RABBIT HOLE RECAP #368: NO PRIVACY? NO FREEDOM.

Aug 1, 2025

The discussion dives into the legal intricacies of cryptocurrency, highlighting the recent guilty pleas of Samourai Wallet developers. Humor intertwines with serious topics, including age verification laws impacting major platforms like Youtube and Spotify. The podcast critiques the encroachment on digital privacy by government regulations while underscoring the importance of self-custody in Bitcoin. They delve into El Salvador's controversial Bitcoin strategies and explore innovative advancements in decentralized communication technologies, promoting a call for digital freedom.

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ANECDOTE

Marty's Broken New Car Experience

Marty Bent bought a new Chevy Tahoe that turned out to be a lemon because the air conditioner didn't work.
He had to return to the dealership within a week to get it fixed under warranty.

INSIGHT

Samourai Wallet Legal Plea Fallout

Developers of Samourai Wallet pled guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmission business.
Their legal deal is linked to the Tornado Cash verdict, which could set a precedent for privacy tools.

INSIGHT

Age Verification as Digital ID

UK and US states are forcing age verification across platforms citing child protection.
This is a covert digital ID implementation that threatens privacy and free speech online.

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- Samourai Wallet Developers Plead Guilty To Unlicensed Money Transmission https://www.therage.co/samourai-wallet-developers-plead-guilty-to-unlicensed-money-transmission/

- Tornado Cash Verdict Expected Today https://www.therage.co/the-storm-jurys-dilemma-was-crime-the-goal-all-along/

- Spotify users told to prove their age under new rules https://www.the-independent.com/tech/spotify-age-checks-verification-b2798937.html

- YouTube's new AI age verification is coming soon — here's what's going to change https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/youtubes-new-ai-age-verification-is-coming-soon-heres-whats-going-to-change

- X Implements Age Checking Measures To Align With New Laws https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-new-age-verification-measures/754024/ + https://x.com/globalaffairs/status/1927697128219947132

- Trump blasts Powell after Fed votes to keep interest rates steady https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5429281-donald-trump-jerome-powell-interest-rates/

- The President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets Releases Recommendations to Strengthen American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology https://www.whitehouse.gov/crypto/ + nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzquq0mq9wdrsqnmf6jly595nxud0c5j3zd3cf4hzr0tck4wxstfunqqsg4vv7vhcmspkl2uetkme8pyx9thgyskmjg2q3una2hh0n9xdyr7sqyhcj0

-Fold and Blackhawk Network Bring Bitcoin to Major U.S. Digital Retail Platforms https://investor.foldapp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fold-and-blackhawk-network-bring-bitcoin-major-us-digital-retail

- AnchorWatch has officially completed its SOC 2 Type 1 audit https://x.com/anchorwatch/status/1950579169877791173

- El Salvador | New Insights Reveal Bitcoin Deception

A new detail buried in an IMF progress report casts doubt on El Salvador’s claim that it is “buying one Bitcoin a day.” According to the IMF, “increases in Bitcoin holdings in the Strategic Reserve Fund reflect the consolidation of Bitcoin across various government-owned wallets.” This suggests that President Nayib Bukele’s progressively authoritarian government may be reshuffling existing Bitcoin holdings from undisclosed wallets rather than accumulating new Bitcoin. A letter signed by two of El Salvador’s top finance officials also confirmed the state has not bought Bitcoin since February 2025. The revelation comes after El Salvador secured a $1.4 billion IMF loan, which required the government to scale back key parts of its Bitcoin policy, including ending tax payments in Bitcoin, phasing out the Chivo wallet, and making private sector acceptance voluntary. While Bukele continues to tout Bitcoin as part of El Salvador’s identity, the disconnect between official actions and public messaging calls into question transparency and credibility. FinancialFreedomReport.org

- Bitchat 1.2.0 iOS and bitchat android 0.8.1 https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat-android/releases/tag/0.8.1

- MSTR Earnings Today

0:00 - Intro

2:35 - Welcome back to Car Talk

10:31 - Zora

18:28 - Dashboard

20:39 - Samourai

34:28 - Age verification

46:50 - Gaza story and psyops

50:25 - Patriot Act extension and dead internet

1:08:13 - Fold + Blackhawk

1:11:11 - AnchorWatch SOC 2 Audit

1:13:22 - Simplicity Liquid

1:20:00 - peer-observer

1:24:46 - HRF Story of the Week

1:27:44 - Bitchat

1:38:05 - Paper bitcoin news

Shoutout to our sponsors:

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