In this episode, I chat with Rockstar Dev, a legendary shadowy super coder, core contributor, and cypherpunk. We explore what Lightning and eCash mean for Bitcoin’s future, what it’s like to live a masked identity, and how to build better systems that empower individuals.

––– Offers & Discounts –––

🚨 SCAN THE QR CODE on the screen to enter our contest and get a chance to win a Blockhunters board game! 🚨

⭐ Get 10% OFF Blockhunters — the ultimate Bitcoin board game. Visit https://blockhuntersgame.com/ and use code btcmatrix at checkout!

Get 10% off your ticket for the Bitcoin Conference 2025 in Vegas! Use the promo code MATRIX at https://tickets.b.tc/affiliate/matrix/event/bitcoin-2025

Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric

Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/Matrix

The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order.

Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/

––– Get To Know Today's Guest –––

• Uncle Rockstar Dev on X: https://x.com/r0ckstardev

• Uncle Rockstar Dev on Nostr: npub1j8y6tcdfw3q3f3h794s6un0gyc5742s0k5h5s2yqj0r70cpklqeqjavrvg

––– Socials –––

• Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com

• Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman

• Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix

• Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs

––– Chapters ––– 

00:00 - Intro

02:00 - Rockstar’s Origin Story & BTCPay Genesis

05:31- - Discovering Bitcoin’s Ideological Core

08:22 - Community, Collaboration & BTC’s Cultural Impact

11:00 - BTCPay as a Platform and Alternative to BitPay

14:38 - The Block Size Wars & Ongoing Cultural Conflicts

20:38 - Camaraderie Among Core Contributors

22:48 - Privacy, Identity & Living Behind the Mask

25:54 - Ego, Recognition & Stories of Gigi

33:00 - Satoshi as a Coder & Mythic Figure

35:10 - Information Madness & Cypherpunk Prophecy

38:40 - Compliance vs Building Better Systems

42:05 - Bitcoin for Personal & Collective Freedom

46:09 - Rockstar on Realizing Financial Independence

48:20 - Lessons from Working in Bitcoin Startups

52:58 - Why Lightning Thrills Rockstar

57:42 - Stablecoins on Lightning & Their Bitcoin Impact

01:00:00 - Bitcoin is for Anyone—but Not for Everyone

01:04:45 - Can We Have Privacy Without KYC-Free Bitcoin?

01:14:00 - Is Rockstar Planning on Disappearing?

01:19:00 - Keeping Satoshi Unknown

01:25:45 - Reflecting on Corporate Jobs & Finding Meaning in your Work

01:38:45 - How Bitcoin Has Changed Rockstar

01:41:45 - Hope for a Sovereign Future

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!