This episode features Allen Farrington, an author and investor who is the co-founder and general partner at a venture firm focused on companies building on Bitcoin. He is also the co-founder and CEO of an asset management business deploying in Bitcoin, and he recently gave a conference talk debunking the idea that fiat payments are easy while Bitcoin payments are a headache. Tune in to find out what actually happens when you buy something with a card and why that mess matters for the future of money.

Most people think paying with a tap or a swipe is clean and instant, without realizing how many hidden credit relationships that fiat system is juggling for a single purchase. We look at how the costs and delays that businesses live with every day create openings for Bitcoin to act as real settlement money inside those payment flows. And we get into what that shift could mean in the next few years without pretending that any one technology instantly solves money for everyone. Because once you see how the rails really work, you can’t unsee it.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[01:58] Why fiat payments rely entirely on layers of credit instead of true debits

[03:26] How lightning parallels ACH but removes banks as mandatory intermediaries

[05:12] Why inbound liquidity and always-online requirements make lightning difficult for consumers but ideal for businesses

[07:53] The real reason fiat transactions involve 9+ intermediaries and constant credit risk

[10:46] How Bitcoin enables direct settlement instead of credit extensions hidden behind payment processors

[13:32] Merchants feel the pain of fiat and how Bitcoin flips that incentive

[15:49] The future where paying in fiat carries a premium and Bitcoin payments become cheaper by default

[18:44] Stablecoins are not “worse Bitcoin,” just better fiat for broken use cases

[20:19] How stablecoins may eventually settle over Bitcoin rails as liquidity deepens

[22:41] What multiple stablecoin issuers would require and why Bitcoin simplifies interbank settlement

[30:18] Why non-Bitcoin companies need a strategic stance on it before it's a fiduciary requirement

[33:14] How fiat payment inefficiencies create the wedge that brings mainstream companies onto Bitcoin rails

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Bitcoin Is Venice by Allen Farrington and Sacha Meyers | Book or Audiobook

Find more from Allen:

Allen Farrington | LinkedIn

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, I'm kicking off a new series with Bitcoin entrepreneurs and executives who are actually weaving this asset into the way they work and save. Today I'm joined by Kurtis Warren, a longtime Bitcoiner and owner of a downtown Vancouver coffee bar that's evolved into a community hub. He shares how his path collided with Bitcoin and how it changed how he thinks about building for the long term.

The coffee industry runs on tight margins in a city where costs just keep climbing. Curtis flipped that script for his team and his own future plans. You’ll hear the questions he had to answer around day-to-day payments, security, and taxes, and why he still chooses to keep stacking instead of selling.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[02:16] Why building a cafe around low time preference changes how a business survives

[05:12] What happens when a coffee shop becomes a modern version of a historic idea hub

[08:47] How a community space transforms once people start treating it like a meetup home

[10:59] The reason Bitcoin reshapes how owners think about margins, risk, and expansion

[20:14] How comparing Bitcoin’s growth to a new location’s returns forces harder decisions

[26:01] Why this cafe treats Bitcoin as a long-term savings engine instead of quick revenue

[29:12] What happens when a team starts converting part of their pay into a volatile asset

[36:02] The moment Bitcoin stops feeling speculative and starts feeling like real hope

[38:01] Why entrepreneurs see personal possibility in an asset most people still doubt

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Learn more from Kurtis:

Funk Coffee Bar | Website

Funk Coffee Bar | Instagram

Kurtis Warren | LinkedIn

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, I sit down with Ted Carr, the creator of the Bitcoin community on the online learning platform School. Ted’s been in Bitcoin since 2017, through all the chaos and crashes, and now teaches thousands of people how to navigate it with confidence. His story goes from losing coins on hacked exchanges to building one of the most grounded Bitcoin learning spaces online.

We get into the hidden lessons inside video game economies, the painful tuition every Bitcoiner pays, and what it really means to “own” something digital. Each idea challenges how we think about money, freedom, and control.

Because once you see how value actually works, you can’t unsee it.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[05:58] Why losing Bitcoin on early exchanges taught Ted the real meaning of ownership

[09:47] The moment he realized his coins on-screen weren’t really his

[13:42] What ancient island stones can teach us about digital money

[17:26] How a childhood video game predicted Bitcoin’s future

[21:04] The mindset shift that turned market crashes into buying opportunities

[23:44] Why debt isn’t always the enemy when you understand Bitcoin’s growth curve

[27:36] The three biggest mistakes most new Bitcoiner makes, and how to avoid them

[31:25] What the Luna crash revealed about Bitcoin-only conviction

[35:41] The simple logic that even billionaires use to see Bitcoin as the ultimate cheat code

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Andreas M. Antonopoulos | YouTube

Michael Saylor | YouTube

Ledn | Website

Coldcard | Website

Trezor | Website

Ledger | Website

The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or Audiobook

Bitcoin Community | Skool

Find more from Ted:

Ted Carr | Website

Ted Carr | Facebook

Ted Carr | Instagram

Ted Carr | YouTube

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, I sit down with Tomer Strolight, writer, educator, and long-time Bitcoin thinker, to explore the cracks forming in Bitcoin’s governance. From the origins of Core development to the recent rifts over protocol changes, Tomer explains why these debates aren’t just technical, they’re philosophical.

At the heart of it all is one question: can Bitcoin evolve without betraying its purpose? Fear and trust collide here. On one side are those pushing for innovation; on the other, those guarding the purity of sound money. The tension isn’t abstract, it’s personal, and it’s reshaping the future of the network, because when the code that runs the world’s hardest money starts to split, the real question is whether we can keep talking long enough to hold it together.

You’ll Learn:



[00:00] Introduction

[01:42] Why teaching Bitcoin without metaphors could change how people actually understand it

[04:57] What the fight between “custodians” and “innovators” reveals about Bitcoin’s future

[09:18] How paranoia and blind trust both distort debates about Bitcoin’s governance

[13:27] The overlooked reason Bitcoin’s consensus rules act more like judges than developers

[18:46] What the “inscriptions” controversy exposed about Bitcoin’s shifting priorities

[23:55] Why rushing code changes in Bitcoin can have irreversible consequences

[30:41] The deeper conflict between those who see Bitcoin as money and those who see it as a

database

[39:52] How generational differences among developers are reshaping Bitcoin Core

[50:16] What real dialogue, not debate, could mean for Bitcoin’s survival

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

The Legendary Treasure of Satoshi Nakamoto by Tomer Strolight | Article

Hello. I Am Bitcoin by Tomer Strolight | Article

Why People Wonder if Bitcoin is Alien Technology by Tomer Strolight | Article

Swan Bitcoin | Blog

Learn more from Tomer by following him on X and LinkedIn.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, I’m joined by three-time guest Michael Dunworth. He’s a longtime Bitcoiner and builder who helped roll licensing, on-ramps, off-ramps, and banking partners into an API for others to use.

We dig into how Bitcoin treasury companies turned a smart idea into a dangerous illusion. Big promises, confusing language, and off-chain trades have investors thinking they’re buying Bitcoin when they’re really buying risk. Custodians hold too much power. Analysts still use the wrong metrics. And the people trying to shortcut their way to gains keep getting wrecked.

You’ll Learn:



[00:00] Introduction

[01:06] Why Bitcoin treasury companies copied the Saylor playbook, and why it backfired

[03:18] The reason “acquired” is used intentionally as opposed to “bought” when companies announce Bitcoin buys

[04:49] What happens when investors chase Bitcoin exposure through stocks instead of self-custody

[06:32] How traditional analysts miss the point by measuring treasuries in dollars, not SATs per share

[14:11] The risk no one’s talking about when custodians hold a fifth of all Bitcoin

[37:52] What OTC net settlement reveals about “price suppression” myths

[44:09] How off-chain trading hides real Bitcoin demand from the charts

[57:58] Why centralization could turn Bitcoin’s strength into its biggest weakness

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

The Dao of Bitcoin by Scott Dedels | Book or Audiobook

The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or Audiobook

Learn more from Michael by following him on X.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, I’m joined by Sunny Ray, a longtime Canadian Bitcoin entrepreneur. He started meetups in Bangalore and often ran them weekly. He launched a Bitcoin company in India and helped challenge the central bank in a case that was won in 2020.



Most people can’t define money, even as it runs their lives. After 2020, inflation made that gap impossible to ignore. We trace what changed, why Bitcoin clicked, and how India became a proving ground. And you’ll see why small, consistent moves beat complicated protocols.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[05:25] The moment Sunny realized no one could explain what money actually is

[07:40] How discovering Bitcoin in India rewired his understanding of value

[12:15] The surprising story of Unocoin’s launch—and the central banker who showed up in secret

[18:05] What happened when India’s Supreme Court ruled against the central bank’s Bitcoin ban

[21:20] Why India’s obsession with gold could make it the next global Bitcoin powerhouse

[25:15] How Bitcoin could revolutionize India’s massive remittance market

[27:45] The rise of Bitcoin treasury companies—and why Sunny thinks we’re in the first inning

[36:10] What Michael Saylor’s “Iron Bank” strategy reveals about the future of corporate Bitcoin

[37:50] How Vancouver’s mayor is fighting red tape to make his city Bitcoin-friendly

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Unocoin | Website

Find more from Sunny Ray:

Sunny Ray | Website

Sunny Ray | LinkedIn

Sunny Ray | Facebook

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

Bitcoin solves a critical problem that touches everyone. What happens when Canada faces that head-on?

In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Carlin, founder of the Canadian Bitcoin Conference, just a week before it returns to Montreal. This is the third run of the event, which started in Toronto in 2023 before moving to Montreal last year.

We get into what it takes to build a lineup of about 70 Bitcoin-focused speakers across two stages, and how the conference has become a place where you can actually connect with the people. Daniel also talks about the new business workshop designed for owners who want to learn how to bring Bitcoin into their operations.

You’ll Learn:

• What happens when a government blocks a keynote speaker from entering the country
• The link between conference size and the chance to actually meet speakers face to face
• The reason the Canadian Bitcoin Conference moved from June to October in Montreal
• Why corporate workshops are now part of the conference program
• How business owners can start accepting and reporting Bitcoin in Canada
• The toll of running a multi-day conference and what it feels like behind the scenes
• The connection between Bitcoin’s price, ticket sales, and conference turnout in Canada

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:42] Why the conference moved to October in Montreal

[10:05] Building a lineup and what’s new with speakers this year

[13:57] The launch of a corporate workshop for business owners

[16:41] Adding hockey and social events to the conference culture

[19:12] What running a Bitcoin conference really feels like

[23:34] How ticket sales and turnout shift with Bitcoin’s price

[26:52] The Canadian economy’s drag on attendance and travel

[29:07] Looking ahead to Bitcoin adoption in Canada and beyond

[36:14] Conference details, workshops, and speakers

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Canadian Bitcoin Conference | Website

Learn more from Daniel on LinkedIn.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

What if the single biggest mistake people make about Bitcoin is assuming it has to pay a yield to be real?

Welcome to episode 100 where I sit down with the one and only Saifedean Ammous, author of The Bitcoin Standard. We strip Bitcoin back to its core: money that holds value because it can’t be easily made. We dig into why no yield doesn’t equal a Ponzi Scheme, how fiat currencies are designed to rob savers, and why houses became saving accounts instead of homes. Saifedean breaks down Bitcoin’s fixed supply, the way halving works, and why that scarcity keeps driving demand. We explore what happens when governments keep printing, why high time preference thinking blinds them to Bitcoin, and how this all adds up to a slow-motion debt jubilee as fiat fades into irrelevance.

You’ll Learn:



• The reason calling Bitcoin a Ponzi Scheme because it has no yield misses the whole point of money
• What happens when fiat money is built to lose 5–10% of value every year 
• The link between housing bubbles and broken money 
• The damage of inflation pushing entire generations out of homeownership and into permanent renting
• The reason hardest-to-produce assets always end up as money
• What happens when Bitcoin’s scarcity collides with global demand 
• The link between debt creation in fiat systems and why Bitcoin represents a slow-motion debt jubilee

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[05:12] Why calling Bitcoin a Ponzi Scheme misses the point of money

[09:02] How fiat money robs savers and forces speculation

[12:11] Housing as a savings account and why Bitcoin fixes it

[15:07] Bitcoin’s fixed supply and the halving schedule

[19:14] Why scarcity pushes Bitcoin toward becoming global money

[23:41] The tipping point where Bitcoin overtakes other monies

[29:04] Governments, short-term thinking, and why they can’t grasp Bitcoin

[33:52] Bitcoin as a slow-motion debt jubilee replacing fiat debt

[36:44] Why expanding the money supply is a lie and divisibility matters

[38:59] Imagining the 20th century if the world had stayed on a gold standard

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or Audiobook

The Fiat Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or Audiobook

The Bitcoin Standard Podcast by Saifedean Ammous | Apple or Spotify

Find more From Saifedean:

Saifedean Ammous | Website

Saifedean Ammous | Instagram

Saifedean Ammous | X

Saifedean Ammous | Facebook

The Saifhouse | Website

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

What if the real theft isn’t of your money, but of your time?

This episode was sparked by George Woodcock’s 1944 essay The Tyranny of the Clock. Woodcock, an economist, argued that the invention of the mechanical clock in 1657 fundamentally changed how humans related to time, making it possible to measure, schedule, and commodify life itself.

I trace that idea forward into the world of central banking, fiat money, and Bitcoin. From the Federal Reserve’s creation in 1913, to Nixon cutting gold from the dollar in 1971, to today’s endless money printing, the value of time has been systematically degraded. Bitcoin, with its fixed supply and transparent schedule, offers a way to break free of this trap and restore time as the most valuable asset we have.

You’ll Learn:

• Why Nixon’s 1971 move to cut gold from the dollar still shapes your daily costs
• What happens when central banks expand the money supply while time itself never changes
• The surprising link between the invention of the mechanical clock and the rise of industrial society
• Why fiat money makes every unit of your time worth less as you move through life
• How Bitcoin functions as a clock built on blocks, epochs, and difficulty adjustments
• The damage of high time preference and how it fuels disposable culture, food, and buildings
• Why storing your time in Bitcoin can flip urgency into long-term security
• The deeper connection between history, civilization cycles, and the future Bitcoin makes possible

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[09:00] The mechanical clock’s invention in 1657 and how it redefined time

[11:47] Factories, schools, and armies turning human life into scheduled labor

[14:32] Central banking, fixed time, and why money keeps losing value

[18:15] Bitcoin as a clock built on blocks, epochs, and difficulty adjustments

[21:57] High time preference and disposable culture in food, buildings, and media

[24:38] Low time preference and how Bitcoin lets you store time securely

[28:51] Civilization cycles, history, and Bitcoin as the next major shift

[31:42] Why Bitcoin is as significant as the printing press or the wheel

[34:12] How Block Rewards reshape saving, work, and the future of value

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

The Tyranny of the Clock by George Woodcock | Essay

The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin | Book

The Price of Tomorrow by Jeff Booth | Book or Audiobook

Bitcoin Is Time | Essay

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

What if the smartest move your company could make right now isn’t launching a new product, but changing what sits on your balance sheet?

In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Burnett, Director of Bitcoin Strategy at Semler Scientific, the second American public company to adopt a Bitcoin standard.

We get into what it actually means to operate on a Bitcoin standard, how corporate treasury strategies for Bitcoin are emerging, and why adoption has moved from individuals to companies. Joe shares what his role involves day to day, how public and private companies think differently about Bitcoin, and the specific factors a small business owner might weigh before starting their own Bitcoin treasury.

You’ll Learn:

• The difference between a company simply holding Bitcoin and operating on a true Bitcoin standard
• Why Bitcoin’s monetary properties make it a contender for the “best form of money” ever discovered
• How metrics like BTC yield and market-to-net-asset-value (MNav) shape corporate Bitcoin strategy
• The role “intelligent leverage” plays in amplifying Bitcoin returns for public companies
• Why Bitcoin treasury companies can be massively overcollateralized despite using debt
• The factors that make adoption easier for individuals and private companies than public corporations
• How a small business owner might decide whether to start a Bitcoin treasury
• The trade-offs and challenges of proof of reserves for Bitcoin treasury companies
• What a Director of Bitcoin Strategy actually does inside a public company
• Why skepticism toward Bitcoin treasury companies could signal an untapped opportunity

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[05:00] Why companies might choose to hold Bitcoin as an asset

[06:58] What it means to operate on a Bitcoin standard

[08:57] Key metrics for evaluating corporate Bitcoin treasuries

[11:55] How intelligent leverage can amplify Bitcoin returns

[15:00] The long-term outlook for Bitcoin treasury companies

[21:00] Inside the role of a director of Bitcoin strategy

[27:02] How small businesses can approach a Bitcoin treasury

[31:00] The challenges and trade-offs of proof of reserves

[37:58] Why Bitcoin remains the foundation beneath treasury strategies

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Semler Scientific | Website

If you want to learn more about Joe, follow him on LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode I sit down with Dave Bradley. He was very early to Bitcoin and ran the first brick‑and‑mortar Bitcoin store in Canada. 



We start with his “Bitcoin fixes things” lens on the car industry, financing bubbles, add‑on features, regulations, and union dynamics, and why he says Bitcoin would change those incentives. Then we get into how money printing shapes government power, the “sovereign individual” idea and the end of the mega‑state, plus what a Bitcoin reserve or commodity‑backed currency could mean for Alberta and why he predicts Alberta could leave Canada by the end of 2026.

You’ll Learn:

• The mechanics of Dave Bradley’s “Bitcoin fixes the car industry” example
• How cheap credit fuels vehicle financing bubbles and distorted car design
• The real reason modern cars are loaded with costly, breakable features
• What changes when money appreciates instead of melts away
• The connection between money printing and government overreach
• Why Dave believes Bitcoin could strip governments of their covert taxing power
• The “sovereign individual” case for the end of the large-scale nation state
• How Alberta could use a Bitcoin reserve to protect against federal control
• The potential of a currency backed by gold, Bitcoin, and oil

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:18] How Bitcoin could fix the car industry

[10:47] The shift in spending when money gains value over time

[15:00] Why Bitcoin changes the buyer’s relationship with government power

[18:23] How government intervention distorts markets

[24:00] The sovereign individual theory and the decline of the mega state

[34:00] How a strategic Bitcoin reserve could protect Alberta

[38:00] The idea of a currency backed by gold, Bitcoin, and oil

[42:00] Why Alberta could thrive with low taxes and unleashed oil production

[45:00] Dave’s prediction for Alberta’s separation from Canada

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg | Book or Audiobook

If you want to learn more from Dave, visit his website and follow him on LinkedIn and X.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn



In this episode, I sit down with George Bordianu, co-founder and CEO of Balance, Canada’s oldest and largest digital asset custodian. Balance has been operating since 2017, holds roughly $3 billion in client assets (depending on market prices), and is regulated under a trust charter from Alberta Treasury Board and Finance.

We talk about why self-custody isn’t always practical, how most retail investors end up with “paper Bitcoin” instead of actual Bitcoin, and how Balance creates wallets with full legal title for clients while keeping assets secured offline in military-grade hardware inside bank-grade vaults. George also explains what it takes to protect assets against hackers and physical threats, and why he believes building and keeping crypto infrastructure in Canada is critical for the country’s financial future.

You’ll Learn:

• The real reason most Canadians end up with “paper Bitcoin” instead of actual Bitcoin
• The surprising link between vault security and digital asset protection
• How Balance creates wallets with full legal title for individual investors
• The quiet damage of Canada losing crypto companies and assets to the US
• What happens when Bitcoin is used as collateral for loans and mortgages
• How Balance protects assets against both hackers and physical threats
• The slow but essential shift toward regulated crypto custody in Canada
• Why quantum computing is already on the radar for custodians like Balance

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[05:00] Why custodians matter alongside self-custody for Bitcoin

[09:00] How Balance secures assets against hackers and physical threats

[13:00] The difference between legal title and “paper Bitcoin”

[17:00] Why custody is the biggest roadblock for Bitcoin payroll adoption

[19:00] How Canadian law protects client assets in a custodian insolvency

[21:00] Using Bitcoin as collateral for mortgages and loans

[24:00] Why quantum computing is a real future risk for custody systems

[28:00] The regulatory challenges pushing Canadian crypto assets to the US

[34:00] How Alberta enabled Balance to become a regulated custodian

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Balance | Website

Block Rewards Bitcoin Savings Plan | Website

Learn more about George on his website and follow him on LinkedIn.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn



In this episode, I talk with Helena Andrejko, an Australian psychotherapist who works with individuals and couples, as well as a psychedelic-assisted therapist trained to use psilocybin and MDMA for trauma and depression treatment in regulated medical settings. She splits her time between her therapy practice and her work in the Bitcoin space.

We discuss how money can shape human consciousness, the overlap Helena sees between therapy and decentralization, and how trust functions differently in fiat and Bitcoin systems. Helena also shares why she believes Bitcoin challenges old power dynamics and what that could mean for how people relate to truth, pain, and authenticity.

You’ll Learn:

• The surprising link between money and human consciousness
• What it feels like to balance psychotherapy with being a Bitcoiner
• The real reason trust can’t be mandated in money systems
• Why fiat money mirrors a parent-child dynamic
• What happens when centralized authorities decide what truth is
• The quiet damage of relying on monetary “heroes” for protection
• How Bitcoin shifts trust from institutions to math and code
• The role pain plays in growth and authenticity within decentralized systems
• What history shows us about dissent, truth, and the cost of challenging power

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:40] How Helena connects therapy and Bitcoin through decentralization

[08:55] The link between the invention of coinage and abstract thought

[15:10] Why fiat money mirrors a parent-child trust dynamic

[23:40] The hero, villain, and victim roles in money systems

[29:00] How CBDCs and centralized decisions place people in the victim role

[30:20] Why Bitcoin liberates authenticity by breaking old power structures

[37:00] What history teaches about dissent and the cost of truth

[39:10] How Bitcoin changes our relationship with pain and self-reliance

[44:30] Why Bitcoin’s rules create boundaries without central authorities

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

The Dao of Bitcoin by Scott Dedels | Book or Audiobook

Richard Seaford | About

Yuval Noah Harari | Website

Byung-Chul Han | About

Learn more about Helena on her website and follow her on LinkedIn.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, I’m joined by Cedric Youngelman, the host of the Bitcoin Matrix podcast. Cedric’s been immersed in the Bitcoin space since 2017, and over the years he’s built a reputation for digging into the deeper philosophical and political implications of money, sovereignty, and how we organize society.

We get into Cedric’s personal Bitcoin journey, from Facebook burnout and “heavily armed clowns” on Twitter to realizing that Bitcoin might be one of humanity’s few true paradigm shifts. We also talk about the rise of corporate and government accumulation, the dangers of centralization, and what happens when people confuse price action with understanding. Cedric doesn’t hold back.

You’ll Learn:

• What it feels like to go from fiat confusion to Bitcoin conviction
• How MicroStrategy and other treasury firms could destabilize Bitcoin during a downturn
• Why self-custody is more than just a technical feature, it’s a societal shift
• The quiet damage of measuring everything in fiat terms
• What changes when you treat Bitcoin as money, not just a store of value
• The surprising link between centralized adoption and long-term risk
• What happens when states, ETFs, and corporations accumulate too much Bitcoin
• Why some Bitcoiners are questioning Ross Ulbricht’s reappearance
• The big risk of forgetting Bitcoin’s ethos while celebrating its price

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:01] Cedric’s first exposure to Bitcoin and early confusion around altcoins

[10:37] The moment he realized Bitcoin isn’t about tech, it’s about money

[14:55] Why Bitcoin changes the rules of entrepreneurship and property ownership

[19:03] The myth of store of value first, medium of exchange second

[22:45] How ETFs and custodians give the old system leverage over Bitcoin

[29:14] The risk of financialized Bitcoin companies during market crashes

[33:45] Why state and corporate adoption might backfire

[39:59] The problem with passing down Bitcoin values to the next generation

[43:00] Cedric’s take on the Lightning Network and remaining skeptical

[45:50] Why some Bitcoiners are ignoring valid critiques of the system

[47:40] Could Bitcoin have been created by the state?

[56:25] Cedric’s theory on Ross Ulbricht’s release and strange public reappearance

[01:04:55] Reframing fiat life as a prison and Bitcoin as an escape hatch

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Bitcoin Matrix Podcast with Cedric Youngelman | Website

Your Wealth Is Melting by Joe Burnett | Article

Lex Fridman Interview with Jack Dorsey | YouTube

Learn more about Cedric by following him on X and LinkedIn.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, I sit down with John Ely, our Chief Innovation Officer at Block Rewards, for his second appearance on the podcast. John is a technologist with a sharp eye for where Bitcoin, AI, and the future of work intersect.

We get into the explosion of AI agents and what it means to embed reasoning, logic, and even payments into software. John shares how AI is already reshaping our own company, his thoughts on why Bitcoin is the ultimate money for autonomous agents, and why he believes we’re on the verge of seeing AI create timeless works of art.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[04:45] How Tesla’s autonomous car shows where AI is headed

[07:01] What AI agents are and how they’re already used in business

[11:00] Michael Saylor’s use of deep research to create new financial products

[13:55] Reflections on early tech and how AI feels like the next big shift

[16:00] How coding agents plan, reason, and evaluate their own work

[18:20] Why every company is becoming an AI company

[23:00] Alpha Go, the God move, and what it revealed about AI creativity

[26:00] What an agentic workforce could look like and how agents might be paid

[31:00] The synergy between AI productivity and Bitcoin as sound money

[35:00] Why white collar work is more vulnerable to AI than blue collar work

[37:00] Bold prediction that AI will create a timeless work of art soon

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

The Price of Tomorrow by Jeff Booth | Book or Audiobook

Deep Research | Website

Claude (Anthropic AI Tool) | Website

Y Combinator | Website

Coinbase’s C402 Protocol | Website

Lightning Labs' L402 Protocol | Website

Movie: AlphaGo

Learn more from John by following him on X.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn



This week on The Block Reward, Scott sits down with Jordi Llonch, a former airline pilot turned Bitcoin advocate and digital freedom strategist. Jordi’s not just talking tech—he’s living the life of a global citizen, traveling the world as a true digital nomad and helping others do the same. With a sharp eye for how broken financial systems restrict our autonomy, Jordi brings a unique and urgent perspective on why Bitcoin matters far beyond investment portfolios.

In this episode, you’ll explore the rising tension between geographical freedom and financial dependence, and how Bitcoin is quietly becoming the tool that unlocks both. Jordi shares stories from his travels, explains how Bitcoin empowers remote workers and nomads, and introduces ideas like geoarbitrage, circular economies, and financial self-sovereignty. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Barcelona’s thriving Bitcoin community, what’s really happening in places like El Salvador and Costa Rica, and why most people won’t care about Bitcoin—until they’re forced to. If you’re curious about building a life outside the system, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

You’ll Learn:

• How digital nomads can unlock true freedom by combining geographic and financial independence
• Why most remote workers misunderstand what “freedom” actually requires
• How to use geoarbitrage to align your lifestyle with your values
• Why banks freeze funds for nomads—and how Bitcoin bypasses that risk
• How to identify the moment your freedom is just an illusion
• What Bitcoin adoption looks like on the ground in El Salvador vs. Costa Rica
• Why freedom technologies matter more than speculative price charts
• How local Bitcoin communities fuel real-world adoption and resilience
• Why the global South may lead the next wave of Bitcoin innovation
• What a “Swiss bank account on your phone” really means for sovereignty

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[03:10] What defines a digital nomad

[05:05] Why freedom is the central value for nomads

[06:45] The financial limitations of geographic freedom

[08:00] The role of Bitcoin in solving financial friction

[09:15] How Bitcoin becomes a tool for survival, not speculation

[11:26] The mindset shift from settling to mobility

[14:02] How capital controls broke the social contract

[15:32] How Bitcoin flips the power dynamic between people and states

[16:12] Why the global South may rise while the West declines

[18:07] A comparison of Bitcoin adoption in El Salvador vs Costa Rica

[20:49] The “frog in the jacuzzi” metaphor for passive decline

[22:47] Why Bitcoin provides a mobile, uncensorable bank account

[24:12] How a pizza shop was on boarded through real demand

[25:01] Inside Barcelona’s thriving Bitcoin-only community

[27:06] Examples of technical workshops offered in Barcelona

[29:45] Behind the scenes of Barcelona’s Bitcoin-only conference

[33:04] Why Jordi built a global Bitcoin event map

[35:37] The power of Bitcoin meetups when traveling

[37:20] Why nationalism and politics create division

[39:51] Creating a culture of global citizenship

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

BTC Map | Website

BTC Events Map | Website

Nostr | Website

Satlantis | Website

Learn more about Jordi by following him on X, LinkedIn and Satlantis

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

In this episode, Scott is joined by two of the most respected names in on-chain analytics and Bitcoin macro strategy: Willy Woo, legendary data analyst and market commentator, and Yann Alleman, co-founder of Swissblock and architect of institutional-grade Bitcoin strategy. Together, they break down why Bitcoin’s trajectory isn’t just about price—it’s about fundamentally redefining value on a global scale.

You’ll gain insider insight into Bitcoin’s path to 50%+ of global GDP, the rise of sovereign and corporate treasury adoption, and why volatility is not a bug—but a feature—of an evolving macro asset class. The trio explores how Bitcoin stacks up against fiat, gold, and altcoins, the role of liquidity flows, and why traditional portfolio management is being forced to adapt. You’ll also hear about the tools behind Bitcoin Vector, their new initiative aimed at professionalizing Bitcoin analytics and educating the next wave of institutional adoption.



This is not your typical Bitcoin hype conversation—it's a masterclass in understanding the next evolution of money.

You’ll Learn:

• How Bitcoin could realistically capture 50% of global GDP and what that means for investors
• Why measuring Bitcoin in fiat terms distorts long-term value projections
• How on-chain data reveals Bitcoin's unique position as a macro asset, not just digital gold
• What liquidity trends tell us about Bitcoin’s sensitivity to global monetary policy
• How to interpret Bitcoin’s volatility compression as a sign of market maturity
• Why corporate and sovereign treasury adoption is accelerating—and what to watch for
• How to assess the real risk behind Bitcoin-holding companies using convertibility metrics
• Why altcoin dominance is likely to shrink as Bitcoin consolidates its role as the anchor asset
• How stablecoins and Bitcoin together reshape the foundation of global finance
• What top funds get wrong about portfolio allocation in a high-liquidity Bitcoin world

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[00:24] Bitcoin as a percentage of global GDP

[03:16] Measuring Bitcoin by GDP instead of USD

[04:22] Liquidity dynamics between real estate and Bitcoin

[07:05] Bitcoin as a complex macro system

[09:32] Why Bitcoin isn’t just digital gold

[11:08] Coexistence of fiat and Bitcoin

[14:35] How smaller nations lead Bitcoin adoption

[18:09] Corporate treasury adoption trends

[20:38] Market-neutral Bitcoin strategies explained

[22:24] Risks of over-leveraged Bitcoin treasury firms

[28:07] Sovereign Bitcoin adoption behind the scenes

[32:19] Bitcoin dominance and the altcoin decline

[36:25] Why altcoins continue to underperform

[41:02] When altcoins actually outperform Bitcoin

[45:00] Bitcoin’s cycles tied to global liquidity

[49:06] Why most crypto trading strategies fail

[53:05] Bitcoin as a check on fiat systems

[56:03] Swissblock and Bitcoin Vector overview

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Swiss Block | Website

Glass Node | Website

BlackRock | Website

CME | Website

Starlink | Website

Bitcoin Vector | X

Learn more from Willy by following him on X and LinkedIn. Learn more from Yann by following him on LinkedIn.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

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Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn



This episode features Hunter Albright, systems engineer, AI expert, and traditional finance veteran turned Bitcoin educator and executive at Salt Lending. With decades of experience managing credit portfolios and building financial models, Hunter brings a rare combination of institutional insight and future-focused innovation to the conversation.

You’ll learn why Bitcoin isn’t just digital gold—it’s becoming the foundational asset of a new financial paradigm. Hunter breaks down how Bitcoin enables everyday people to use wealth-building strategies once reserved for the elite: leveraging appreciating assets, avoiding taxable events, and gaining financial mobility across borders. You’ll also hear what’s brewing in the world of Bitcoin-backed loans, how businesses (from governments to mom-and-pops) are waking up to the power of holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets, and what the rise of global Bitcoin treasuries means for the future of real estate, debt, and sovereignty. Whether you're a curious investor or a serious builder, this conversation will change how you think about money, freedom, and what comes next.

You’ll Learn:

• How borrowing against Bitcoin mimics ultra-wealthy strategies for tax-efficient wealth building
• Why collateralized debt can be a smarter play than traditional credit
• How Bitcoin’s portability redefines global financial freedom
• What rising institutional interest signals about Bitcoin’s future as collateral
• How real estate investing could shift as Bitcoin adoption grows
• Why stablecoins and other digital assets might dominate daily transactions
• How Bitcoin-backed loans unlock income bridging and retirement funding
• What to look for in a lender to stay in control of your collateral
• How Bitcoin treasuries can make small businesses more resilient
• Why peer-to-peer transactions challenge the traditional four-party payment model

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[02:00] How Bitcoin enables global, peer-to-peer wealth transfer

[03:00] Using Bitcoin as a collateralized, appreciating asset

[05:07] How the wealthy avoid taxes by borrowing against assets

[07:00] Why Bitcoin could replace real estate as preferred collateral

[09:00] Bitcoin loan interest rates vs expected appreciation

[10:00] Institutional lenders entering Bitcoin-backed loan markets

[12:00] The rise of Bitcoin treasury reserves in companies and governments

[14:00] Why businesses underperform without Bitcoin on the balance sheet

[17:00] How Bitcoin reserves support small and rural businesses

[20:00] Global wealth preservation in failing fiat systems

[22:00] Bitcoin as a portable Swiss bank account

[25:00] Comparing Visa’s payment network to Bitcoin’s peer-to-peer model

[27:00] Bitcoin’s potential to disrupt credit card fees and chargebacks

[30:00] Why Bitcoin users need self-custody and financial literacy

[32:00] What Salt Lending offers for Bitcoin-backed borrowing

[34:00] Three key reasons people use Bitcoin loans

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Salt Lending | Website

Certified Bitcoin Professional (C4) | Website

Bitcoin 2026 Conference (Las Vegas) | Website

Follow Hunter on LinkedIn and X.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn

This week on The Block Reward, Scott sits down with returning guest Aleks Svetski—entrepreneur, author of The Bushido of Bitcoin, and the visionary founder behind Satlantis, a decentralized, Nostr-powered travel and social app reshaping how sovereign individuals connect in the real world. With a track record of challenging the status quo, Aleks brings sharp insight into the future of technology, identity, and human connection.

In this thought-provoking conversation, you’ll discover how Satlantis merges real-life exploration with digital sovereignty, why mainstream social media is devolving into algorithmic sludge, and how decentralized protocols like Nostr could reshape the internet as we know it. Aleks also drops bold takes on AI hype, Bitcoin’s inevitable dominance, and why your competitive edge lies in not outsourcing your life to tech. Whether you’re a Bitcoiner, builder, or freedom-seeking nomad, this episode offers a roadmap for staying human in an increasingly automated world.

You’ll Learn:

• How building on Nostr changes what’s possible for decentralized apps
• Why identity as a protocol beats identity as a feature
• How social graphs drive personalized travel recommendations
• Why “real-world experience” is the next competitive edge after AI saturation
• How to blend directory, social, and review systems into one seamless platform
• What Satlantis reveals about the future of network-driven communities
• Why traditional social media is collapsing under its own algorithms
• How deflationary pressure from AI will reshape pricing and productivity
• Why Bitcoin adoption and digital sovereignty go hand in hand
• How to position yourself where AI can’t compete—and humans thrive



Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[05:00] Why existing tools like Nomad List fall short

[07:15] How building on Nostr expanded the project beyond Bitcoin

[09:57] What Nostr is and how identity works on it

[13:03] Why Nostr offers the power of email with social reach

[15:32] Building Satlantis fully on Nostr initially failed

[18:15] Why the new version blends native features with protocol integration

[19:45] Why the mobile and web apps are intentionally different

[21:45] How the collections feature helps travelers plan ahead

[23:14] How Satlantis combines events, merchants, and content

[25:12] Why traditional travel and review apps feel outdated

[26:57] How Satlantis blends social discovery with structured content

[28:10] How social and interest graphs drive personalization

[30:03] Why Instagram changed what people share and search for

[31:59] Satlantis aims to replace TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Meetup

[32:31] How Nostr-based identity enables a new kind of platform

[33:49] How listeners can invest in Satlantis via Timestamp

[35:02] Why slop content is killing social media

[36:44] Why people are craving real-world connection again

[39:10] Where humans have the edge in an AI-dominated future

[41:05] Why capital is shifting toward Bitcoin and real value

[43:31] How Satlantis plans to onboard merchants into Bitcoin at scale

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

The Bushido of Bitcoin by Aleks Svetski | Book

The UnCommunist Manifesto by Aleks Svetski and Mark Moss | Book or Audiobook

Satlantis | Website

The Bitcoin Times | Website

Spirit of Satoshi | Website

Learn more about Aleks on his website. You can also follow him on X and Instagram

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn



This week on The Block Reward, Scott sits down with author and sociologist Suman Kumar, whose new book Reclaiming Sovereignty explores the gritty personal journey from crypto disillusionment to Bitcoin conviction. With no background in finance or tech, Suman brings a rare lens: one rooted in global stories, community resilience, and a fierce demand for choice. Her insights are especially vital in a world waking up to the reality of broken money.

You’ll hear how surviving the collapse of Luna and the FTX fallout led Suman not to retreat—but to lean in. She unpacks Bitcoin not as tech or trend, but as a social movement—a worldwide experiment in autonomy, hope, and human empowerment. We explore the emotional and existential stakes of financial sovereignty, how Gen Z and the Global South are shaping Bitcoin’s future, and why real freedom always comes with responsibility. If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for you, this conversation is your call to reconsider what’s possible.

You’ll Learn:

• How disillusionment with crypto scams can sharpen clarity around Bitcoin’s core value
• Why Bitcoin’s social movement transcends race, politics, and geography
• How to reframe sovereignty as actionable personal choice, not just ideology
• What global stories reveal about Bitcoin’s role in financial survival
• How community and shared values drive deeper adoption than profit alone
• Why emotional freedom depends on financial sovereignty
• What Gen Z’s engagement with Bitcoin signals about the future of money
• How Bitcoin mining intersects with energy reform and Indigenous autonomy
• Why responsibility—not just rebellion—is central to true financial freedom
• How real stories from the Global South challenge Western Bitcoin narratives

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[01:45] The emotional fallout of Luna and FTX

[03:10] What sets Bitcoin apart from altcoins

[04:26] Turning financial loss into purpose

[05:38] How personal stories shape the Bitcoin narrative

[06:57] The power of the global Bitcoin community

[08:19] Bitcoin as a vehicle for personal choice

[09:36] Why sovereignty starts with money

[10:42] Bitcoin’s role in transcending identity and borders

[12:01] The deeper emotional impact of broken money

[13:30] Bitcoin as a tool for reclaiming personal freedom

[14:27] How Bitcoin transforms lives in the Global South

[15:42] Breaking away from financial systems of control

[17:00] Why sovereignty means more than just independence

[18:23] The cultural layers of sovereignty on Indigenous land

[19:41] Why freedom must be fought for

[20:55] Compliance vs responsibility in financial systems

[22:14] How Bitcoin fosters active, engaged communities

[23:33] Bitcoin’s optimism and life-changing potential

[24:11] El Salvador’s shift from fear to hope

[25:18] Gen Z’s role in shaping Bitcoin’s future

[26:22] What freedom feels like after finding Bitcoin

[27:29] Writing as a personal sovereignty practice

[28:24] Bitcoin mining and Indigenous energy strategy

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Reclaiming Sovereignty by Suman Kumar | Book

The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or Audiobook

Consensus Conference | Website

“With Bitcoin, we don’t have to earn our wealth twice” - Ella Hough | YouTube

Learn more about Suman Kumar by following her on X

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn



James Lavish—managing partner of the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund and author of The Informationist—returns for a sharp, high-stakes conversation about markets, monetary policy, and the future of Bitcoin. With a background in hedge funds and Wall Street, James brings deep insight into how liquidity, debt, and geopolitical shifts are shaping the investment landscape.

In this episode, you’ll hear James break down the trillion-dollar “basis trade” threat looming over global finance—and why the Brookings Institution is floating the idea of the Federal Reserve taking it on directly. You’ll learn how institutions like BlackRock are quietly stacking Bitcoin, why MicroStrategy’s playbook is nearly impossible to replicate, and what SAB 121’s repeal means for Bitcoin’s integration into traditional banking. We also unpack volatility, risk signals, and why all eyes are on liquidity as the true driver of price action. If you care about macro shifts, asymmetric bets, and the collision of old and new finance, this one’s unmissable.

You’ll Learn:

• How the trillion-dollar “basis trade” threatens market stability
• Why the Fed might start behaving like a hedge fund
• How volatility forces institutions to liquidate Bitcoin first
• What liquidity cycles reveal about Bitcoin price movement
• Why MicroStrategy’s model can’t easily be copied
• How policy shifts like SAB 121 impact Bitcoin custody and lending
• Why institutional Bitcoin buys don’t always move the price
• What global treasury markets signal about U.S. economic fragility
• How margin rules and volatility drive systemic risk
• Why long-term Bitcoin conviction hinges on liquidity, not hype

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[03:10] What the Fed watches when making rate decisions

[05:35] How global liquidity ties into Bitcoin’s price

[06:45] Why the US relies on foreign treasury buyers

[08:05] The problem with holding US treasuries during inflation

[10:30] How the “basis trade” works and why it’s dangerous

[13:20] The scale and leverage behind today’s basis trade

[15:45] What it means if the Fed takes hedge fund positions

[18:05] How Bitcoin reacts to macro uncertainty

[20:14] What a Bitcoin sell-off on weekends signals

[22:52] The role of haircut changes during market stress

[25:25] What makes liquidity broader than just money supply

[27:38] Why Bitcoin may peak after liquidity peaks

[29:38] How multiple macro factors shape Bitcoin price

[31:12] How convertible bonds helped MicroStrategy scale

[35:20] Why new Bitcoin companies can’t mimic MSTR returns

[37:18] What 21.co and Jack Mallers are building

[40:02] The impact of SAB 121 on banking and Bitcoin custody

[42:10] How Chokepoint 2.0 disrupted Bitcoin funds

[45:05] How banks will integrate Bitcoin into lending

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Bitcoin Opportunity Fund | Website

Brookings Institution | Website

Strategy | Website

Metaplanet | Website

21 | Website

Learn more about James through The Informationalist newsletter. You can also follow him on Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

Block Rewards | YouTube

Block Rewards | TikTok

Block Rewards | Website

Block Rewards | LinkedIn



In this episode, Leon Wankum, financial economist and real estate developer breaks down why Bitcoin is rapidly outcompeting real estate as a store of value, investment vehicle, and source of cashflow. With over 15 years in real estate and a background in financial economics, Leon brings unmatched insight into how the rules of wealth-building are being rewritten. From leveraging Bitcoin as pristine collateral to MicroStrategy’s game-changing financial products, this conversation challenges the long-held dominance of physical assets—and makes a compelling case that Bitcoin isn’t just an alternative investment, it’s becoming the benchmark. Whether you're a seasoned investor, real estate pro, or Bitcoin skeptic, this episode will shift how you think about capital, yield, and the future of money.

You’ll Learn:

• How MicroStrategy’s financial products are engineered to outperform real estate cashflow without leverage
• Why Bitcoin’s purchasing power growth outpaces even leveraged real estate over time
• What makes Bitcoin a superior form of collateral compared to property assets
• How institutional capital is shifting from bonds and real estate toward Bitcoin-backed instruments
• Why rising interest rates are exposing vulnerabilities in traditional real estate investing
• How Bitcoin flips the time value of money and redefines financial risk
• What the decline of commercial real estate reveals about the larger economic paradigm shift
• Why measuring wealth in Bitcoin changes investment logic and portfolio strategy
• How real estate developers can practically integrate Bitcoin into financing and reserve strategies

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[01:45] How Bitcoin flips the time value of money

[03:10] Bitcoin vs real estate as yield-generating assets

[05:30] Inflation benchmarks and real estate performance

[06:55] Why Bitcoin’s growth outpaces even leveraged real estate

[08:10] Bitcoin as superior collateral and digital real estate

[09:35] MicroStrategy’s bond and preferred stock offerings explained

[12:00] Real estate investor motivations and the shift to Bitcoin

[14:20] Bitcoin’s threat to the $300 trillion real estate market

[16:00] Declining commercial real estate value in a new economy

[18:35] Central banking errors and rising interest rate impact

[20:15] Real estate struggles while Bitcoin rises

[22:00] Paradigm shift in storing and exchanging value

[24:05] Clear math: Bitcoin vs real estate returns over time

[26:20] Institutional capital shifting through MicroStrategy

[28:00] Why Bitcoin is now the true investment benchmark

[30:10] Will Bitcoin’s volatility decline or persist

[32:20] Volatility as a resilience mechanism in Bitcoin

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Bitcoin As Real Estate by Surfer Jim | Article

Learn more about Leon’s work on his Website. You can also subscribe to his Substack and follow him on LinkedIn and X.

Find more from Scott:

Scott Dedels | X

Block Rewards | Instagram

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