Episode Topic: Willem Schroé, founder of Botanix Labs, joins PayPod to reveal how Bitcoin is becoming the foundation for a decentralized financial future. Learn how Ethereum-style smart contracts and DeFi applications are now possible on Bitcoin via the Spiderchain—without giving up Bitcoin’s security or decentralization.

Lessons You’ll Learn:

How the Spiderchain turns Bitcoin into a programmable financial layer
Why Bitcoin yield is now possible—paid in Bitcoin, not tokens
The future of interest-free Bitcoin-backed loans and stablecoin trading
How Bitcoin can become a global financial operating system by 2100
Why governments can’t stop Bitcoin—and why they shouldn’t try

About Our Guest: Willem Schroé is the founder of Botanix Labs, the company behind the Spiderchain, a decentralized Bitcoin Layer 2 enabling smart contracts and DeFi. A national champion in mathematics and a researcher in cryptography, Willem’s passion for Bitcoin was ignited during his time in Saudi Arabia, where he witnessed financial repression and inflation firsthand. Now, he's on a mission to bring open, decentralized financial infrastructure to the world, starting with Bitcoin.

Topics Covered:

Bitcoin as programmable money
Layer-2 innovation via the Spiderchain
Interest-free lending and stablecoin DeFi
Bitcoin staking and yield generation
Financial sovereignty and inclusion through decentralization

Turning Bitcoin into the Future of Finance - Willem Schroé