074 - Stephan Livera: State Competitiveness, Bitcoin ETFs & The Demise of the West

Apr 19, 2024

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Dubai, SEZs, Special Zones, State Competitiveness, Monarchy, Multiculturalism, Nation State Lifecycles, Bitcoin ETFs, UTXO consolidation, Michael Saylor, Savings Technology.

Timothy Allen talks with Stephan Livera.

I've got another dispatch from Dubai for you this week and its also another returning guest, Stephan Livera.

The last time we spoke was way back in episode 04, over a year ago when I ran into him in El Salvador. This week, we’re on his home territory, well adoptive home at least. He relocated to the UAE two years ago and in this conversation we discuss that move and why the Emirates have been so successful at attracting foreign talent over the last few years.

Other topics discussed include the demise of the western world, monarchies, multiculturalism, inflation and Stephan gives us a roundup of the all latest developments in the world of Bitcoin.

Enjoy the conversation.

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:30) Introduction

(7:50) El Salvador's potential to become a "Singapore of Central America" through economic zones and Bitcoin city, with mentions of Dubai.

(10:57) Brain drain, opportunities in Dubai, and lifestyle differences between Dubai and Sydney.

(17:51) Dubai's position as a global hub, with insights on its advantages and disadvantages.

(21:00) Governance, regulation, and property rights in different countries.

(27:00) The capture of institutions and the impact on minority rights.

(29:41) Long-term vs short-term thinking in politics and society.

(35:58) Making friends and networking in Dubai, with a focus on the city's multiculturalism and lack of political turmoil.

(42:09) Attracting and retaining top talent in countries like UAE and El Salvador.

(44:58) The economic development and competitiveness of the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

(50:42) Advantages of smaller states for liberty and alternatives to one-world government.

(53:27) Autonomy, secession, and Bitcoin developments in 2024.

(59:07) The future of Bitcoin's layered structure, with a focus on Lightning Network and custodial services.

(1:03:01) Bitcoin's scalability and layered approach, potential for high fees, and the importance of consolidating UTXOs.

(1:09:18) Bitcoin ETFs, privacy trade-offs, and investment strategies.

(1:13:22) Bitcoin as a savings technology, ETFs driving adoption, and inflation concerns.

(1:18:37) Bitcoin's potential price increase to mid-six figures, with mention of past cycles and potential for an 80% drop.

(1:24:45) Michael Saylor's views on Bitcoin, philanthropy, and the future of education.

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