Stephan Livera Podcast
Join Stephan as he interviews the sharpest economic and technical minds in Bitcoin and Austrian Economics to help you understand how money is changing and evolving. Leading names in the world of Bitcoin join the show to share their insights, whether they are developers, CEOs, economists, authors, analysts, and more.
Episodes
Why Heat-Reuse Mining Gets Stronger Every Halving | Alex Busarov SLP787
Alex Busarov, founder of Heatbit, argues that water heating, not space heating, makes home Bitcoin mining add up. His new Bitwater element replaces a water heater’s lower heating element, mines all year, and he says it adds no extra energy cost because the heat is used anyway.Stephan presses him on the two-to-three-year payback claim, the hashrate and price assumptions behind it, a plan to give de
Paolo Ardoino: Stop Tokenizing Apple Shares | SLP786
Tokenizing Apple shares is not innovation. Paolo Ardoino of Bitfinex argues the Bitcoin way to securities is opening capital markets for companies that cannot raise like a Manhattan issuer — not wrapping megacap stocks everyone can already trade at a bank.We also cover exchange OPSEC after a large hack, why Lightning wins on physics for agentic payments, zero trading fees, the Liquid incident, and
Morgen Rochard: Holding Bitcoin Is Not a Financial Plan | SLP785
Holding Bitcoin is not a financial plan. That is the starting point of Morgen Rochard's new book, Bitcoin Personal Finance, and of her return to the show. Bitcoin can fix the money, but it does not fix under-saving, spending habits or the money scripts people carry with them. Her book aims to help readers build a plan with Bitcoin as the core balance sheet asset rather than a token allocation.
Debt, Oil, AI and Bitcoin: A Gradual Print Until It Isn't | James Lavish SLP784
James Lavish explains why he expects a gradual print to turn into a big one, what weak Treasury auctions signal, and what he got wrong about Bitcoin this cycle.Timestamps00:00 — Intro00:48 — Markets: Warsh, Oil and a Narrow Rally04:22 — How Much Debt Will AI Need?08:41 — Outgrowing the Debt: A Polite Fiction10:50 — Brent at $108, 10-Year at 5.13%13:44 — Weak Auctions and Who Buys Treasuries15:54 —
Plan Your Second Passport Before You Need It | Alex Recouso SLP783
Official Podcast Episode: https://stephanlivera.com/783Alex Recouso argues that Bitcoin solved capital mobility but not human mobility: you can move money across borders without permission, yet you still need permission to move yourself. His answer is that everyone should think about a second passport before they need one, because, as he puts it, you can't buy insurance once the house is on fi
Debanking and Bitcoin Business Accounts in the EU | Prashanth Chandrashekar SLP782
Prashanth Chandrashekar argues that much of Europe's debanking comes down to how banks score transfers. Money arriving from a crypto exchange's account is treated as a higher-risk third-party payment, while a transfer between two accounts in your own name passes with far fewer flags. Bringin's answer is a named virtual IBAN for each customer, which he says lowers the risk of being deba
Seed Phrases vs Key Sharding: Multisig's UX Trade-offs | Setzeus SLP781
Setzeus argues that 90% of people will never properly use seed phrases and hardware wallets, and that services like Privy and Turnkey, which split a key behind an email or phone login, are a good-enough floor for self-custody. Stephan pushes back on what that gives up: verifiability, portability across devices, and a degree of vendor lock-in.Setzeus (Jesus Najera) runs SetDev, a Bitcoin L2 and met
Smarter Web's Capital Structure and MORE Preferred | Andrew Webley SLP780
Andrew Webley walks through Smarter Web's capital structure—ordinary shares as growth equity, a repaid short convert, Coinbase credit, and MORE as the income preferred.Webley is CEO of The Smarter Web Company (LSE: SWC), the UK's largest publicly traded Bitcoin treasury. He traces the path from Hargreaves Lansdown to listing on Aquis, then the LSE Main Market, while building toward roughly
Lightning in x402 and Agent Payments | Ben Carman SLP779
Bitcoiners built L402 for a Lightning-native web. Crypto built x402 for agents — and early volume is mostly stables. Ben Carman helped get Lightning into the x402 standard, and argues the pragmatic move is to meet that stack in the middle rather than wait for L402 alone.Ben Carman of Spiral rejoin me to unpack HTTP 402 Payment Required, facilitators versus Coinbase Commerce, why agentic payments a
Why Bitkey Ditched Seed Phrases | Clay Garrett SLP778
Bitkey ditched seed phrases for a recovery-focused 2-of-3 design: an app key, hardware key, and Block server key that use phones, hardware, and cloud access to help people retain control of their funds.Clay Garrett, Bitkey lead at Block, joins Stephan Livera to explain the design trade-offs: safety as security plus recoverability, cloud backup that needs your hardware to decrypt, and why Bitkey do
Bitcoin Savings vs Casino Exchanges | Julian Liniger SLP777
Most crypto exchanges are built like casinos: they chase the next hot token, prediction market, or trading product. Relai is building a different category—a savings brand for people who want to accumulate Bitcoin, hold it in self-custody, and build wealth over the long run. Julian Liniger explains why serving patient savers requires a different product, message, and business model.The conversation
Bitcoin PIPEs v2 | Misha Komarov SLP776
Bitcoin soft-fork debates around CTV, CSFS, OP_CAT, and OP_VAULT keep stalling — and Misha Komarov of Allocinit argues you can emulate much of that covenant behavior with cryptography instead of changing consensus.Misha joins Stephan to unpack Bitcoin PIPEs v2: a Witness Encryption design that locks a signing key under an NP statement so a valid zero-knowledge proof decrypts the key and produces a
rbitcoin: Bitcoin Full Node With Zero Human Code | reardencode SLP775
Almost every public Bitcoin node still runs Bitcoin Core. Brandon Black argues that client monoculture is a systemic risk — and that automation plus AI now make independent consensus implementations more realistic than skeptics assume.Brandon (aka reardencode) returns to Stephan Livera Podcast for the first episode in a mini-series on non-Core Bitcoin implementations. He is shipping rbitcoin, a Ru
Bitcoin Accelerator on Mirissa Beach | James of Ârc SLP774
Most Asian markets still make buying and saving Bitcoin painfully hard. James of Ârc argues the fix is not another protocol breakthrough — it is local founders shipping simple DCA and savings products market by market.James joins me from Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, where Arc is partnering with Fulgur Ventures on a continuous Bitcoin accelerator. He is a former EY advisor and Playfair Capital investo
Institutional Custody, Multisig & the War on Cash | Mike Belshe SLP773
Mike Belshe, co-founder and CEO of BitGo, walks through how institutional Bitcoin custody actually works in 2026: qualified custody, self-custody co-signing, and why BitGo still centers a 2-of-3 model after pioneering P2SH multisig in 2013.BitGo now operates as a US-regulated qualified custodian and public company, while still offering the same wallet stack individuals can run in self-custody mode
Trustless Swaps Across Bitcoin Layers | Walter Maffione SLP772
Walter Maffione, CEO and co-founder of KaleidoSwap, join me to explain how the project grew from an RGB Lightning DEX into a broader swap engine and LSP stack — Lightning as rails between Liquid, Arkade, Taproot Assets, Spark, and RGB — plus KaleidoSDK, desktop app, and browser Extension.We dig into web app and SDK integrations for merchants and unified-balance wallets, how HTLC atomicity works ac
Bitcoiners Must Remove Single Points of Failure | Dhruv Bansal SLP771
Recent attacks exposed how even large, educated Bitcoin holders remained exposed through single-vendor setups. The core lesson is that self-custody alone does not remove single points of failure; deliberate design is required.Dhruv Bansal, co-founder and CISO of Unchained, joins to examine these incidents and the practical barriers that keep most hardware wallet users on single sig despite years o
Interviews at Origin Seoul 2026 | SLP770
00:00 - Interview with Gabriele Vernetti of Stratum V2 @gitgab1915:38 - Interview with Jimmy Kostro @jimmykostro29:30 - Interview with James Check of checkonchainLinks: https://x.com/gitgab19https://x.com/jimmykostrohttps://x.com/_checkonchainhttps://x.com/_checkmatey_https://x.com/stratumv2Bitcoinchiangmai.org
Bitcoin Asia (HK) 2026 Day 2 Interviews | SLP769
Interviews at Bitcoin Asia 2026 Day 200:00 - Piriya Sambandaraksa05:14 - Alexander Mann11:04 - Shone Anstey of LQWD17:03 -Liam Eagen from Ideal GroupLinks: https://x.com/piriyahttps://x.com/idealgrouphttps://x.com/liameagenhttps://x.com/LQWDTechhttps://x.com/shoneansteyhttps://x.com/alex_singh_mannStephan Livera links:Follow me on X: @stephanliveraSubscribe to the podcastSubscribe to Substack
Bitcoin Asia (HK) 2026 Day 1 Interviews | SLP768
In this episode, I interviewed several people at Bitcoin Asia 2026.Timestamps:00:00 - Interview with Adam Poulton06:28 Interview with Giovanni Santostasi15:18 Interview Jeff Walton of Strive34:11 Interview with Alex B from ArkLabsLinks: http://x.com/Giovann35084111http://x.com/adampoultonhttp://x.com/bergealex4http://x.com/arklabshqhttp://x.com/punterjeffhttp://x.com/striveStephan Livera links:Fol
Wallet Playground for learning Bitcoin self custody with Piers Macrae | SLP767
In this episode, Piers Macrae demonstrates Wallet Playground and explains why hardware wallets are signing devices, not wallets.Timestamps:01:10 — Teach Me vs Do It For Me03:23 — Test Any Wallet Free in Browser09:09 — Coldcard Drama Forced Early Release14:03 — Generate Seeds Using Your Webcam17:52 — Hardware Wallets Aren't Real Wallets21:52 — Only 1% Use Multisig for Life Savings25:33 — Self-C
Dice Rolls, Entropy, and SeedSigner | Keith Mukai SLP766
In this episode, Keith Mukai of SeedSigner joins to explain why 1.4 percent variance in cheap dice still delivers full 128-bit entropy and how to verify rolls across devices.Timestamps:03:10 — Cheap Dice Only 1.4% Unfair?06:29 — Shake Multiple Dice in a Box08:26 — Verify Dice Rolls Across Devices11:02 — Verify Dice Seeds With Fake Rolls13:50 — Multiple Test Rounds Foil Attackers16:36 — 90% Users C
Jade for Single-Sig or Multisig | Rich SLP765
In this episode, Rich from the team at Blockstream explains Jade, offline dice entropy, blind oracle protection, multisig descriptor recovery and the new Blockstream Swaps beta.Timestamps:00:45 — AI Scans & Audits Secure Jade03:21 — Jade Core $99, Plus Up to $16905:51 — Roll Dice for Offline Seed Entropy08:23 — Blind Oracle: Remote Secure Element Explained11:15 — Seed QR: Hand-Draw Your Recove
Wavelength Delivers Ark-Based Lightning Without Node Overhead | Roasbeef & Michael Levin SLP764
Lightning Labs built Wavelength to deliver self-custodial Lightning payments without forcing users to run nodes, manage channels, or handle liquidity.Olaoluwa Osuntokun, CTO and co-founder of Lightning Labs, and Michael Levin, VP of Product, join me to detail the design choices behind their Ark implementation.They explain why Ark was selected, how hop hints let every payment use ordinary Lightning
Bitcoin Custody Rules Have Changed | Michael Tanguma SLP763
Old self-custody approaches collapse once Bitcoin reaches six figures, physical threats rise, and AI tools proliferate. Single hardware wallets and mattress myths no longer match the scale or risks that large holders now face.Michael Tanguma, CEO and co-founder of Onramp, returns to examine how custody must adapt to family obligations, mortality, and market structure that turns concentrated holdin
Breez Ships Glow — A Super Simple Bitcoin Wallet | Roy Sheinfeld SLP762
Roy Sheinfeld of Breez returns to walk through Glow, the team's new reference wallet built using Spark. It’s designed so non-custodial Bitcoin feels simple: send, receive, and go.Glow uses passkey onboarding (no seed phrase to write down), automatic backup via the passkey provider, and a single-balance UX so users can pay Lightning, on-chain, and stablecoin destinations without wrestling setti
Bitcoin Multi Sig vs Secure Single Sig with Nick Neuman | SLP761
In this episode, Nick Neuman of Casa argues that it’s not the end of self-custody. Instead, it highlights why multisig with multiple vendors provides stronger protection without the hidden complexity of passphrases or dice rolling for single sig setups.Timestamps:03:12 — Not the End of Self-Custody06:14 — Single Sig Is Actually More Complex08:45 — Multisig Simpler Than Secure Single Sig15:37 — $1K
Kruw on Wasabi 2.8 and Upcoming Forks | SLP760
Kruw (@kruwed) runs one of the highest-volume WabiSabi coordinators, giving him direct insight into how the protocol handles liquidity, Sybil resistance, and real-world usage.Timestamps:00:42 — Wasabi 2.8 Privacy Features 02:45 — Taproot As Wasabi's Default Address07:25 — Pay Inside CoinJoin Saves 40 Minutes10:26 — Auto CoinJoin 12:21 — WabiSabi Blocks Whale Sybil Attacks14:31 — Payjoins16:37
Bitcoin Security Consortium with Mike Schmidt | SLP759
In this episode, Mike Schmidt executive director of Brink, and volunteer coordinator for the consortium, explains how the group formed, autonomy over funding, and how it plans to avoid repeating earlier centralized roadmap fights.Timestamps:00:55 — Quantum Risk and the Consortium Pledge03:10 — The Nine Consortium Members11:40 — Publishing Quantum Research Publicly13:39 — Brink Role and Funding Con
Daniel Buchner: Why BIP 110 Cannot Stop Bitcoin Spam | SLP758
Buchner, known for his work on decentralized identity at Proof, brings a technical and game-theoretic lens to the debate over Bitcoin's monetary focus versus attempts to restrict arbitrary data.The conversation covers narrative shifts driving spam to Bitcoin, the limits of relay policy versus consensus rules, why the house analogy fails, economic node power over basement operators, and the lac
Lyn Alden: BIP 110 Could Trigger August Bitcoin Chain Split | SLP757
Lyn Alden warns that BIP 110 is unlikely to curb spam and instead mostly rearranges non-monetary data, raising the risk of a minority fork attempt that could split the Bitcoin chain.Lyn Alden is a leading macro analyst and Bitcoiner who examines how fiscal dominance now overrides traditional monetary policy tools.She breaks down why high debt-to-GDP ratios prevent rate hikes from taming inflation,
Bitcoin Desire Hits 8-Year Low | Michael Sullivan SLP756
Bitcoin desire sentiment has fallen to an eight-year low, a contrarian signal that historically aligns with market bottoms rather than tops.Michael Sullivan, an engineer and author, applies machine learning to individual X accounts to track granular Bitcoin emotions and moods over time.He examines how entry eras shape lasting narratives, why pro-BIP 110 cohorts show strikingly low conviction, how
James Check: Spot Buyers Saving Bitcoin Amid Time Pain | SLP755
Even as ETFs and MicroStrategy sell into weakness, natural spot demand has kept Bitcoin from collapsing in what may be the shallowest bear market on record. The real test now is time pain, the grinding boredom that forces out remaining weak hands after the initial price capitulation.James Check, founder of Checkonchain.com, joins me to break down the current cycle through on-chain data and market
Bitcoin in Your Signal Chat – Radar’s Bold Move with Seth for Privacy | SLP754
Radar integrates self-custodial Bitcoin payments directly into Signal's messaging network, eliminating the need for separate apps or custodians when sending value to contacts.Seth for Privacy, from the Cake Wallet team, explains how Radar targets everyday users rather than Bitcoin maximalists by preserving Signal's privacy model while adding instant Lightning-enabled transfers via Spark.Th
Dan Gould: Payjoin DevKit Ships and Breaks Common Input Ownership | SLP753
Payjoin delivers transaction batching driven by real economic activity rather than waiting for pool participants, while also cutting fees through direct net settlement between counterparties.Dan Gould, maintainer of Payjoin DevKit, explains how the new async protocol and oblivious HTTP relay change what is practical for mobile wallets today.The conversation covers current live deployments in Bull
Fedimint in South Africa: Zero Fees & Community Custody | SLP752
A South African circular economy is already running real payments on Fedimint with seven guardians on Start9 boxes. Users send eCash with zero fees inside the federation and feel the same simplicity as Wallet of Satoshi—except the custody is local and the privacy model is different.Hermann and Joshi explain how non-technical guardians set up 5-of-7 multisig, how the Conduit wallet hides complexity
Quarterly Self-Custody Update - Q2 2026 with NVK | SLP751
In this episode, NVK rejoins me to discuss the latest developments in Bitcoin self-custody, hardware wallets, and privacy solutions, providing valuable insights for enthusiasts and practitioners alike.Timestamps:00:00 Quarterly Self-Custody Update01:28 Sparrow Wallet Update & Silent Payments05:41 Coldcard MK5 & Recent Firmware Updates07:53 The Evolution of Co-signing & MuSig211:58 Lia
The First Stratum V2 Block: What It Means for Bitcoin Mining | SLP750
In this episode, Alejandro De La Torre, CEO of @DMND_Sv2, joins me to discuss the mining of Bitcoin block 955,318 — the first known Stratum V2 block on mainnet.We break down what happened, the benefits of Stratum V2, how it improves efficiency and we talk about SV2 adoption more broadly.A great episode for anyone who wants to understand where Bitcoin mining is heading.Timestamps:00:00 The First St
Bitcoin Treasury Stocks: Sentiment or Structure? Deep Dive with Adrian Morris | SLP749
In this episode, Adrian Morris joins the show to discuss Bitcoin Treasury Companies. We explore whether MSTR and STRC are over, sustainable mNAV premiums, the impact of leverage, the right way to calculate mNAV, how many such companies can realistically exist, and how this space evolves through bull and bear markets.Timestamps:00:00 What are Bitcoin Treasury Skeptics Getting Wrong?03:55 Is it over
Silent Payments as the next step forward | SLP748
In this episode, Craig Raw returns to discuss Sparrow’s Silent Payments and Frigate integration, where multisig UX stands in 2026, his thoughts on building Bitcoin wallet software solo, and the ongoing challenges of distribution and platform risk.We discuss:Silent Payments and their impact on privacy and UXPlatform risks and the importance of pragmatic developmentStandards and interoperability in
RailsX: Yield for LPs & Seamless BTC-Stable Swaps | SLP747
In this episode, Jesse Schrader (Jestopher), CEO of Amboss, joins us to break down RailsX — their new Lightning-native DEX.We discuss:🔸How traders and liquidity providers use RailsX🔸The costs and benefits for both sides🔸Current Lightning routing volumes and growth trends🔸The state of Lightning yield and how it compares to other players🔸The recent BitGo Lightning Earn partnership🔸A quick update on
The Fight to Protect Bitcoin Self-Custody in South Africa with Ricki Allardice | SLP746
In this urgent 15-minute conversation, Stephan speaks with Ricki Allardice, one of the leaders of the Property Rights Defense Group, about South Africa’s Draft Capital Flow Management Regulations 2026 — the most serious threat to Bitcoin self-custody the country has seen.Ricki breaks down exactly what the draft rules would do to private keys, self-custody, and everyday Bitcoiners, where the proces
Using Bitcoin to Change the World: UHNW Philanthropy, Stewardship & Generational Legacy w/ Matt McClintock & Alla Futterman (Bespoke Group) SLP745
Matt McClintock (Founder & CEO of Bespoke Group) returns to the show alongside Alla Futterman (Associate Client Relationship Manager & Head of Philanthropy Operations) fresh off his main-stage talk at BTC Prague 2026 titled “Using Bitcoin to Change the World.”In this deep dive, we explore how ultra-high-net-worth Bitcoiners and their families are moving beyond simple HODLing to become acti
Bitcoin Passports: How to Rank Countries for Bitcoiners | SLP744
In this episode, we sit down with Adam Juchniewicz of Bitcoin Passport Index and Bitcitizen to discuss Bitcoin sovereignty, jurisdictional arbitrage, and how Bitcoiners should think about second passports and residencies.We dive into the Bitcoin Passport Index, why Bitcoin-friendly tax and legal treatment matters more than most people realize, and how the landscape for citizenship and residency pr
Bark Goes Mainnet with Steven Roose | SLPfast 743
Steven Roose (CEO of Second) rejoins me to explain Bark going live on Bitcoin’s main net. Timestamps:(00:00) - Bark mainnet launched on June 9th(02:01) - Bark and Lightning onboarding(03:30) - Ark compared to Lightning — replacement or teammate?(04:15) - User experience with Bark(05:54) - Developer experience with Bark SDK(08:04) - Barkd for merchants and services(08:56) - Dev tooling and VTXO Ins
The Evolution of Bitcoin Mining with NG Zhang SLP742
In this episode, NG Zhang, founder and CEO of Canaan Inc., shares his journey in Bitcoin mining technology, from early ASIC development to modern innovations like heat reuse and energy integration. We talk about the evolution of mining hardware, industry trends, and future prospects.Timestamps:(00:00) – Intro and Early Days of Bitcoin Mining(03:40) – From FPGA to ASIC Technology(06:22) – The Av
Will Cole, Chris Seedor, Nathan Day, Philipp, Skot9000, Alex Bragin at BTCPrague 2026 | SLP741
In this episode, I caught up with Will Cole from Zaprite, Alex Bragin (Jan3), Nathan Day from BTCMap, Philipp (Satora), and Skot 9000 (BitAxe/SHA256) while at BTC Prague 2026.Timestamp:(00:00) – Interview with Skot9000 of (SHA256)(09:01) – Interview with Alex Bragin of JAN3 (20:35) – Interview with Will Cole of Zaprite(28:45) – Interview with Philipp of Satora.io(39:33) – Chris Seedor of Seedor.io
Freedom Tech Summit + BCD 2026 | SLP740
In this episode, industry experts discuss the latest developments in Bitcoin treasury strategies, Lightning Network innovations, and market outlooks amid macroeconomic uncertainties. Gain insights into hardware wallets, stablecoins, and the future of Bitcoin adoption.Timestamp:(00:00) – Interview with Freddie New from BHODL(08:47) - Interview with Nick Farrow from Frost Snap(21:27) - Interview wit
Can You Actually Earn on Lightning? With Chris Ritter | SLP739
In this episode, Chris Ritter joins me to discuss Lightning Network economics, yield opportunities, network centralization, and the rapid growth of Lightning payments. We explore who captures value in the Lightning Network, security considerations for routing nodes, and what recent data reveals about the future of Bitcoin payments.Timestamp:(00:00) – Introduction to Lightning Economics(04:23) – Un
Can Bitcoin Become Easier Without Becoming Custodial? With PakoVM | SLP738
In this episode, PakoVM joins me as we discuss the security challenges facing Bitcoin users, from scams and self-custody risks to the trade-offs of convenience versus sovereignty. The conversation explores emerging Bitcoin protocols such as Ark and Spark, the role of Linux and open-source hardware, advancements in wallet design, privacy, inheritance planning, and whether stablecoins and Bitcoin-na
Sigbash: Covenant-Like Policies on Bitcoin Without a Soft Fork with Arbedout | SLP737
In this episode, Stephan sits down with Arbedout to explore one of the most debated technical topics in Bitcoin today: covenants, vaults, and the future of Bitcoin custody infrastructure.They discuss why many people may be misunderstanding where the real demand for covenants comes from, and how covenant-related features could improve Bitcoin self-custody through vaults, spending limits, recovery m
Unlocking Bitcoin Exposure Through Real Estate | Sovana Explained | SLP736
In this episode, Sanjay Mavinkurve and Chase Palmieri join me to discuss Sovana, a groundbreaking product that allows property owners to leverage their real estate equity to gain Bitcoin exposure without traditional debt. They explore the product's mechanics, target audience, market timing, and future potential, providing insights into how real estate and Bitcoin markets intersect.Timestamps:(
Coldcard Mk5, quantum, and AI with NVK | SLP735
In this episode, we explore the latest in Bitcoin security with NVK, including the new MK5 device, firmware updates, and the impact of AI and quantum computing on crypto security. We discuss practical tools, philosophical debates on self-custody, and future tech trends.Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro (00:21) - What’s new with @COLDCARDwallet?(04:05) - Miniscript support in Coldcard(09:48) - Thoughts on
Why funding open source is NOT philanthropy with Pavlenex | SLP734
In this episode, Pavlenex joins Stephan to discuss the strategic importance of funding open source in the Bitcoin ecosystem. They explore how open source support benefits companies, the stages of open source project development, and recent updates on Stratum V2 and BTCPay Server.Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro(01:09) - Open source is not philanthropy(05:07) - Reaction to MARA Foundation’s initiative(06
BTC Prague 2026 with Matyas Kuchar | SLP733
In this episode Stephan speaks with Matyas Kuchar, co-founder of BTC Prague, about the upcoming Bitcoin conference in Prague. They discuss the conference's focus on Bitcoin and its intersection with other technologies like AI, the regulatory landscape in Europe, and the community divides within the Bitcoin space. Matyas shares insights on the importance of self-custody, the challenges posed by
The Physics of Bitcoin with Giovanni | SLP732
In this conversation, Giovanni Santostasi discusses his new book 'The Physics of Bitcoin' and the application of power law analysis to understand Bitcoin's growth, value, and long-term behavior. The conversation covers the scientific basis of Bitcoin's patterns, the significance of power laws in natural and social systems, and how this framework challenges common narratives about e
There's Hope for Bitcoin with James Van Straten | SLP731
In this episode, Stephan Livera chats with James Van Straten, senior analyst at CoinDesk, to explore the current state of Bitcoin and macro markets. They discuss the nature of bear markets, cycle theories, technical indicators, institutional behavior, and macroeconomic influences affecting Bitcoin’s price and sentiment. Takeaways:🔸James shares his perspective on Bitcoin's bear market versus pr
Cluster Mempool Explained with Pieter Wuille | SLP730
Stephan Livera and Pieter Wuille discuss Cluster Mempool for Bitcoin Core, its motivations, and its implications for Bitcoin users and miners. Where does the current mempool design have issues? Why is it important to maintain a transparent and reliable open mempool? Pieter Wuille also explains the complexities of transaction clustering and how the new framework improves efficiency and helps keep b
UTXOs, Spam & Bitcoin's Integrity with Martin Habovstiak | SLP729
In this conversation, Stephan Livera interviews Bitcoin developer Martin Habovstiak about his website Knotslies and the controversies surrounding data contiguity in Bitcoin transactions. They discuss the legal implications of data storage on the blockchain, the effectiveness of filtering illegal content, and various methods of spamming the Bitcoin chain. Martin shares his insights on the technical
NumoPay: Tap-to-Pay Bitcoin with Calle | SLP728
In this episode, Calle introduces Numopay, an open-source Bitcoin payment terminal that enables tap-to-pay experiences similar to fiat systems. We explore its technical foundations, privacy features, future developments, and the broader ecosystem of Bitcoin payment solutions.Takeaways:🔸Numopay's open-source payment terminal🔸Tap to pay Bitcoin using NFC and QR codes🔸Privacy features of Cashu’s
Can Bitcoin help you retire early? with Trey Sellers | SLP727
In this episode, Stephan Livera interviews Trey Sellers about Bitcoin and FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). They explore how Bitcoin can accelerate FIRE, different strategies for retirement, and practical tools like the FIRE BTC calculator. A must-listen for Bitcoiners interested in personal finance and early retirement strategies.Takeaways:🔸Bitcoin's role in FIRE and personal finan
Will Stablecoins help in Bitcoin adoption? with Gareth Grobler | SLP726
In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Gareth Grobler discuss the innovative features of the Layerz Wallet, focusing on its multi-layered approach to cryptocurrency transactions, the importance of stablecoins for Bitcoin adoption, and the technical challenges of integrating various blockchain technologies. They explore user experience, onboarding strategies, and the future of stablecoins in the
$1B monthly volume on lightning with Sam Wouters | SLP725
Sam Wouters from River shares the latest insights on Bitcoin and Lightning Network adoption, highlighting recent data, growth trends, and misconceptions. Stephan and Sam also discover how Lightning is scaling, the role of institutional and business adoption, and effective strategies for individual investors.Takeaways:🔸Lightning Network transaction volume and capacity🔸Growth and efficiency improvem
Bitcoin spam debates with Charlie Spears | SLP724
In this interview, Stephan Livera chats with Charlie Spears from Blockspace about Bitcoin's ongoing debates on spam, protocol upgrades, and the future of Bitcoin development. They explore the nuances of on-chain data, the impact of ordinals, and the importance of ecosystem diversity.Takeaways:🔸The history and evolution of Bitcoin data debates, including the fork and filter strategies 🔸The real
Is Your Bitcoin Transaction Safe? with Keith Gardner | SLP723
In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Keith from Branta discuss the intricacies of Bitcoin payments, focusing on the importance of address verification and security in the context of increasing digital threats. They explore how Branta's zero-knowledge verification process can enhance user experience and security, particularly in the face of potential scams and malware. The discussion also t
Monetizing the Megawatt with Robert Warren | SLP722
In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Robert Warren discuss the evolving landscape of Bitcoin mining, focusing on the intersection of energy consumption and human flourishing. They explore the impact of AI on energy demand, the misconceptions surrounding the cost of production in Bitcoin mining, and innovative strategies for monetizing energy. The discussion highlights notable examples of compa
Is Quantum FUD BS with James O'Beirne SLP721
In this conversation, Stephan Livera and James O'Beirne discuss the implications of quantum computing on Bitcoin, exploring skepticism towards the perceived threats, the current state of quantum research, and the potential responses from Bitcoin developers. They delve into proposed solutions, the role of institutions like NIST, and the challenges of Bitcoin protocol development. The discussion
Bitcoin Loans at Arch | Dhruv Patel SLP720
In this episode, Stephan Livera and Dhruv Patel, CEO of Arch Lending, discuss the current state of Bitcoin lending, market trends, and the unique products offered by Arch Lending. They explore the mechanics of Bitcoin-backed loans, risk management strategies for borrowers, and the importance of custody and security in the lending process. The conversation also touches on the future of Bitcoin lend
What do Bitcoiners do about Quantum? with Matt Corallo | SLP719
In this episode, Stephan Livera and Matt Corallo discuss the implications of quantum computing on Bitcoin's security. They explore expert opinions on the timelines for quantum threats, the current stance of Bitcoin developers, and potential solutions for quantum resistance. Matt introduces his proposed plan for integrating quantum-resistant features into Bitcoin wallets, emphasizing the need f
A semi-custodial model for Bitcoin? with Jos Lazet | SLP718
In this episode, Stephan Livera interviews Jos Lazet from Blockrise, discussing the recent volatility in Bitcoin prices, the semi-custodial model of Blockrise, and the future of Bitcoin lending. They explore the implications of market movements, the importance of risk management in lending, and the evolving landscape of Bitcoin services. Joss shares insights on Blockrise's offerings, including
Bridging Bitcoin to TradFi with Harsha Goli | SLP717
In this episode, Harsha Goli from Magnolia Financial discusses the launch of their Bitcoin-enabled banking services across the US, navigating regulatory challenges, and the importance of partnerships with banks. He emphasizes the need for better user experiences in Bitcoin transactions, the role of price oracles, and the implications of the Clarity Act on Bitcoin development. The conversation also
Are DLCs the Solution to Bitcoin Lending? with Matt Black & Jay Patel | SLP716
In this episode, Stephan Livera discusses with Jay & Matt the evolution of Lygos Finance, a company formed from the acquisition of Atomic Finance, focusing on decentralized lending using Discreet Log Contracts (DLCs). The conversation explores the growth of the Bitcoin collateralized lending market, the unique position of Lygos in offering non-custodial loans, and the role of Oracles in determ
Plan B El Salvador 2026 with Peter Schiff, Piero Coen, Skot | SLP715
I was joined by Peter Schiff, Piero Coen, Skot at Plan B Elsalvador as we discussed Gold vs Bitcoin, AI & a multipolar world, Bitcoin as freedom money for Latinos and open-source mining decentralizing Bitcoin.Takeaways:🔸Bitcoin and gold are often compared as stores of value.🔸Recent market movements have raised questions about the stability of gold and silver.🔸Central banks are increasingly buy
Bitcoin Apps For Everyone with Danny Stagg, Aljaz, & Brianna | SLP714
In this episode, the discussion revolves around Breez's innovative SDK and its nodeless implementation, which simplifies the integration of Bitcoin and Lightning into applications. The guests share their experiences from the ‘Time to Build’ challenge, highlighting the ease of use and the potential for new applications in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Brianna discusses her social events platform, Even
Hash-based signatures for Bitcoin's post-quantum future? with Jonas Nick | SLP713
In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Jonas Nick discuss the implications of quantum computing on Bitcoin's security, focusing on the risks posed to cryptographic signatures. They explore the current vulnerabilities in Bitcoin, the potential for quantum attacks, and the need for post-quantum cryptographic solutions. The discussion covers various signature schemes, including hash-based signa
The Financial System Built on Bitcoin with Arnab Naskar | SLP712
In this conversation, Arnab Naskar from Stokr discusses the intersection of Bitcoin, tokenization, and capital markets. He explains how Bitcoin serves as both a store of value and a settlement layer, enabling the creation of decentralized financial systems. The discussion covers the advantages of using Liquid for tokenization, the importance of confidentiality in transactions, and the innovative f
Lightning for Bitcoin Treasuries with Dave Lund | SLP711
In this episode Dave Lund, CEO of FlowRate, discusses the emerging concept of yield in the Lightning Network. Dave shares his background in the Bitcoin space and explains how FlowRate aims to bridge the gap between traditional treasury management and the Lightning ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of liquidity leasing and routing fees as potential yield strategies for Bitcoin treasury compan
Strive: Amplified Bitcoin Exposure Engine with Matt Cole | SLP710
In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Matt Cole discuss the rapid growth and strategic developments of Strive, a Bitcoin treasury company, particularly following its merger with Semler Scientific. They explore the implications of this merger, the importance of institutional interest in Bitcoin, and the strategies for managing debt and generating yield. The discussion also touches on the competi
Bitcoin on the map with Dr. Padraig Corcoran | SLP709
In this conversation, Dr. Padraig Corcoran discusses his research on Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, focusing on the use of spatial data from OpenStreetMap and BTC Map. He explores the dynamics of merchant adoption, the role of community initiatives, and the implications for policymakers. The conversation highlights the importance of grassroots movements in promoting Bitcoin usage and the potenti
Has Lightning Quietly Succeeded? with Nate (Beeforbacon) | SLP708
In this conversation, I discuss with Nate the current state and future prospects of the Lightning Network as of December 2025. They explore various aspects such as payment success rates, public perception versus practitioner insights, routing fees, centrality in nodes, yield opportunities, privacy considerations, and the overall adoption of the Lightning Network. The discussion highlights the impr
