Why an Anti-Bitcoin President Is Better for Bitcoin | Knut Svanholm

Knut Svanholm discusses the state of Bitcoin in 2025, Bitcoin and government, and individual liberty.

Key Topics:

• Bitcoin in 2025
• Government and Bitcoin
• Democracy and Individualism
• Artificial Intelligence
• Bitcoin Events in 2026

In this podcast, Knut Svanholm reflects on Bitcoin's performance in 2025 and the surprising internal struggles, particularly the Core vs Knots debate. He emphasizes the positive aspect of these conflicts, viewing them as signs of Bitcoiners' vigilance and willingness to fight for their principles. He draws parallels to the block size wars, noting that while such conflicts are unpleasant, they ultimately strengthen the system.

Svanholm discusses his concerns about the increasing coziness between Bitcoin and government, especially with a Bitcoin-friendly president. He argues that an anti-Bitcoin president might be preferable as it forces people to use Bitcoin correctly, maintaining anonymity and self-sovereignty. He believes that a crypto-friendly president could lead to complacency and government control over Bitcoin's definition.

Discussing democracy, Svanholm argues that it often leads to socialism and eventually totalitarianism, as it relies on the unethical principle of majority voting to take from the minority. He criticizes modern democracies for using money printers, which empower the state and postpone revolts by hiding taxes through inflation. He notes that elections favor collectivists and that governments often take credit for the free market's achievements. He advocates for individual control and using tools like Bitcoin and Noster to defund the government, which he believes is the best thing for humanity. Svanholm stresses the importance of individual action and understanding that the "we" thinking in democracies can be dangerous. He highlights that inflation is a lie that makes people believe prices should naturally rise, obscuring the reality that they should be falling due to increased efficiency.

Svanholm also touches on the accelerating rate of money printing needed to maintain the illusion of ever-increasing prices, especially with advancements like AI. He warns that if the world stays in fiat land, AI will centralize money and power, leading to an Orwellian future. He suggests that Europe is on a destructive path due to large bureaucratic machines and high taxes, and he expresses concern about the potential for increased government control. He compares his positive experiences in El Salvador to the suspicion he faces in Europe, underscoring the appeal of Bitcoin-friendly environments. He highlights the importance of understanding that government is not necessarily your friend and that Bitcoin challenges traditional worldviews. Svanholm notes that Bitcoin's value lies in its scarcity, provable security, and the financial cardiovascular system it creates among its users.

Svanholm discusses the role of AI in content creation, acknowledging its utility while emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's unique voice. He shares his perspective on AI's capabilities, suggesting that it can be a perfect slave but cannot possess its own agency or free will. He underscores that the positive, deflationary future associated with AI is dependent on the adoption of Bitcoin as a monetary system. He also discusses how AI can transform education by making learning more accessible and efficient, obsoleting traditional classroom settings. Svanholm shares his experiences visiting Bitcoin-friendly places like Lugano, El Salvador, and Madeira, highlighting the optimism and deeper conversations within these communities. He notes that Bitcoin adoption is more effective when driven by grassroots efforts rather than top-down initiatives. Knut shares his method for orange pilling newbies, which depends on the community he is in. He highlights the numerous Bitcoin conferences around the world and encourages people to attend them, citing events like Plan B Forum, Bitcoin Alive, and B2C Prague.