The Bitcoin Standard Podcast

Eric Semler, Chairman of Semler Scientific, shares insights on his company's bold move to adopt Bitcoin as a treasury reserve, mirroring trends set by industry leaders. He discusses the financial implications of this strategy and its positive impact, including their $150 million Bitcoin purchase. Semler reveals the challenges of navigating Bitcoin's volatility and emphasizes cautious management and institutional adoption strategies. The dialogue also touches on Bitcoin's evolution as a valuable asset, comparing it to gold and highlighting its potential as a reliable store of value.

The discussion kicks off with a preview of a new book exploring monetary history, linking gold standards to Bitcoin. It contrasts hard and easy money's effects on society, illustrating how different systems might have changed historical events. Political tensions in early 20th-century Europe reveal the absurdity of war, highlighted by the Christmas Truce of 1914. The narrative also touches on gold's role as a secure reserve during conflict and the evolution of aviation, emphasizing the importance of creativity in innovation.

Saifedean introduces his next book, The Gold Standard: an alternative economic history of the twentieth century, where fiat money died in 1915. What would the world look like if we had a gold standard in the twentieth century? What would life be like with constantly appreciating money and declining prices? What would have happened if governments could not have financed themselves with inflation in the last century without accountability? How would living standards and wages have changed? How would the state have evolved? What would have happened to education, technology, politics, and our production of energy?The Gold Standard attempts to answer these questions with a fictional economic history of an alternative twentieth century in which the fiat money experiment fails in 1915. French aviation pioneer Louis Blériot partners with the Wright brothers in 1911 to build an airplane-based decentralized peer-to-peer gold clearance service, the Bleriot Transport Corporation (BTC). Contrary to expectations, BTC is a success and demand for its services is robust, and when the Great War begins in the summer of 1914, BTC offers citizens everywhere the chance to escape central bank inflation by exporting their wealth to neutral countries. The result is a global financial panic in September 1915 that bankrupts all the world’s major central banks and destroys their currencies. A new decentralized modern gold standard is built around peer-to-peer airplane gold clearance, and an entirely different twentieth century unfolds.Read the first four chapters for free on saifedean.com and pre-order your copy now for delivery in March 2025!

Saifedean Ammous, an economist and author of 'The Bitcoin Standard', joins builders Austin Tunnel and Jaime Izurieta-Varea to dissect how monetary policy shapes architecture and economic behavior. They delve into the impact of easy money on construction aesthetics, contrasting historical beauty with modern utilitarianism. The trio discusses the evolution of money, inflation’s effects on housing affordability, and the potential of nuclear energy tied to Bitcoin's influence. Their insights challenge current societal values and advocate for a return to sound money.

Anjan Katta, the visionary founder of Daylight Computer, introduces a revolutionary low-time-preference computer that emphasizes eye comfort and outdoor usability. He discusses the quest for an eye-friendly writing device, exploring the importance of environment in fostering focus. The conversation delves into the conflict between modern computing and human biology, advocating for designs that align with our natural needs. Anjan also shares insights on creating innovative, open-source technology that prioritizes privacy and sustainability, including an exciting new note-taking tablet.

Dive into the transformative journey of a crowdfunding platform that utilizes Bitcoin to empower individuals and redefine charitable initiatives. Discover how technology and Bitcoin can enhance humanitarian efforts, especially in crisis areas like Gaza. Explore the interplay between modern medicine and public trust, and the advantages of decentralized systems over traditional fiat. Learn about the integration of Geyser with Noster, fostering community engagement, and the importance of active participation in advancing the Bitcoin movement.

Discover the historical debates surrounding interest rates and usury, highlighting perspectives from great thinkers like Aristotle and Aquinas. Explore the intriguing concept of time preference and how it shapes individual decisions in lending. Delve into the implications of interest in a fiat currency system versus a hard money approach. Learn how a free market could potentially eliminate interest rates altogether. This intellectual journey sheds light on the complexities of economics and the behavior of societies.

Brent Johnson, known for his "dollar milkshake theory," passionately argues for the US dollar's continued dominance, while Saifedean Ammous presents Bitcoin's potential as a game-changer in global transactions. They delve into Bitcoin's advantages over traditional currencies, discussing its resilience against government interference and varying degrees of volatility. Johnson and Ammous tackle the future of money, debating economic implications and individual empowerment in finance. It's a thought-provoking clash that questions how digital currencies may reshape our financial landscape.

Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike and a pioneer in making Bitcoin user-friendly, dives into his innovative journey with the cryptocurrency. He discusses how Strike evolved from focusing on the lightning network to offering a comprehensive suite of financial services. Mallers explains Bitcoin's potential to improve global money transfers and contrasts its use across different markets. He also tackles the importance of financial stability, the societal value of Bitcoin, and practical strategies for everyday use, emphasizing the need for adaptability in today's economic landscape.

Econ Bro, a Nigerian economist dedicated to teaching Austrian economics, offers a fascinating insight into Nigeria's economic landscape. He discusses the severe inflation crisis affecting the naira and its societal impacts, linking it intriguingly to historical practices of ritual sacrifice. Econ Bro shares his journey from Keynesian to Austrian economics, advocating for sound money and educational reforms. He also highlights the misconceptions around nutritious eating and calls for greater awareness of economic principles to inspire change and resilience in Nigeria.