Bitcoin Takeover Podcast

Before he became an executive at Bitrefill and moving on to build the ambitious Synonym company, John Carvalho was best known as the CEO of Xotika (the first camgirl website which enabled BTC tips) and the Bitcoin hero who made Roger Ver rage quit at the end of a heated debate. John Carvalho candidly opens up about his involvement in the Bitcoin space and recalls some of the moments when he played key roles within the community. Watch out for interesting stories about The Bitcoin Foundation and how every attempt to represent the entire group of bitcoiners inevitably suffers from a quick demise. What makes this episode a must-listen: John opens up about his involvement with the Bitcoin Foundation and speaks about the time he mined BTC in his garage. He also provides some useful perspectives about his personal philosophy on Bitcoin. The element of surprise: John describes his debating technique in various contexts. He explains how he prepared for his confrontation with Roger Ver and also highlights the “zooming out” approach which becomes necessary when dealing with a sophisticated debater like Chris DeRose (whom I’d have on the show a couple of months later). Time stamps: 02:10 – The politics of Bitcoin 05:25 – Getting into BTC for the first time 08:12 – Bitcoin back in the day 10:18 – Bitcoin Foundation 12:25 – Consulting Bitcoin Foundation 14:00 – Opinions on The B (Foundation) 15:00 – Bitcoin Foundation vs The B 20:10 – Bitcoin’s multiple narratives 24:30 – Should everything be on a blockchain? 25:10 – Moments of despair in Bitcoin 29:15 – Bitcoin wants to be set free 30:30 – Andreas Antonopoulos and Roger Ver 32:00 – BTC millionaires by accident 33:30 – Bitcoin then and now 36:30 – The Bitcoin world is smaller than it seems 38:00 – Political considerations on Bitcoin 41:20 – Store of value vs mean of exchange for altcoins and for Bitcoin 43:15 – Swiss bank in your pocket 45:00 – Trump helped Bitcoin and the bull run? 48:30 – Bitcoin vs stocks 50:10 – John’s education and involvement in finance 52:50 – How John learned how to debate 53:50 – Preparing to debate Roger Ver 58:25 – How to ruin an honest debate 1:01:25 – On being skeptical 1:02:00 – Blockstream 1:08:50 – Politics vs merit and reputation 1:10:00 – Roger Ver causing friction on markets and burning his resources 1:15:00 – On Roger Ver and Jihan Wu potentially returning to Bitcoin 1:18:30 – Proud of Bitcoin involvement 1:19:10 – Bitrefill and gift cards 1:22:50 – Steam vs Steemit 1:23:40 – On the Brave browser and BAT 1:28:30 – Hyperbitcoinization 1:32:00 – On governments buying BTC 1:36:40 – Retail businesses in BTC 1:38:00 – Bitcoin in 10 years 1:40:00 – Bitcoin and fiat as Ponzis 1:41:00 – The Cantillon effect 1:42:30 – Deflationary economy

Zack Voell talks about the ways in which Bitcoin can change international relations and politics, offers more insights on his background in Austrian economics, and reveals what it's like to have a dating life as a bitcoiner. This interview marked the first crossover between shows, as at the time Zack was doing the Coin Pod. The plan was to feature the episode on both shows, but he never published this interview on his. Also, this is Zack Voell before he joined Blockstream and Compass Mining: just a university graduate whose fascination for Austrian economics has led him down the Bitcoin rabbit hole. What makes this episode a must-listen: As fresh university graduates, Zack and I talk about Bitcoin in relation to international relations and global politics. It’s exactly the kind of conversation that I would have had on every episode had I stuck with the “Bitcoin in Politics” name. The element of surprise: Dating as an outspoken bitcoiner just a month after the capitulation phase of the bear market was a rough experience. And at the time, Zack was describing part of it in his tweets. In this episode, you get to hear some spicy details about having a personal life when you’re basically married to Bitcoin. Time stamps: Podcast Introduction (00:00:48) Hosts Vlad and Zack introduce the crossover episode and set the stage for their discussion. Bitcoin and International Affairs (00:01:55) Exploring Bitcoin’s role in international politics, sanctions, and its potential as a global currency. Academic Backgrounds and Discovering Bitcoin (00:02:24) Both hosts share how their studies in political science and economics led them to Bitcoin. Media Narratives and Early Bitcoin Perceptions (00:04:00) Discussion of early media skepticism, darknet associations, and personal curiosity about Bitcoin. Bitcoin as a Parallel Economy and Sanctioning Governments (00:06:54) Bitcoin’s resilience, its use as a tool against abusive governments, and the concept of a parallel, decentralized economy. Opt-in Nature of Bitcoin and Bear Markets (00:07:53) Voluntary participation in Bitcoin, the experience of bear markets, and the deeper value beyond profit. Bitcoin as a Monetary System and Voting with Your Feet (00:09:40) Bitcoin as a new way to “vote” with money, offering an alternative to fiat systems. Historical Parallels: US Dollar and Bitcoin Governance (00:13:08) Comparing the origins of the US dollar and Bitcoin, and their respective governance structures. Nakamoto Consensus vs. American Federalism (00:14:08) Similarities between Bitcoin’s consensus mechanism and the US federal government’s checks and balances. Bitcoin’s American Roots and Global Impact (00:18:51) Bitcoin as an American invention, its paradoxical role in US foreign policy, and global adoption stories. Cypherpunks and the Development of Bitcoin (00:23:32) Tracing Bitcoin’s origins to American and international cypherpunks and cryptographers. Adoption Paradox: Where Bitcoin Is Needed Most (00:27:49) Why Bitcoin adoption is higher in developed countries, despite greater need in oppressive regimes. Founding Fathers, Gold, and Fiat Critique (00:31:29) Historical US policies on gold, the Founding Fathers’ views, and parallels to Bitcoin’s philosophy. Fiat Inertia and Bitcoin’s Radical Alternative (00:37:28) How fiat systems became the norm, and Bitcoin’s reintroduction of alternative monetary ideas. Enlightenment Thinkers, Property, and Money as Trust (00:39:22) Reflections on Rousseau, Voltaire, and the role of money in building trust and communities. Education, Money, and Critical Thinking (00:44:15) Lack of monetary education, rational ignorance, and how Bitcoin prompts deeper questions. Bitcoin’s Interdisciplinary Appeal and Community (00:47:09) Bitcoin’s relevance across disciplines and its role in creating new communities based on trust. Always a Bitcoin Noob: Learning Never Ends (00:51:50) The ongoing learning curve in Bitcoin, and the difference between genuine learners and self-proclaimed experts. Dating, Social Life, and Bitcoin (00:55:06) Personal anecdotes about dating and the challenges of explaining Bitcoin to newcomers. Giving Bitcoin as a Way to Spark Curiosity (01:03:17) Using small Bitcoin gifts to encourage others to learn and engage with the technology. Rumors: Russia, Reserve Currencies, and Credibility (01:06:01) Discussion of rumors about Russia adopting Bitcoin as a reserve asset and evaluating source credibility. Who Will Adopt Bitcoin First? (01:13:34) Debate on whether privileged or disadvantaged populations will drive the next wave of Bitcoin adoption. Paradigm Shift: Store of Value to Freedom Tool (01:16:31) Bitcoin’s narrative shift from store of value to a tool for free speech and financial independence. The Four Freedoms of Money (01:19:41) Bitcoin’s ability to provide fundamental monetary freedoms compared to fiat currencies. Convenience vs. Responsibility in Bitcoin (01:22:19) The trade-off between centralized convenience and the personal res

Cryptocurrency journalist Omar Faridi talks about Bitcoin adoption in Pakistan, his experiences with exchanges, and how BTC adoption can help shift the power dynamics among nation states. While recording this first season of the BTCTKVR podcast, I was still the editor in chief of Crypto Insider. Omar was one of my colleagues, and I’ve always appreciated his ability to produce a lot of content: at his peak, he would write 3-4 articles a day for a handful of different publications.</p> <p>What makes this episode a must-listen: At this point, it became evident that guests from this season would talk about bitcoin adoption in their country. So hearing some insights about bitcoin in Pakistan was both refreshing and interesting — expecially in a podcast space which tends to focus a little too heavily on the North American experiences and events. The element of surprise: Omar and I end up talking about geopolitics and how bitcoin adoption by small and historically-oppressed nation states would create opportunities to shift the existing power structure. If wealth migrates towards a country in a permissionless and peer to peer fashion, then economic growth follows. If only our politicians and central bankers listened to the talk.

Bitcoin journalist Matt B talks about his experience with BTC in Ireland and New Zealand, expresses his views on the Satoshi Nakamoto conspiracies, comments on the importance of running your own node, and offers insights about his interactions with decentralized exchanges. In terms of writing, Matt B was about one year ahead of me: in 2018, he was writing for Bitcoin Magazine and I ripped off one of his articles (basically reworded his piece to convey the same meaning) when I was still a rookie writer at Crypto Globe. However, I paid my due by inviting Matt to get on his first podcast interview ever. Sometimes this freshness becomes evident — Matt was shy and soft spoken, but still managed to say interesting stuff. What makes this episode a must-listen: As an Irishman living in New Zealand, Matt B has a broader view on bitcoin adoption. He speaks about both countries from a comparative perspective, which is always useful when trying to understand how different territories approach financial innovation. The element of surprise: Matt and I end up talking about Satoshi Nakamoto conspiracies – a very hot topic in 2019, when lots of claims from different people were emerging. If anything, our discussion was an attempt to rationalize a contest of claiming merits without any kind of proof.

Buzz Lightyear, now established in Portugal. talks about the importance of Bitcoin in our galaxy. From domestic politics and all the way to international affairs, there is quite a lot that this neutral and immutable form of currency can radically change. If Buzz Lightyear is going to infinity and beyond, then it seems like he will be taking Bitcoin with him. Long before interviewing the so-called “plebs” was cool, I’ve decided to allow the owner of an anonymous Twitter account to get on the Bitcoin Takeover podcast and talk about his understanding of BTC. Buzz Lightyear was one of the earliest supporters of my idea to start a podcast, he’s followed my project since day one and was eager to join the first season as a guest. I, on the other hand, have decided that I wouldn’t care too much about reputation, followers, or any metrics that other podcasters use to vet their invitees. Which is why we ended up having such a great conversation. What makes this episode a must-listen: Buzz Lightyear is a Portuguese bitcoiner who very much enjoys defending the network from people who claim that Bitcoin is a Ponzi (in early 2019, this was still the case in many places). To add up to Mr. Lightyear’s genuine nature, he even bought himself a new microphone just to have decent audio during this interview. He’s this committed to the mission.</p> <p>The element of surprise: All throughout the interview, Buzz Lightyear stays in character and tries to talk just like an orange-pilled version of the Toy Story astronaut. He goes to infinity and beyond when it comes to opsec and the protection of his identity — but also manages to keep a sense of humor.

Avi Rosten makes use of his background in political science and philosophy to talk about Bitcoin, libertarianism, his love for John Stuart Mill, and what it's like to use Bitcoin in the United Kingdom. Also, he analyzes the Bitcoin-only alternatives for Patreon and inquires on the future of permissionless crowdfunding. Last but not least, Avi tells a story about meeting David Chaum in London and doing an interview with the legendary cypherpunk. What makes this episode a must-listen: Avi is well-versed in classical liberalism and the political philosophy which surrounds it. Also, most Bitcoin podcasters talk about the Austrian school of economics but neglect the freedom-centric writings of the classics. Avi talks about the work of John Stuart Mill, a man who influenced everyone from Mises to Hayek and Rothbard. The element of surprise: Avi recalls the casual setting in which he interviewed David Chaum in London. He suggests that we must be very early if the grandfather of cypherpunks is so unknown to the general public and can become available for interviews so easily. I reply that working in Bitcoin in 2019 is pretty much like getting a job at BBC in the early 1960s: you inevitably meet John Lennon, Mick Jagger, and all the other rock n roll heavyweights years before they become world famous.

Anthony Lusardi of the Ethereum Classic Cooperative talks about getting into Bitcoin, using it as a mean of exchange in New York, his take on the New York Agreement, and the purpose of altcoins in a market that's dominated and led by BTC. What makes this episode a must-listen: Though it’s short and a bit on the awkward side, this episode presents the scale of the New York Bitcoin scene. Yes, the city and state of New York has left its fingerprint on Bitcoin culture: from BitInstant (Charlie Shrem’s not-defunct exchange) to BitLicense (a regulatory framework which influenced much of the legislation around Bitcoin) and the infamous New York Agreement (the SegWit2X deal), there’s definitely a lot that happened in the area. On the other hand, as of 2019, Bitcoin was still a minor phenomenon on the local scene. Understanding this only helps us realize how early we are. The element of surprise: There was no “talk in the streets” about the New York Agreement in 2017 and Bitcoin is still an insignificant phenomenon in the city. This only means that our civil wars have had a minimalistic impact on the public perception of Bitcoin and we are still in the early days. This may also mean that the true battles are yet to come.

Crypto Twitter personality Brekkie van Bitcoin (formerly known as Crypto Brekkie) makes use of his degree in International Relations to talk about Bitcoin's position in world politics. Throughout the episode, you will find an interesting balance of jokes and serious discussions that may shine a light on what this politically-neutral cryptocurrency is all about and might turn you into a fan of the cult hit Blockchain and Morty. Furthermore, Mr. Brekkie also provides insight on the prospects of becoming the Johnny Carson (or Jimmy Kimmel) of crypto in a new network television show. What makes this episode a must-listen: If you’re a fan of Brekkie’s work, then this is basically him before he became a famous Bitcoin-only advocate. We don’t talk much about international relations, but we definitely express views about the future of art before either of us became aware of Bitcoin NFTs. The element of surprise: Brekkie is not German, but at the time enjoyed using a slightly exaggerated Deutsch accent. It’s hilarious and maybe that it should make a comeback sometime.

Alena Vranova presents Bitcoin in a way which transcends financial speculation and all the narrow views in terms of its potential use cases. To put it plainly, Ms. Vranova believes that BTC would be a great currency to trade oil among nation states, in order to prevent embargos and power abuses by the most powerful countries. A Bitcoin world economy would remove the influence of global financial actors that don't necessarily work for the greater good, while also allowing every individual and institution to be sovereign and independent. Starting from a common point which concerns the communist era of Central and Eastern Europe, the discussion with Alena Vranova attempts to find ways where all the radical become less of a danger, as the world becomes more rational. Listen to this 2-hour conversation and make sure you give @AlenaSatoshi a shoutout on Twitter if you've made it all the way to the end!

This is a crossover episode with Car Gonzalez's Thriller Crypto After Dark, and the main topic we discuss is Bitcoin maximalism and how this new politically-neutral monetary system can adjust world powers and make our governments more accountable. In January 2019, I wrote an article titled “Why Richard Heart’s Bitcoin Hex Is a Scam”. It described every facet of what would later become “Hex”, revealing everything shady about the team and the smart contracts that were designed to enrich the founders. Car Gonzalez got interested in my work and wanted to have me on this podcast — but since I was also working on mine, we decided to do a double crossover. All of my favorite 1990s albums have secret tracks, so I’ve decided to also include a bonus to the first season of the Bitcoin Takeover podcast. What makes this episode a must-listen: Car is a smooth talker and a great listener. So when we talk about Bitcoin maximalism shortly after Giacomo Zucco’s famous Baltic Honeybadger 2018 presentation, it feels novel and exciting. The element of surprise: Car opens up about his past interviews, in which he would give attention to every shitcoiner who sent an e-mail request. He tries to rationalize the experiences by expressing part of his disillusionment with the entire “crypto” space. It would take him another year to launch Thriller Bitcoin and Thriller Lightning, just like it would take me a couple more months to figure out a direction for my podcast.