S16 E20: Felix Billbert on Wave Space & Spending Bitcoin

Felix Billbert is the Chief Maximalist at Wave Space: a European company which specializes in making bitcoin easy to spend. They offer a Visa debit card, a swapping service for BTC/EUR pair, Lightning network support... all of which is wrapped inside a non-custodial environment. The conversation explores the challenges of building a Bitcoin business in Europe, particularly navigating regulations like MiCA. Felix explains how Wave Space partners with a licensed entity to handle KYC/AML compliance, including the complexities of verifying the source of funds for Lightning Network transactions. The discussion touches on the competitive landscape, comparing Wave Space to services like Relai, and highlighting its focus on enabling Bitcoin spending and future plans for Bitcoin-backed loans. The podcast delves into the philosophical aspects of Bitcoin adoption, addressing the "never sell" ethos and the role of fiat currency in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Felix emphasizes Wave Space's goal of bridging the gap between traditional finance and Bitcoin, providing users with the tools they need to participate in both worlds. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of self-custody, the potential impact of a European CBDC, and the need for innovation and collaboration within the Bitcoin community. Time stamps: Introduction and Sponsors - [00:00:50] Wave Space Introduction - [00:01:42] Lightning Network Integration - [00:03:25] Regulatory Environment in Europe (MiCA) - [00:04:06] MiCA and Lightning Network Accounting - [00:05:02] Wave Space's Business Model - [00:09:50] Wave Space vs. Relai and Other Exchanges - [00:11:07] KYC Process on Wave Space - [00:14:34] Bitcoin Economy and Debit Cards - [00:21:10] SEPA Instant and CBDC - [00:26:46] Room 77 and Bitcoin ATMs - [00:34:12] Bitcoin and Politics - [00:35:58] Wave Space's Business Model and "Never Sell" Bitcoin - [00:41:12] Black Market vs. White Market - [00:50:01] Discussion on Sponsors - [00:52:12] Layer 2 Labs and Drivechains - [00:52:27] ZK Rollups and Citrea - [00:54:47] EUACC and European Startup Ecosystem - [01:05:35] NoOne's and Peer-to-Peer Marketplace - [01:08:31] Hodling and Self-Custody Consulting - [01:10:21] Euro Stablecoins - [01:11:23] Sideshift and Swapping - [01:14:23] In-Game Economies and NFTs - [01:17:24] Scams and Innovation in Crypto - [01:26:22] Trading vs. Investing - [01:31:12] Backup Plans if Bitcoin Fails - [01:32:18] Bitcoin.com News - [01:33:47] Conclusion and Contact Information - [01:35:12]