Stephan Livera Podcast

In this discussion, The Charlatan, a Bitcoin Core developer and project lead for the Bitcoin Kernel initiative, dives into the highlights of Bitcoin Core version 30. He shares insights on removing the legacy wallet to cut technical debt and the aims of the Bitcoin Kernel project for modular code. They explore the ongoing data carrier size controversy and its balance with network performance, plus enhancements in initial block download times. The conversation also touches on evolving fee policies and the importance of competition among different Bitcoin implementations.

André Loja, a Bitcoin entrepreneur and founder of the Free Madeira project, explores the exciting world of Bitcoin adoption in Madeira. He shares insights on successful merchant onboarding and how local conferences have sparked interest in the island as a Bitcoin hub. Loja discusses the innovative Basalto Fund, enabling residency in Portugal through Bitcoin investment. Community engagement and the future of Sovereign Engineering projects emphasize a collaborative approach to tech freedom. The conversation highlights Madeira's unique blend of lifestyle and Bitcoin-friendly infrastructure.

NVK, CEO and founder of CoinKite and creator of the Coldcard wallet, dives into the innovative world of Bitcoin self-custody solutions. He discusses the importance of self-custody for businesses and the complexities of Bitcoin accounting. The rise of corporate Bitcoin treasuries highlights a growing institutional interest. NVK also explains the need for diverse custody solutions and the implications of the Bitcoin Core development debates. With ongoing innovations, he emphasizes how self-custody can shape the future of Bitcoin adoption and financial landscapes.

Prashanth Chandrasekar, CEO of Bringin, shares his journey from discovering Bitcoin in 2017 to founding a startup focused on Eurozone Bitcoin solutions. He discusses the challenges of liquidating Bitcoin and presents Bringin’s innovative offering of virtual IBAN accounts and debit cards to bridge self-custody wallets with banks. Prashanth highlights user feedback emphasizing speed and reliability, regulatory impacts of EU laws, and future plans to enhance the user experience for both casual spenders and larger transactions.

In this discussion, Anant Tapadia, a product lead at Bitcoin Tribe focusing on RGB wallets, and Federico Tenga, R&D head at Bitfinex, dive into the RGB protocol's transformative role in the Bitcoin ecosystem. They explain how RGB enables smart contracts on Bitcoin seamlessly and the crucial role of stablecoins like USDT. The duo highlights the importance of user experience for wider adoption, the straightforward asset creation process, and the efficient transaction capabilities of RGB, paving the way for real-world asset integration and a promising future.

Jesse Myers, Head of Bitcoin Strategy at Smarter Web Company, dives into the dynamics of Bitcoin treasury companies. He discusses the impressive 278% yield of his firm, emphasizing the importance of solid performance and retail investor support. The conversation explores the challenges of PIPE deals and introduces the innovative P-Bid metric to evaluate company value. Jesse also highlights successful strategies from firms like Metaplanet, while contemplating the future potential of Bitcoin treasuries in reshaping the financial landscape.

Jungly delves into the groundbreaking P2Pool V2, which aims to decentralize Bitcoin mining. He explores innovations like sharechains and atomic swaps for non-custodial payouts. The importance of community involvement and technical transparency is emphasized to ensure the project's success. Comparisons to other mining protocols highlight the enhancements P2Pool V2 brings. The discussion also touches on the need for developer engagement to build trust in this system, ultimately creating a more accessible and efficient mining ecosystem.

Shone Anstey, CEO of LQWD and a Bitcoin veteran since 2011, shares his insights on the evolution of his company from a Lightning Network service provider to a Bitcoin treasury. He discusses the significance of the Lightning Network for instant transactions, strategies for Bitcoin accumulation, and the potential of Bitcoin to address global economic challenges. Anstey also highlights unique opportunities in the Canadian market and elucidates important metrics like mNAV and Sats per share for assessing treasury companies.

Max K, CEO of Debifi and a key figure in the Baltic Honeybadger conference, shares insights on Bitcoin-backed lending. He discusses a shift from institutional adoption to innovative projects like Ark, enhancing Lightning payments. The intricacies of Debifi's marketplace model, along with the comparison between custodial and non-custodial lending, highlight evolving market trends. Max emphasizes the importance of security versus convenience, risk management in borrowing, and the potential for lower interest rates as the Bitcoin lending market matures.

Calle, a developer focusing on financial privacy solutions like eCash and Cashu, dives deep into the urgent need for privacy in digital financial systems. They discuss how advancements can tackle current regulations that compromise user rights. Calle shares insights on the mechanics of eCash, emphasizing its potential for microtransactions. The conversation underscores why user control over personal data is essential, highlighting the importance of building innovative, user-friendly privacy tools for a decentralized financial future.