Joe Quirk, president of the Seasteading Institute, discusses the innovative concept of seasteading, which proposes creating floating societies on the ocean as a solution to the limitations of land-based governance. Quirk shares his personal journey into the world of seasteading, drawing parallels between cruise ships, Burning Man, and the potential for self-governing communities at sea. He explores the practicalities of building seasteads, the challenges faced, and the legal frameworks necessary for their success. The conversation also touches on sustainability, food production, and the economic viability of living on the ocean. He emphasizes the ecological benefits of building structures at sea, the innovative business models that can emerge, and the need for political autonomy. He also highlights the importance of material science and competition in developing sustainable structures that can withstand ocean conditions.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:04) - What is Seasteading?

(04:08) - How did Joe's experience at Burning Man inspire him to pursue Seasteading?

(09:36) - The evolution of Governance and Social structures

(14:53) - Challenges & innovations in Seasteading

(18:16) - What are the legal & regulatory aspects of Seasteading?

(22:46) - How safe is it to live on the ocean? 

(25:05) - Sponsors

(27:22) - How does one produce or source food on Seasteads?

(31:22) - How much does a Seastead cost?

(34:00) - Aquatic life and its role in Seasteads 

(35:35) - Future of Seasteading

(40:57) - Innovative business models viable at Sea

(45:41) - Sponsors(51:08) - Building sustainable structures at Sea

(57:28) - What’s next for Seasteading?

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Steve and Lyn delve into the complexities of Bitcoin consensus, discussing the motivations behind their project analyzing consensus risks in protocol upgrades. They explore the technical and economic aspects of Bitcoin, the evolution of its consensus mechanisms, and the various stakeholder groups involved in decision-making processes. 

The discussion also highlights the importance of awareness among Bitcoin users regarding potential changes and the historical context of contentious changes in Bitcoin's past.

They explore the challenges of gaining adoption for alternative clients, the implications of activation methods for protocol changes, and the overall robustness of the Bitcoin network. The discussion also emphasizes the need for awareness and understanding of these dynamics to foster better decision-making within the Bitcoin community.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:40) - What is the objective of Bitcoin Consensus Analysis (BCAP)? 

(06:55) - What are the technical aspects of the Bitcoin Consensus?

(11:29) - Examples of consensus changes

(16:15) - What are the stakeholder groups in Bitcoin?

(22:57) - Sponsors

(25:34) - What are the various ‘States of Mind’ regarding changes in the Bitcoin Consensus?

(31:00) - Historical context of changes in Bitcoin

(38:56) - The importance of alternative clients in Bitcoin

(47:06) - What power do bitcoin investors have?

(49:31) - Sponsors

(54:33) - Implications of various Activation methods

(1:00:02) - Why is Bitcoin not a democracy of miners?

(1:06:01) - The future of Bitcoin's consensus changes

(1:14:16) - Closing thoughts 

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Roman Martinez, Lexi & Stephan discuss the evolving real estate landscape in El Salvador, particularly in the context of Bitcoin adoption. They explore the motivations of various buyers, the impact of recent changes in infrastructure and regulations, and the unique challenges and opportunities present in the market. The conversation also touches on the importance of trust in real estate transactions and the varying expectations of foreign buyers regarding property quality and development. Lexi and Roman also discuss the experience of moving to El Salvador, highlighting cultural adjustments, healthcare quality, language integration, and the real estate market. They emphasize the importance of understanding local customs, the benefits of private healthcare, and the growing expat community. 

The podcast also covers the real estate landscape, including prices, investment opportunities, and the significance of discovery trips for potential expats. They conclude by addressing the risks associated with real estate investments and the importance of due diligence.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:54) - What is Goodlife El Salvador?; El Salvador’s Real Estate landscape

(04:05) - What is the Real Estate buyer persona in El Salvador?

(05:52) - What motivates people to move to El Salvador?

(10:35) - Bitcoin education, adoption and spending in El Salvador

(15:30) - Living in Bitcoin Hubs & adjacent localities 

(20:18) - What are the Real Estate investment trends? 

(22:11) - Common pitfalls for new buyers

(27:41) - Sponsors

(29:55) - Quality of development & matching the expectations of expats 

(31:49) - Cultural norms & Healthcare in El Salvador

(38:32) - Overcoming language barriers 

(41:17) - Real Estate prices & trends in El Salvador

(43:33) - Sponsors

(50:47) - What to expect in El Salvador?; Discovery trips for expats

(57:42) - Navigating Real Estate risks

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

In this conversation, Freddie New, general counsel at The Little Car and Head of Policy at Bitcoin Policy UK, discusses the evolution of Bitcoin regulation in the UK. He highlights the historical context of regulatory attitudes, the role of the Law Commission in recognizing Bitcoin as property, and the challenges posed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The conversation also touches on banking access issues, the impact of fraud concerns, and the future of Bitcoin custodianship. They also discuss the strategic reserve held by the UK government, regulatory challenges faced by Bitcoin exchanges, and the broader policy goals for Bitcoin advocacy. Freddie sheds light on the political landscape and the need for engagement with politicians to promote Bitcoin-friendly policies. Additionally, they address the ECB's recent criticisms of Bitcoin and contrast the regulatory approaches of the UK and EU.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:00) - Who is Freddie New?

(03:26) - An overview of Bitcoin regulatory scenario in the UK

(08:00) - The shift in perception: From criminality to legitimacy

(17:23) - Are banking onramps/offramps to Bitcoin a hurdle in the UK?

(21:13) - AML regulations & their Implications for Bitcoin

(26:21) - Sponsors

(32:08) - The FCA's resistance to Bitcoin adoption in the UK; Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

(40:43) - Sponsors

(44:02) - Answering a questionnaire to buy Bitcoin in the UK?

(47:51) - What are the Policy Goals for Bitcoin in the UK?; Bitcoin Developer community 

(53:06) - Politicians & their stance on Bitcoin advocacy

(1:06:27) - Contrasting UK & EU Regulatory approaches

(1:12:00) - How to support Bitcoin Policy UK?

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Eric Yakes & Tyler Stevens join me to discuss their efforts to build a Bitcoin-focused community in Denver through various events, educational initiatives, and sustainable financial practices. 

Summary

In this episode, Stephan Livera hosts Eric Yakes and Tyler Stevens to discuss the burgeoning Bitcoin community in Denver and their initiative to establish a dedicated Bitcoin space. They explore the dynamics of the local Bitcoin scene, the vision behind creating a community-driven hub, and the importance of governance and member engagement. The conversation also touches on the philosophy of creating a 'third place' for Bitcoin enthusiasts, comparing their efforts to similar initiatives like Bitcoin Park in Nashville, and outlining plans for coworking and events in their new space. In this conversation, Tyler and Eric emphasize the importance of documentation for leadership transitions, the need for financial sustainability, and the engagement of the developer community. They also share insights on creating educational opportunities and offer advice for others looking to establish similar community spaces.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro 

(01:21) - The vibrant Bitcoin community in Denver; BitDevs

(04:48) - What is Bitcoin Space? 

(09:21) - ‘The Third Place’ Philosophy in Bitcoin

(14:45) - Similarities & differences between Bitcoin Space, Denver & Bitcoin Park, Nashville

(15:54) - Community growth & member engagement in Bitcoin Space

(18:57) - Sponsors

(21:39) - Building community through Coworking & Events at Bitcoin Space

(27:00) - Self-sustaining nature of leadership & importance of documentation

(29:32) - Financial sustainability and Treasury management

(32:36) - FOSS Developer community in Denver; Creating Educational initiatives 

(33:44) - Sponsors

(42:15) - Advice for aspiring Community Builders

(45:28) - Outro

Includes Paid Partnerships

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Here are some short interviews I did while at Lugano Plan B on a range of topics, from bitcoin ossification to block size, government regulation, the latest state of wallets, and mining decentralization with:

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro 

(01:01) - Jimmy Song, Bitcoin Expert

(07:30) - John Carvalho, CEO at Synonym

(12:51) - Sponsors

(15:05) - Dennis Porter, CEO & Co-Founder Satoshi Action Fund

(24:58) - Ben, Host of BTCsessions

(31:54) - Sponsor

(32:50) - Luke Dashjr, CTO OCEAN Mining

(37:53) - Jameson Lopp, Co-founder & Chief Security Officer Cas

(47:22) - Outro

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Fabian Jahr and Gloria Zhao rejoin me to discuss whether big projects can be done inside Bitcoin core. We delve into AssumeUTXO, ASMap, developer funding, and meritocracy in the developer community.

Summary

In this episode, Stephan discusses the upcoming Bitcoin Core version 28, its new features, and the ongoing development efforts with Fabian and Gloria. They delve into the pace of change within Bitcoin Core, the importance of communication and collaboration in software development, and the challenges faced by developers in getting projects approved. The conversation also covers the AssumeUTXO project, its implications for node operation, and the significance of funding and competing implementations in the Bitcoin ecosystem. The episode concludes with insights into future projects and the collaborative nature of Bitcoin development.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:32) - What to expect from Bitcoin Core V28.0?

(05:10) - What should be the pace of change for Bitcoin Core?

(11:15) - How does one decide which is a worthwhile project to work on?

(14:15) - Why did it take so long for AssumeUTXO to go live?

(20:38) - AssumeUTXO explained

(22:04) - Sponsors

(25:40) - BtcpayServer ‘s Fast Sync 

(27:36) - Developer funding landscape in Bitcoin; Working on FOSS 

(31:27) - What are the effects of having various implementations of Bitcoin Core?

(35:05) - What does it take to successfully merge a PR?

(37:31) - What is the ASMap project?

(48:34) - Sponsor

(49:58) - Importance of soft skills & meritocracy in Bitcoin’s developer community

(1:00:13) - Upcoming projects; Closing thoughts 

Previous Episodes: 

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Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Summary

In this conversation, Keith Gardner from Branta, discusses the importance of security in Bitcoin transactions. Keith shares his background in engineering and how he became involved in Bitcoin after recognizing the complexities and risks associated with traditional finance. 

The discussion covers common phishing and address replacement attacks, the innovative solutions offered by Branta to enhance transaction security, and the future of Bitcoin in relation to mobile integration and privacy concerns. Keith emphasizes the need for user-friendly tools that can help prevent scams and ensure safe transactions in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency. 

The discussion also covers long-term strategies for Bitcoin custody, innovations in software security, and key takeaways for individuals to safeguard their investments.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:36) - Keith’s background; What is Branta?

(03:10) - Recent attack vectors on Bitcoin (Phishing and Address Replacement)

(08:13) - Is Branta mobile friendly? 

(12:12) - Is Branta for personal use or businesses?

(17:09) - Integrating Lightning & other Layer 2 solutions 

(18:24) - Sponsors

(26:01) - Privacy concerns and User Data Protection

(31:36) - Guarding against Phishing & Spoofing attacks

(34:37) - Why is friction important in financial transactions?

(38:50) - Bitcoin custody is a long-term responsibility 

(39:15) - Sponsors

(44:45) - What are the possible risks with Branta?

(53:14) - Key takeaways for protecting your Bitcoin

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Harris Irfan, CEO Cordoba Capital Markets & Advisor at @OnrampMENA joins me to discuss challenges and opportunities within Islamic finance, ethics of finance in business and the intersection of Islamic finance and Bitcoin. Harris highlights building a financial system focused on real economy transactions, sharing insights on finance, custody, and Bitcoin investment. 

Summary

In this conversation, Harris Irfan discusses his journey from conventional finance to Islamic finance and Bitcoin. He explores the challenges and opportunities within Islamic finance, particularly in relation to ethical finance and risk-sharing principles. The discussion delves into the intersection of Islamic finance and Bitcoin, highlighting the potential for Bitcoin to serve as a sound monetary system that aligns with Islamic principles. Harris emphasizes the importance of creating a financial system that prioritizes real economy transactions over speculative practices, and he shares insights on the future of finance, custody, and investment decisions in a Bitcoin standard.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro 

(01:04) - Harris’s background with finance & Islamic banking

(07:44) - Comparing Fiat banking with Islamic finance 

(12:06) - The intersection of Islamic finance and Bitcoin

(18:21) - Custodying Bitcoin - Individuals vs. Trusted custodians

(25:51) - What are misconceptions about Bitcoin among muslims?

(30:20) - What are the cultural differences when operating on a Fiat Standard vs Sound Money Standard?

(33:27) - What does it mean to share risk in finance?

(39:12) - The viability of different financial models

(45:35) - What would finance look like in a Full Reserve Bitcoin banking world?

(54:17) - How does one navigate with morality & ethics in the current Fiat world?

(59:00) - Bitcoin compared to hurdle rates in investment decisions

(1:02:11) - Outro

Includes Paid Partnerships

(16:04) - Sponsors

(38:11) - Sponsor

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Summary

In this episode, Kenji Tateiwa, CEO of Agile Energy X, discusses his extensive background in nuclear engineering and the impact of the Fukushima disaster on public perception of nuclear energy. He explains the innovative concept behind Agile Energy X, which leverages wasted renewable energy through Bitcoin mining to address curtailment and grid congestion issues in Japan. Kenji elaborates on the unique flexibility of Bitcoin mining as an energy buyer and its potential role in the future energy landscape, including the integration of circular economy principles. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in Japan's energy production, particularly regarding nuclear energy and the need for a diverse energy portfolio.

Takeaways

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:50) - Who is Kenji Tateiwa and what is TEPCO?

(05:34) - What are the various components of energy markets?

(06:30) - Fukushima and the perception of nuclear energy 

(09:42) - What is Agile Energy X & why was it created?

(14:15) - Convincing TEPCO to mine Bitcoin; Solving the energy issue

(16:14) - Understanding Curtailment and Grid Congestion

(20:06) - Sponsors

(23:10) - Megawatt to MegaHash: Bridging Energy and Bitcoin

(25:42) - Bitcoin Mining vs. AI Data Centers

(29:02) - The competitive landscape of Bitcoin mining

(33:26) - Sponsors 

(37:58) - Challenges and opportunities in Nuclear Energy

(42:12) - Curtailment of renewable energy could reach 42% in Japan by 2050?

(45:41) - Scaling Bitcoin mining in Japan

(47:02) - What is “The Ultimate Circular Economy”?

(51:28) - The future of Japanese energy production

(53:44) - The future of Agile Energy X

Links: 

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links: