The Bitcoin Matrix

In this episode, I chat with Stephan Livera, Bitcoin educator, host of the Stephan Livera Podcast, and advisor at Bold Bitcoin. We explore his journey of escaping the lockdowns in Australia to build a new life in Dubai, and how his libertarian values and understanding of Bitcoin economics shaped that decision. Stephan also shares his thoughts on cycles, proof of reserves, the role of stablecoins, and the long-term outlook for hyperbitcoinization. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Stephan Livera on X: https://x.com/stephanlivera ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:09 - Escaping Australia and the Birth of a New Life in Dubai 06:34 - How Bitcoin and Libertarianism Shaped Stephan’s Exit 12:09 - Feeling Disconnected from Home and Becoming a Global Citizen 16:24 - The Allure of Dubai and Its Strategic Advantages 18:54 - Bitcoin Core vs. Knots, Ordinals, and Relay Filters 23:09 - Consensus vs. Policy and Mining Centralization Risks 28:09 - Core Development, Multiple Implementations, and GitHub Controversy 32:34 - Bitcoin Core Funding and Developer Incentives 35:54 - Bitcoin Treasury Companies and Fiat Arbitrage Opportunities 40:09 - Understanding Risk and the Premium to NAV Debate 45:29 - Global Perspectives: Trapped Capital, Arbitrage, and Institutional Flows 49:49 - The Future of Treasury Companies and Their Evolution 55:09 - Nation-State Adoption and Libertarian Reflections 58:24 - Market Cycles, Future Peaks, and Drawdowns 01:04:49 - Is It Too Late to Stack? Advice for Friends and Family 01:07:54 - Inflation, Recess from the Rulers, and the Tether Debate 01:11:03 - Seven Years of Bitcoin Podcasting: What Keeps Stephan Going 01:12:28 - Aha Moments, Power Laws, and the Path to Hyperbitcoinization DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors. Produced by nilli studio (https://x.com/nillistudio) I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, I chat with Mandrik, a legendary Bitcoin OG who’s been around since 2011. He shares deep honest reflections on proof of work, health and hardship.   We talk about what it was like working customer support during Mt. Gox, the emotional impact of long bear markets, and why kindness, consistency, and situational awareness matter.   ––– Offers & Discounts –––   Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric   Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix   The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order.   Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ [https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/]   ––– Get To Know Today's Guest –––   • Mandrik on X: https://x.com/Mandrik [https://x.com/Mandrik] • Mandrik on Nostr:  npub1qex7yjtuucs6ac49kjujdgytrjsphn5a4pdscu2w3qlprym4zsxqfz82qk   ––– Socials –––   • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com [https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com] • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman [https://x.com/cedyoungelman] • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix [https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix] • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs   ––– Chapters –––   00:00 - Intro  01:08 - Mandrik: Bitcoin OG & Baklava Boss  04:30 - Freedom, Cash Traps & the Baklava Origin Story  08:30 - Cooking Roots: Diners, Grandmas & Fat Kid Energy  12:30 - Keto in 2011, Divorce & the First Bite of Baklava in 13 Years  17:00 - Health Journey, Delayed Gratification & Bitcoin Parallels  21:00 - Captain Crunch, Crunchberries & Hedonic Burnout 25:30 - Tweets of Struggle: Pushing Through the Pain  30:00 - Scrubbing Toilets Over Fiat: Escaping a Dead-End Job  34:30 - Closed Loop Bitcoin Economy in New Hampshire  39:00 - Cooking at Porkfest, Meeting Bitcoiners Through Food  43:30 - Jump to Blockchain.info & Early Bitcoin Startup Chaos  48:00 - Startup Grind, Family Balance & 24/7 Bitcoin Life  52:30 - Meaningful Work vs. Mediocre Office Jobs  56:30 - 4 AM Mornings, Short Sleepers & Existential Impact  1:01:00 - Walking, Sunrises & Psychopath Hour Reflections  1:05:30 - The Power of Kindness, Random Compliments & Awareness  1:10:00 - Feeding the Homeless: Lessons from Dad’s Diner  1:14:30 - Situational Awareness & Travel Safety  1:19:00 - Bacon Weave Sandwiches & Caitlin Long’s Memory  1:23:30 - Feeding the Masses: Deep Fried Everything  1:28:00 - Mandrik’s Roots: Nicknames, Gaming & Identity  1:32:30 - Toilets & Baklava: Humble Bitcoin Beginnings  1:37:00 - Getting Paid in Bitcoin for “Low Status” Work  1:41:00 - Advice to the Young: Take the Risk While You Can   DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors.   I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing.   Thank you for listening!

In this episode, I chat with Jesse Myers, a Bitcoin strategy advisor and the author of the essay Once-in-a-Species. He shares deep excitement for Bitcoin treasury companies and how they might be the gateway for TradFi capital to enter Bitcoin at scale. We also dive deep into the evolutionary roots of money and how the innate human drive for scarcity laid the groundwork for the concept of money, civilization itself, and ultimately Bitcoin as the perfection of scarcity. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Jesse Myers on X: https://x.com/Croesus_BTC • Once-in -species Essay: https://www.onceinaspecies.com/p/once-in-a-species-73b ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Jesse's Bitcoin Journey  02:03 - “Once in a Species”: What Inspired the Essay  02:53 - Nick Szabo, Shell Beads & Proto-Money  05:57 - Jesse’s Academic Background: From Neuroscience to Bitcoin  06:58 - Art, Humanity & Neanderthals  09:05 - Who Were the Neanderthals?  13:48 - Why Did Homo Sapiens Triumph?  16:55 - Victorian & Modern Theories on Neanderthals  20:22 - Current Academia’s View vs Austrian Economics  24:04 - The Hidden Economic Purpose of Shell Beads  28:23 - Brain Science & Scarcity: The TKTL1 Mutation  31:45 - Symbolic Thought: Neanderthals vs Homo Sapiens  34:38 - Population Density & Dunbar’s Number  38:46 - Money as a Social Efficiency Multiplier  43:14 - From Tribalism to Civilization Through Trade  48:28 - Reading Excerpt: Scarcity as the Root of Human Flourishing  50:16 - Lessons from the Past for Bitcoin’s Future  56:22 - Bitcoin: The Invention of Perfect Scarcity  01:00:50 - How Bitcoin Changes Civilization  01:05:38 - Deflation, Craftsmanship & Cultural Flywheels  01:07:39 - Closing Thoughts: Scarcity, Collectibles & Civilization  01:11:35 - What’s Next: Bitcoin Treasury Strategy & SmarterWeb  DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!

In this episode of the Bitcoin Matrix Podcast, I chat with Knut Svanholm, a former seafarer turned philosopher and the mind behind the “Bitcoin Infinity” meme. We explore the philosophy of freedom, how Bitcoin changes human interactions, and what it truly means to live without fear in an age of paper Bitcoin and clown world distractions. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric  Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix [https://river.com/matrix] The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ [https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/] ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Knut Svanholm on X: https://x.com/knutsvanholm [https://x.com/knutsvanholm] ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com [https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com] • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman [https://x.com/cedyoungelman] • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix [https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix] • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Knut’s Recent Work and Bitcoin Infinity Academy 04:14 - Philosophical Direction of Bitcoin in 2025 06:18 - Is Bitcoin Divine or Merely Civilized? 07:38 - Directional Libertarianism and Fiat Jobs 09:06 - Bitcoin, Hope, and Time Preference 11:33 - Money Printing: Conspiracy or Human Nature? 13:06 - Shawshank, Hope, and Government Overreach  16:08 - Free Will, Clown World, and Observations  20:06 - Ownership vs. Possession in Bitcoin  23:07 - Confidence, Satoshis, and Identity  29:20 - Bitcoin as the Internet’s Missing Layer 30:31 - FUD, Media, and Psychological Filters  33:34 - Stoicism, Thought, and Reality Control  38:09 - Past Regrets and Mindfulness in the Moment  41:35 - Thought Observation and Creative Flow 44:23 - Reflection, Growth, and Staying Grounded  46:49 - Generational Wealth and Responsibility 50:24 - Infinity Divided by 21 Million  52:15 - Can Bitcoin Be Broken?  54:42 - Final Thoughts  DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors.  I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing.  Thank you for listening!

In this episode, I chat with the most interesting Bitcoiner out there, George Bodine. He opens up about his unshakable Bitcoin conviction, the painful distance it’s caused with his son, and his deep desire to leave behind generational wealth and wisdom. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric  Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix [https://river.com/matrix] The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ [https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/] ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • George Bodine on X: https://x.com/Jethroe111 [https://x.com/Jethroe111] ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com [https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com] • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman [https://x.com/cedyoungelman] • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix [https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix] • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs  ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro  01:16 - The Most Interesting Bitcoiner  03:00 - From Fighter Jets to Fine Art  04:40 - Trailer Parks, Childhood, and Grit  07:18 - The Top Gun Years  09:27 - Stories About Tom Cruise and Life Lessons from Top Gun  11:50 - Post-Navy Hustles: Cab Driving and Cop Life  16:06 - Reinvention and Resilience  18:26 - Art, Creativity, and Mining Behind the Canvas  22:19 - Living the Bitcoin Life 26:14 - Advice to Plebs Still Grinding  29:52 - What If You Were a Young, Free Bitcoiner?  35:01 - Facing Fear and Surviving Tough Times  41:18 - Shark Encounter While Scuba Diving  43:40 - Bowhunting Elk and the Challenge of Nature  45:39 - Roman History, Plebs, and Humility  48:53 - Freedom, Kindness, and a Life Well-Lived  53:50 - Envy, Wealth, and the Bitcoin Divide  55:49 - Father’s Day Reflections and Family  01:01:04 - Leaving a Legacy and Having Enough  01:06:18 - Final Reflections: Honor, Kindness, and Purpose  DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors.  I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!