as the macroeconomic picture when it comes to U.S. Treasury issuance, stablecoins, and why he believes bitcoin may become the focal asset in years to come.He breaks down the implications of various U.S. debt default scenarios, programmable currency surveillance, and the central tension between free markets and central planning in the digital age.Avik is the Founder & CEO of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) and is also the President & CEO of the National Institute for Health Care Management. He is also a Senior Advisor at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and an incoming Board Member at STRIVE Asset Management.
In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, the Bitcoin Policy Institute's Zack Cohen and Zack Shapiro are joined by special guest David Zell, (BPI Co-founder) to break down Crypto Week in DC, including the Genius Act, anti-CBDC legislation, and the Clarity Act.The team analyzes the recent surge in Bitcoin price action, the growing role of institutional capital, and how partisan politics are shaping the current outlook for digital asset policy in the United States. They also dive into the Roman Storm/Tornado Cash trial and the legal threat to open-source development represented therein. (Recorded 7/15/2025)Chapters:00:00 - Intro + Market Moves Breakdown 02:30 - Institutional vs. Retail: Who's Buying Bitcoin Now? 06:00 - Policy Shift: Why Institutions Are Finally Allocating 12:00 - Crypto Week in DC: Bills and Political Maneuvering 17:00 - Bitcoin vs. Crypto: Political Spending and Influence 21:00 - Genius Act + Stablecoin Politics 34:00 - CBDCs vs. Stablecoins: Privacy, Control, and the Future of Money 43:00 - Tornado Cash Case and Open Source Legal Risk
Elon Musk's newly-stated alignment with the so-called “America Party” might mark a turning point in Bitcoin politics—but could it also polarize Trump against BTC? In this episode of Bitcoin Policy Hour, BPI's Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro, and Zack Cohen unpack the political chessboard as Elon steps closer to Bitcoin.Meanwhile, the mysterious movement of 80,000 BTC from early wallets sparks intense speculation. Was it a white-hat rescue, a legal gray zone grab, or a quantum canary in the coal mine warning of cryptographic vulnerability? The crew dives into dormant keys, legal ownership vs possession, and the deeper geopolitical and regulatory implications for Bitcoin's future.From space, to courts, to Congress—Bitcoin is now entangled in everything.⭐ Join us at Bitcoin Asia 2025, Aug. 28-29 in Hong Kong! Get your tickets at: https://asia.b.tc/ today!
The U.S. government is running it hot — and Bitcoin may be the only exit.In episode 10 of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, the Bitcoin Policy Institute team — Executive Director Matthew Pines, Head of Policy Zack Shapiro, and Associate Zack Cohen — break down what just happened with the Big Beautiful Bill and why it matters for Bitcoin, inflation, and America's fiscal future.They dive into the last-minute push to pass pro-Bitcoin tax reform (including the de minimis exemption and mining tax fixes), explain why it failed, and assess the rising importance of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) as the next key battleground.The episode also explores deep tensions within the Republican coalition, how Bitcoin fits into U.S. national security priorities, and what the growing demand for stablecoins reveals about where the monetary system is headed.
What happens when Bitcoin grows from $2 trillion to $10 trillion? In this special edition of Bitcoin Policy Hour recorded in Washington, DC, BPI Exec. Director Matthew Pines and Head of Policy Zack Shapiro break down how Bitcoin's exponential monetization is forcing a re-architecture of political and economic power in real time.They dive into:- Why policymakers are finally paying attention to Bitcoin- How AI, quantum computing, and global instability intersect with BTC policy- What a $10T Bitcoin means for U.S. national security and global influence- The legislative battlefield ahead (Clarity Act, market structure bills, non-custodial dev protections)- How BPI is building the next generation of Bitcoin policy leaders in D.C.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: From the Bitcoin Policy Summit in DC04:00 - Why Bitcoin touches every policy domain06:00 - National security and dual-use tech with Patrick Witt09:00 - Government's evolving view on Bitcoin10:30 - Balancing privacy, surveillance & freedom12:00 - Private intel conversations on Bitcoin geopolitics15:45 - What's next for BPI in 202516:50 - Stablecoins, Clarity Act, and legislative strategy18:30 - Strategic outlook: quantum, AI & China22:00 - Lightning, AGI, and machine-to-machine payments25:20 - Preparing for a $5–10T Bitcoin market28:00 - Bitcoin's monetization: who leads and why it matters
Marty sits down with Ken Egan, the Director of Government Affairs at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, to discuss his journey into Bitcoin, the evolving perspectives within the U.S. national security establishment regarding Bitcoin, and the Bitcoin Policy Institute's strategy to influence policy in Washington D.C. Ken Egan on Twitter: https://x.com/Bayman11771 BPI: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ STACK SATS hat: https://tftcmerch.io/ Our newsletter: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ TFTC Elite (Ad-free & Discord): https://www.tftc.io/#/portal/signup/ Discord: https://discord.gg/VJ2dABShBz Shoutout to our sponsors: Coinkite https://coinkite.com Unchained https://unchained.com/tftc/ Join the TFTC Movement: Main YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TFTC21/videos Clips YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQcW3jxfQfEUS8kqR5pJtQ Website https://tftc.io/ Newsletter tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ Twitter https://twitter.com/tftc21 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tftc.io/ Nostr https://primal.net/tftc Follow Marty Bent: Twitter https://twitter.com/martybent Nostr https://primal.net/martybent Newsletter https://tftc.io/martys-bent/ Podcast https://www.tftc.io/tag/podcasts/ STACK SATS hat: https://tftcmerch.io/ Our newsletter: https://www.tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ TFTC Elite (Ad-free & Discord): https://www.tftc.io/#/portal/signup/ Discord: https://discord.gg/VJ2dABShBz Shoutout to our sponsors: Coinkite https://coinkite.com Unchained https://unchained.com/tftc/ Join the TFTC Movement: Main YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TFTC21/videos Clips YT Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQcW3jxfQfEUS8kqR5pJtQ Website https://tftc.io/ Newsletter tftc.io/bitcoin-brief/ Twitter https://twitter.com/tftc21 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tftc.io/ Nostr https://primal.net/tftc Follow Marty Bent: Twitter https://twitter.com/martybent Nostr https://primal.net/martybent Newsletter https://tftc.io/martys-bent/ Podcast https://www.tftc.io/tag/podcasts/
Marty sits down with Zack Shapiro to discuss the Samourai case.Zack Shapiro on Twitter: https://x.com/zackbshapiroP2P Rights: https://p2prights.org/Bitcoin Policy Institute: https://www.btcpolicy.org/0:00 - Intro0:28 - Outlining the case12:26 - Biden/Warren admin17:24 - Fold & Coinkite19:00 - Next step and implications for precedent23:24 - Unchained23:53 - GENIUS act27:34 - History of Bank Secrecy Act33:19 - Nation states will need bitcoin39:21 - Bitcoin fixes the world45:52 - Killer use cases56:14 - OP_DEBATE1:04:54 - C2A