Stephan Livera Podcast

Albert Buu, founder and CEO of Neutron, is leading the charge for Bitcoin in Vietnam. He dives into the rapid evolution of Bitcoin and financial services in the country, noting the positive shift in regulations and the booming interest from the younger population. Buu reveals how Neutron's innovative offerings, like lending products and easy payment integrations, are reshaping the landscape. He also discusses the critical role of stablecoins and addresses the challenges posed by strict KYC regulations, all while painting an optimistic picture for Bitcoin’s future in Vietnam.

Jad Mubaslat, an engineer at Synota and a passionate Bitcoiner, shares his insights on the pitfalls of Bitcoin treasury companies. He raises skepticism about their sustainability, emphasizing concerns about cash flow and financial engineering. The discussion covers the implications of different investment instruments like convertible notes and preferred shares. They contemplate the risks of investing in these companies, the importance of self-custodying Bitcoin, and historical parallels to financial bubbles, urging caution for investors in this evolving landscape.

Pascal Eberle, Chief of Staff at Signum Bank, dives into the innovative world of Bitcoin banking. He discusses why Bitcoin is gaining traction as a corporate treasury asset and debunks common misconceptions about its volatility. The conversation covers the rising popularity of Bitcoin lending, detailing interest rates ranging from 5.5% to 9.5% and the bank's unique margin call procedures. Eberle also highlights the importance of understanding both Bitcoin and traditional finance for successful integration into business strategies.

Cory Klippsten, CEO of Swan Bitcoin and a passionate advocate for Bitcoin education, dives into the current trends shaping the crypto landscape. He highlights the declining trajectory of altcoins against Bitcoin and discusses the emerging interest in treasury companies. The conversation emphasizes Bitcoin's role as a long-term store of value and the risks associated with leverage in Bitcoin equities. Regulatory impacts and the potential for institutional adoption are pivotal themes, stressing the importance of understanding market dynamics for investors.

Praveen Perera, a Bitcoin developer and founder of Cove Wallet, shares insights on enhancing Bitcoin user experiences. He highlights the complexities new users face when setting up wallets and the vital role of personal responsibility in self-custody. The discussion covers graduated wallets, which help users evolve their capabilities, and the importance of layer 2 solutions. Praveen emphasizes the need for user feedback to refine Cove Wallet and discusses future privacy features, ensuring it remains accessible for all Bitcoin enthusiasts.

Fernando Nikolic, VP of Marketing and Comms at Blockstream, dives into Bitcoin's evolving narratives and community dynamics. He discusses the fragmentation of the Bitcoin community into diverse subcultures and the implications for adoption. Media shifts towards more positive coverage are highlighted, alongside the importance of cultural moments for mainstream acceptance. Nikolic emphasizes the growing institutional interest versus declining retail enthusiasm and the potential of the Liquid protocol as an innovative layer for transactions.

Marty Kendall, a data analyst from microstrategist.com, dives into the intriguing world of Bitcoin treasury companies. He discusses the power laws that predict Bitcoin's growth and the challenges of maintaining a marginal net asset value (mNAV) above one. The conversation highlights the sustainability concerns these companies face and emphasizes the importance of risk management and community engagement. Kendall also explores the role of market dynamics and thoughtful investment strategies as crucial factors for long-term success in this evolving sector.

Becca Rubenfeld, COO and co-founder of Anchor Watch, shares her journey into Bitcoin driven by childhood curiosity about national debt. She discusses the evolution of Bitcoin insurance and custody, emphasizing its necessity for self-custody holders. Becca also delves into the claims process, the complexities of insuring Bitcoin, and how innovative solutions are evolving for corporate adoption. With policies underwritten by Lloyds of London, she highlights how custom insurance solutions can manage the unique risks of Bitcoin volatility.

In this discussion, Hunter Beast, a researcher at Enduro focusing on quantum-resistant Bitcoin solutions, addresses the looming threats quantum computing poses to cryptocurrency. He emphasizes the importance of BIP 360, which introduces quantum-resistant hashes, and highlights risks like address reuse that increase vulnerability to attacks. Hunter urges the community to proactively collaborate on solutions, adapting Bitcoin's cryptography for future security challenges. He calls for urgency in managing quantum vulnerabilities, emphasizing community feedback in this evolutionary process.

Stephen Cole, Co-founder of Castle and seasoned angel investor in Bitcoin startups, joins to discuss Bitcoin's evolving role in small businesses. They dive into Castle's mission to automate Bitcoin treasury management, helping businesses navigate revenue fluctuations. The conversation highlights the need for businesses to adopt sound money principles and the interconnectedness of hard tech with financial security. Cole emphasizes the advantages of Bitcoin as a reserve asset against inflation, reinforcing its legitimacy within the venture capital landscape.