What Bitcoin Did cover image

What Bitcoin Did

BITCOIN & THE U.S. DEBT CRISIS w/ Avik Roy

Mar 18, 2025
Avik Roy, a seasoned policy analyst and president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, dives into the looming U.S. fiscal crisis. He outlines the future threats posed by growing debt and potential government controls on Bitcoin. Discussing historical monetary shocks, Roy suggests Bitcoin could serve as a safeguard against economic instability. He also emphasizes the necessity for bipartisan support and strategic policies to protect Bitcoin amid developing regulations and a rapidly changing fiscal landscape.
01:32:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Avik Roy highlights the looming U.S. fiscal crisis within 20 years, potentially leading to government control over personal assets including Bitcoin.
  • The vibrant Bitcoin community in Austin illustrates significant growth and innovation, particularly in mining and investment strategies since 2021.

Deep dives

Threats to Bitcoin Ownership

The potential for government actions against Bitcoin ownership is explored, highlighting fears that the U.S. may forcefully convert ETF holdings into fiat dollars at a discount. This scenario draws parallels to historical precedents, such as Executive Order 6102 during the Great Depression, where private gold ownership was outlawed. The discussion emphasizes that corporations could face mandates to divest from Bitcoin, potentially losing assets at a government-determined rate. Such actions would mirror trends seen in countries facing economic turmoil, where governments often impose restrictions to maintain control over currency and financial systems.

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