Rob Wallace | Bitcoin News 5 Years in Prison for Writing Code (Bitcoin Privacy Under Attack) | Marty Bent
Was 2025 the Top? Marty Bent on 'Plebslop', Treasury Companies, & The DOJ
Rob Wallace sits down with Marty Bent, founder of TFTC and managing partner at Ten31, to unpack Bitcoin the pivotal year that was 2025. Marty holds nothing back, delivering his candid take on the Samourai Dev case, the biggest tech breakthroughs, and naming the Villain of the Year.
Key Takeaways:
- Cycle Top Analysis: Why Marty believes 2025 was NOT the cycle top, citing a lack of retail exuberance and healthy consolidation.
- Word & Bitcoiner of the Year: The definition of "plebslop" and why Jack Dorsey/Block and Jack Mallers earned top spots.
- Villain of the Year: Marty names the Department of Justice (DOJ), criticizing the cases against Samourai Wallet and Tornado Cash developers, and pushing for pardons.
- The State of Bitcoin Tech: How Lightning is settling into "perfect product market fit," becoming the interconnective tissue for layers like eCash and ARK.
- Bitcoin Treasury Companies: Marty predicts consolidation and stresses the need to focus on Bitcoin's native properties over viewing it only as digital capital.
- Reaching Gen Z: Addressing financial nihilism and the perception of having "missed the boat."
- Marty's Origin Story: From being radicalized by the 2008 GFC to launching a major Bitcoin media company and his work at Ten31.
Summary Highlights:
Marty shares insights into Ten31's venture philosophy, using Bitcoin as a filter to prioritize founders with a "Bitcoin standard mindset." He details his personal journey, which began with the 2008 GFC, leading him to discover Bitcoin's potential to combat central control. The discussion culminates in a powerful call to action for listeners to remain vigilant and speak out against injustices, especially in the context of recent global events.
🔗 Connect with Marty Bent:
- TFTC: https://www.tftc.io
- Ten31: https://www.ten31.vc
🎧 Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts!