In this podcast episode of The Block Reward, Scott chats with Gen Z economics student, Zac Guignard, to discuss Zac's perspective on Bitcoin. They delve into how Bitcoin is perceived by young people, its potential to solve societal problems and its political implications. Zac shares his journey into Bitcoin and they discuss the importance of education in understanding Bitcoin, the skepticism from faculty members and the potential of Bitcoin to bring about a sustainable energy revolution.

Zac helps steer education for Theya Bitcoin, a Y Combinator backed startup providing the world's simplest #bitcoin multisig and self-custody service. He is also a student of Economics at the University of Victoria, and a prolific writer with his own publication "The Bitconomist” on Substack exploring the economic, social, and environmental impacts of Bitcoin.

What We Discuss:

(00:00:00) Bitcoin is seen as money and a solution to the problems faced by society, such as backward systems.

(00:00:32) Young people, like university students, perceive and engage with Bitcoin differently from older generations.

(00:07:27) The average university student is open-minded and curious about Bitcoin, but education and awareness are needed to clear misconceptions and provide resources.

(00:10:30) How Bitcoin is perceived as politically neutral, and its potential political implications.

(00:11:28) Bitcoin has led to a shift in perspective, with individuals taking matters into their own hands rather than relying on elected officials.

(00:13:31) Insights into the skepticism and lack of understanding among economics professors regarding Bitcoin, plus the potential impact of Bitcoin on traditional economic theories.

(00:21:45) Zac discusses how he approaches Bitcoin conversations with his peers, focusing on meeting people where they're at and addressing the global challenges they care about.

(00:23:18) How Bitcoin can address the lack of optimism about the future by bringing about systemic change and creating a new monetary order.

(00:26:11) The misconception that Bitcoin is bad for the environment and its ability to promote a sustainable energy revolution and mitigate emissions.

(00:33:24) Bitcoin's potential to absorb value from inflated assets like real estate and stocks due to its superior store of value characteristics.

(00:35:59) Zac's journey of getting involved in the Bitcoin industry through his passion for Bitcoin and writing, leading to his role in a Bitcoin company.

(00:38:33) A simple explanation of multi-sig wallets, their enhanced security compared to single-signature wallets, and the concept of collaborative custody.

(00:44:07) The Bitcoin club on campus and the importance of young people taking initiative in the Bitcoin space.

(00:45:04) Highlighting the growth and opportunities in the Bitcoin industry for young people interested in finance, economics and technology.

Episode Resources:

Zac Guignard | Website

Zac Guignard | Twitter