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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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:

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→ 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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→ 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.

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→ 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.

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→ 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

In this episode, we sit down with Junseth, a long-time bitcoiner and co-host of the legendary Bitcoin Uncensored podcast. Junseth shares how he got started in bitcoin, his views on the evolution of the bitcoin community, and his take on the cycles of bitcoin podcasts and companies. He provides insights into the rise of social engineering scams, his experience confronting phishing attackers, and the mentality behind young scammers. We also discuss the challenges of self-custody, the risks of bitcoin centralization, and the potential implications of a national bitcoin reserve. Junseth offers a unique perspective on the future of bitcoin, libertarian ideals, and the lessons learned from his years in the space.

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

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:06 – How Junseth got involved in bitcoin

00:04:42 – Libertarianism and bitcoin's evolution

00:09:04 – Background of Junseth’s scammer calls

00:15:21 – Why young scammers do what they do

00:17:16 – Protecting yourself from phishing scams

00:24:45 – Self-custody

00:31:02 – Evolution of bitcoin podcasts

00:36:22 – Michael Saylor’s infinite money glitch

00:42:30 – Current bitcoin cycle and price movements

00:46:46 – Reflections on bitcoin's rapid adoption

00:51:16 – Bitcoin strategic reserve: pros and cons

00:54:14 – Unique perspectives and 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’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Junseth’s Twitter: https://x.com/verysmallclaims

In this episode, we sit down with Willy Woo, a leading on-chain analyst and bitcoin market expert. Willy provides insights into the current state of the market, highlighting how corporate and institutional players like MicroStrategy and BlackRock are shaping bitcoin’s adoption. He explains bitcoin’s role as a potential global reserve asset and its energy-based scarcity model, which sets it apart from traditional assets like gold. We discuss the impact of upcoming FASB accounting changes on companies holding bitcoin, the risks of centralization, and the sustainability of bitcoin’s four-year cycles. Willy also shares his thoughts on how bitcoin’s growth could reshape geopolitics and global monetary systems, offering a clear vision for a decentralized financial future.

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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

01:31 Current state of the bitcoin market

03:02 Bitcoin dominance, altcoins, and institutional impact

07:08 MicroStrategy and the future of ETFs

10:37 FASB accounting and potential S&P 500 inclusion

13:54 BlackRock’s role in legitimizing bitcoin

16:54 Bitcoin as digital gold and its exponential growth

22:15 Energy scarcity and bitcoin’s long-term viability

28:11 Bitcoin’s potential as a global reserve asset

38:25 Geopolitical implications of a bitcoin standard

43:23 Where are we in the current bitcoin cycle?

50:19 Bitcoin’s biggest risks and future challenges

54:05 Optimism for bitcoin

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

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

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

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

→ Willy Woo’s Twitter: https://x.com/woonomic

In this episode, we sit down with Dhruv Bansal, co-founder of Unchained, and Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, for a friendly debate on whether bitcoin was invented or discovered. We examine how historical inventions and discoveries like mathematics and fire compare to bitcoin, explore the philosophical implications of digital scarcity, and discuss its relevance across civilizations. Dhruv and Samson share their insights on bitcoin as a living organism, potential challenges from quantum computing, and the evolution of its network over time. The conversation also touches on the future of money and mining in a spacefaring civilization, how energy markets intersect with bitcoin, and the practicality of sidechains for interplanetary use. Throughout, we question the boundaries of bitcoin’s definition, its adaptability, and its role as the ultimate form of energy money.

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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

1:43 Welcome to the debate: invented vs. discovered

3:48 Definitions: what makes something invented or discovered?

7:53 Analyzing historical examples: math, melodies, and fire

12:03 Was bitcoin invented or discovered? Opening arguments

20:25 The ship of theseus analogy for bitcoin’s evolution

24:09 Addressing quantum computing and potential bitcoin changes

30:58 Bitcoin as a living organism and its self-regulation

33:19 Does digital scarcity truly exist across civilizations?

39:09 Bitcoin’s impact on energy grids and global sustainability

42:00 Mars colonization: should Martians adopt bitcoin or a sidechain?

47:09 Decentralization vs. centralization of hash power in space

52:50 Concluding thoughts: bitcoin’s universal role as energy money

1:01:10 The biggest risk to bitcoin—aliens?

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

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

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

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

→ Dhruv Bansal’s Twitter: https://x.com/dhruvbansal

→ Samson Mow’s Twitter: https://x.com/Excellion

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon with over 30 years of experience, to explore his transformative journey from centralized medicine to decentralized health and his discovery of bitcoin as a tool for freedom and time preservation. Jack discusses the flaws in traditional medicine, the significance of circadian biology, and why sunlight and sleep are critical for optimal health. He explains his perspective on bitcoin as a “time machine” and the parallels between decentralized money and biology. The conversation touches on the importance of self-custody, the role of technology in shaping health outcomes, and whether Americans should consider moving to El Salvador for greater personal freedom. Jack also shares insights on the challenges of population growth, the potential to extend human lifespan, and how bitcoiners can prioritize health to secure their future.

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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

1:06 Jack Kruse's background and medical journey

3:32 Decentralized medicine: what it means

9:20 Why centralized medicine is broken

11:19 The importance of circadian biology

18:25 Bitcoin and time: connecting decentralized money to health

23:11 "Bitcoin is a time machine": explained

33:53 How sunlight and darkness affect health

37:10 The role of technology in health outcomes

43:08 Living a healthier, longer life: practical advice

49:47 El Salvador: should Americans move there?

57:29 Is bitcoin a time machine for everyone? Victor’s story

1:01:13 The case for decentralizing your life

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

→ Dr. Jack Kruse’s Twitter: https://x.com/DrJackKruse