Saifedean Ammous, an economist and author of The Bitcoin Standard, discusses the future of sound money and Bitcoin. He delves into the relevance of gold in today's monetary systems and the rise of corporate Bitcoin treasuries. Saifedean argues against inflationary currency, explores wealth concentration under fiat versus Bitcoin, and shares thoughts on a possible Bitcoin cycle top. He reflects on selling over a million copies of his book and its influence on the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
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insights INSIGHT
The Damage of Fiat Money
Fiat money causes extensive distortions and damages economies.
Imagining a world without fiat reveals vast implications for economic structures.
insights INSIGHT
Challenges to Gold Standard Return
A gold-backed monetary system lacks liquid international market infrastructure.
Without mechanisms for smooth gold transfer, a return to gold standard is unlikely.
The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications. The book takes the reader on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems to modern government debt. It explains the operation of Bitcoin as a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, allowing users to perform traditional monetary functions without relying on authorities or physical infrastructure. The book also explores common questions surrounding Bitcoin and its potential as a store of value and a network for final settlement of large payments, challenging government monopolies and offering a vision of money extricated from politics and borders.
The Gold Standard
Saifedean Ammous
Natalie Brunell is joined by Saifedean Ammous, economist and author of The Bitcoin Standard, for a deep-dive conversation on sound money, Bitcoin’s future, and his upcoming book, The Gold Standard.
Topics discussed include:
An inside look at The Gold Standard and whether Saifedean believes a gold-backed framework may reemerge
Wealth concentration under fiat vs Bitcoin
The rise of corporate Bitcoin treasuries and the broader institutionalization of Bitcoin
Why we don't need inflationary money
Is Bitcoin infinitely divisible?
Why Saifedean thinks we’re approaching a Bitcoin cycle top right now
Saif's reaction to selling over 1 million copies of The Bitcoin Standard and its impact on the ecosystem
Guest Bio: @saifedean is an economist and professor of economics at the Lebanese American University. He is the author of The Bitcoin Standard, which has become a seminal work on Bitcoin’s role in monetary history, and now The Gold Standard, exploring the case for a return to gold-backed money. Follow Saif on X at https://x.com/saifedean
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