Is the U.S. on the brink of creating a national strategic bitcoin reserve or will Zoom (NASDAQ: ZM) buy bitcoin first? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Semler, Chairman of Semler Scientific, seasoned investor, and founder of TCS Capital, to discuss why he believes bitcoin will not only match gold’s valuation but far exceed it. Eric shares his early exposure to bitcoin, the pivotal moments that shaped his conviction, and the strategy behind his firm’s aggressive accumulation. We break down BTC Yield, the real hurdles stopping corporations from adopting bitcoin, and why institutional investors are still skeptical. Eric also gives his take on the evolving role of banks in bitcoin custody and how global trade shifts could accelerate bitcoin’s rise. We wrap up with insights on bitcoin’s long-term trajectory, the risks it still faces, and why even skeptics may soon become bitcoin savers.

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→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro

1:07 - How Eric first heard about bitcoin

3:06 - The debate among top investors in bitcoin’s early days

5:14 - Why Eric didn’t buy bitcoin immediately

6:48 - How Eric values publicly traded bitcoin companies

10:16 - The significance of BTC yield and its impact on valuations

14:10 - Why institutional adoption of bitcoin is still lagging

17:35 - The biggest hurdles stopping companies from putting bitcoin on their balance sheets

20:25 - Will banks start custodying bitcoin soon?

24:58 - Should bitcoiners be concerned about banks lending bitcoin?

27:59 - How tariffs, trade wars, and inflation impact bitcoin’s future

29:52 - Could the U.S. create a national strategic bitcoin reserve?

33:20 - Why Eric believes bitcoin will far exceed gold’s valuation

36:52 - What happens once bitcoin reaches full adoption?

38:06 - Thoughts on MicroStrategy’s rebrand to Strategy

43:55 - Are any CEOs actually considering putting bitcoin on their balance sheet?

46:22 - The biggest risk to bitcoin’s future

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett (Host) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD

→ Eric Semler on Twitter: https://x.com/SemlerEric

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Park, Head of Alpha Strategies at Bitwise, to discuss his journey from trading derivatives at Morgan Stanley to becoming a leading voice in bitcoin. Jeff shares his perspective on the nature of money, why he sees bitcoin as speech rather than currency, and how its volatility is both a challenge and an opportunity. We break down the implications of the US dollar’s structural weaknesses, the potential for a Plaza Accord 2.0, and the role of tariffs in reshaping global trade. Jeff explains why he believes bitcoin will surpass gold, how corporations are beginning to embrace bitcoin on their balance sheets, and whether a major tech company like Meta could be next. We also explore the impact of SAB 121’s repeal, the future of bitcoin custody in traditional finance, and the biggest risks to bitcoin’s long-term adoption.

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→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro

1:14 - What is money? Jeff Park’s take

3:13 - Bitcoin is not money—it's speech

5:13 - Is bitcoin more like gold or a commodity?

8:43 - How Jeff Park went from Wall Street to bitcoin

10:56 - Why is bitcoin so volatile?

13:56 - The US dollar’s hidden dilemma and the role of tariffs

16:26 - How the Plaza Accord 2.0 could change everything

21:27 - Bitcoin vs. gold: competition or complementary?

25:12 - Could bitcoin surpass gold's market cap?

32:17 - Will foreign nations pivot to bitcoin instead of treasuries?

39:50 - The US sovereign wealth fund and bitcoin’s role

44:03 - Could Mark Zuckerberg put bitcoin on Meta’s balance sheet?

46:41 - What does SAB 121’s repeal mean for banks and ETFs?

52:37 - The biggest risk to bitcoin’s long-term future

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett (Host) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD

→ Jeff Park on Twitter: https://x.com/dgt10011

In this episode, we sit down with Radu, an engineer at Amazon and deep thinker in the bitcoin space. Radu shares his journey from discovering bitcoin in 2015 to developing a unique thermodynamic perspective on its inevitability. We discuss how he ties bitcoin to the laws of energy, his insights into bitcoin as perfected digital energy, and the role of proof of work in anchoring its value. Radu explains bitcoin’s function as an energy conduit and how it drives perpetual innovation in mining and energy efficiency. We explore his views on bitcoin as a singularity, its potential to reshape global capital flows, and the long-term impact on nation-states and human consciousness. Radu also touches on the philosophical implications of a bitcoin standard and how technology, like AI, accelerates this transformation.

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→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

01:09 - Radu’s journey from engineering to bitcoin

03:14 - The first bitcoin opportunity missed at $400

04:02 - How a coworker sparked Radu’s bitcoin curiosity

05:19 - Riding bitcoin from $20K to $3K and back

06:46 - Discovering bitcoin's inevitability through thermodynamics

08:20 - The Michael Saylor moment that changed everything

10:03 - Why bitcoin is perfected digital energy

13:05 - Bitcoin as the ultimate energy conduit

21:00 - Bitcoin’s perpetual flywheel: the gradient minimization engine

27:20 - How bitcoin is pulling global capital like a waterfall

31:47 - The future: from digital capital to digital energy

32:07 - Bitcoin and the path to universal consciousness

38:52 - Can humanity handle the coming singularity?

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett (Host) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD

→ Radu on Twitter: https://x.com/LizardWizardBTC

In this episode, we sit down with Skot, electrical engineer and creator of Bitaxe, the first open-source ASIC bitcoin miner. Skot shares his journey from IoT hardware development to designing hardware for bitcoin mining, including his early experiments with FPGAs in a university lab. We discuss the significance of open-source mining for bitcoin’s future, the challenges of hardware and firmware development, and how Bitaxe compares to industry giants like Bitmain. Skot explains the potential for decentralized mining, the risks of centralization in mining hardware and pools, and why making mining accessible and transparent is critical. We also touch on the concept of incorporating miners into household devices and the role of small-scale miners in bitcoin’s long-term resilience.

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→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

01:16 - Meet Skot, the mind behind Bitaxe

02:34 - From IoT projects to bitcoin mining innovation

05:20 - Skot’s bitcoin origin story and the PayPal saga

09:35 - Mining bitcoin with university lab FPGAs

12:11 - Why Skot started the first open-source ASIC miner

14:55 - The challenges of open-source bitcoin mining hardware

19:59 - Bitaxe vs. Bitmain: efficiency showdown

21:25 - Who’s building Bitaxes and why?

25:01 - The importance of open-source mining for bitcoin’s future

28:26 - Can Bitaxe become a significant part of bitcoin’s hash rate?

33:39 - The dream of decentralized mining in household devices

41:02 - The future of bitcoin mining: big grids vs. home miners

47:06 - Skot’s take on mining centralization risks

53:37 - How open-source mining could save bitcoin

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett (Host) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD

→ Skot on Twitter: https://x.com/skot9000

In this episode, we sit down with Tad Smith, founder of Durable Money, partner at One Roundtable Partners, and former CEO of Sotheby’s and Madison Square Garden. Tad reflects on his journey from leading global companies to teaching strategy and finance at NYU Stern. We discuss his teaching methods, including the Amazon case study that captivated students, and how it applies to understanding bitcoin and MicroStrategy today. Tad shares insights on risk versus volatility, the challenges of valuing bitcoin and MicroStrategy, and the role of patterns in investment decisions. We also explore the concept of a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve, the biggest risks to bitcoin, and why Tad believes bitcoin is reshaping capital allocation worldwide.

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→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro

1:00 - From Sotheby’s to Madison Square Garden

3:00 - Teaching at NYU Stern: Lessons from students

5:30 - The Amazon case study that wowed students

9:00 - Patterns in history: Bitcoin's historical rhymes

12:30 - MicroStrategy’s bold bitcoin bet

17:00 - Volatility vs. risk: What investors get wrong

22:00 - Why is bitcoin so volatile?

33:00 - Should the U.S. create a strategic bitcoin reserve?

48:30 - The biggest risks to bitcoin

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett (Host) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD

→ Tad Smith on Twitter: https://x.com/tadtweets

In this episode, we sit down with Kenny Florian, former UFC fighter, broadcaster, and co-host of the Anik & Florian Podcast, to discuss his journey from martial arts to bitcoin. Kenny reflects on his fighting career, the lessons learned from competition, and how his mindset shifted when he discovered bitcoin in 2017. We explore the parallels between the discipline of fighting and the principles of bitcoin, misconceptions about volatility, and its role as a defensive asset. Kenny shares his thoughts on bitcoin’s potential as a global reserve, the growing race for adoption among nations, and the unique advantages it offers over traditional assets like real estate. We also discuss self-custody, the importance of educating newcomers, and how tools like Unchained’s bitcoin retirement calculator can help individuals better understand bitcoin's long term potential.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
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→ Send us an email [email protected]
→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description
→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description
→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:06 - Introducing Kenny Florian
00:02:30 - From law school dreams to the UFC
00:05:15 - What it's like training as a professional fighter
00:07:35 - The mental and physical challenges of weight cutting
00:10:17 - Discovering bitcoin: first impressions and early doubts
00:13:55 - Going all in on bitcoin in 2017
00:15:35 - Why bitcoin is the ultimate underdog
00:18:12 - Bitcoin's defensive qualities and wealth preservation
00:22:03 - Misconceptions about bitcoin: volatility and risk
00:24:18 - Bitcoin vs. traditional investments like real estate
00:26:50 - Lessons from Michael Saylor's bitcoin advocacy
00:29:45 - Bitcoin's role in geopolitical and financial systems
00:33:02 - The race for bitcoin adoption among nations
00:36:12 - How bitcoin changes personal finance and wealth strategy
00:40:02 - The importance of self-custody in bitcoin ownership
00:42:15 - The power of bitcoin as a tool for individuals and nations
00:45:25 - The future of bitcoin: 10 to 20 years from now
00:48:05 - Advice for beginners: understanding bitcoin's potential
00:50:50 - Reflections on bitcoin's journey and its role in global change

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:
→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom
→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 
→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 
→ Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital
→ Kenny Florian’s Twitter: https://x.com/kennyflorian

In this episode, we sit down with George Selgin, Director Emeritus at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, to explore his views on money, markets, and bitcoin’s role in the global economy. George shares his journey from studying marine biology to becoming a leading voice in monetary economics and discusses how definitions of money have evolved. We examine bitcoin’s classification as a synthetic commodity, its potential as a store of value, and whether it could ever replace the US dollar. George also analyzes the proposed bitcoin strategic reserve, highlighting its costs, risks, and implications for government debt.

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→ Send us an email [email protected]

→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:11 - Introducing George Selgin's background and career

00:07:42 - Moving from Hong Kong to the University of Georgia

00:09:50 - Defining money and its role in economics

00:12:12 - Explaining why bitcoin doesn’t meet the definition of money

00:13:31 - Defining the dollar and its place in the economy

00:15:52 - Understanding gold’s history and modern role

00:19:11 - Analyzing bitcoin as a synthetic commodity

00:21:51 - Evaluating bitcoin as a store of value vs. medium of exchange

00:24:52 - Discussing bitcoin’s long-term price potential

00:29:21 - Examining markets, prices, and bitcoin’s future

00:36:13 - Questioning if the US dollar could be replaced

00:42:36 - Evaluating the bitcoin strategic reserve proposal

00:49:11 - Breaking down the costs and risks of a bitcoin reserve

00:55:00 - Closing thoughts and where to follow George Selgin

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ George Selgin’s Twitter: https://x.com/GeorgeSelgin

In this episode, we recap the top 5 episodes of 2024 on The Bitcoin Frontier, reflecting on the show’s growth, standout moments, and what’s ahead in 2025. We’re joined by Jose, Director of Media Production at Unchained, to discuss the podcast’s journey, including hitting 1.5 million views and 17 years of watch time this year. We highlight key episodes featuring expert guests who tackled topics like bitcoin ETFs, mining, macroeconomic trends, health, science, AI, and the philosophical debates shaping bitcoin’s future. From bitcoin’s role as a reserve asset to its vulnerabilities and the risks of quantum threats, this countdown captures the most important conversations of the year while setting the stage for what’s next.

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→ Send us an email [email protected]

→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro

1:14 - Jose, Director of Media Production

3:07 - 2024 growth and podcast milestones

5:25 - Unchained hits 1.5M views and 17 years watched in 2024

11:22 - Honorable mention

13:42 - Episode #5

16:56 - Episode #4

21:32 - Episode #3

27:04 - Episode #2

30:27 - Episode #1

34:55 - 2025 podcast plans and bitcoin growth outlook

37:55 - Is bitcoin just digital gold or the best form of money?

43:30 - Bitcoin risks from fiat dominance to quantum threats

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Jose Burgos’ Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Batten to explore the six megatrends shaping bitcoin this cycle, from sovereign wealth funds and pension funds entering the market to miners becoming net buyers instead of sellers. Daniel shares his take on bitcoin ETFs as a game-changer for traditional finance and the growing potential for national bitcoin reserves. We discuss whether this cycle will break the pattern of diminishing returns, why volatility isn’t the risk many think it is, and how bitcoin’s adoption could accelerate at unprecedented levels.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

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→ Send us an email [email protected]

→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 — Why sovereign wealth funds are the next big bitcoin adopters

00:01:22 — The six megatrends shaping bitcoin this cycle

00:05:06 — How pension funds are allocating to bitcoin

00:11:42 — Why miners are buying, not selling, bitcoin this cycle

00:15:19 — Will this cycle break bitcoin’s diminishing returns trend?

00:27:33 — Blow-off tops vs. steady growth: what to expect this cycle

00:30:47 — Why the bitcoin ETF success is just beginning

00:35:14 — The rise of bitcoin strategic reserves among nations

00:40:54 — Addressing the “too late for bitcoin” mindset

00:49:57 — The biggest risks to bitcoin’s future

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Daniel Batten’s Twitter: https://x.com/DSBatten

In this episode, we sit down with Hunter Beast, a developer focused on making bitcoin quantum resistant. Hunter shares his journey from discovering bitcoin in 2017 to working on a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) aimed at securing the protocol against future quantum threats. We explore how quantum computers could compromise elliptic curve cryptography, why P2PK coins are at risk, how address reuse poses risks, and Hunter's proposed pay-to-quantum-resistant hash solution. He explains the challenges of implementing post-quantum cryptography, the trade-offs between security and efficiency, and the timeline for potential quantum threats. Hunter also discusses the importance of community collaboration on upgrades and how bitcoin can prepare for a secure future while maintaining its core values.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

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→ Send us an email [email protected]

→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:02 - Meet Hunter: Bitcoin and quantum focus
00:01:51 - Fixing money: Bitcoin's potential to fix the world
00:03:06 - Real risks vs myths
00:04:41 - Elliptic curve cryptography: Bitcoin’s security backbone
00:06:08 - Why bitcoin matters: Grounding the digital world
00:07:07 - Quantum risks: Shor's algorithm and private keys
00:10:33 - Quantum threat: An existential risk to bitcoin
00:11:44 - Resilience: Lessons from Carrington event
00:12:57 - Quantum resistance
00:14:26 - Hunter’s proposal: Pay-to-quantum-resistant hash
00:17:04 - Public key risks: Old coins, mempool, reuse, taproot
00:20:22 - Quantum solutions: SegWit v3 and new algorithms
00:26:21 - Resistant addresses: Naming conventions and tips
00:31:06 - Securing bitcoin with new cryptography
00:34:06 - Signature challenges: Balancing security and block space
00:37:07 - Future cryptography: Preparing for quantum security
00:43:27 - Trade-offs of quantum-proof cryptography
00:50:00 - Quantum risk timeline: Predictions and unknowns
00:55:27 - Satoshi’s coins: Why not burn vulnerable addresses
01:00:18 - Soft fork challenges: Consensus and activation risks
01:03:10 - Closing thoughts: Hunter’s work and resources

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom 

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter 

→ Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Hunter Beast’s Twitter: https://x.com/cryptoquick