In this episode, Nik Bhatia welcomes Bitcoin anthropologist Natalie Smolenski to explore the profound connection between Bitcoin, human liberty, and peaceful society through an anthropological lens. Natalie unveils how the historical relationship between money and state has shaped human cooperation, and why Bitcoin represents a transformative technology of peace. They examine the evolution of monetary systems, Bitcoin's unique position as a jurisdictional commodity money, and its potential to reduce societal violence through voluntary exchange. Together, they chart a vision for how Bitcoin's technological revolution can reignite the human spirit of liberty and peaceful cooperation in an increasingly divided world.

📊 The Bitcoin Layer is a bitcoin and global macroeconomic research firm.

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Nik Bhatia's Twitter: https://twitter.com/timevalueofbtc

Creative Director Matthew Ball's Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewrball

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction to Bitcoin Anthropology with Natalie Smolinsky  

00:03:37 Understanding Bitcoin's Impact on Society  

00:07:03 The Unique Value of Liberty in American History

00:10:49 The Role of Bitcoin in Modern Governance  

00:14:43 The Legal and Psychological Aspects of Settlement

00:18:30 Bitcoin as a Self-Settling Network  

00:22:15 Texas Blockchain Summit Success  

00:25:46 U.S. Bitcoin Policy in 2025: Key Considerations

00:29:29 Political Manipulation and the Crisis of Liberty

00:33:15 A Message of Individual Hope and Liberty

The Bitcoin Layer and its guests do not provide investment advice.