S2 Ep9: Money Mechanics - Crypto, Inflation & Borrowing Against Bitcoin: A Clear Guide with Lee Markham & Sarah Poynton

Crypto, Inflation, and Borrowing Against Bitcoin with Lee MarkhamCrypto. Bitcoin. Borrowing against digital assets.And leaving the RAF to build a life in Thailand.In this episode of the Money Mechanics Podcast, I’m joined by Lee Markham, who went from 13 years in the RAF to long term crypto investor and educator, helping property investors diversify into digital assets.We talk about Bitcoin in plain English. No hype. No nonsense. Just what it is, why it exists, why the financial system is more fragile than most people realise, and how crypto fits into a modern investment portfolio.If you’ve ever said “I don’t trust crypto” but can’t quite explain why… this one’s for you.🔥 What We Get Into• Why Bitcoin was created after the 2008 financial crash • What cryptocurrency actually is, explained simply • Why fiat currency is losing purchasing power • Inflation and why your savings are quietly shrinking • The fixed supply of Bitcoin and why scarcity matters • Why volatility is not always a bad thing • How long term investors think differently about price drops • The biggest crypto scams and how to avoid them • Why education is the best protection against being burned • How to start investing in crypto with small amounts • Why consistency beats trying to time the market • Risk tolerance and knowing yourself as an investor • Borrowing against Bitcoin without selling it • How crypto loans work • Loan to value explained in simple terms • Using digital assets as collateral • Why selling too early can cost you long term • Why mindset matters more than strategy • Sacred cows around money and inherited beliefs • Why schools don’t teach financial literacy • Investing in yourself and your own business💥 Borrowing Against Bitcoin… Yes, ReallyThis part will blow some minds.Lee explains how investors can borrow against their Bitcoin in a similar way to refinancing property. Instead of selling the asset and triggering capital gains tax, you can use it as collateral, release liquidity, and keep your long term exposure.We talk through: • Loan to value • Managing volatility risk • Avoiding over leverage • Why this strategy requires education first • Platforms like Nexo and decentralised lending protocolsThis is not beginner level messing about. This is understanding how money actually works.📚 Books Mentioned• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki • Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki • Killing Sacred Cows by Garrett GundersonIf you want to understand money mindset before you even think about investing, start there.👤 About the GuestLee Markham is a crypto investor and educator who works primarily with property investors to help them diversify into digital assets.After 13 years in the RAF, Lee pivoted into education and investing, building a portfolio through long term crypto strategy and disciplined risk management.You can find him here:• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crypto_lee_markham • Website: https://bluegrasstraining.comIf you reach out, tell him you came from Money Mechanics.🧠 Key Takeaways• Doing nothing with your money is still a decision • Inflation guarantees loss of purchasing power • Volatility is the price of being early • Education reduces risk • You don’t need thousands to get started • Long term mindset beats panic • Financial literacy is your real superpower📨 Join the Free Money Mechanics Weekly NewsletterIf this episode sparked questions in you, you’ll love the Money Mechanics Weekly Newsletter.Every week I share: • what’s happening in the markets • what inflation and policy changes mean for you • what I’m doing inside my own portfolio • simple explanations of money and investingIt’s free.Sign up here: 👉 https://www.sarahpoynton.com/newsletter⭐ Enjoyed the Episode?Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more people find honest conversations about money, investing, crypto, debt recovery, and financial confidence.And come and tell me what you thought on Instagram. I love hearing your takeaways.