Bitcoin on the map with Dr. Padraig Corcoran | SLP709

Jan 14, 2026

Dr. Padraig Corcoran, an academic at Cardiff University specializing in geographical information science, dives into the fascinating intersection of Bitcoin and spatial data. He discusses the vital role of BTC Map in identifying merchants accepting Bitcoin, stressing the importance of grassroots initiatives in boosting adoption. Corcoran explores how merchant acceptance is growing despite varying data quality from crowdsourced platforms like OpenStreetMap, and he emphasizes the necessity of community engagement over government policies for effective Bitcoin integration.

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INSIGHT

Rapid Yet Uneven Merchant Growth

Merchant adoption of Bitcoin is growing rapidly over time and BTC Map listings nearly doubled recently.
High local variation exists, e.g., 6% of Prague restaurants vs over 75% in Berlin's region.

INSIGHT

Crowdsourced Maps Vary By Community

OpenStreetMap is a volunteer-driven, free geographical dataset created since 2004 by crowdsourcing.
Its quality varies by location depending on local contributor activity.

ADVICE

Standardize Tags For Reliable Data

Use a standard tagging convention to represent Bitcoin-accepting merchants in OpenStreetMap for easy querying.
BTC Map formalized tags so researchers and apps can extract merchant lists reliably.

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In this conversation, Dr. Padraig Corcoran discusses his research on Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, focusing on the use of spatial data from OpenStreetMap and BTC Map. He explores the dynamics of merchant adoption, the role of community initiatives, and the implications for policymakers. The conversation highlights the importance of grassroots movements in promoting Bitcoin usage and the potential for growth in merchant acceptance as technology improves.

Takeaways:

🔸Bitcoin serves multiple purposes: unit of account, store of value, medium of exchange.

🔸OpenStreetMap is a crowdsourced geographical data project.

🔸BTC Map helps identify merchants accepting Bitcoin.

🔸Adoption of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange is growing.

🔸Quality of crowdsourced data can vary significantly.

🔸Community initiatives play a crucial role in Bitcoin adoption.

🔸Government policies do not directly influence merchant adoption.

🔸The Lightning Network is vital for facilitating Bitcoin transactions.

🔸Merchants often accept Bitcoin to attract a specific customer base.

🔸Bitcoin can function as both a store of value and a medium of exchange.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:08) - Dr. Padraig Corcoran’s background & his research on Bitcoin and Spatial Analysis

(02:31) - OpenStreetMap; Pros & Cons of crowdsourced geographical data

(06:19) - How did BTC Map use OpenStreetMap to represent Bitcoin merchants?

(10:08) - What are the insights from analysing the adoption of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange?

(15:25) - Nation level vs. Grassroots Bitcoin adoption; Bitcoin circular economies

(18:37) - Bitcoin adoption in El Salvador vs Berlin

(19:51) - Are merchants accepting Bitcoin without them knowing about it?

(23:14) - What are the factors influencing merchant adoption?; Learnings for policymakers from Dr. Padraig’s research

(25:19) - What kind of Bitcoin businesses are on BTC Map?

(27:49) - Is Bitcoin only for savings?

(32:30) - What should Bitcoin builders focus on?

(33:34) - What is Dr. Padraig’s perception of Bitcoin as money?

(35:23) - Closing thoughts

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