
 EconTalk
 EconTalk Nathaniel Popper on Bitcoin and Digital Gold
 Jun 8, 2015 
 Nathaniel Popper, a New York Times journalist and author of Digital Gold, dives into the fascinating world of Bitcoin. He discusses the technical foundations that make Bitcoin unique, such as private keys and blockchain technology. The conversation shifts to the infamous Mt. Gox collapse, illustrating the risks of trusting centralized exchanges. Popper also addresses the challenges of anonymity, revealing how stolen Bitcoins are difficult to recover. Finally, he reflects on Bitcoin's potential as a global currency amidst its controversial beginnings with Silk Road. 
 Chapters 
 Transcript 
 Episode notes 
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 
 Intro 
 00:00 • 6min 
 Unpacking Bitcoin: Keys, Mining, and the Blockchain 
 05:35 • 15min 
 The Rise and Fall of Mt. Gox 
 21:04 • 10min 
 The Security Paradox of Bitcoin Private Keys 
 30:59 • 5min 
 The Anonymity Challenge of Bitcoin: Ownership and Recovery Issues 
 35:34 • 3min 
 Silk Road: The Bitcoin Marketplace Revolution 
 38:07 • 9min 
 The Dark Web's Legal Labyrinth: Murders, Undercover Agents, and Legal Decisions 
 47:10 • 3min 
 The Bitcoin Odyssey: Myths and Realities 
 50:39 • 17min 

