Episodes
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Erik Cason is the author of Cryptosovereignty & co-founder of Vora. Jesse Posner is a an engineer, formally at Coinbase and BitKey & the co-founder of Vora.
In this episode, we discuss why Erik and Jesse believe the modern state has already collapsed, why Bitcoin is the only shot at reclaiming sovereignty in the digital age and how philosophy, law, and cryptography intersect.
We also get into the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies and how this growing financialization of Bitcoin could lead to a liquidity crisis and reflexive market crash. Finally, we talk about building tools for freedom, the founding ethos of Vora, and why the fight for privacy in both money and AI is a civilizational imperative.
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Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Erik Cason: https://x.com/Erikcason or https://primal.net/erikcason
Jesse Posner: https://x.com/jesseposner -
Jeff Walton is a financial analyst, a former reinsurance broker and the Founder of True North.
In this episode, we break down the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, why Strategy is playing an entirely different game, and how Saylor’s new financial instruments are creating a Bitcoin-native yield curve. We also discuss how these instruments could absorb trillions from the fixed income market and what that means for Bitcoin’s long-term price floor.
We get into the risks of corporate treasury models, why some of the new entrants look like the 2017 ICO market, whether these structures could lead to reflexive crashes in a bear market and the future of equity in a Bitcoin-denominated world.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
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ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbdFollow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Jeff Walton: https://x.com/PunterJeff/ -
Missing episodes?
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Jeff Ross is a macroeconomist, bitcoiner and Founder & CEO of Vailshire Capital Management.
In this episode, we discuss why Jeff believes we're entering a new inflationary era that echoes the 1970s, why global capital is rotating out of U.S. assets, and how this sets up Bitcoin and gold for massive outperformance & why he thinks the next Bitcoin cycle could peak in late 2025.
We also get into the risks of corporate Bitcoin treasury strategies, the geopolitical impact of war on markets, and why emerging markets and Bitcoin will benefit.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbdFollow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Jeff Ross: https://primal.net/DrJeff -
Erin Redwing is a former astronomer turned astrologer and the host of the Hell Money podcast.
In this episode, we discuss how outer planet astrology can offer insights into macroeconomic and civilisational shifts, why Erin believes Bitcoin's 2032 Saturn-Uranus cycle climax is a make-or-break moment, and how the Age of Aquarius provides a framework for decentralisation. We also talk about the natal chart of Bitcoin, why its inception reflects a structural tension between rebellion and order, and how astrology helps Erin make predictions about markets.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbdFollow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Erin Redwing: https://x.com/realizingerin -
Alex Gladstein is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation, Paul Sztorc is Founder and CEO of LayerTwoLabs and the creator or Drivechains.
In this episode, we discuss whether Bitcoin is falling behind the innovation curve, if Lightning Network has failed as a project, and if privacy models like eCash are a dangerous compromise or a practical necessity. We also get into whether hard forks should be revived as a path for progress, how censorship resistance is being weighed against usability, and why Paul believes Bitcoin is accumulating “technical scar tissue.” Finally, we explore whether Bitcoin’s culture has become a bottleneck to innovation, and what that means for its long-term future.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbdFollow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Alex Gladstein: https://x.com/gladstein or https://primal.net/gladstein
Paul Sztorc: https://x.com/Truthcoin -
Sam Wouters is the Director of Marketing at River.
In this episode, we discuss why the U.S. is emerging as the dominant force in Bitcoin adoption, how proof-of-reserves has evolved in a post-FTX world, and why retail interest in Bitcoin remains muted despite all-time highs. We also discuss how institutional involvement might be both a blessing and a curse, the psychological barriers stopping new retail entrants, the moral responsibility of Bitcoiners to re-engage no-coiners, and what the next phase of Bitcoin might look like.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbdFollow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Sam Wouters: https://x.com/SDWouters -
Joe Carlasare is a Commercial Litigator, a long time Bitcoiner, and macro commentator.
In this episode, we discuss the U.S. sovereign debt debate, why the doom loop narrative might be missing the bigger picture, and how rapid advances in AI and automation could unleash a wave of productivity strong enough to reshape the fiscal outlook. Joe argues that the real risk isn’t a collapsing dollar, but instability in the Treasury market - the backbone of the global financial system. We also get into why growth, not austerity, is the most likely political path forward, why the Fed’s power lies more in perception than action, and how Bitcoin wins.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Joe Carlasare: https://x.com/JoeCarlasareTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd -
Matt Corallo is an Open Source Engineer at Spiral, a long time Bitcoin Core contributor and Lightning dev.
In this episode, we discuss the current state of Lightning: what's finally working, what UX breakthroughs are coming, and why 2024 might be the year lightning delivers.
We also get into the risks of U.S. policy treating non-custodial services like custodians, the threat of regulatory capture through KYC mandates, why developers are walking away from the U.S. market, and why the “Save Our Wallets” campaign may be Bitcoin’s last chance to protect non-custodial tools. Plus: how OP_RETURN wars are distracting from real issues, whether Bitcoin Core needs a comms team, and if Bitcoin has already ossified.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Matt Corallo: https://x.com/TheBlueMatt
Save Our Wallets: https://saveourwallets.org/THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd -
American HODL is an OG Bitcoiner. In this episode, we explore how the state may co-opt Bitcoin not by banning it, but by absorbing it into public markets, enabling control through financial instruments like ETFs and convertible bonds. We also get into the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies, why Michael Saylor’s strategy is just the beginning, and the threat of an Executive Order 6102 style attack.
We also discuss the moral tradeoffs of financialising Bitcoin and whether self-custody will be punished through regulation. As well as the Trojan horse theory of Bitcoin adoption, whether it's better to fight or subvert the state, and why the next phase of Bitcoin’s revolution might not be rebellion—but infiltration.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
American HODL: https://x.com/americanhodl8 or https://primal.net/hodlTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd -
James Lavish is a macro investor, former hedge fund manager, and managing partner at the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund.
In this episode, we explore the fragility of the U.S. bond market, how sovereign credit ratings work, and why the U.S. is now priced by markets as a default risk on par with Greece. We discuss the structural privilege of the dollar as the world reserve currency, why that privilege is under threat, and how the Triffin Dilemma is playing out in real time.
We also get into institutional adoption of Bitcoin, the operational hurdles that ETFs have now removed, and what it would take for companies like Apple or Meta to trigger a wave of corporate Bitcoin treasury adoption. Finally, we look at the macro setup heading into 2026, the risk of stagflation, and why expanding global liquidity could mean Bitcoin peaks sometime next year.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
James Lavish: https://x.com/jameslavishTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
COINKITE: https://store.coinkite.com/promo/WBD
BLOCKWARE: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/wbd -
Jack Mallers is the Founder and CEO of Strike, and the Co-Founder and CEO of 21.
In this episode, we discuss the breakdown of the post-WWII monetary order, the consequences of the U.S. exporting dollars, and why the dollar’s global reserve status is becoming a liability rather than a strength. We also get into 21’s plan to take Bitcoin-native principles into the heart of Wall Street, how companies like MicroStrategy and Metaplanet are paving the way for sovereign-grade Bitcoin exposure, and why proof-of-reserves and Bitcoin per share may become the new standard for corporate treasuries.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Jack Mallers: https://x.com/jackmallers or https://primal.net/jackmallersTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Harry Sudock is SVP at CleanSpark, one of the largest publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies in the world.
In this episode, we explore why Bitcoin mining is reshaping America’s energy landscape, the evolution of corporate Bitcoin strategy, and the game theory behind early adoption by individuals, companies, and nation states. We also get into how companies like MicroStrategy and Metaplanet are unlocking powerful financial leverage through Bitcoin balance sheets, the risks of derivatives-based exposure, and whether institutions pose a threat to Bitcoin’s long-term consensus.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Harry Sudock: https://x.com/harry_sudockTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Matthew Mezinskis is a macroeconomic researcher, host of the Crypto Voices podcast and creator of Porkopolis Economics.
In this episode, we discuss fractional reserve banking, why it's controversial among Bitcoiners, the historical precedent for banking practices, and whether fractional reserve banking inherently poses systemic risks.
We also get into the dangers and instabilities introduced by central banking, and why Bitcoin uniquely offers a pathway to financial sovereignty, the plumbing of the global financial system, breaking down money supply metrics, foreign holdings of US treasuries, and how all these elements indicate growing instability in the dollar system.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Matthew Mezinskis: https://x.com/1basemoneyTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Lyn Alden is a macro analyst, investment strategist and the author of Broken Money.
In this episode, we discuss the structural imbalances underpinning the U.S. trade deficit and its link to the dollar’s status as the global reserve currency. We get into the mechanics of capital surpluses, why U.S. treasuries are at the heart of global liquidity, and how foreign ownership of American assets introduces systemic fragility. We also discuss Bitcoin as a neutral reserve asset,, gold and tariffs, Bitcoin’s market structure, and why $150k might be in sight.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Lyn Alden: https://x.com/LynAldenContact or https://primal.net/lynTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Bitcoin Mechanic is the Chief Boiling Officer at OCEAN.
In this episode, we dive deep into the battle over OP_RETURN and Bitcoin node policy. Mechanic explains why arbitrary data like inscriptions and JPEGs represent an attack vector, how Core developers have responded, and why he believes filters are essential to protecting Bitcoin’s monetary use case. We also cover the risks of miner centralisation, the tension between Bitcoin’s ideological roots and its current developer politics, and what’s really at stake in the “OP_RETURN war.”
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Mechanic: https://x.com/GrassFedBitcoinTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Checkmate is an on-chain analyst and founder of Checkonchain.
In this episode, we get into Bitcoin’s breakout back above $100k and what on-chain data reveals about who’s buying, who’s selling, and whether retail is finally showing up. We also discuss whether the Bitcoin cycles are over, how the global macro shift is influencing hard asset flows, and why gold might be the early signal for a longer Bitcoin run. Finally, we get into the OP_RETURN war.
Follow:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Checkmate: https://x.com/_Checkmatey_THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Zack Shapiro is a lawyer and Head of Policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute.
In this episode, we discuss the Samurai Wallet case, how the U.S. government is using outdated laws to target non-custodial Bitcoin tools — and why the outcome of this case could criminalise running a node or writing open-source Bitcoin code.
We also discuss the DOJ’s “regulation by prosecution” playbook, the fact that FinCEN explicitly told prosecutors Samurai was not breaking the law, why prosecutors hid that fact for a year and why he believes a political fix — not just a legal one — is urgently needed.
FOLLOW:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Zack Shapiro: https://x.com/zackbshapiro
P2P Rights Fund: https://p2prights.org/THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Shinobi is the Technical Editor at Bitcoin Magazine.
In this episode, we get into the latest "OP_RETURN war," exploring whether the debate is a cultural clash or a technical discussion about Bitcoin’s future.
We discuss the origins of the OP_RETURN limit, how users are bypassing it, and the arguments for and against changing data limits. Shinobi lays out his view that filters designed to block certain transactions could increase mining centralisation and degrade network security. We also get into the questions about non-monetary uses of Bitcoin and the ongoing tensions between scaling, freedom, and preserving Bitcoin's values.
FOLLOW:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles or https://primal.net/danny
Shinobi: https://x.com/brian_trollzTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
CASA: https://casa.io/ -
Jesse Myers is the author of the Once in a Species newsletter.
In this episode, we discuss why humanity’s obsession with scarce assets may be hardwired into our DNA and how this evolutionary trait could explain Bitcoin’s inevitable rise.
We also get into how early humans monetised scarcity, why Homo sapiens may have outcompeted Neanderthals through money-based cooperation, and how Dunbar’s number and inter-tribal trade shaped civilisation. Finally, we explore why Bitcoin represents the culmination of a 140,000-year human search for perfect scarcity — and why Jesse believes we are in the early innings of a species-wide gravitation towards Bitcoin.
FOLLOW:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny
Jesse Myers: https://x.com/Croesus_BTCTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
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In this episode we have three sessions recorded live at CheatCode in Bedford.
In the first session, Checkmate, Preston Pysh, and Alex Thorn break down the cracks in the fiat system, the rise of deglobalization, stablecoins, Bitbonds, and how Bitcoin and gold are emerging as neutral reserve assets.
In the second session, Matthew Pines unpacks the global economic reordering, the U.S.–China trade war, escalating tariffs, the fragility of the bond market, and why Bitcoin may be the ultimate escape valve.
In the final session, Lawrence Lepard, James Lavish, and Cameron Parry go deep on gold vs Bitcoin, the debt doom loop, the case for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and the fight for financial sovereignty.
FOLLOW:
Danny Knowles: https://x.com/_DannyKnowles & https://primal.net/danny
Checkmate: https://x.com/_Checkmatey_
Preston Pysh: https://x.com/PrestonPysh & https://primal.net/preston
Lawrence Lepard: https://x.com/LawrenceLepard & https://primal.net/lawrencelepard
James Lavish: https://x.com/jameslavish
Matthew Pines: https://x.com/matthew_pines
Alex Thorn: https://x.com/intangiblecoins
Cameron Parry: https://x.com/CameronJParryTHANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
IREN: https://www.iren.com/
RIVER: https://river.com/wbd
CASA: https://casa.io/
LEDGER: https://www.ledger.com/
ANCHORWATCH: https://www.anchorwatch.com/ - Show more