

What Bitcoin Did
Danny Knowles
What Bitcoin Did unpacks Bitcoin’s role in reshaping money, freedom, and the future of finance.
Episodes
Mentioned books

48 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 33min
The War on Bitcoin Privacy | Calle
Calle, a Bitcoin privacy advocate, dives deep into the importance of financial privacy for democracy. He discusses revolutionary tools like Cashu and BitChat, which can help Bitcoin users navigate regulatory threats. Calle reveals the lessons from the original Crypto Wars and explains the unmatched privacy of Chaumian eCash. He highlights the risks developers face today, emphasizing the need for secure communication in an age of increasing surveillance. Tune in for insights on preserving privacy and freedom in the Bitcoin landscape!

123 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 46min
Is MSTR a Ponzi? | Lyn Alden & Andy Constan
Lyn Alden, an investment strategist known for her macroeconomic insights, teams up with Andy Constan, a 39-year finance veteran, to discuss Bitcoin treasury companies. They tackle the legitimacy of these firms, questioning if they border on Ponzi schemes. The duo examines how returns are generated, why there are premiums to net asset value, and whether these companies can sustain operations without new capital. Alden offers a bullish outlook on well-run treasuries, while Constan warns of their unsustainable reliance on fresh investments.

14 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 19min
The State of Bitcoin Adoption | Troy Cross & Ella Hough
Troy Cross, a researcher with the Nakamoto Project, and Ella Hough, co-founder of the Bitcoin Students Network, dive deep into Bitcoin adoption trends worldwide. They unveil unique insights about Gen Z's views on Bitcoin and the surprising statistics surrounding self-custody. The conversation challenges myths about Bitcoin’s political alignment and highlights its potential as a universal language of truth. Furthermore, they discuss the significant role of young bitcoiners in shaping future political landscapes and the importance of financial education.

74 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 1h 14min
Why This Bitcoin Bull Market Is Different | Checkmate
Checkmate, a Bitcoin analyst and on-chain data expert who writes the Checkmate newsletter, explores Bitcoin's evolving market dynamics. He discusses why treasury companies are entering the scene and how institutional money is shifting on-chain behaviors. Checkmate highlights the implications of a recent 80,000 BTC sale on dormant assets and the distinct nature of drawdowns this cycle. He also delves into the impacts of quantum computing and corporate treasury strategies, giving insights into the future landscape of Bitcoin investment.

73 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 15min
Metaplanet, Strategy, and the Corporate Bitcoin Race | Dylan LeClair
Dylan LeClair, a Bitcoin maximalist leading MetaPlanet's Bitcoin strategy, discusses the surge of corporate Bitcoin adoption. He reveals how companies like MetaPlanet scaled their Bitcoin holdings and the emerging competition in a winner-take-most market. Dylan explains Michael Saylor's revolutionary 'Stretch' and its potential to reshape corporate finances. He dives into premium dynamics, market fluctuations, and the connection between liquidity and Bitcoin price. With corporate treasuries getting serious, the landscape of finance is looking to transform dramatically.

66 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 2min
Bitcoin’s New Era: Liquidity, Macro, and the End of Four-Year Cycles | Nik Bhatia
Nik Bhatia, author of *Layered Money* and a Bitcoin macro expert, dives into Bitcoin's potential shift away from traditional four-year cycles. He discusses how evolving corporate treasury strategies and increased liquidity are reshaping Bitcoin's market dynamics. Bhatia also examines the implications of macroeconomic forces on Bitcoin's price, suggesting that it could reach $1 million by 2032. The conversation touches on the impact of political influences like Jerome Powell’s policies and what it means for investors.

50 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 11min
Jeff Booth | AI, Bitcoin, & The Collapse Of The Fiat Economy
Jeff Booth, author of 'The Price of Tomorrow' and a Bitcoin advocate, discusses the deflationary nature of free markets. He argues that our credit-driven economy is inherently flawed, as it fights against natural deflation. The conversation highlights how AI could exacerbate economic disparities while Bitcoin has the potential to create a truly global market. Booth emphasizes the cultural divide between ‘Fiatland’ and Bitcoin, and explains why regions like the Global South might adopt Bitcoin faster, reshaping power dynamics and housing markets.

10 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 13min
Bitcoin Culture vs Wall Street | Thomas Pacchia
Thomas Pacchia, co-founder of Pubkey, dives into the evolving culture of Bitcoin, emphasizing the vital principles of privacy, self-sovereignty, and freedom. He warns against the overshadowing 'number-go-up' mentality that distracts from Bitcoin's original ethos. The conversation also highlights the mounting influence of institutions and ETFs on Bitcoin, as well as the challenges posed by regulatory frameworks like the Patriot Act that threaten financial privacy. Pacchia shares insights on Pubkey's expansion and community-building efforts in Washington, D.C.

23 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 54min
How Bitcoin Is Changing the Financial System | Mauricio Di Bartolomeo
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, co-founder of Ledn and a Venezuelan survivor of hyperinflation, discusses Bitcoin's transformative potential in the financial system. He shares how Ledn navigated the collapse of competitors by eliminating risky practices and focusing exclusively on Bitcoin-backed loans. Mauricio emphasizes the growing acceptance of Bitcoin among banks and the implications for interest rates. He contrasts traditional lending's biases with Bitcoin's promise of financial inclusion, illustrating its role as a lifeline amidst economic turmoil.

39 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 3min
Bitcoin All Time High: Has the Cycle Broken? | Rational Root
Rational Root, an insightful Bitcoin on-chain analyst and author of the "Bitcoin Strategy Platform" Substack, discusses the current state of Bitcoin's bull market. He argues against a prolonged bear market, highlighting how institutional demand is reshaping price dynamics. The conversation dives into the potential of 100k as a new baseline and the impact of macro factors like interest rates and political policies. Root also emphasizes the evolving psychological landscape of the market, framing Bitcoin’s structural adoption as a stabilizing force against volatility.