PODCAST · education
Bitcoin Policy Institute
by Bitcoin Policy Institute
The BPI team comprises experts in economics, law, philosophy, energy, and environmental science, working together to explore the impacts of new technology on existing US public policy interests. Below you'll find a variety of shows featuring BPI fellows, staff and guests, all of which explore the intersection of Bitcoin and United States policy.
Episodes
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Travis Fisher, Marty Bent and Thomas Pacchia: Powering It All
Can the power grid keep up with AI without leaving ratepayers with the bill? Marty Bent and Travis Fisher join Thomas Pacchia to discuss grid capacity, private power, permitting and what AI infrastructure can learn from Bitcoin mining. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Lessons from Bitcoin mining...
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Seb Sheng, Brian Morgenstern and AJ Scalia: Recapturing the Data Center Narrative
What do AI data centers mean for your electricity bill—and how should the industry respond to public concerns? Seb Sheng, Brian Morgenstern and AJ Scalia examine power demand, efficiency, local benefits and the case for earning community trust. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Taking community...
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Paul Hanson and Sam Lyman: Beyond Power and Permits: Community Engagement in Data Center Development
Can AI data centers deliver benefits that local communities actually want? Paul Hanson joins Sam Lyman to discuss community engagement, industrial redevelopment, local jobs, electricity costs and the lessons Bitcoin miners bring to AI infrastructure. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Why...
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Sam Lyman: A Policy Platform for Cypherpunk Humanism
Who should control the technology that shapes your speech, privacy and digital life? Sam Lyman connects cypherpunk humanism with self-government and outlines a policy platform for free speech, privacy and the right to compute. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Freedom tech and self-government…
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Patrick Witt and Ken Egan: After Clarity: Lessons for AI Policy
What can the fight over crypto legislation teach policymakers about AI? Patrick Witt joins Ken Egan to discuss the CLARITY effort, durable regulation, open-source developer protections, AI payments and future digital-asset policy proposals. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:08 What comes after the...
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Ramez Naam: Plural AI as a Freedom Technology
Ramez Naam examines how widely available AI could support individual liberty, drawing comparisons with earlier information technologies. He discusses competition among AI models, open weights, safety and security, and the challenges facing the open source AI community. Recorded during Day 1 of...
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Conner Brown, David Zell and Janessa Lopez: Future of BPI
Janessa Lopez joins Conner Brown and David Zell to discuss the Bitcoin Policy Institute’s origins, growth, and future direction. They explain the Freedom Tech DC name, connections between Bitcoin and AI policy, and their goals for research and advocacy supporting individual liberty. Recorded…
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Anna Chekhovich and Arsh Molu: Freedom Tech in the Hands of Activists
Anna Chekhovich joins Arsh Molu to discuss how activists use Bitcoin when governments block bank accounts and restrict cross-border support. They describe the Anti-Corruption Foundation’s experience, practical education for nonprofits, and the opportunities and privacy concerns surrounding AI…
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Joey Garcia, Eugenia Kenny and Conner Brown: Inside BPI International
Conner Brown, Joey Garcia, and Eugenia Kenny discuss the launch and purpose of BPI International, and how digital asset policy in one jurisdiction can affect an open global network. The panel explores policymaker education, self-custody, consumer protection, and the distinction between Bitcoin…
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David Beckworth and Sam Lyman: The Stakes of Preserving Dollar Dominance
Sam Lyman and David Beckworth discuss how dollar stablecoins could shape the dollar’s global role and compete with central bank digital currencies. Their conversation covers access to Federal Reserve payment infrastructure, tokenized reserves and Treasury securities, and how banks and new payment...
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Nick Begich and Anthony Pompliano: The Case for the American Reserve Modernization Act
Representative Nick Begich joins Anthony Pompliano to discuss the American Reserve Modernization Act and the case for a long-term U.S. Bitcoin reserve. They examine self-custody protections, federal and state custody arrangements, transparency and audits, and the legislative choices behind the...
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Andrew Bailey: Cypherpunk Humanism
Andrew Bailey presents cypherpunk humanism as an approach to technology centered on human flourishing and individual control. Using encrypted communications, Bitcoin, and locally operated AI as examples, he explores how people can protect privacy, build direct connections, and use machines to...
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Matthew Pines: AI-Fueled Human Flourishing
Matthew Pines explores how AI could accelerate scientific discovery and turn advances in mathematics and physics into new technologies in energy, materials, and health. He argues that open science, independently verifiable results, and broad participation can help translate those advances into...
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Alex Thorn: 21st Century Freedom Runs on Code
Alex Thorn connects the freedom to transact, use AI, and publish software with the history of encryption and the crypto wars. He discusses Bitcoin self-custody, protections for software developers, and access to hosted and local AI tools as foundations for individual agency in an economy...
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Tommy Eastman and Matthew Burtell: Strategic Case for Open Source
Tommy Eastman joins Matthew Burtell to discuss the strategic case for open source AI and Nous Research’s Hermes Agent. They explore control over data and models, competition and costs, distillation, and the policy choices affecting open AI development. Recorded during Day 1 of Freedom Tech DC…
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Jon Pelson and Ken Egan: From Wireless Wars to FreedomNet: Building the Network Freedom Depends On
Jon Pelson joins Ken Egan to discuss the telecommunications infrastructure that digital assets and other freedom technologies depend on. Drawing on Wireless Wars, Pelson examines network security, Chinese telecom equipment, and the FreedomNet initiative, including sovereign control…
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Zack Shapiro: A Future Worth Surviving For
Zack Shapiro examines the challenge of addressing advanced AI risks while preserving freedom, privacy, and human control. He discusses alignment, the dangers of concentrated power, and principles for evidence-based safeguards focused on frontier capabilities, alongside open models, independent...
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Michael Saylor and Conner Brown: Money in the Age of Intelligence
Michael Saylor joins Conner Brown to discuss the relationship between digital intelligence, Bitcoin, and digital capital. The conversation covers capital formation, digital currency, AI agents, and the policy choices they believe will shape technological innovation and American competitiveness....
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Jack Dorsey and David Zell: Virtual Fireside
Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block, joins David Zell, President of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, for a conversation about open-source AI and the freedom to build. They discuss Block’s Goose and Buzz tools, how AI is changing work, and the policy choices shaping access to advanced models, security, and...
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Spotlight Series Ep. 2: Rep. Nick Begich
Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) reached Congress by an unusual route: founding software companies and holding Bitcoin since 2013. BPI's David Zell sat down with him at PubKey to talk about how a builder's instincts shape the way he legislates, his bill to give the U.S. a strategic Bitcoin reserve, and…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour: Crypto-Redollarization: Gold, Tether & Bitcoin Shaping the New Monetary Order
Why did Tether launch a U.S. stablecoin now? Why does Coinbase have so much influence in Congress? And what’s really behind the SEC–CFTC harmonization push? Bitcoin Policy Hour breaks down the biggest regulatory stories shaping Bitcoin’s future plus a deep look at the debasement trade driving…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour: The Fight Over Stablecoins & Crypto Market Structure
Why are banks fighting stablecoin yield and why does it matter for Bitcoin? Zack Shapiro, Ken Egan, and Zack Cohen, break down the political battle unfolding in the U.S. Senate and why Coinbase’s opposition could derail market structure reform in the latest Senate bill. From developer protections...
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Congressman Warren Davidson Unveils the “Bitcoin for America Act” | Spotlight Series #1
In this exclusive interview, Congressman Warren Davidson announces the introduction of the Bitcoin for America Act, legislation that could redefine how the United States adopts Bitcoin and how Americans fulfill their tax obligations.Hosted by Conner Brown, Head of Strategy at the Bitcoin Policy...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 15: Washington's Crypto Power Grab Explained
In episode 15 of The Bitcoin Policy Hour, Washington is tightening its grip on crypto. Zack Cohen, Zack Shapiro, and Ken Egan of the Bitcoin Policy Institute are breaking down what that really means for your wallet and your freedom to build. From the fallout over the leaked DeFi regulation memo…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 14: China's "Gold War", US Adds 127k BTC to Reserve?
In episode 14 of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, the BPI team breaks down one of the most consequential stories in Bitcoin policy to date. The U.S. government has seized one of the largest Bitcoin troves in history — approx. 127,000 BTC — from a massive “pig-butchering” scam ring. With the now-enacated...
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Hash Handcuffs: How Sanctions Collide with Censorship-Resistant Money
In this conversation, Renee Sorchik sits down with Dr. Joshua Hendrickson and Dr. Craig Warmke to discuss their new paper, Sanctions and Sanction-Resistant Money. They explore the concept of “Hash Handcuffs” — the idea of enforcing U.S. sanctions on the Bitcoin network — and whether such attempts...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 13: The War on Bitcoin Wallets, Why CLARITY is Make or Break
Congress is waging a war on Bitcoin wallets through the CLARITY Act — a market structure bill that could either protect self-custody and open-source developers or dismantle them at the last minute. In episode 17, special guest Kyle Olney joins to break down what the bill really says, why the...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 12: Intel, AI and Investing in the Age of State-Led Capitalism
In an era where free markets are increasingly shaped by state power, investors need to understand the nexus of geopolitics, political economy and exponential technologies as a tool of statecraft. BPI’s Matt Pines and Zack Shapiro join Zack Cohen to examine how U.S. industrial policy, AI...
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Economists Discuss Block Fullness, Security, and the Price of Bitcoin
In this conversation, Renee Sorchik discusses with Dr. Joshua Hendrickson and Dr. William Luther the implications of their research on Bitcoin, focusing on the relationship between block size, security, and the price of Bitcoin. They explore how block congestion can act as a deterrent to criminal...
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Bitcoin & Elections: What the Leading Pollsters See Coming in the Midterms
In this episode, Renee Sorchik, VP of Research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, sits down with Brent Buchanan, CEO of Cygnal, America’s leading polling firm, and Troy Cross, professor at Reed College and co-founder of the Nakamoto Project. Together they dive deeper into new polling data and…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 11: Why the Quantum Threat to Bitcoin Matters for US-China Conflict
What future risk does quantum computing pose to Bitcoin, and how can we think of those risks in terms of their potential geopolitical outcomes?In this episode of Bitcoin Policy Hour, Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro and Zack Cohen recap the "Crypto Week" legislative wins, followed by a deep dive on…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 10: Crypto Week, CBDC Drama, $120k BTC w/ David Zell
In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, the Bitcoin Policy Institute's Zack Cohen and Zack Shapiro are joined by special guest David Zell, (BPI Co-founder) to break down Crypto Week in DC, including the Genius Act, anti-CBDC legislation, and the Clarity Act.The team analyzes the recent surge…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 9: Elon's America Party Bitcoin Embrace & 80K BTC "Hack" a Quantum Canary?
Elon Musk’s newly-stated alignment with the so-called “America Party” might mark a turning point in Bitcoin politics—but could it also polarize Trump against BTC? In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, BPI’s Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro, and Zack Cohen unpack the political chessboard as Elon...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 8: Running it Hot, The Big Beautiful Bill Debt Playbook Explained
The U.S. government is running it hot — and Bitcoin may be the only exit.In episode 8 of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, the Bitcoin Policy Institute team — Executive Director Matthew Pines, Head of Policy Zack Shapiro, and Associate Zack Cohen — break down what just happened with the Big Beautiful Bill...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 7: From $2T to $10T, How Bitcoin Will Re-Architech Political Power in America
At the nexus of AI, international relations and monetary policy, Bitcoin’s rise is poised to change the distribution and consolidation of power across the political stack. 00:00 - Intro: From the Bitcoin Policy Summit in DC 04:00 - Why Bitcoin touches every policy domain 06:00 - National security...
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Bitcoin as Collateral: A New Era in Home Financing with Yaël Ossowski
In this conversation, Renee Sorchik and Yaël Ossowski discuss the concept of Bitcoin-based mortgages, exploring how Bitcoin can be integrated into the traditional mortgage system. They delve into the potential market for such mortgages, the regulatory landscape, and the role of institutions like...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 6: The Riyadh Accord, Bitcoin Treasury Arbitrage & Tech Feudalism
In Episode 6 The Bitcoin Policy Hour, our team unpacks the emerging “Riyadh Accord,” a sweeping geopolitical realignment where the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf nations are bundling AI, Bitcoin, and techno-industrial leverage into a new framework of global influence.As Blackwell…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 5: Bitcoinizing the Dollar, The GENIUS Act & Samourai Wallet
Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro and Zack Cohen tackle three pivotal issues shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory in episode 5 of the Bitcoin Policy Hour. They explore the rapid expansion of stablecoins into the energy and commodity sectors, the legal showdown over Samourai Wallet and its implications for...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 4: The Bitcoin Space Race, Why The U.S. Risks Falling Behind Its Rivals
In this urgent and wide-ranging conversation, Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro, and Zack Cohen explain why the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) must be the top legislative priority — not market structure bills or stablecoin regulations. As China and the Middle East move faster on sovereign Bitcoin...
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Bitcoin Adoption Survey Results with Sarah Kreps and Ella Hough
This conversation explores global research on Bitcoin adoption, with a focus on survey and interview methodologies, insights from qualitative data, and the factors driving or hindering adoption across different countries. It emphasizes the human stories behind Bitcoin use and the need for…
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 3: Post-AGI Economics in the Age of Bitcoin
Policy experts Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro, and Zack Cohen explore the radical implications of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and how Bitcoin might serve as a stabilizing counterforce in a world dominated by AI. Drawing from the viral “AI 2027” scenario, we examine the risks of alignment...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 2: Bitcoin vs. Gold, The U.S. Strategic Pivot Explained
Episode #2 of the Bitcoin Policy Hour hosted by the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Geopolitics and policy experts Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro and Zack Cohen discuss America's Bitcoin and gold strategies in the context of a new monetary order and U.S.-China competition. They game out for what reasons,...
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BitBonds: An Idea Whose Time Has Come with Andrew Hohns and Matthew Pines
In this conversation, Renee Sorchik, Andrew Hohns, and Matt Pines explore the concept of BitBonds—Bitcoin-backed treasury bonds designed to tackle the U.S. national debt—while highlighting the legislative challenges, bipartisan potential, and broader economic benefits of such an initiative. They...
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Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 1: Wargaming the Mar-a-Lago Accord: Tariffs, Bitcoin and Stablecoins
Episode #1 of "The Bitcoin Policy Hour", a new show by Bitcoin Magazine and the Bitcoin Policy Institute where we cover all things geopolitics, public policy and Bitcoin.Geopolitics and policy experts Matthew Pines, Zack Shapiro and Zack Cohen discuss the Trump admin's tariff gambit in the…
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Then They Fight You with Avik Roy
In this conversation, Avik Roy discusses his insights on Bitcoin policy, the implications of fiscal collapse, and the distribution of wealth within the Bitcoin ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of government attitudes towards Bitcoin and explores various scenarios that could unfold in the...
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Mining American Bitcoin in Africa with Jake Langenkamp
Jake Langenkamp is a former active-duty service member and former civil servant with the U.S. Department of Defense. He is also the founder of Bridger, a Bitcoin mining company. BPI’s Vice President of Research, Renee Sorchik, sat down with Jake to discuss how Bitcoin mining in Africa could…
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Bitcoin is for Freedom Fighters with Jorge Jraissati
Jorge Jraissati is an economist and policy expert with deep insights into Venezuela’s political and economic landscape. He has worked extensively on issues related to authoritarian regimes, financial repression, and the role of Bitcoin in promoting economic freedom.Learn more about Jorge:...
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Economics Professors on the Bitcoin Standard with Thomas Hogan, William Luther, and Josh Hendrickson
Dr. Joshua R. Hendrickson is an associate professor of economics and chair of the Economics Department at the University of Mississippi. Thomas L. Hogan is an Associate Professor in the Center for Economics, Politics, and History at the University of Austin. Dr. William J. Luther is an assistant...
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Bitcoin Policy and the Trump Administration with Zack Shapiro and Matthew Pines
Matthew Pines is the Head of Strategy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and the Director of Security Advisory at SentinelOne. Zack Shapiro is the Head of Policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and the Managing Partner at Rains Law. BPI's Zack Cohen sat down with Zack Shapiro and Matthew Pines to...
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Webinar 5: Saving Privacy and Debanking with Yaël Ossowski
Yaël Ossowski is a consumer and technology advocate, policy analyst, and writer. He is deputy director at the Consumer Choice Center and a Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this webinar we discuss privacy, financial surveillance, debanking, the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and other recent...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The BPI team comprises experts in economics, law, philosophy, energy, and environmental science, working together to explore the impacts of new technology on existing US public policy interests. Below you'll find a variety of shows featuring BPI fellows, staff and guests, all of which explore the intersection of Bitcoin and United States policy.
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Bitcoin Policy Institute
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Bitcoin Policy Institute have?
Bitcoin Policy Institute currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Bitcoin Policy Institute about?
The BPI team comprises experts in economics, law, philosophy, energy, and environmental science, working together to explore the impacts of new technology on existing US public policy interests. Below you'll find a variety of shows featuring BPI fellows, staff and guests, all of which explore the...
How often does Bitcoin Policy Institute release new episodes?
Bitcoin Policy Institute has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Bitcoin Policy Institute on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Bitcoin Policy Institute?
Bitcoin Policy Institute is created and hosted by Bitcoin Policy Institute.
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