What Bitcoin Did Is Bitcoin Failing? | Alex Gladstein & Paul Sztorc
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Jun 19, 2025 
Paul Sztorc, the founder of LayerTwoLabs and creator of Drivechains, and Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation, dive into Bitcoin’s current challenges. They critique Bitcoin's development, questioning if it’s falling behind in innovation. The conversation includes a critical look at the Lightning Network's effectiveness and whether alternative privacy models like eCash are necessary or risky. They also explore the role of hard forks, the cultural bottleneck within the Bitcoin community, and the implications for its future.
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Bitcoin's Network Effect vs Complacency
- Paul Sztorc highlights the tension between Bitcoin's strong network effects and its technical complacency.
- He warns that overconfidence and groupthink may undermine Bitcoin despite its growth.
Alex's Lightning Trip Experience
- Alex Gladstein shares a personal story of using Lightning Network in El Salvador in 2021.
- He was able to fund his entire trip using Lightning, showing its practical utility.
Paul's Early Lightning Enthusiasm
- Paul Sztorc recounts early enthusiasm for Lightning Network beginning in 2015.
- He describes how initial excitement gave way to doubts after deeper technical issues emerged.
