The Block Reward | Real Stories. Real Impact. All Powered by Real Money - Bitcoin 107: Allen Farrington ON: Bitcoin and The Hidden Complexity Behind Every ‘Simple’ Payment
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Nov 25, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Allen Farrington, an author and co-founder of Axiom Capital, reveals the hidden intricacies of fiat payments. He debunks the myth that fiat is simple, illustrating how numerous intermediaries complicate transactions. Allen contrasts this with Bitcoin's potential as a straightforward settlement mechanism. He explores Lightning's promise for business-to-business payments while addressing its challenges for consumers. The episode also touches on the evolving role of stablecoins and offers insights into Bitcoin's impact on investment strategies.
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Public-Service Debunk At A Lightning Conference
- Allen joked he knew more about how fiat payments work than a Lightning-centric audience.
- He used that as a public-service premise to debunk the "fiat is simple, Bitcoin is hard" narrative.
Lightning Mirrors ACH For Businesses
- Lightning parallels ACH as a business-to-business payments layer but removes banks as mandatory intermediaries.
- It enables direct settlement and behaves like an open commercial-banking function on top of Bitcoin.
Businesses Handle Lightning's Operational Needs
- Lightning suits businesses because they can manage inbound liquidity and remain always online.
- Consumers struggle with inbound liquidity and uptime, making Lightning less practical for everyday users.
