Coin Stories Alex Leishman: Earning Interest on Bitcoin Exchange River, Proof of Reserves and Bitcoin as Global Reserve Asset
Oct 22, 2024
In this discussion, Alex Leishman, CEO and CTO of River, shares his expertise from the Bitcoin financial services world. He highlights why River focuses solely on Bitcoin and the advantages of a Bitcoin-only exchange. The conversation touches on navigating proof of reserves for transparency and introduces River's innovative savings product for Bitcoin. They also delve into Bitcoin's potential as a global reserve asset and the changing demographics of its user base. Leishman’s insights into self-custody and the future of Bitcoin make for an engaging listen.
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Bitcoin-Only Builds Trust
- Focusing solely on Bitcoin builds brand trust and simplifies operations.
- This approach enables faster innovation and features like proof of reserves.
Bitcoin Pricing Explained
- Bitcoin prices vary across exchanges due to many trading venues.
- Coinbase adds a significant hidden spread, unlike River's much lower fees.
Proof of Reserves Importance
- Proof of reserves shows customers actual Bitcoin backing their balance.
- This transparency differentiates Bitcoin institutions from traditional banks' fractional reserves.