Building Bitcoin's "Fort Knox" - Mauricio Di Bartolomeo on Economic Freedom, Bitcoin-Backed Loans, and Ledn's Vision

Mauricio Di Bartolomeo is the co-founder and CSO of Ledn, a leading provider of bitcoin-backed loans. He found Bitcoin during hyperinflation in Venezuela and believes in the future of the digital economy. He has an MBA from the Richard Ivey business school at Western University.

Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, the co-founder and CSO of Ledn, recently joined the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to talk about the market.

Growing up in Venezuela and experiencing hyperinflation, bank collapses, and capital controls firsthand, Mauricio witnessed the disastrous consequences of a failing government and currency. His family eventually found a solution and "a beam of light" in Bitcoin mining, which allowed his brother to escape the country with his wealth intact on a hardware wallet, an experience that cemented their conviction in Bitcoin as a tool for economic freedom and survival.

Mauricio explains how this experience led to the founding of Ledn, a company built to solve the problem faced by Bitcoin miners and holders: the need for financing without having to sell their Bitcoin. He delves into the core value proposition of Bitcoin-backed loans, especially for the emerging world, highlighting that Ledn offers the same rates and terms to clients in Latin America as those in Europe or North America. This capability is providing financial inclusion, giving many in the region their first-ever loan approval, which is a massive, transformative opportunity that traditional banks have historically denied.

The discussion pivots to Ledn’s decision to transition to a Bitcoin-only company after a period of supporting Ethereum during the Celsius bankruptcy transition. Mauricio outlines the move as a commitment to simplicity and transparency, emphasizing the company's deep belief in the long-term viability and investment case of Bitcoin. The conviction is rooted in the belief that the future of Bitcoin-backed loans is a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, and Ledn aims to win by focusing on doing Bitcoin-backed loans better than anyone else, adhering to the principle that "the best restaurants have the smallest menus."

A crucial component of Ledn's commitment to transparency is its pioneering and ongoing Proof of Reserves protocol. Mauricio details this process, explaining that an independent CPA verifies Ledn holds all the assets it owes its clients by looking at both the asset and liability sides every six months, a cadence the company is moving to monthly. He stresses the vital importance of Proof of Reserves—something all failed crypto lenders like FTX lacked—as a requirement clients should demand, ensuring a company is honestly reporting its liabilities and protecting client assets.

The episode also covers the concept of the "new carry trade," which is the strategy of borrowing a weak, constantly-debased currency (like the US Dollar) against a hard, appreciating asset with a finite supply (Bitcoin). Mauricio illustrates this with a client anecdote who was able to buy a house without selling his Bitcoin, which then appreciated fivefold. He explains that this strategy is tax-beneficial and mirrors how the world’s wealthy manage their assets, allowing Bitcoin holders to "go short weak dollars and maintain your strong Bitcoin," ultimately helping them grow their net wealth over time.

Finally, Mauricio addresses the looming entry of traditional banks into the Bitcoin services space. He argues that Bitcoin-native companies like Ledn have a massive advantage because the banks' fractional reserve model is incompatible with Bitcoin's ethos of full reserves. He cautions users to be skeptical of banks' intentions and collateral practices. Ledn, a regulated business built to operate 24/7 in the volatile crypto market, is focused on building a "Fort Knox" that is designed to outlive its founders and their children, a powerful statement on their commitment to generational wealth and long-term security.

To learn more about the company visit Ledn.io, and follow the team on X.