What Bitcoin Did

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE CAPE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Ansel Lindner: https://x.com/AnselLindner

“There's a 50% chance that by 2033, quantum computers can break Bitcoin.” Alex Pruden joins me to explain why the threat may be much closer than most Bitcoiners think, what a real quantum attack on Bitcoin would actually look like, and whether bitcoin developers are doing enough to prepare. We get into the real risk to self custody, exposed public keys, whether Satoshi’s coins could become a target, how a migration to quantum resistant signatures might work, and why this debate could become one of the most important and divisive fights in Bitcoin’s future. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\\\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Alex Pruden: https://x.com/apruden08

“You’ve been deceived your entire life.” Jeff Booth returns to the show to break down Bitcoin, AI, inflation, debt, deflation, and the kind of systemic chaos that could reshape everything people think they know about money. If Jeff is right, we are heading into a period of supply chain shocks, inflation spikes, mass money printing, job destruction from AI, and a brutal repricing of the global economy. In this episode, Jeff explains why the natural state of the free market is deflation, why Bitcoin is the only real path to agency, why trusting digital credit and custodians could end in disaster, and why most people still cannot see the system they are trapped inside. We also get into whether Strategy and the digital credit thesis are dangerous for Bitcoin, why AI changes everything faster than most people realise, and what a true Bitcoin economy might actually look like. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Jeff Booth: https://x.com/JeffBooth

“This is like DEFCON 5. This is a catastrophe.” The debt crisis is already here. Governments are spending far beyond their means, inflation is quietly eating away at living standards, and the only real escape route is more debasement dressed up as growth. Add in an energy shock, AI driven job losses, and rising social unrest, and the question stops being whether the system is breaking. It becomes how long they can keep it going. In this episode, I sit down with Lyn Alden to break down the real state of the global economy. We get into why sovereign debt crises are a slow moving process, why the US has already crossed into a new era of fiscal dominance, and why Lyn believes the Strait of Hormuz is the biggest macro risk in the world right now. We also discuss inflation, war, food and energy shortages, AI replacing white collar work, the path toward UBI, and whether this debt cycle could be the one that finally pushes the fiat system to its limit. Plus, Lyn shares the personal story behind her rise, from homelessness as a child to becoming one of the most respected macro thinkers in the world. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE CAPE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Lyn Alden: https://x.com/LynAldenContact

“We’re subject to monetary domination. We can’t do without money because the vast majority of people have absolutely no say over how money works. That’s an injustice.” In this episode, I sit down with philosopher Bradley Rettler in Bedford to explore two questions that are going to define the future: what AI is doing to human thought, and whether our monetary system is fundamentally unjust. We get into what thinking actually is, whether LLMs are really thinking, and why using AI as a substitute for your own reasoning may make you worse at reasoning for yourself. Bradley explains why this matters, not just for productivity, but for education, moral agency, and the risk that a small number of companies could end up shaping how millions of people think. We then turn to Bradley’s new paper on monetary justice. He breaks down the idea of monetary domination, how the Fed and the commercial banking system concentrate power over money creation, and why that leaves most people trapped inside a system they have no meaningful say over. We also get into where Bitcoin fits into all of this, whether it offers an escape from monetary domination, and why the divide between Bitcoin as freedom money and Bitcoin as digital gold is becoming harder to ignore. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Bradley Rettler: https://x.com/rettlerb

"No innovation will ever change the world more than 2%. Even Bitcoin." Junseth is a Bitcoin OG who's been here since a week after pizza day. He returns to challenge every narrative the tech world is selling you, from AI replacing all jobs to the metaverse that never existed. Junseth makes the case that the future is being imagined by people who think the best state of the world is living in your bedroom and never coming out, and that the rest of us don't have to elect to live in that world. He explains why AI adoption will be far slower than anyone thinks, why the people predicting the end of jobs are still hiring programmers, and why the Gell-Mann amnesia effect means you shouldn't trust any of the expert timelines. We also get into whether Bitcoin has actually done anything yet, why Bitcoin is boring and that's a good thing, the emergence of political factions and BIP 110, whether AI consciousness and belief in God are diametrically opposed, why the agent economy might reshape the internet, and why if you lose your job you should just go start a trash bin cleaning business. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Junseth: https://x.com/verysmallclaims

"If there's going to be printing, it's going to be the hardest printing they've ever done. There isn't another option." Eric Yakes returns to break down the macro landscape as global debt hits historic levels, private credit shows real cracks, and the commodity shift accelerates under geopolitical fracture. Eric explains why the gold rally isn't about one event but a structural inflection point decades in the making, why private credit could be the next financial crisis and how the only path forward likely involves the hardest printing central banks have ever done. We also get into AI's second-order effects on startups and job markets, why the agent economy could be a major bridge to Bitcoin adoption, the death of proprietary software, the quantum narrative versus the actual threat, and why Bitcoin at $70K is deep value. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Eric Yakes: https://x.com/ericyakes

At 5am, Lauren Rodriguez woke to laser sights, a drone flying through her house, and 40 armed federal agents raiding their cottage, all because her husband built a Bitcoin wallet. Keonne Rodriguez co-founded Samurai Wallet in 2015, a non-custodial Bitcoin wallet with privacy features including Whirlpool, their CoinJoin implementation. For nearly a decade, the wallet operated openly on the Google Play Store with no issues. Then on April 24th, 2024, the FBI and IRS launched coordinated raids on the Rodriguez home in Pennsylvania and co-founder Bill Hill's home in Portugal. The charges: conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money service business and conspiracy to money launder. The problem: FinCEN's own guidance stated that non-custodial wallets are not money transmitters. And six months before indictment, prosecutors asked FinCEN directly whether Samurai was a money service business, FinCEN said no. The prosecutors buried that answer, a Brady violation. Lauren walks through the full story; the raid, the discovery process involving 17 terabytes of evidence, the sudden judicial switch from a neutral judge to a former chief of the SDNY criminal division, the five-minute hearing where every defense motion was denied without explanation, and the impossible math of a plea deal versus a 25-year trial exposure with a hostile judge. Keonne is now serving a five-year federal prison sentence. Lauren is fighting for a presidential pardon for both Keonne and Bill. Sign the petition and support their case at BillandKeonne.org. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Lauren Rodriguez: https://x.com/leamuirleyn Sign the Petition & Donate: https://billandkeonne.org/

"5 to 10% is going to cause immense damage. When cash flows stop at the margin, everything collapses because of leverage." Nik Bhatia returns to break down the macro landscape as war in Iran sends oil to $100, the dollar surges, and volatility clouds the outlook. Nik explains why he's wiped the slate clean on his macro thesis, why the US economy may still avoid recession despite the chaos, and how the Genius Act could reshape the global dollar system through stablecoins. We also get into AI job displacement, why treasuries are still the bedrock of global finance, Bitcoin's decoupling signal, and whether the four-year cycle is finally dead. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Nik Bhatia: https://x.com/timevalueofbtc

Is Bitcoin's four-year cycle still intact, and what does that mean for the next six months? In this episode, I sit down with The Rational Root to break down where we are in Bitcoin's cycle, why on-chain data is flashing bear market signals despite Bitcoin holding up through the Iran war, and what the bottom formation could look like from here. We discuss the shift from retail hype to institutional adoption, why OTC buying from ETFs and treasury companies dampened this cycle's price action, how gold and AI stole Bitcoin's mindshare, and whether passive flows from the likes of Saylor could prevent another leg down. Root walks through his key on-chain charts and explains why he thinks there's still a probability of one more drop before Bitcoin starts its next move up. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny The Rational Root: https://x.com/therationalroot

"Our entire financial system will blow up without their factories, without their oil. And they know that. So they can wait." Luke Gromen is a macroeconomic analyst, investor and founder of FFTT. In this episode, we get into whether the Iran war exposed a far bigger geopolitical shift than most people realise, why Luke thinks missiles and drones may have changed global power forever, and what all of this means for oil, markets, Bitcoin and the future of the dollar system. We also get into why Bitcoin held up better than expected during the conflict, why Luke still thinks risk assets face serious danger ahead, and how AI could trigger a major credit event faster than almost anyone expects. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Luke Gromen: https://x.com/LukeGromen

"Statistically, right now, we are basically at the bottom. This is as cheap as Bitcoin gets." Matthew Mezinskis is a macroeconomic researcher, host of Crypto Voices and one of the leading voices on Bitcoin's power law and global money supply data. In this episode, we dig into why Bitcoin's quantile regression is showing we're scraping the absolute floor, why the four-year cycle is completely intact despite everyone calling it dead last year, and what the Fed's balance sheet actually tells us about where Bitcoin goes next. In this episode: • The Power Law: Why Bitcoin at $63k represents the cheapest level relative to trend in its entire history, and what the quantile regression is actually showing • The Four-Year Cycle: How the 2024-2025 price action perfectly follows prior cycles despite the "cycle is dead" narrative. • The 550k Projection: What the power law projects for Bitcoin by 2029-2030. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Matthew Mezinskis: https://x.com/1basemoney

Is this the start of a financial crisis? Jeff Snider is the founder of Eurodollar University and the go-to voice on how the global financial system really works. In this episode, we discuss why the shadow banking and private credit bubble is bursting right now, the cockroaches emerging across the credit markets that reveal nobody did any due diligence during the bubble years, and Jeff's three-stage financial crisis framework for understanding how bad this could get. We also get into why the Fed is essentially a political lightning rod with no real control over the monetary system, why bond markets have been pricing in a crisis since 2021 regardless of what the Fed does, and how people should position themselves, including Jeff's take on $60k Bitcoin. In this episode, we cover: • The 3 Stages of Financial Crisis: From early outflows (Stage 1) to forced selling (Stage 2) to systemic panic and the domino effect (Stage 3) — and where we are right now • The Cockroach Problem: Why big banks failed to check if the collateral they were lending against even existed, and what that reveals about the scale of the bubble • Credit Crisis vs Liquidity Crisis: The critical distinction that determines whether this stays contained or spills into broader markets • The Fed's Illusion of Control: Why the bond market has been pricing in a crisis since 2021, regardless of what Jay Powell says or does • Bitcoin & Survival: How to position yourself for a Stage 3 collapse and why wealth preservation is no longer optional in a debasing fiat system THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Jeff Snider: https://x.com/JeffSnider_EDU

Is Bitcoin's worst sentiment ever actually the biggest buying opportunity? Alex Thorn is Head of Firmwide Research at Galaxy Digital. In this episode, we discuss why Bitcoin has dropped nearly 50% from its all-time high, the reality behind the Jane Street manipulation allegations, why sentiment is among the worst it's ever been, and whether the four-year cycle played out after all. We also get into AI's potential to massively disrupt the job market, Alex's thesis on why you need to start building your "fleet of robots" now before it's too late, and why Bitcoin's fundamental value proposition matters more than ever despite the narrative damage. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Alex Thorn: https://x.com/intangiblecoins

Is the US government preparing to weaponise the dollar like never before? In this episode, Brent Johnson, creator of the Dollar Milkshake Theory, returns to discuss his $5,000 gold call and why the traditional rules of global macro are currently being rewritten. We get into the Imperial Circle, the exact strategy Soros, Druckenmiller and Scott Besant used to break the Bank of England, and why that same playbook may now be driving US economic policy. Brent explains why gold and the dollar can be strong at the same time, why Bitcoin has underperformed gold this cycle and how stablecoins are reshaping global capital flows in ways most people aren't paying attention to. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Brent Johnson: https://x.com/SantiagoAuFund

Has the world order actually broken down? In this episode, I sit down with Parker Lewis to break down Ray Dalio's warning that the global order is collapsing. Parker explains why Dalio is right that things are breaking down, but completely misses the root cause, the currency system. We get into why the weaponisation of the dollar, from cutting Russia off SWIFT to endless money printing, is what's actually driving the world towards chaos and why Bitcoin is insanely undervalued at $67k. Parker also makes the case that if Bitcoin doesn't eventually become a medium of exchange, something has gone very wrong. We explore: • The 5 types of war (and why we are already fighting 4 of them) • What Ray Dalio missed: The true cause of the global economic collapse • Monetary warfare: The exact moment the world lost faith in the US dollar. • Why neutral money is the ultimate defense against global disorder • The fatal flaw of gold THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Parker Lewis: https://x.com/parkeralewis

Is AI about to replace your job? And should you be terrified? In this episode, I sit down with Mark Suman to talk about the rapid acceleration of AI, what OpenClaw and agentic AI actually means for the average person, and why the lower rungs of the corporate ladder are about to get sawed off. We get into the privacy nightmare unfolding as people hand over their most personal data to LLMs, whether Bitcoin becomes the native money of AI agents, and how open-source models are keeping the big tech companies honest. Mark also brought his AI bot "Cooper" onto the show, and it kicked me off my own podcast. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Mark Suman: https://x.com/marksuman

"Bear markets are about both price and time. We've had quite a bit of pain on price, we haven't had that much time yet." Andy Edstrom, author of Why Buy Bitcoin, joins the show to discuss capital preservation and portfolio allocation during a downturn. We analyze the structural health of the market, why the "This Time is Different" narrative failed, and why institutional treasury strategies might be creating a drag on Bitcoin's spot price. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Andy Edstrom: https://x.com/edstromandrew

Mark Goodwin is a journalist and author at Unlimited Hangout. In this episode, he breaks down what the Epstein files reveal about Bitcoin's origins and the connections between the Epstein network, the PayPal mafia, and the creation of Tether. We get into whether Bitcoin has been co-opted, the role of stablecoins in extending dollar hegemony, and why the Bitcoin community needs to refocus on building peer-to-peer freedom tools. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Mark Goodwin: https://x.com/markgoodw_in

Checkmate is a Bitcoin analyst known for his on-chain & macro research. In this episode, he breaks down the Bitcoin crash to $60k and why it may have marked a critical inflection point. We get into on-chain data, mean reversion models, and if the bottom is in for this bear market, or we go lower. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Checkmate: https://x.com/\_Checkmatey\_

Joe Consorti is a Market Analyst & Head of Growth at Horizon. In this episode, he breaks down one of Bitcoin’s most volatile days since the 2022 bear market. We unpack what’s really driving the selloff, why this isn’t a Bitcoin-native event, and how risk appetite, credit spreads, and Fed policy are shaping the move and the future. We also look at ETF behaviour, the dollar, and why Bitcoin may be deeply mispriced at current levels. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Joe Consorti: https://x.com/JoeConsorti

James Lavish is a macro investor, former hedge fund manager, and managing partner at the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund. We discuss the emerging debt spiral, why the bond market no longer trusts policymakers, and why rate cuts don’t mean what they used to. James breaks down why the Fed is backed into a corner on money printing, monetary mechanics and the math behind the headlines, and how gold, silver, and Bitcoin are responding to stress in the system. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny James Lavish: https://x.com/jameslavish

Brandon Black is a Bitcoin software engineer. In this episode we discuss why quantum computing is unlikely to threaten Bitcoin in the foreseeable future, how exaggerated claims around qubit scaling and Shor’s algorithm distort the real risk, what concrete evidence would actually force Bitcoin to act, and how questions around soft forks, post quantum cryptography, property rights, and confiscation should be framed if progress ever becomes real. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE CLUB ORANGE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Brandon Black: https://x.com/reardencode

Caitlin Long is the founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, and in this episode we discuss the repricing of gold and its implications for Bitcoin, how derivatives and ETFs suppress price signals, why Wall Street cannot control Bitcoin the way it controlled gold, the strategic role of stablecoins in sustaining dollar demand, and how recent shifts in Treasury and Fed power matter for Bitcoin. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN CAPE FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Caitlin Long: https://x.com/CaitlinLong\_

Amiti Uttarwar is a Bitcoin protocol developer and founder of Waye. In this episode we discuss her path from Bitcoin Core to building support structures for long term open source contributors, the limits of permissionless work, funding and sustainability tradeoffs in Bitcoin development, and why social and human layers now matter as much as technical ones. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Amiti Uttarwar: https://x.com/amizi Waye: https://www.waye.dev/

Lawrence Lepard is an investment manager and author of The Big Print. In this episode, he explains why the Federal Reserve has already pivoted back to money printing and why inflation is now structurally embedded in the system. We discuss the growing inevitability of yield curve control, what gold and silver are signaling and why Bitcoin is the most asymmetric response to policy failure and monetary decay. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Lawrence Lepard: https://x.com/LawrenceLepard

Cory Klippsten joins the show for a conversation on Bitcoin, power, and what is actually happening beneath the surface of the crypto industry. We break down why offshore exchanges are tolerated by governments, how surveillance and enforcement shape market structure, and why much of the crypto economy exists to extract rather than create long term wealth. Cory explains why Bitcoin adoption advanced structurally in 2025 despite a flat price, why tariffs and macro uncertainty weighed on markets, and why the old four year cycle narrative is likely dead. We then get into Bitcoin treasury companies, MicroStrategy, leverage, preferred structures, and why most companies holding Bitcoin are not actually competing in the same game. We also get into self custody risks, education versus attention driven media, prediction markets, macro liquidity, and why Bitcoin is maturing into a real macro asset even if price action has not caught up yet. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Cory Klippsten: https://x.com/coryswan

Mark Moss joins the show to talk about why Bitcoin is not just an asset, but a financial cheat code that exposes how broken the modern system really is. Mark explains why wages can never outrun inflation, why saving harder is a losing strategy, and why wealth has always been built through assets, leverage, and system design rather than hustle culture. We unpack Bitcoin treasury companies, MSTR, leverage, preferreds, and why most criticism of these structures misses how traditional finance actually works. We then get into Bitcoin as the foundation of a new personal and institutional playbook. Mark lays out how individuals can think about building a Bitcoin based treasury, managing risk, liquidity, and leverage without blowing themselves up, and why never selling Bitcoin requires building an engine around it. We also get into macro, global liquidity and the breakdown of the four year cycle. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Mark Moss: https://x.com/1MarkMoss

Michael Saylor joins the show for a conversation on Bitcoin, power, and the treasury company playbook. We recap 2025 and look forward at 2026 with Michael arguing that Bitcoin’s real progress shows up in institutions, credit markets, accounting rules, and bank adoption, not short term price action. We then get into a confrontational debate on Bitcoin treasury companies, mNAV, and corporate adoption. Michael rejects the criticism outright, arguing that attacking companies buying Bitcoin misses the bigger picture and misunderstands optionality, operating leverage, and risk. We explore his vision of Bitcoin evolving from digital capital into digital credit, why credit rather than price drives power, and why focus and endurance matter more than narratives. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Michael Saylor: https://x.com/saylor

Peter McCormack is back on the show for a conversation on power, the state of the UK, and why the system is broken. We get into how debt, inflation, and centralised government incentives have hollowed out public services, destroyed the middle class, and turned politics into a fight over power rather than outcomes. Peter explains why inflation is the real tax, why asset inflation benefits elites at the expense of everyone else, and why neither the left nor the right is willing or able to fix the underlying problem. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Peter McCormack: https://x.com/PeterMcCormack

Simon Dixon joins the show for a conversation on money, power, and why Bitcoin exists at all. Drawing on decades inside investment banking and monetary reform, Simon explains why modern capitalism is not capitalism at all, how debt based money guarantees systemic collapse, and why governments are not the real locus of power. We trace the origins of central banking, fractional reserve lending, and the financial industrial complex, and why attempts at reform were always destined to fail. We then turn to Bitcoin as both an exit and a battleground. Simon lays out the real attack vectors facing Bitcoin today, from Wall Street financialisation and ETFs to corporate treasury centralisation and custody capture. He explains why self custody matters, why elites want different rules for themselves, and why Bitcoin can survive even if it is co-opted at the edges. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Simon Dixon: https://x.com/SimonDixonTwitt

American HODL & Matt Odell join the show for a review of a year that left most Bitcoin narratives exposed. We unpack why expectations ran ahead of reality, why the super cycle never materialised, and how ETFs, treasury companies, and institutional capital quietly changed how this market actually operates. We get into Bitcoin’s underperformance versus gold and equities, the absence of meaningful retail demand, and how leverage distorted outcomes rather than driving real adoption. We discuss what this means long term. From institutional involvement and shifting power structures, to the breakdown of the four year cycle framework. We also get into custody, incentives, freedom, and whether Bitcoin has to pass through the traditional system before it can meaningfully reshape it. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny American HODL: https://primal.net/hodl ODELL: https://primal.net/odell

Joe Carlasare joins the show for a breakdown of why Bitcoin’s sideways year has been so widely misread, and why sentiment today is the worst it's been. We get into why 2025 fell below expectations, why Bitcoin’s lack of volatility pushed capital toward AI stocks and gold, and the fall out from the October 10th liquidation event. We get into why the four year cycle narrative no longer fits a market shaped by ETFs, options, and institutional hedging, why calendar based thinking has become a liability, and why a year of consolidation may be working off excess rather than signalling weakness. Joe explains why a new all time high in 2026 would be one of the most bullish developments in Bitcoin’s history, permanently breaking cycle psychology, and lays out what could shift Bitcoin from hard mode back into a structurally bullish macro asset as liquidity, positioning, and confidence come back. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Joe Carlasare: https://x.com/JoeCarlasare

David Dredge joins the show for a deep dive into why risk is being dangerously misunderstood across global markets, and why Bitcoin’s recent underperformance may actually be a symptom of structural stress, not failure. David explains why volatility itself isn’t the risk, why leverage is the real accelerant, and how TradFi risk models quietly manufacture systemic blow-ups. We unpack how suppressed volatility, ETFs, options markets, and structured products are changing Bitcoin’s market structure, why leverage is creeping in through Wall Street rather than native crypto venues, and how max pain dynamics emerge when under-capitalised risk builds up. David breaks down why the four-year cycle narrative is breaking down, why Bitcoin’s muted year isn’t about demand weakness, and how positioning ultimately drives outcomes. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny David Dredge: https://x.com/ConvexityDredge

Jeff Ross joins the show for a breakdown of why the global financial system is cracking and why Bitcoin’s recent weakness may be the setup. We discuss why governments are trapped into monetising debt, why inflation is no longer a policy choice, and how deflation could ultimately kill fiat currencies altogether. Jeff also explains why the four year Bitcoin cycle is effectively dead, how a multi-year U.S. manufacturing recession has quietly dragged Bitcoin lower, and why liquidity and economic reality matter far more than narratives or price models. We also get into Japan’s bond yield shock and the unwind of the yen carry trade, why rising rates there are sending stress through global markets, and what it signals about the end of the easy-money era. Jeff lays out why the world is slowly moving away from the U.S. dollar as the global reserve asset, why gold is already repricing, and why Bitcoin’s real breakout may come later, driven by structural pressure. We explore the 2026 inflection point, government-picked winners like AI and manufacturing and the risk of global deflation. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny

Sam Callahan is the Director of Strategy & Research at OranjeBTC. In this episode we discuss why Bitcoin’s fundamentals have never been stronger, why Bitcoin periodically decouples from global liquidity, how internal market dynamics can override macro conditions, and why today’s divergence between improving fundamentals and weak price action may actually be one of the most misunderstood moments in this cycle and why the four-year cycle framework is increasingly unreliable. We also get into the deeper structural risks facing the global financial system, from fiscal dominance and runaway deficits to the looming insolvency of Social Security and Medicare. Sam walks through why entitlement spending, demographics, and interest expense create a problem that can’t be solved politically, only postponed monetarily. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Sam Callahan: https://x.com/samcallah

Saifedean Ammous joins the show to explain why the real collapse didn’t begin in 1971, but in 1914, and how fiat money quietly rewired civilisation itself. We break down how governments escaped monetary discipline through war finance, why inflation destroys savings, culture, and long-term thinking, and how central banks learned to fund wars, empires, and endless deficits without public consent. Saifedean walks through the hidden monetary history of World War I, the death of the gold standard, and why fiat money wasn’t an accident, but a power grab that reshaped the modern world. We also dig into Bitcoin as the first real alternative to this system, not as an ideology, but as a price technology. He explains why Bitcoin’s price is the only scoreboard that matters, how money itself is a market with a $300T addressable size, and why Bitcoin doesn’t need fiat to collapse in order to win. We explore nation-state adoption, gold vs Bitcoin, why reserve assets reprice suddenly not gradually, and why Bitcoin is still early. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Saifedean Ammous: https://x.com/saifedean

Eric Yakes joins the show to discuss what’s really driving Bitcoin right now and why price is determined by fundamentals, not cycles or models. We break down how marginal supply and marginal demand actually work in Bitcoin, why the four-year cycle may never have been real, and how years of behind-the-scenes work inside institutions and regulators lead to the sudden headlines that reprice the market. We also dig into sovereign wealth funds, nation-state reserve adoption, and why Bitcoin is still one announcement away from a major move. Eric explains why liquidity, not ideology, is the real constraint, why gold still dominates today, and what Bitcoin needs to reach true reserve-asset status. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Eric Yakes: https://x.com/ericyakes

Jeff Walton joins the show for a deep dive into the state of Bitcoin treasury companies, the rise of digital credit, and why we may be entering the most aggressive phase of institutional Bitcoin adoption yet. We get into Paper Bitcoin Winter, why so many treasury companies are trading below 1× MNAV, and whether the original playbook of issuing equity, & buying Bitcoin may be running out of road. Jeff breaks down why the model isn’t dead, how yield markets are evolving at lightning speed, and why optionality, scale, and genuine operational talent will decide who survives the coming shakeout. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Jeff Walton: https://x.com/PunterJeff

Erik Hersman, Phillip Walton, Eric Yakes & Mark Kamau join the show for a deep dive into energy, mining, and the reality of electrifying Africa — and why Bitcoin is quietly unlocking possibilities no NGO or government has ever managed to achieve. We get into the wild journey across northern Kenya to the forgotten village of Saru where communities live without electricity, refrigeration, or basic infrastructure, and where abundant energy would completely transform life, opportunity, and even culture. Philip and Eric explain why transmission lines will never be built, why NGOs fail 90% of the time, and how Bitcoin mining finally makes it economically viable to electrify the most remote places on earth. They break down how Gridless finds stranded energy, models profitable solar and hydro builds, and partners with local elders, schools, and entrepreneurs to create real markets — not handouts. We dig into the coming era of “energy first, mining second,” the circular Bitcoin economies emerging across Kenya, why M-Pesa makes Nairobi the easiest city in the world to live on Bitcoin, and how Lightning will become the payment layer for off-grid power. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Erik Hersman: https://x.com/whiteafrican/ Phillip Walton: https://linkedin.com/in/philip-walton-nairobi Eric Yakes: https://x.com/ericyakes Mark Kamau: https://x.com/mark_kamau

Seb Bunney joins the show for a conversation about broken money, distorted reality maps, and why Bitcoin might be the only force capable of realigning society. We get into his personal journey from mountain-bike coaching in Whistler and realising hard work no longer pays, to discovering how central banks, misaligned incentives, and financialisation quietly shape everything from housing and family life to politics and culture. Seb explains why so many young people are turning to socialism, why democracies can’t change course, and how separating money and state could be the only viable path forward. Seb also breaks down his new essay The Curated World — exploring linguistic control, scientific gatekeeping, suppressed technologies, the Invention Secrecy Act, and why “the map is not the territory.” We dig into Bitcoin’s role as a truth-seeking mechanism, what happens when incentives flip from intervention to value creation, and how free markets, energy breakthroughs, and longer lifespans could transform civilisation far beyond money. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Seb Bunney: https://x.com/sebbunney

George Bodine joins the show for a wild conversation about the fourth turning, AI, quantum, and why he believes the next 3–5 years will be the most volatile period in Bitcoin history. We get into his insane life story — from trailer parks to flying F-18s at Top Gun, ejecting from a crashing jet, working underground as a miner, becoming a pro artist, and eventually going all-in on Bitcoin. George breaks down why he thinks the financial crisis never ended, how AI and robotics will erase millions of jobs, the global arms race for compute and energy, and why quantum could hit faster than people expect. We dig into Bitcoin’s real threats — mining centralisation, quantum-vulnerable coins, BIP444, and the Core vs Knots fight dividing the community. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY SWAN FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny

Phong Le, CEO of Strategy, joins the show to break down exactly how the world’s biggest Bitcoin treasury company works. The Bitcoin-backed credit markets, the preferreds, the leverage, and how Strategy keeps buying Bitcoin in bull and bear markets. We dig into how MicroStrategy pivoted during 2020, how Phong and Michael Saylor built the Bitcoin treasury model from scratch, and why Strategy believes Bitcoin is still radically undervalued. Phong explains Strike, Strife, Stride, and Stretch, how these preferreds create Bitcoin yield, why they work even when price is down, and how Strategy thinks about dilution, MNAV premiums, and raising billions without selling sats. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Phong Le: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phong-le-b53520

Max Guise from Block joins the show to break down one of the biggest leaps forward for Bitcoin self-custody: BitKey’s new privacy upgrade, why it matters, and how it removes one of the last major trade-offs between safety and privacy. We get into how BitKey’s new chaincode-delegation system prevents Block from seeing balances or transactions, and why this BIP unlocks a new era for private, user-friendly multisig. We also get into Square switching on Bitcoin payments across the US and why that’s a much bigger deal than most people realise - removing the friction of onboarding merchants and making Bitcoin everyday money. As well as the structural risk of mining centralisation, how relying on a handful of foreign ASIC manufacturers threatens Bitcoin’s long-term resilience, and how Proto’s approach is designed to spread hashpower, strengthen the network, and give miners real optionality for the first time in years. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Max Guise: https://x.com/max_guise

Checkmate and Alec Dejanovic from Checkonchain break down what’s really happening with Bitcoin’s price. The unprecedented long-term holder sell-off, the spot buyers absorbing billions, and why this cycle looks less like a normal bull market and more like a Great Rotation. We get into old coins coming back to life, sovereign accumulation, stalled ETF flows, and why the real story isn’t who is selling, it’s who has the balance sheet to buy this much Bitcoin. Checkmate also explains the true market mean at $82K, how to spot bottom formation, why 70% of Bitcoin’s cost basis now sits above $85K, and how ETFs and iBit options are reshaping Bitcoin’s entire market structure. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Checkmate: https://x.com/\_Checkmatey\_ Alec Dejanovic: https://x.com/alec_rhythmic

Mark Suman is the co-founder of Maple, a fully private, open-source AI. Mark breaks down how Big Tech and governments are using AI to harvest data, profile behaviour, and build the foundations of a coming surveillance system. We get into closed-source models tracking your thoughts and emotions, AGI hype vs reality and the rise of Chinese open-source AI and why private, verifiable AI is the only path that doesn’t lead to mass influence and behavioural control. We also get into how anonymous AI accounts are only possible with Bitcoin, why Lightning and eCash still matter, how miners are navigating the AI-compute boom, and why open protocols are the only safeguard in a world where AI intermediates your money, identity, and communication. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Mark Suman: https://x.com/marksuman

Lyn Alden is a macroeconomist, investor, and the author of Broken Money, known for her deep analysis of liquidity cycles, fiscal dominance, and long-term market structure. In this episode, Lyn breaks down the major macro shift happening right now, the end of quantitative tightening, the turning point in global liquidity, and what this means for Bitcoin, gold, interest rates, and risk assets. She explains why QT is effectively finished, how repo market stress is signalling a balance-sheet pivot, why fiscal dominance is driving inflation, and why Bitcoin’s stagnation has more to do with liquidity and capital rotation than the halving cycle. We discuss the real reason Bitcoin is flat in 2025, how AI has redirected investment flow away from BTC, why OG-holder distribution still shapes every cycle, and why the four-year Bitcoin cycle is dead. Lyn also breaks down gold’s explosive run, the mechanics of fiscal deficits, the “nothing stops this train” thesis, and how the next phase of global liquidity will impact Bitcoin, gold, equities, and the broader macro environment. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Lyn Alden: https://x.com/LynAldenContact or https://primal.net/lyn

Rob Hamilton is the co-founder and CEO of Anchor Watch, a Bitcoin custody and insurance provider. In this episode, Rob breaks down BIP-444, the proposed soft fork aimed at stopping spam. He explains why it represents the most contentious governance moment since the block-size wars, what the proposal actually changes, how it could trigger chain splits and reorgs, and why he believes the effort has almost no chance of success. We discuss the economics, incentives, and psychology behind the new fork movement, why filters failed, how miners really behave under fee pressure, and why futures markets can ultimately determine whether a fork has any economic weight. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Rob Hamilton: https://x.com/Rob1Ham

SeedSigner is an open-source Bitcoin signing device. In this episode, SeedSigner breaks down why trustless hardware matters and why Bitcoin security is a journey, not a destination. He explains how hardware wallets have become a “cat-and-mouse” game of exploits and firmware trust, why he chooses to trust math over manufacturers, and how SeedSigner gives users a verifiable, DIY alternative to commercial wallets. We discuss the evolution of Bitcoin custody, from paper wallets to multisig, and how SeedSigner empowers users to hold keys without relying on opaque supply chains. SeedSigner also shares lessons from his years in digital forensics, why most people’s threat model is themselves, and how open-source sovereignty could become Bitcoin’s last line of defence against capture. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny SeedSigner: https://x.com/SeedSigner

Matthew Mezinskis is a macroeconomic researcher, host of Crypto Voices and creator of Porkopolis Economics. In this episode, Matthew breaks down why Bitcoin doesn’t grow exponentially like traditional finance, it grows on a power curve. He explains why this difference matters for sustainability, how it challenges credit-based systems, and what it means for the long-term coexistence of Bitcoin and fiat money. We discuss how the power law reveals Bitcoin’s proportional and sustainable growth, why exponential systems like debt-driven markets inevitably face booms and busts, and how Bitcoin could eventually pull TradFi into a Bitcoin world rather than be absorbed by it. Matthew also explores Bitcoin’s growing dominance as base money, comparing its scale to global cash and reserves, and why its next major milestone is surpassing U.S. cash in circulation. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Matthew Mezinskis: https://x.com/1basemoney

The Rational Root is an on-chain analyst and the creator of the Bitcoin Strategy platform. In this episode, Root breaks down whether Bitcoin’s four-year cycle is truly over. He explains why the recent correction “broke the structure” of the bull market, why early Bitcoiners are taking profits at $100K, and how this institutional “IPO moment” could define Bitcoin’s next decade. We discuss what the data says about long-term holder sell pressure, diminishing returns, and the lengthening of business cycles — and why Bitcoin may now be entering a phase of slower, more stable growth led by institutions and nation-states. Root also shares why he believes Bitcoin is still massively undervalued compared to other assets, why the current distribution phase is healthy, and why patience will be rewarded for those thinking in years, not weeks. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Rational Root: https://x.com/theRationalRoot

Ben Perrin is the creator and host of BTC Sessions, one of Bitcoin’s longest-running educational channels. In this episode, Ben breaks down what true Bitcoin self-custody looks like — from beginner-friendly wallets to advanced multi-sig setups — and explains how to protect your family’s Bitcoin if something happens to you. We discuss the trade-offs between wallets like BitKey, Coldcard, Trezor and Ledger, how inheritance planning really works, and why too much complexity can be your biggest risk. We also explore what it means to live entirely on Bitcoin, how Ben helped build a thriving circular economy in Calgary, and why teaching the next generation to value freedom over convenience might be the most important inheritance of all. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny BTC Sessions: https://x.com/BTCsessions

Marty Bent is the Founder of TFTC and Managing Partner at Ten31, Erik Cason is the Co-Founder of Vora, and American HODL is… American HODL. In this Bitcoin Whitepaper Day special, marking 17 years since Satoshi published the paper that changed the world, the three reflect on Bitcoin’s wild evolution from a fringe internet experiment to a $2 trillion, geopolitically relevant asset. We discuss how Bitcoin can free society from financial decay, why the future risks sliding into either communism or fascism, and why Bitcoiners must walk the narrow middle path to preserve individual sovereignty. We get into the Trojan horse of institutional adoption, the spiritual war at the heart of money, and what it means to build in an age of surveillance. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny American HODL: https://x.com/americanhodl8 or https://primal.net/hodl Erik Cason: https://x.com/Erikcason or https://primal.net/erikcason Marty Bent: https://x.com/MartyBent or https://primal.net/marty

Obi Nwosu is the CEO and co-founder of Fedi. In this episode, Obi explains how Bitcoin can uplift billions by creating new forms of community-based finance, why privacy is the dividing line between freedom and surveillance, and how tools like Fedimint and Fedi are re-engineering what custody means for the world. Obi also warns that if Bitcoin drifts toward convenience at the cost of freedom, it could become the surveillance system it was designed to escape. The only way to protect financial liberty is to build systems that are decentralized and private. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Obi Nwosu: https://x.com/obi or https://primal.net/obi

Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and author of Check Your Financial Privilege and Hidden Repression. In this episode, Alex explains why Bitcoin is the most powerful tool for human rights in the 21st century, freedom money that protects people from surveillance, censorship, and financial control. Alex breaks down how money evolved from an instrument of freedom to a weapon of control, how governments now use financial repression as their first tool of censorship, and why Bitcoin is the only technology capable of reversing that trend. He discusses his new essay for The Journal of Democracy, how it reframes Bitcoin as a human rights revolution rather than a financial asset, and why even stablecoins ultimately strengthen state power instead of limiting it. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Alex Gladstein: https://x.com/gladstein or https://primal.net/gladstein

Nik Bhatia is a financial researcher and the author of Layered Money and The Bitcoin Age. In this episode, Nik explains why last week’s repo market spike was a potential warning shot that liquidity in the system is drying up. He breaks down how the Fed’s plumbing actually works, why banks are hoarding reserves instead of lending them, and what it means when the “floor and ceiling” of the system stop holding. Nik argues that quantitative tightening is reaching its limits and that a new era of liquidity is coming, not necessarily from the Fed, but from a massive private credit boom. He lays out why this will supercharge U.S. industrial growth, fuel long-term inflation, and make Bitcoin one of the most valuable forms of collateral in the world. We also discuss the run in the price of gold, what it could signal geopolitically, and why Bitcoin’s volatility compression might mean the end of traditional market cycles. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Nik Bhatia: https://x.com/timevalueofbtc

Leopoldo López is a Venezuelan opposition leader, former political prisoner, and founder of the World Liberty Congress, a global alliance of democracy defenders and freedom fighters. In this episode, Leopoldo tells the story of how he went from mayor of Caracas to being hunted, imprisoned, and sentenced for “sending subliminal messages” through his speeches. He reveals what four years in solitary confinement does to the human mind, how he led a prison uprising from inside his cell, and the insane escape that finally got him out of Venezuela. Now living in exile, Leopoldo explains how he’s using Bitcoin to fight back. Funding resistance movements, paying doctors and activists when banks are weaponised by dictators, and building a new freedom network through the World Liberty Congress. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Leopoldo Lopez: https://x.com/leopoldolopez or https://primal.net/leo

Andrew Hohns is founder and CEO of Battery Finance and CEO of Newmarket Capital. In this episode, we get into how Bitcoin-backed credit can rebuild trust in the global financial system — and why integrating Bitcoin into institutional finance could change everything from mortgages to sovereign debt. We explore why Bitcoin is the ideal form of collateral and how it can transform credit markets distorted by inflation and fiat mismanagement. We also get into Andrew's idea for BitBonds, and how a Bitcoin-infused U.S. Treasury bonds could revolutionise sovereign debt issuance. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Andrew Hohns: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-hohns-6901226

Matt Odell is host of Citadel Dispatch, co-host of Rabbit Hole Recap, managing partner at Ten31 and co-founder of OpenSats & Bitcoin Park. In this episode, we dive into the rise of surveillance capitalism, why freedom tech is the only path forward, and what a truly sovereign digital society could look like. We explore how Nostr and Bitcoin together create an open foundation for speech, identity, and money. A new digital commons built on permissionless code, not corporate control. Odell also gives his take on the wave of Bitcoin treasury companies and why some have drifted from Bitcoin’s core ethics, and why real, profitable businesses saving in Bitcoin will thrive. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Matt Odell: https://primal.net/odell

Luke Gromen is the founder of Forest for the Trees. In this episode, we discuss why the U.S. debt cycle is reaching a breaking point, how AI and geopolitics are accelerating structural change, and why we could be witnessing the endgame of the fiat era. We get into why stablecoins may represent the next phase of the petrodollar system, the rise of financial repression, the return of inflation as a political tool, and why gold and Bitcoin are the only real safe havens this decade. He also lays out how AI threatens the debt-based monetary system itself, why autonomous labor could cause mass unemployment, and why meaning, not money, might become society’s scarcest resource. In this episode: - Why the Fed has to cut rates and inflate away debt - The new “petrodollar” built on stablecoins - The coming wave of financial repression THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Luke Gromen: https://x.com/LukeGromen

Checkmate is a Bitcoin analyst known for his on-chain & macro research. In this episode, we get into the weekend’s deleveraging event across the markets, the structural fragility it exposed, and why Bitcoin’s resilience through it all might mark a new era of maturity for the asset. Checkmate breaks down what caused over $20 billion in liquidations, how cascading leverage turned minor sell-offs into total wipeouts, and why market makers simply “walked away.” He also explains why Bitcoin’s fundamentals, ETF inflows, spot demand, and deep capital pools make it better positioned than ever despite short-term volatility. We discuss how Bitcoin is becoming the world’s 24/7 macro signal, why "crypto" may be entering terminal decline, and what the data says about sentiment, and the critical price levels that will determine whether this was just a reset, or the start of a broader bear market. In this episode: - The $20 billion liquidation and what triggered it - How leverage cascades break the market - Bitcoin’s structural strength - Why Bitcoin is the world’s macro thermometer THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Checkmate: https://x.com/_Checkmatey_

Dr. Roman Yampolskiy is a computer scientist and AI safety researcher whose work explores the existential risks of artificial intelligence and the limits of human control. In this episode, we dive deep into whether superintelligence can be contained, why AI may already be on an unstoppable trajectory, and what that means for humanity’s future. Roman explains the difference between narrow AI, AGI, and superintelligence, and why building systems smarter than us may be a form of mutually assured destruction. We cover the ethics of open-source models, whether AI could ever be conscious, and how Bitcoin fits into a world dominated by intelligent machines. In this episode: - Why superintelligence may be impossible to control - The existential risk of AI - Whether consciousness can exist in machines - How AI will replace all human labor - Why AI might eventually use Bitcoin as its native money THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Dr. Roman Yampolskiy: https://x.com/romanyam

Antoine Poinsot is a Bitcoin Core contributor and researcher at Chaincode Labs. In this episode, we dive deep into the growing divide between Bitcoin Core and Knots, why mistrust in Core development has reached new levels, and what the v30 policy changes really mean for the future of Bitcoin. Antoine explains the history behind the OP_RETURN controversy, how “spam” and arbitrary data affect the UTXO set, and why multiple implementations like Knots may be both a strength and a serious risk to the network. We also cover Core’s security-disclosure process, how decisions are actually made inside the project, and whether Bitcoin should ossify or continue to evolve. In this episode: - The Core vs Knots debate - Spam, inscriptions, and the limits of filtering policy - UTXO bloat, miner incentives, and decentralisation risks - Why unreviewed Knots code could become a systemic threat - How Core handles policy vs consensus changes THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Antoine Poinsot: https://x.com/darosior

Peter Dunworth is the Director of a multi-family office and is the co-founder of The Bitcoin Adviser. In this episode, we dive into why Bitcoin is the ultimate vehicle for generational wealth, how to actually protect it across jurisdictions, and why collateral, not debt, is the real story of global finance. We get into why Bitcoin could underpin the collateral markets, how hyperbitcoinisation might play out both personally and globally, and why coexistence with fiat may last much longer than many expect. Peter explains how capital protected Bitcoin bonds could revolutionise sovereign debt, why the financialization of Bitcoin by Wall Street may actually be a net positive. In this episode: - Why 1 BTC could soon be generational wealth - The challenges of preserving wealth - Bitcoin as the foundation of collateral markets - The case for Bitcoin bonds - How Wall Street will financialize Bitcoin - Coexistence of Bitcoin and fiat THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Peter Dunworth: https://x.com/PeterBTCAdviser

Checkmate is an on-chain analyst and founder of Checkonchain, Joe Carlasare is a Commercial Litigator and macro commentator & Matthew Pines is the Executive Director at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. They explain why the four-year cycle may finally be dead, how ETFs and institutional flows are reshaping Bitcoin’s volatility, and why 95K has become a critical “Hodler’s Wall.” We get into gold’s resurgence and how central bank accumulation signals a structural shift in global finance, and how fiscal dominance is eroding the Fed’s independence. The roundtable also dives into the politics of debt, the prospect of yield curve control, and the AI-driven capex boom that could both fuel growth and deepen inequality. In this episode: - The end of the four-year cycle - ETFs, flows, and the new volatility profile of Bitcoin - The Federal Reserve & fiscal dominance - AI & the future of productivity THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Checkmate: https://x.com/_Checkmatey_ Joe Carlasare: https://x.com/JoeCarlasare Matthew Pines: https://x.com/matthew_pines

Samson Mow is the CEO of JAN3 and former CSO at Blockstream. In this episode, we get into the growing rift between Bitcoin Core and Knots, why mistrust in Core development is at an all-time high, and what it means for the future of the network. We discuss the battle over spam and data storage on-chain, whether Bitcoin should ossify or adapt, and how governance really works in Bitcoin. Samson breaks down why the UTXO set could become a systemic risk, how mempool fragmentation is reshaping the network, and why multiple implementations of Bitcoin may be both a blessing and a curse. In this episode: - The origins of the Core vs. Knots debate - Spam, filters, and the slippery slope of arbitrary data on Bitcoin - UTXO bloat, miner incentives, and decentralization risks - How nation-state adoption may trigger the suddenly moment for Bitcoin THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Samson Mow: https://x.com/Excellion

Brandon Quittem is a the Author of The Mycelium of Money and VP at Swan. In this episode, we discuss the fourth turning, how history’s generational cycles shape today’s political chaos, and why Bitcoin could be the institution that emerges from the wreckage of a failing system. We explore the death of monoculture, the erosion of trust in institutions, and whether the coming crisis ends in war, civil unrest, or a re-founding of the American republic. Brandon also breaks down how generational archetypes repeat across history, why social cohesion feels impossible in the algorithmic age, and how Bitcoiners can help reshape the world. In this episode: - The Fourth Turning framework and why 2008 was the catalyst - Loss of faith in institutions and the rise of political nihilism - Monoculture, social fragmentation, and the crisis of identity - Why every Fourth Turning ends in war - How Bitcoin could serve as the foundation for the next era THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Brandon Quittem: https://x.com/bquittem

Lawrence Lepard is an Investment Manager and Author of The Big Print. In this episode, he explains why the dollar system is “doomed,” how inflation is as much psychological as monetary, and why the Fed and Treasury are now trapped in a cycle of money printing and yield curve control. We explore why America may already be in a “fourth turning,” how gold’s surge signals a repricing of trust, and why Bitcoin is the ultimate escape hatch in a world of policy failure and political decay. Lepard also explains how U.S. intelligence agencies are using it to study hyperinflation as an existential risk, and why he’s convinced Bitcoin will hit $1 million. In this episode: - The Fed and the trap of yield curve control - The risk of inflation - Gold’s surge, Bitcoin’s inevitability, and the repricing of trust - Why America may be entering a “fourth turning” THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Lawrence Lepard: https://x.com/lawrencelepard The Fed's Third Mandate (TFTC Article): https://www.tftc.io/the-feds-third-mandate-the-looming-credit-crisis-and-bitcoin/

Pete Rizzo breaks down how Bitcoin’s culture and institutions are being reshaped in 2025. From Trump’s executive orders and the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve to the rise of treasury companies and institutional adoption, we explore why this cycle feels different — and why that may not be entirely bullish for freedom money. We get into the shifting monocultures of Bitcoin, from grassroots self-custody to Saylor's vision. Rizzo explains why treasury companies must prove they can outperform Bitcoin itself and the risks if hundreds of them collapse in the next bear market. In this episode: - How institutions are changing Bitcoin adoption - Trump, strategic reserves & Bitcoin policy - The cultural shift in Bitcoin - Why treasury companies may struggle to survive - The next phase of Bitcoin culture THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Pete Rizzo: https://x.com/pete_rizzo_

Freddie New unpacks why the next wave of Bitcoin treasury companies could change the game, and why his new venture, B Hodl, is designed to be more than just another balance sheet play. From Lightning Network infrastructure and UK policy battles to raising fresh capital without leverage, Freddie explains how Bitcoin-only businesses can scale sustainably while strengthening the network itself. We dig into why so many treasury companies risk collapse in a bear market, how B Hodl is structured to avoid forced selling, and why the UK urgently needs a strong Bitcoin voice in both finance and politics. Freddie also explores why institutions will eventually be forced to hold Bitcoin, how mNAV multiples shape valuations, and why every treasury company needs to prove it’s building real infrastructure, not just stacking sats. In this episode: - Why B Hodl is more than a Bitcoin treasury company - How Lightning node operations create real Bitcoin-denominated revenue - Why avoiding leverage is key to long-term survival - Why every company will one day hold Bitcoin on their balance sheet THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Freddie New: Freddie New: https://x.com/freddienew

James Lavish unpacks why the Federal Reserve, runaway debt, and global liquidity cycles are setting the stage for Bitcoin’s next explosive move. From stagflation and deficits to institutional rebalancing and treasury companies, James explains why Bitcoin is unlike any asset the Fed can control. We dig into why policymakers are trapped between inflation and recession, how trillions in debt force them to keep the Ponzi going, and why every rate cut is bullish for Bitcoin. James also explores the role of Black Swan events, how institutions dampen volatility while driving adoption, and why neutral, permissionless money is the only escape from today’s broken system. In this episode: - Are we heading for stagflation? - How $324T in global debt guarantees more money printing - The rise of treasury companies and institutional rebalancing - Why global liquidity is the key signal for Bitcoin’s price - What a Fed cornered by inflation means for the future of money THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny James Lavish: https://x.com/jameslavish

Eric Yakes lays out why Bitcoin is on track for $10 million, and how cultural shifts, institutional adoption, and political realities are accelerating the path. From revolutions and mass movements to balance sheets and BlackRock ETFs, Eric explains why Bitcoin is unlike any other asset in financial history. We get into why qualitative forces - belief, culture, and narrative - drive Bitcoin’s price as much as math, how the rise of treasury companies and governments adopting Bitcoin could fundamentally change markets, and why neutral, permissionless money is the escape valve from today’s credit-driven system. Eric also explores what a $10M Bitcoin world might look like: from time preference shifts and new architecture to political legitimacy and global strategic reserves. In this episode: - Why Eric believes Bitcoin can reach $10M within a decade - How revolutions explain Bitcoin’s cultural momentum - The role of ETFs, treasury companies, and government reserves - Why narratives, not fundamentals, move markets - How neutral money could restructure capitalism and society - What a $10M Bitcoin world means for time preference, politics, and the future THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Eric Yakes: https://x.com/ericyakes

John Scott-Railton dives into the dark world of spyware, surveillance, and state power — and what it means for our freedoms in the digital age. From uncovering Pegasus spyware in 2016 to exposing private intelligence firms like Black Cube, John explains how governments, corporations, and authoritarian regimes exploit our phones and data to control narratives and suppress dissent. We discuss how spyware has evolved from phishing texts to zero-click exploits, the chilling stories of journalists and dissidents targeted, and why even democracies are sliding into mass surveillance under the guise of “safety.” John also warns about the next frontier: AI supercharging surveillance, corporate data brokers selling your life by the byte, and if Bitcoin faces the same creeping panopticon risks if incentives aren’t carefully guarded. In this episode: - The rise of mercenary spyware like Pegasus - How the state abuses surveillance tech - The role of corporate surveillance and data brokers - AI’s potential to supercharge surveillance - If Bitcoin could face the same panopticon dynamics THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny John Scott-Railton: https://x.com/jsrailton

Vijay Selvam digs into the first principles of Bitcoin, why it matters, how it works, and what makes it the greatest tool against authoritarian states. From his background on Wall Street during the 2008 financial crisis to writing Principles of Bitcoin, Vijay explains why digital scarcity is a paradigm-shifting invention and why separating money from the state may be one of the most important moments in human history. We explore why narratives like “digital gold” are both useful and limiting, how Bitcoin embodies Enlightenment values of decentralization, and why its real political and philosophical implications go far beyond finance. Vijay also shares why the greatest threats to Bitcoin come from within, and how Bitcoin serves as both a mirror and a peaceful revolution for humanity. In this episode: - The 2008 financial crisis and discovering Bitcoin - Digital scarcity and the core innovation of Bitcoin - Separation of money and state vs. church and state - Narratives: digital gold, freedom money, and beyond - Bitcoin’s political and philosophical ramifications - Why Bitcoin is a mirror that forces self-reflection THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Vijay Selvam: https://x.com/VijaySelvamXO

Rod Roudi gets into the convergence of Bitcoin, AI, energy, and freedom tech — and why grassroots adoption matters just as much as corporate treasury plays. From the rise of Bitcoin meetups and physical hubs like Bitcoin Park to the explosive growth of mining innovation, Rod makes the case that open-source tools and community-driven education are the foundations of Bitcoin’s future. We discuss how Bitcoin Park solo-mined a block against one-in-a-thousand odds, and why home-grown projects like BitAxe and miner-powered heating systems are reshaping the mining landscape. Rod also shares how he uses AI in his own workflows, what the future of education might look like for his kids, and why entrepreneurial grit will matter more than credentials in the age of automation. In this episode: - The rise of grassroots Bitcoin communities and meetups - Solo-mining a block live - Mining decentralisation - The convergence of Bitcoin, AI, and energy THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Rod Roudi: https://x.com/bitkite Imagine IF: https://bitcoinpark.com/imagineif Bitcoin Park: https://bitcoinpark.com/

American HODL & Steven Lubka get into the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, unpacking how securitisation, jurisdictional arbitrage, and corporate leverage are shaping the next phase of Bitcoin’s financialisation. We discuss whether this new wave of Bitcoin-wrapped equities is a healthy Bitcoin on-ramp or just a speculative bubble, and what happens to these companies in a bear market. Steven breaks down Nakamoto’s strategy, from running higher leverage to building a global network of local vehicles and using M&A to accumulate Bitcoin at scale. We get into the “Paper Bitcoin Summer” thesis, the morality of treasury cos, if they are just another form of shitcoining, or a necessary step to embed Bitcoin into public markets and give millions passive exposure? In this episode: - The playbook for Bitcoin treasury companies - Why size, leverage, and jurisdiction matter for survival - MNAVs, premiums, and the risk in a bear market - The morality of treasury companies THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny American HODL: https://primal.net/hodl Steven Lubka: https://x.com/dzambhalahodl

Willy Woo gets into Bitcoin’s evolving market structure, breaking down how institutional flows, ETFs, and treasury companies are reshaping the bull market. He explains why Bitcoin has never faced a true business cycle downturn, why 2026 could be the first real test, and how liquidity waves set the rhythm for both blow-off tops and brutal bear markets. He unpacks the mechanics of Strategy's debt model versus MetaPlanet’s synthetic leverage, how ETFs are smoothing inflows and dampening volatility, and why premiums to NAV create both opportunity and risk. Willy also zooms out to the thousand-year arc of money, showing why fiat is a short-lived social consensus ledger and Bitcoin is destined to be the next energy-secured system of value. In this episode: - How ETFs are changing Bitcoin’s price dynamics - Premiums to NAV, synthetic leverage, and liquidation risk - Why treasury companies could amplify the next bear market - Liquidity cycles and business downturns - ESG, BlackRock, and the shift in institutional adoption - The transition from gold and fiat to Bitcoin THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\\\\\\\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Willy Woo: https://x.com/woonomic

Preston Pysh gives us a masterclass on Bitcoin treasury companies, unpacking the mechanics behind Michael Saylor’s strategy and why it has outperformed Bitcoin since 2020. He explains how preferred stock and convertible debt are being engineered to funnel Bitcoin onto balance sheets, why the unraveling of the fixed-income market is the hidden fuel behind this model, and the risks investors face in treating treasury companies as a proxy for holding Bitcoin. Preston gets into the accounting controversies around MicroStrategy, the looming threat of government nationalisation, and why self-custody Bitcoin is the ultimate safeguard. In this episode: - Why self-custody Bitcoin is important - How preferred stock and convertible debt power treasury growth - The collapse of the 40-year fixed-income bull market - Understanding premiums to NAV and dilution risks - “Ponzi-adjacent” Bitcoin treasuries - Nationalisation and centralisation risks for Bitcoin - Why the STRC issuance may be one of the most brilliant financial products ever designed THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\\\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Preston Pysh: https://x.com/prestonpysh or https://primal.net/preston

In this episode, Peter breaks down his five-year legal battle with Craig Wright, how UK libel laws were weaponised against him, and the moment the case finally turned in his favour. We also get into his fight to save Bedford, and why running businesses there changed his political view, how government policy makes entrepreneurship harder, and turning to private solutions because of the failure of the state. In this episode: - Craig Wright’s lawsuits and the UK libel system - The real impact of government policy - The mission to save Bedford THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\\\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Peter McCormack: https://x.com/PeterMcCormack

Calle gets into into the future of financial and communication privacy, exploring how tools like Cashu and BitChat could help Bitcoiners survive in an increasingly hostile regulatory environment. He breaks down why privacy is essential for democracy, the lessons from the original Crypto Wars, and how eCash can offer near-perfect transaction privacy. Calle explains the history behind David Chaum’s invention, the trade-offs Bitcoin made for auditability, and why eCash mints could be run by communities for both Lightning payments and private internet services. As well as BitChat as a censorship-resistant messenger and the growing legal risks faced by privacy developers. In this episode: - Why financial privacy is as important as free speech - Lessons from the Crypto Wars 1.0 - How Chaumian eCash works and why it’s unmatched for privacy - Offline payments and tap-to-pay Bitcoin - The risks and pressures facing privacy developers today THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\\\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Calle: https://x.com/callebtc or https://primal.net/calle

Lyn Alden and Andy Constan go deep on Bitcoin treasury companies like Strategy, debating whether they’re outright Ponzi schemes or legitimate vehicles for leveraged Bitcoin exposure. We dig into how these companies actually generate returns, why premiums to NAV exist, and the conditions that could cause the model to unravel. Lyn lays out her cautiously bullish case for well-run treasuries, while Andy argues the structure depends on new capital in ways that can’t last forever. In this episode: - What makes a Bitcoin treasury company different from an ETF - Why premiums to NAV exist - How Strategy’s capital structure works - Whether treasury companies can generate income without selling Bitcoin - The “Ponzi-adjacent” problem THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Lyn Alden: https://x.com/LynAldenContact Andy Constan: https://x.com/dampedspring

Troy Cross and Ella Hough break down the state of Bitcoin adoption across the U.S. and the globe, revealing what the data really says about Bitcoin’s political alignment, institutional shift, and cultural future. We get into the surprising statistics around self-custody, what Gen Z actually thinks about Bitcoin, and whether American bitcoiners can become a meaningful political force. In this episode: - Who owns Bitcoin - What Gen-Z think of Bitcoin - The myth of political consensus around Bitcoin - Bitcoin as a language of truth across culture, time, and power THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Troy Cross: https://x.com/thetrocro Ella Hough: https://x.com/21MMforthe21st

Checkmate breaks down Bitcoin's market structure, why treasury companies are flooding in, and whether the four-year cycle has finally broken. We get into how institutional money is reshaping on-chain dynamics, why long-term holders are behaving differently this cycle, and what the recent 80,000 BTC move signals about dormant supply. Checkmate also explains the risks and opportunities of corporate treasury plays, premium-to-NAV dynamics, and how the rest of this bull market could play out. In this episode: - Treasury company dynamics - Why Bitcoin’s drawdowns are structurally different this cycle - The rise of institutional-sized transactions and empty mempools - What the 80,000 BTC sale tells us about long-dormant coins - The quantum debate THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN BITKEY Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Checkmate: https://x.com/_Checkmatey_

Dylan LeClair breaks down the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, why corporate adoption may be hitting a “gradually then suddenly” inflection point, and whether Michael Saylor’s lead is now insurmountable. We get into how Metaplanet scaled from a few hundred Bitcoin to 16,000+, what’s driving premiums over NAV, and why public capital markets are becoming the biggest buyers of Bitcoin. Dylan also explains Saylor’s latest innovation, “Stretch", and explains why this could transform corporate balance sheets and fixed income markets. In this episode: How corporate treasuries are competing in a winner-take-most market Why premiums to NAV compress - and when they could expand again The mechanics behind Stretch How liquidity, interest rates, and credit markets drive Bitcoin price action THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: RIVER ANCHORWATCH IREN BLOCKWARE LEDN Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Dylan LeClair: https://x.com/DylanLeClair_

Nik Bhatia breaks down why Bitcoin may have broken free of its four-year cycle and what that means for the next decade. We discuss Bitcoin's market maturity, compressed volatility, and how new corporate demand are reshaping price dynamics — and why this could mean an end to drawn out bear markets and blow-off tops. We get into how macro forces like liquidity, rate policy, and U.S. fiscal dominance intersect with Bitcoin, whether Powell vs. Trump really matters, and why Bitcoin could hit $1 million by 2032. In this episode: Why the four-year halving cycle may be over How corporate treasury strategies are changing Bitcoin’s market structure The role of liquidity and treasury markets in driving Bitcoin price What Powell vs. Trump means for rates, inflation, and Bitcoin THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Nik Bhatia: https://x.com/timevalueofbtc

Jeff Booth explains why free markets are naturally deflationary and why this changes everything. What if the entire economy is built on a lie? Jeff Booth argues our credit-based system fights the natural deflation of free markets through endless money manipulation — and why Bitcoin creates the first truly global free market. We explore how AI accelerates abundance, why most people are stuck in “Fiatland,” and how Bitcoin adoption will transform everything from housing to global power structures. In this episode: Why inflation isn’t natural - and what deflation really means How AI and Bitcoin together rewrite the rules of the economy The cultural divide between “Fiatland” and Bitcoin Why the Global South may leapfrog the West in Bitcoin adoption How to prepare for the transition to a Bitcoin economy THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Jeff Booth: https://primal.net/jeffbooth

Thomas Pacchia is the co-founder of Pubkey. In this episode, we get into the evolving culture of Bitcoin, why number-go-up narratives overshadow deeper principles like privacy, self-sovereignty, and freedom. Thomas explains why he believes Bitcoin risks becoming disconnected from its original ethos, and the importance of maintaining a robust, culturally-driven Bitcoin community. We also discuss the increasing role of institutions, treasuries, and ETFs in Bitcoin, how regulatory frameworks like the Patriot Act and Bank Secrecy Act challenge financial privacy, and why these battles are crucial for Bitcoin's future. We also discuss Pubkey and it's expansion into DC and Bitcoin culture, and adoption on a global scale. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Thomas Pacchia: https://x.com/tpacchia

Mauricio Di Bartolomeo is the co-founder of Ledn, the largest consumer Bitcoin lender. In this episode, we discuss how Ledn survived the collapse of BlockFi and Celsius, why they’ve removed all rehypothecation and Ethereum products, and why Bitcoin-backed loans are set to reshape global credit markets. Mauricio explains how banks entering the space could drive rates lower and why Ledn is focused solely on Bitcoin. Mauricio also shares his personal story of growing up in Venezuela under hyperinflation, discovering Bitcoin, and building Ledn to give people everywhere access to the same financial tools. Root is a Bitcoin on-chain analyst and the author of the "Bitcoin Strategy Platform" Substack. In this episode, we discuss the current state of Bitcoin’s bull market, why Root believes there’s no basis for a prolonged bear market, and how institutional demand is changing Bitcoin’s price dynamics. We cover Bitcoin’s structural adoption through ETFs, treasury companies, and sovereign buyers, and why these may limited downside volatility. We also get into the psychological stages of the market, why 100k could now serve as Bitcoin’s new baseline, and how macro factors like interest rate cuts and Trump’s policies might influence the next leg up. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Mauricio Di Bartolomeo: https://x.com/cryptonomista

Root is a Bitcoin on-chain analyst and the author of the "Bitcoin Strategy Platform" Substack. In this episode, we discuss the current state of Bitcoin’s bull market, why Root believes there’s no basis for a prolonged bear market, and how institutional demand is changing Bitcoin’s price dynamics. We cover Bitcoin’s structural adoption through ETFs, treasury companies, and sovereign buyers, and why these may limited downside volatility. We also get into the psychological stages of the market, why 100k could now serve as Bitcoin’s new baseline, and how macro factors like interest rate cuts and Trump’s policies might influence the next leg up. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN RIVER ANCHORWATCH BLOCKWARE LEDN Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/\_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Rational Root: https://x.com/therationalroot

Mitchell Askew is Head of Research at Blockware and author of The Conservative Case for Bitcoin. In this episode, we discuss the growing role of Bitcoin treasury companies, how miners are evolving into treasury plays, and why Blockware is betting on mining as a tool for institutional Bitcoin accumulation. We get into companies choosing ASICs over spot Bitcoin, how tax incentives and cash flow denominated in Bitcoin are changing the landscape, and the emergence of global copycats of MicroStrategy. We also get into the dynamics of hash rate, Bitcoin price, and the impact of ETFs on volatility. Finally, we cover the generational gap in Bitcoin adoption, why Gen Z isn’t saving, and why Mitchell believes the four-year Bitcoin cycle is dead - and that Bitcoin will now “stair-step” its way to $1 million. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd LEDN: https://learn.ledn.io/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Mitchell Askew: https://x.com/MitchellHODL

CJ Konstantinos is the Founder of People’s Reserve. In this episode, we discuss Bitcoin’s rise as digital gold, its role in revolutionising real estate and finance, and why it’s poised to become the ultimate pristine collateral. We get into the maturation of the Bitcoin bull market and the potential for Bitcoin bonds to recapitalise economies. CJ also discusses the importance of free market money, the risks of financialisation, and how Bitcoiners can vote with their money to drive a peaceful financial revolution. We also cover the implications of using Bitcoin as collateral for mortgages, the dangers of liquidation risk, and why MicroStrategy could become a central bank of the digital economy. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd LEDN: https://www.ledn.io/ Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny CJ Konstantinos: https://x.com/CJKonstantinos

Matthew Pines is a the Executive Director at Bitcoin Policy Institute and an advisor to Skywatcher. In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of UAPs, why the U.S. government may be sitting on legacy programs involving non-human intelligence, and how the 2017 New York Times article triggered a wave of official investigations and whistleblower disclosures. We also get into the parallels between Bitcoin and UAPs as epistemic journeys, the UAP Disclosure Act, and why some believe we’re facing a constitutional crisis over secret government programs. Finally, we discuss Skywatcher's effort to gather empirical UAP data, why new physics might be locked behind closed doors, and how the next scientific paradigm shift could reshape our understanding of reality. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd LEDN: https://www.ledn.io/ Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Matthew Pines: https://x.com/matthew_pines

Grant McCarty is the Co-President of the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this episode, we discuss the state of Bitcoin policy in Washington DC, how the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve went from a fringe idea to a real legislative proposal, and why the next 18 months could define Bitcoin’s regulatory future in the United States. We also get into the stablecoin and market structure bills currently moving through Congress, how internal dysfunction could derail progress, and why executive orders aren't enough. Finally, we talk about codifying Bitcoin into law and the quiet support from lawmakers across the aisle. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Grant McCarty: https://x.com/grant_mccarty

Becca Rubenfeld is the co-founder and COO of AnchorWatch. In this episode, Becca tells the story of how she adopted her son from a Ukrainian orphanage, including government corruption, falsified records, and systemic failures. What began as a summer hosting program turned into a two-year battle to rescue her son. Becca also opens up about her recent diagnosis with an aggressive and rare form of cancer—and why she felt now was the time to tell this story. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Becca Rubenfeld: https://x.com/beccaamilee

Erik Cason is the author of Cryptosovereignty & co-founder of Vora. Jesse Posner is a an engineer, formally at Coinbase and BitKey & the co-founder of Vora. In this episode, we discuss why Erik and Jesse believe the modern state has already collapsed, why Bitcoin is the only shot at reclaiming sovereignty in the digital age and how philosophy, law, and cryptography intersect. We also get into the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies and how this growing financialization of Bitcoin could lead to a liquidity crisis and reflexive market crash. Finally, we talk about building tools for freedom, the founding ethos of Vora, and why the fight for privacy in both money and AI is a civilizational imperative. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Erik Cason: https://x.com/Erikcason or https://primal.net/erikcason Jesse Posner: https://x.com/jesseposner

Jeff Walton is a financial analyst, a former reinsurance broker and the Founder of True North. In this episode, we break down the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, why Strategy is playing an entirely different game, and how Saylor’s new financial instruments are creating a Bitcoin-native yield curve. We also discuss how these instruments could absorb trillions from the fixed income market and what that means for Bitcoin’s long-term price floor. We get into the risks of corporate treasury models, why some of the new entrants look like the 2017 ICO market, whether these structures could lead to reflexive crashes in a bear market and the future of equity in a Bitcoin-denominated world. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Jeff Walton: https://x.com/PunterJeff/

Jeff Ross is a macroeconomist, bitcoiner and Founder & CEO of Vailshire Capital Management. In this episode, we discuss why Jeff believes we're entering a new inflationary era that echoes the 1970s, why global capital is rotating out of U.S. assets, and how this sets up Bitcoin and gold for massive outperformance & why he thinks the next Bitcoin cycle could peak in late 2025. We also get into the risks of corporate Bitcoin treasury strategies, the geopolitical impact of war on markets, and why emerging markets and Bitcoin will benefit. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Jeff Ross: https://primal.net/DrJeff

Erin Redwing is a former astronomer turned astrologer and the host of the Hell Money podcast. In this episode, we discuss how outer planet astrology can offer insights into macroeconomic and civilisational shifts, why Erin believes Bitcoin's 2032 Saturn-Uranus cycle climax is a make-or-break moment, and how the Age of Aquarius provides a framework for decentralisation. We also talk about the natal chart of Bitcoin, why its inception reflects a structural tension between rebellion and order, and how astrology helps Erin make predictions about markets. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Erin Redwing: https://x.com/realizingerin

Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation, Paul Sztorc is Founder and CEO of LayerTwoLabs and the creator or Drivechains. In this episode, we discuss whether Bitcoin is falling behind the innovation curve, if Lightning Network has failed as a project, and if privacy models like eCash are a dangerous compromise or a practical necessity. We also get into whether hard forks should be revived as a path for progress, how censorship resistance is being weighed against usability, and why Paul believes Bitcoin is accumulating “technical scar tissue.” Finally, we explore whether Bitcoin’s culture has become a bottleneck to innovation, and what that means for its long-term future. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Alex Gladstein: https://x.com/gladstein or https://primal.net/gladstein Paul Sztorc: https://x.com/Truthcoin

Sam Wouters is the Director of Marketing at River. In this episode, we discuss why the U.S. is emerging as the dominant force in Bitcoin adoption, how proof-of-reserves has evolved in a post-FTX world, and why retail interest in Bitcoin remains muted despite all-time highs. We also discuss how institutional involvement might be both a blessing and a curse, the psychological barriers stopping new retail entrants, the moral responsibility of Bitcoiners to re-engage no-coiners, and what the next phase of Bitcoin might look like. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Sam Wouters: https://x.com/SDWouters

Joe Carlasare is a Commercial Litigator, a long time Bitcoiner, and macro commentator. In this episode, we discuss the U.S. sovereign debt debate, why the doom loop narrative might be missing the bigger picture, and how rapid advances in AI and automation could unleash a wave of productivity strong enough to reshape the fiscal outlook. Joe argues that the real risk isn’t a collapsing dollar, but instability in the Treasury market - the backbone of the global financial system. We also get into why growth, not austerity, is the most likely political path forward, why the Fed’s power lies more in perception than action, and how Bitcoin wins. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Joe Carlasare: https://x.com/JoeCarlasare THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd

Matt Corallo is an Open Source Engineer at Spiral, a long time Bitcoin Core contributor and Lightning dev. In this episode, we discuss the current state of Lightning: what's finally working, what UX breakthroughs are coming, and why 2024 might be the year lightning delivers. We also get into the risks of U.S. policy treating non-custodial services like custodians, the threat of regulatory capture through KYC mandates, why developers are walking away from the U.S. market, and why the “Save Our Wallets” campaign may be Bitcoin’s last chance to protect non-custodial tools. Plus: how OP_RETURN wars are distracting from real issues, whether Bitcoin Core needs a comms team, and if Bitcoin has already ossified. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Matt Corallo: https://x.com/TheBlueMatt Save Our Wallets: https://saveourwallets.org/ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd

American HODL is an OG Bitcoiner. In this episode, we explore how the state may co-opt Bitcoin not by banning it, but by absorbing it into public markets, enabling control through financial instruments like ETFs and convertible bonds. We also get into the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, why Michael Saylor’s strategy is just the beginning, and the threat of an Executive Order 6102 style attack. We also discuss the moral tradeoffs of financialising Bitcoin and whether self-custody will be punished through regulation. As well as the Trojan horse theory of Bitcoin adoption, whether it's better to fight or subvert the state, and why the next phase of Bitcoin’s revolution might not be rebellion—but infiltration. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny American HODL: https://x.com/americanhodl8 or https://primal.net/hodl THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd

James Lavish is a macro investor, former hedge fund manager, and managing partner at the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund. In this episode, we explore the fragility of the U.S. bond market, how sovereign credit ratings work, and why the U.S. is now priced by markets as a default risk on par with Greece. We discuss the structural privilege of the dollar as the world reserve currency, why that privilege is under threat, and how the Triffin Dilemma is playing out in real time. We also get into institutional adoption of Bitcoin, the operational hurdles that ETFs have now removed, and what it would take for companies like Apple or Meta to trigger a wave of corporate Bitcoin treasury adoption. Finally, we look at the macro setup heading into 2026, the risk of stagflation, and why expanding global liquidity could mean Bitcoin peaks sometime next year. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny James Lavish: https://x.com/jameslavish THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd

Jack Mallers is the Founder and CEO of Strike, and the Co-Founder and CEO of 21. In this episode, we discuss the breakdown of the post-WWII monetary order, the consequences of the U.S. exporting dollars, and why the dollar’s global reserve status is becoming a liability rather than a strength. We also get into 21’s plan to take Bitcoin-native principles into the heart of Wall Street, how companies like MicroStrategy and Metaplanet are paving the way for sovereign-grade Bitcoin exposure, and why proof-of-reserves and Bitcoin per share may become the new standard for corporate treasuries. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Jack Mallers: https://x.com/jackmallers or https://primal.net/jackmallers THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Harry Sudock is SVP at CleanSpark, one of the largest publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies in the world. In this episode, we explore why Bitcoin mining is reshaping America’s energy landscape, the evolution of corporate Bitcoin strategy, and the game theory behind early adoption by individuals, companies, and nation states. We also get into how companies like MicroStrategy and Metaplanet are unlocking powerful financial leverage through Bitcoin balance sheets, the risks of derivatives-based exposure, and whether institutions pose a threat to Bitcoin’s long-term consensus. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Harry Sudock: https://x.com/harry_sudock THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Matthew Mezinskis is a macroeconomic researcher, host of the Crypto Voices podcast and creator of Porkopolis Economics. In this episode, we discuss fractional reserve banking, why it's controversial among Bitcoiners, the historical precedent for banking practices, and whether fractional reserve banking inherently poses systemic risks. We also get into the dangers and instabilities introduced by central banking, and why Bitcoin uniquely offers a pathway to financial sovereignty, the plumbing of the global financial system, breaking down money supply metrics, foreign holdings of US treasuries, and how all these elements indicate growing instability in the dollar system. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Matthew Mezinskis: https://x.com/1basemoney THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Lyn Alden is a macro analyst, investment strategist and the author of Broken Money. In this episode, we discuss the structural imbalances underpinning the U.S. trade deficit and its link to the dollar’s status as the global reserve currency. We get into the mechanics of capital surpluses, why U.S. treasuries are at the heart of global liquidity, and how foreign ownership of American assets introduces systemic fragility. We also discuss Bitcoin as a neutral reserve asset,, gold and tariffs, Bitcoin’s market structure, and why $150k might be in sight. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Lyn Alden: https://x.com/LynAldenContact or https://primal.net/lyn THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Bitcoin Mechanic is the Chief Boiling Officer at OCEAN. In this episode, we dive deep into the battle over OP_RETURN and Bitcoin node policy. Mechanic explains why arbitrary data like inscriptions and JPEGs represent an attack vector, how Core developers have responded, and why he believes filters are essential to protecting Bitcoin’s monetary use case. We also cover the risks of miner centralisation, the tension between Bitcoin’s ideological roots and its current developer politics, and what’s really at stake in the “OP_RETURN war.” Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Mechanic: https://x.com/GrassFedBitcoin THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Checkmate is an on-chain analyst and founder of Checkonchain. In this episode, we get into Bitcoin’s breakout back above $100k and what on-chain data reveals about who’s buying, who’s selling, and whether retail is finally showing up. We also discuss whether the Bitcoin cycles are over, how the global macro shift is influencing hard asset flows, and why gold might be the early signal for a longer Bitcoin run. Finally, we get into the OP_RETURN war. Follow: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Checkmate: https://x.com/_Checkmatey_ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Zack Shapiro is a lawyer and Head of Policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this episode, we discuss the Samurai Wallet case, how the U.S. government is using outdated laws to target non-custodial Bitcoin tools — and why the outcome of this case could criminalise running a node or writing open-source Bitcoin code. We also discuss the DOJ’s “regulation by prosecution” playbook, the fact that FinCEN explicitly told prosecutors Samurai was not breaking the law, why prosecutors hid that fact for a year and why he believes a political fix — not just a legal one — is urgently needed. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Zack Shapiro: https://x.com/zackbshapiro P2P Rights Fund: https://p2prights.org/ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Shinobi is the Technical Editor at Bitcoin Magazine. In this episode, we get into the latest "OP_RETURN war," exploring whether the debate is a cultural clash or a technical discussion about Bitcoin’s future. We discuss the origins of the OP_RETURN limit, how users are bypassing it, and the arguments for and against changing data limits. Shinobi lays out his view that filters designed to block certain transactions could increase mining centralisation and degrade network security. We also get into the questions about non-monetary uses of Bitcoin and the ongoing tensions between scaling, freedom, and preserving Bitcoin's values. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Shinobi: https://x.com/brian_trollz THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/

Jesse Myers is the author of the Once in a Species newsletter. In this episode, we discuss why humanity’s obsession with scarce assets may be hardwired into our DNA and how this evolutionary trait could explain Bitcoin’s inevitable rise. We also get into how early humans monetised scarcity, why Homo sapiens may have outcompeted Neanderthals through money-based cooperation, and how Dunbar’s number and inter-tribal trade shaped civilisation. Finally, we explore why Bitcoin represents the culmination of a 140,000-year human search for perfect scarcity — and why Jesse believes we are in the early innings of a species-wide gravitation towards Bitcoin. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Jesse Myers: https://x.com/Croesus_BTC THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

In this episode we have three sessions recorded live at CheatCode in Bedford. In the first session, Checkmate, Preston Pysh, and Alex Thorn break down the cracks in the fiat system, the rise of deglobalization, stablecoins, Bitbonds, and how Bitcoin and gold are emerging as neutral reserve assets. In the second session, Matthew Pines unpacks the global economic reordering, the U.S.–China trade war, escalating tariffs, the fragility of the bond market, and why Bitcoin may be the ultimate escape valve. In the final session, Lawrence Lepard, James Lavish, and Cameron Parry go deep on gold vs Bitcoin, the debt doom loop, the case for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and the fight for financial sovereignty. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Checkmate: https://x.com/_Checkmatey_ Preston Pysh: https://x.com/PrestonPysh & https://primal.net/preston Lawrence Lepard: https://x.com/LawrenceLepard & https://primal.net/lawrencelepard James Lavish: https://x.com/jameslavish Matthew Pines: https://x.com/matthew_pines Alex Thorn: https://x.com/intangiblecoins Cameron Parry: https://x.com/CameronJParry THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Mark Moss is an entrepreneur, investor, and host of the Mark Moss Show and Market Disruptors. In this episode, we discuss why Bitcoin could 10x over the next five years as well as the political and financial cycles converging to drive massive change. We also get into the collapse of global institutions like the World Economic Forum, the role of AI and Bitcoin in reshaping money and power structures, why open-source AI could decentralise innovation, and how Bitcoin might become the default money for autonomous AI agents. Finally, we explore why stock market valuations may be more fragile than they appear and how Bitcoin offers a simpler, sounder alternative for long-term wealth preservation. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Mark Moss: https://x.com/1markmoss THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and author of Check Your Financial Privilege, Hidden Repression and The Trojan Horse of Freedom. In this episode, we discuss whether Bitcoin’s adoption by governments and Wall Street threatens its original mission, the Trojan Horse theory of Bitcoin and why nation-state adoption may be essential to separating money from state. We also get into the IMF’s decades-long role in global debt traps, the potential endgame of Bitcoin as a global reserve and debate quantum threats to Bitcoin. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Alex Gladstein: https://x.com/gladstein or https://primal.net/gladstein THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Matt Odell is host of Citadel Dispatch, co-host of Rabbit Hole Recap, managing partner at Ten31 and co-founder of OpenSats and Bitcoin Park. In this episode, we discuss the risks of Bitcoin’s increasing financialisation, why only a small minority may ever use it as true “freedom money,” and whether Bitcoin is on track to become a global reserve currency. We also get into the rise of stablecoins and their impact on adoption, MicroStrategy’s role in reshaping public market exposure to Bitcoin, and a potential quantum computing threat. Plus, we cover why sats should be the standard, the Gamestop pivot to Bitcoin, and the ways Nostr and censorship resistance might shape the future of speech. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Matt Odell: https://primal.net/odell THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Junseth is the co-founder of the legendary Bitcoin Uncensored podcast and a longtime Bitcoiner. In this episode, we discuss whether Bitcoin has actually “done anything yet,” why financialisation might be both Bitcoin’s future and a serious threat, and how MicroStrategy’s could play a key role in that. We also get into the risks of leverage and ETFs, Junseth’s unique investment strategy based on volatility and diversification, why most Bitcoiners aren’t truly prepared for sovereign-level adoption, and the missing financial tools — like insurance and mortgages. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Junseth: https://x.com/verysmallclaims THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Bob Burnett is the Chairman and CEO of Barefoot Mining and board member of Ocean. In this episode, we discuss why the future of Bitcoin mining is about much more than just hashing, how control of block space could determine who holds true economic power in a Bitcoinised world, and why building from the bottom up — starting with energy production — may be the only path to sovereignty. We also get into complacency amongst bitcoiners, the issue of centralised mining pools, why financial institutions and nation states alike are waking up to the strategic value of block space and the future financialisation of block space. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Bob Burnett: https://x.com/boomer_btc THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Lawrence Lepard is an investment manager and author The Big Print, which covers the broken monetary system and how Bitcoin fixes this. In this episode, we discuss Trump’s tariffs, their real economic impact, and why Lawrence believes they could trigger a major market crash and sovereign debt crisis. We also discuss how the fiscal doom loop is accelerating, why Powell may soon be forced into another round of money printing, and why Bitcoin will benefit. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny Lawrence Lepard: https://x.com/LawrenceLepard THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Joe Bryan is a Bitcoin educator and the creator of What’s the Problem? In this episode, we discuss why our current system is rigged, how the hidden theft of inflation quietly corrodes everything from quality of life to trust in society, and why the “big red button” — the ability to print money — sits at the heart of so many global crises including the breakdown of family structures, mental health crises, and broken incentives all stem from the same monetary flaw. We also get into how this knowledge spreads, why people sense the system is broken even if they can’t articulate why, and why Bitcoin offers a hopeful, practical alternative. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Joe Bryan: https://x.com/satmojoe & https://x.com/SatsVsFiat THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Brent Johnson is the CEO of Santiago Capital and the creator of the Dollar Milkshake Theory. In this episode, we discuss why the dollar may strengthen before it dies, how global debt markets rely on an insatiable demand for US dollars, and why Brent believes a global sovereign debt crisis will force a dramatic monetary reset. We get into the mechanics of the Eurodollar system, why stablecoins entrench dollar hegemony, and why attempts to escape the dollar could make it stronger in the short term and Bitcoin’s potential role in this endgame. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Brent Johnson: https://x.com/SantiagoAuFund THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Michael Dunworth is an Australian entrepreneur and was one of the co-founders of Wyre, a Bitcoin payments and infrastructure provider established in 2013. In this episode, we discuss nation-states strategically acquiring Bitcoin, why the integration of Bitcoin mining into national energy strategies could become a key geopolitical advantage, and how Bitcoin adoption could revitalise struggling companies like GameStop. We also get into the risks of quantum computing for Bitcoin encryption, the significance of unsolved mathematical problems for humanity, and the transformative potential of solving these equations. We also explore Bitcoin as an antidote to consumerism, the future possibility of encoding ourselves into light for space travel, and whether the real existential risk to Bitcoin could be societal apathy in a world of free energy. FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Michael Dunworth: https://x.com/MichaelDunwort1 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Peter Dunworth is the Director of a multi-family office and is the co-founder of The Bitcoin Adviser. In this episode, we discuss why Bitcoin is the only asset that can recapitalise the financial system, why Peter believes Bitcoin could become a $100 trillion asset within a decade, why credit markets are ultimately a collateral problem, and why financializing Bitcoin might be necessary to save Main Street from being collateral damage. We also get into Australia's property obsession, GameStop’s pivot to Bitcoin, the difference between Bitcoin derivatives and the asset itself, and MicroStrategy. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Peter Dunworth: https://x.com/peterbtcadviser

Nik Bhatia is the author of Layered Money and The Bitcoin Age. In this episode, we discuss the structure and evolution of the modern financial system, how banks run the world and why understanding liquidity is essential to grasping Bitcoin’s place in the world. We also get into the Eurodollar system, the coming end of quantitative tightening, the behavioural vs mechanical impact of QE, and how the credit system could coexist with Bitcoin. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Nik Bhatia: https://x.com/timevalueofbtc

In this episode, I am joined by Pierre Rochard & Michael Goldstein. We discuss the Nakamoto Institute, why they believe money is a foundational pillar of civilisation, how Austrian economics helped them recognise Bitcoin’s potential so early and why everyone should hoard Bitcoin. We also get into speculative attacks, why they think Bitcoin’s incentives are designed to win, and how a state adopting Bitcoin represents a peaceful transfer of monetary power. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Pierre Rochard: https://x.com/BitcoinPierre Michael Goldstein: https://x.com/bitstein

Luke Gromen is the founder of FFTT, an economic research firm focused on global macro trends. In this episode, we discuss why Luke believes the U.S. is approaching a sovereign debt crisis, how rising interest costs and capital outflows are driving the system toward a breaking point, and why the current path could lead to inflation, capital controls, and a repricing of gold. We also get into the potential role of Bitcoin as a neutral reserve asset, whether the U.S. could strategically adopt Bitcoin or issue Bitcoin-backed bonds. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Parker Lewis is the author of Gradually, Then Suddenly and Head of Business Development at Zaprite. In this episode, Parker pushes back on Jeff Snider’s ideas about the monetary system, challenging the idea that central banks don’t actually print money, the fallacy of elastic money and why the world will ultimately converge on Bitcoin as its dominant currency. We also discuss why Parker believes the U.S. is locked into perpetual money printing, how fiat debt cycles will inevitably collapse, and why Bitcoin will win. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Avik Roy is a policy analyst, and the president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. In this episode, we discuss why Avik believes the U.S. fiscal situation is heading toward a crisis within the next 20 years, the growing debt problem, and the likelihood of government-imposed capital controls and repression. We also get into Bitcoin's role in this economic landscape, whether the U.S. could adopt Bitcoin in a strategic reserve, and how past monetary shocks—like Executive Order 6102 and the Nixon Shock—inform what might come next. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/

Jeff Snider is a macro analyst and the host of Eurodollar University. In this episode, we discuss why Jeff believes the Federal Reserve has far less control over the economy than people assume, the true nature of money creation, and whether inflation was ever really about money printing. We also get into his perspective on the global economic landscape, the long-term effects of the pandemic’s economic policies, why he thinks central banks are more about signalling than substance, and Bitcoin Bonds MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny

Hunter Beast is a Bitcoin researcher focused on mitigating the risks quantum computing may pose to Bitcoin. In this episode, we discuss the potential threat quantum computers pose to Bitcoin’s cryptographic security, whether Q-Day—the moment when quantum computers can break Bitcoin’s encryption—is an imminent reality, and how governments and institutions are preparing for this future. We also get into Hunter’s Bitcoin Improvement Proposal, BIP 360, which aims to introduce post-quantum cryptography to Bitcoin and the broader implications of quantum advancements, from national security to the possibility of a quantum arms race. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Hunter Beast: https://x.com/cryptoquick

Matthew Pines is a national security consultant and a Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. American HODL is an OG Bitcoiner. In this episode, we discuss the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the geopolitical game theory behind nation-states accumulating Bitcoin and the details of the executive order. We also get into the implications for monetary policy, how this shifts incentives for developers, and whether this signals the beginning of a global Bitcoin arms race. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny American HODL: https://x.com/americanhodl8 or https://primal.net/hodl Matthew Pines: https://x.com/matthew_pines

Josh Hendrickson is a professor of economics and Chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Mississippi, William Luther is an associate professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University and a senior fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this episode, we discuss why many mainstream economists misunderstand Bitcoin and why monetary economists remain skeptical, the flaws of modern economics and the dominance of naive empiricism. We also get into Gresham’s Law, the potential for a Bitcoin standard, the sustainability of fiat money, and whether we need central banks. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/ FOLLOW: Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny Josh Hendrickson: https://x.com/RebelEconProf William Luther: https://x.com/WilliamJLuther

Daniel Batten is a Bitcoin environmental analyst and investor focused on mining and sustainable energy. In this episode, we break down why this cycle is different, with sovereign funds, pension funds, and miners driving demand. We discuss landfill gas-powered mining, methane mitigation, and how Bitcoin turns stranded energy into an asset. We also get into the collapse of environmental FUD, the shift in institutional investment, and why Bitcoin’s volatility cycles are smoothing out. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Checkmate is an on-chain analyst and founder of Checkonchain. In this episode, we break down the recent Bitcoin correction, what’s driving sentiment, and whether this is just a shakeout. We discuss the role of long-term holders in market cycles, how ETFs are reshaping Bitcoin’s liquidity flows, and why Bitcoin dominance has caught many off guard. We also get into the macro forces influencing Bitcoin’s price action and explore how its market structure mirrors natural systems like earthquakes. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

James Lavish is a macro investor, former hedge fund manager, and managing partner at the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund. In this episode, we discuss global liquidity cycles, the role of the Federal Reserve in managing market liquidity, and the implications of U.S. deficit spending. We also get into Bitcoin’s correlation with liquidity cycles, the potential for Bitcoin-backed bonds, whether Bitcoin will eventually break free from its perception as a risk asset and what incoming QE could mean for Bitcoin’s price. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Preston Pysh is an investor, GP at Ego Death Capital and host of The Investor’s Podcast & Nico Lechuga is Founding Partner at Ego Death Capital. In this episode, we discuss Bitcoin-backed bonds, the role of Bitcoin in corporate finance, and whether the U.S. or nation-states will adopt Bitcoin as a strategic reserve. We also get into game theory behind sovereign wealth funds, companies following MicroStrategy’s playbook, and the broader implications of financial markets being forced to adapt to Bitcoin as well as the impact of U.S. deficit spending, whether fiscal austerity is even possible under a fiat system, and what Bitcoin's rise means for global monetary policy. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

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

Becca Rubenfeld is the co-founder and COO of Anchor Watch. In this episode, we discuss Becca’s journey from corporate America to Bitcoin, Anchor Watch’s Trident Vault, the role of MiniScript in securing Bitcoin, the role of Lloyd’s of London, and why insured custody is the future. We also get into the challenges of startup life, raising money in a bear market, and what it takes to insure all the Bitcoin. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and Fictitious Capital is a writer and researcher. In this episode, Alex and Fictitious Capital discuss Bitcoin's potential to challenge the current global financial order. They debate the feasibility of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the implications for U.S. financial dominance, and whether Bitcoin adoption can truly constrain state power. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Alex Thorn is the Head of Research at Galaxy Digital. In this episode, we discuss the growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin, the role of the U.S. government, whether a strategic Bitcoin reserve is on the table and Trump's Policies on Bitcoin. We a also get into the end of Operation Choke Point 2.0, Bitcoin’s current cycle, the role of ETFs, and why Bitcoin not crypto. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Rational Root is a Bitcoin on-chain & cycle analyst. In this episode, we discuss the current state of the Bitcoin market, why institutional adoption remains in its early stages, and how on-chain metrics suggest there’s still room for upside. We also get into the impact of Trump's policies, why Bitcoin is still considered a risk asset, the role of ETFs and the likelihood of a Bitcoin strategic reserve, and Root’s outlook for the rest of the cycle. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Jameson Lopp is the co-founder of Casa, and a long-time Bitcoin security expert. In this episode, we discuss the state of Bitcoin self-custody, the growing threat of physical attacks on Bitcoiners, and why UX remains a major barrier to adoption. We also get into the ossification debate, whether Bitcoin development is stalling, and how institutional adoption could impact Bitcoin’s ability to upgrade. Finally, we explore inheritance planning, decoy wallets, on-chain privacy, and whether Bitcoin could face the same centralisation risks as email. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Jeff Walton is a financial analyst and a former reinsurance broker with a focus on MicroStrategy. In this episode, we discuss MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin playbook, the impact of FASB fair value accounting, and how MSTR are using convertible debt and equity issuances. We also get into the risks of leverage, the potential for MicroStrategy to become the most valuable company in the world, and whether corporations will follow its Bitcoin strategy. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

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

Erik Cason is a Bitcoin OG and author of Crypto Sovereignty. In this episode, we discuss the philosophy of Bitcoin, it's role in preserving freedom and resisting censorship, its parallels to historical moments of change, and its potential to reshape societal structures. We also get into its connection with cryptography and tools like Nostr, and why he believes Bitcoin represents a shift in the balance of power. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Lyn Alden is a macro analyst, investment strategist and the author of Broken Money. In this episode, we discuss the impact of fiscal policy on inflation, the Federal Reserve's constraints under fiscal dominance, and the role of tariffs in shaping the economic landscape. We also get into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and what Donald Trump’s Administration will mean for Bitcoin. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Mark is the former editor in chief of Bitcoin Magazine and the author of The Bitcoin-Dollar: An Economic Monomyth. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of the Bitcoin-dollar thesis, Tether, and Bitcoin as a tool for challenging state power. We also get into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, if Bitcoin was created by intelligence agencies, and Mark's latest article, The Evolution of the Militarized Data Broker. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Jeff Ross is a macroeconomist, bitcoiner and Founder & CEO of Vailshire Capital Management. In this episode, we discuss global liquidity cycles and its impact on Bitcoin price movements, predictions for Bitcoin in 2025, and the potential for nation-state adoption. We also get intothe Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, the challenges of global stagflation, and why Jeff chose to go “Nostr-only”. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Lawrence Lepard is an investment manager and author of upcoming book The Big Print, which covers the broken monetary system and how Bitcoin fixes this. In this episode, we discuss the Federal Reserve’s role in economic inequality, the effects of inflation, and how unsound monetary policies have led to repeated financial crises. We also get into Bitcoin as a solution, its impact on the traditional banking system, and how it empowers individuals. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/ LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/

Roger Huang is the author of Would Mao Hold Bitcoin? And an expert on the intersection of Bitcoin and China. In this episode, we discuss China's economic turmoil, the implications of the property bubble collapse, and how deflation is shaping the nation's future. We also get into Bitcoin's role in China, the government's mining ban, the legal and cultural dynamics of Bitcoin adoption under authoritarian control, the CCP's strategic approach to CBDCs and the geopolitical game surrounding Bitcoin. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

Pete Rizzo is a Bitcoin historian and Editor at Bitcoin Magazine. In this episode, we discuss Bitcoin 16 years on, the 100k milestone, Saylor's 100k party, and the broader implications of Bitcoin's systemic importance and adoption trends. We also get into the rise of institutional Bitcoin adoption, the challenges to the Bitcoin orthodoxy, and the strategic potential of nation-states accumulating Bitcoin reserves. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

American HODL is an OG Bitcoiner & Matt Odell is host of Citadel Dispatch, co-host of Rabbit Hole Recap, managing partner at Ten31 and co-founder of OpenSats and Bitcoin Park. In this episode, we recap 2024 and get into Bitcoin's Strategic Reserve potential, the impact of institutional adoption, and the game theory behind nation-state accumulation. We also discuss Nostr, Ecash and get into Bitcoin's implications for global financial systems and freedom. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

Parker Lewis is the author of Gradually, Then Suddenly and Head of Business Development at Zaprite. In this interview, we discuss the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the feasibility of executive action to acquire Bitcoin, and the implications for U.S. financial policy. We also get into Bitcoin's role as a monetary system, the potential for nation-state adoption, and whether fiat currencies can coexist with Bitcoin. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

Matthew Pines is the Director of Intelligence at SentinelOne and Head of Strategy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this interview, we discuss the concept of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the feasibility of executive action to acquire Bitcoin, and the game theory behind nation-state adoption. We also get into the geopolitical competition between the US and China, the risks of global economic reordering, the impact of stablecoins, the role of treasury bonds in the financial system, UAPs, and the potential for Bitcoin to shape the future of global monetary policy. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

Harry Sudock is the SVP at CleanSpark. In this interview, we discuss the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the game theory behind nation-state adoption, and the impact of Bitcoin on the global monetary system. We also get into sovereign Bitcoin mining, the evolution of Bitcoin mining business models and centralisation risks in Bitcoin. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

Jeff Booth is an entrepreneur and the author of The Price of Tomorrow. In this interview, we discuss why Bitcoin is inevitable, the parallels between Bitcoin and the early internet, and the role of layers like Lightning and Fedimint in scaling Bitcoin. We also get into the challenges of maintaining decentralisation, the potential for nation-state adoption of Bitcoin, and how Bitcoin can reshape global trade, empower the underserved, and create the first true global free market. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

Roger Burlingame is the defense attorney for William Hill, co-founder and CTO of Samourai Wallet, a privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet. Zack Shapiro is the head of Policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this interview, we discuss the legal case against Samourai Wallet and the implications for Bitcoin privacy and non-custodial tools. We also get into the historical context of the Bank Secrecy Act, comparisons to cases like PGP and Tornado Cash, and the impact of discovery challenges and legislative advocacy on the outcome of this pivotal case. SUPPORT THE CASE: https://p2prights.org/ MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/

Rob Hamilton is the co-founder and CEO of Anchor Watch, a Bitcoin custody and insurance provider. In this interview, we discuss hyperbitcoinisation, the evolving cultural and technical landscape of Bitcoin, and the role of custodial solutions like ETFs. We also get into Bitcoin development proposals such as covenants and opcode restoration, as well as Anchor Watch's approach to Bitcoin insurance and risk management.

Checkmate is an on-chain analyst and founder of Checkonchain. In this interview, we discuss the relaunch of 'What Bitcoin Did,' Bitcoinbreaking 100K and the growth in institutional demand. We also get into the the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the impact of options on Bitcoin's market dynamics, and the MicroStrategy playbook as a volatility product. MASSIVE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: IREN: https://www.iren.com/ RIVER: https://river.com/wbd CASA: https://casa.io/