144 - Leon Wankum: The Real Estate Reckoning

Aug 22, 2025

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Real Estate Investing, Bitcoin Standard, Austrian Economics, Property Market Crash, Monetary Expansion, Digital Economy, Inflation Hedge Myth, Free Cities, Proof-Of-Work, Architecture, Japan.

Timothy Allen speaks with Leon Wankum.

Leon, a veteran real estate developer speaks about his journey from property and construction into Austrian economics and Bitcoin. Leon challenges the idea that real estate is a safe store of value, arguing that its monetary premium is misplaced in a digital economy. He contrasts the fragility of leveraged property markets with Bitcoin’s fixed supply, warning that utility-based pricing could upend the global financial system. From the demonetization of real estate to the rise of service-oriented housing and Bitcoin-based innovation, Leon envisions a future where property is valued for use, not speculation — and where Bitcoin strengthens resilience, reshapes development, and supports the growth of free cities.

Enjoy the conversation.

SHOW SPONSOR: Veritas Villages: https://www.ecovillages.life/freecities

Veritas Village Coronado is a phenomenal project in Panama, building off-grid, energy self-sufficient luxury homes for freedom lovers. Bitcoin is accepted at all villages, including for the purchase of property.

All the podcast links: https://linktr.ee/freeCitiesPodcast
Free Cities Telegram Community: https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0
Free Cities Conference: https://freecitiesconference.com/
Free Cities Foundation Newsletter: https://free-cities.org/subscribe
Conference Guide to Prague: https://tinyurl.com/FreeCitiesPragueGuide

DONATE Bitcoin to the Free Cities Podcast: bc1q5jun0nzxzqepch84rqk0jnv0rd8uvns28df7mg

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00:30 – Introduction To Episode
0:07:27 - Start of conversation
0:07:48 – Discovering Austrian Economics
0:11:38 – Challenging the Idea of Property as a Safe Investment
0:16:00 – Managing Change: Real Estate on a Bitcoin Standard
0:19:35 – Real Estate's Role in the Global Financial System
0:20:35 – Saving in Bitcoin Instead of Housing
0:27:57 – Interest Rates and the Real Estate Business Model
0:32:33 – Demonetization of Real Estate and Land
0:41:54 – Integrating Bitcoin into Real Estate
0:42:27 – Architecture and the Future Quality of Houses
0:48:00 – The Problem with the Fiat Monetary System
0:52:34 – Beauty and the Fiat System
0:56:30 – Proof of Work and Architecture
1:16:17 – Understanding the 18-Year Property Cycle
1:23:45 – Using Bitcoin as Digital Real Estate Collateral
1:40:18 – The Secrets of the Wealthy are Now Free
1:46:46 – Competitive Governance and Free Cities

NOSTR:

Leon Wankum: npub1v5k43t905yz6lpr4crlgq2d99e7ahsehk27eex9mz7s3rhzvmesqum8rd9
Timothy Allen: Search 'timothy@nostr.com' on your Nostr app
Free Cities Foundation: npub1lsj8pmgedqqamt89c27tzjjnlf0wn7q7udjm7j2cl9xxz97eacns2mwpee

LEGACY SOCIAL MEDIA:

Leon Wankum: https://x.com/leonwankum
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound

OTHER LINKS:

Leon's Newsletter: https://leonwankum.substack.com/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/
SPONSOR: Veritas Villages: https://www.ecovillages.life/freecities
Become a resident or business owner in Próspera: https://prospera.co/r/freecities