Nostr notes by BitopiaLand

Gold-backed systems only worked in the past because there was no ...

2025-01-12T12:30:21Z

Gold-backed systems only worked in the past because there was no better alternative.

Now there is…

Analog systems always fall to digital innovation. Amazon replaced ...

2025-01-12T12:30:10Z

Analog systems always fall to digital innovation.

Amazon replaced bookstores, Netflix replaced DVDs, Google replaced encyclopedias, Facebook replaced traditional communication.

Bitcoin will replace gold.

The Rise and Fall of Gold-Backed Systems Gold was money for ...

2025-01-07T16:53:55Z

The Rise and Fall of Gold-Backed Systems

Gold was money for thousands of years, universally accepted because of its scarcity and durability.

However, as global trade developed, the world ran into gold’s main limitation – physical gold couldn’t keep up with trade.

This led to gold being replaced by gold-backed currencies, which combined gold reliability with the convenience of paper money. Yet, this hybrid system inherited gold’s flaws while introducing its own.

Gold’s supply uncertainty remained a major weakness. Sudden discoveries, like Spain’s conquest of South America or the California Gold Rush, destabilized economies by flooding markets with new gold.

Worse, gold-backed systems led to the centralization of reserves, concentrating power in the hands of governments and banks.

This led to the inevitable corruption and mismanagement of the money supply, which quickly became inflated at the expense of holders of gold-backed currencies.

The step towards full fiat was a small one after this…

Gold-backed systems centralized gold in the hands of banks and ...

2025-01-07T16:53:40Z

Gold-backed systems centralized gold in the hands of banks and governments, creating single points of failure.

Corruption and mismanagement were inevitable.

Bitcoin solved this.

Gold’s supply has always been uncertain. Sudden ...

2025-01-07T16:53:25Z

Gold’s supply has always been uncertain.

Sudden discoveries—like Spain conquering South America or the California Gold Rush—flooded markets and destabilised economies.

Bitcoin’s 21 million hard cap solves this once and for all.

Gold-backed currencies tried to solve gold’s limitations by ...

2025-01-07T16:53:00Z

Gold-backed currencies tried to solve gold’s limitations by pairing its stability with paper’s convenience.

Instead, they inherited gold’s flaws and created new ones: supply uncertainty, centralization, and the inevitable corruption.

How Bitcoin Will Undermine Trust in Gold-Backed Systems Fiat has ...

2025-01-07T16:52:33Z

How Bitcoin Will Undermine Trust in Gold-Backed Systems

Fiat has entered its final phase, falling victim to its inherent flaws.

Decades of money printing, unchecked government spending and the Cantillion effect (those closest to the money printer benefit at the behest of the rest of us) are finally taking its toll.

As calls for a return to hard money grow louder, it is only the most astute Cantillion economists (and their government backers) who believe money supply should be managed by “a council of wise (wo)men”.

Among those seeking hard money are the BRICS nations, who are looking into creating a gold-backed system to challenge the fiat dollar’s dominance.

This would have been a great idea, were it not for Bitcoin. With the existence of Bitcoin any attempt to create gold-backed systems is doomed from the start.

Gold was money for thousands of years because of its scarcity and ...

2025-01-07T16:52:15Z

Gold was money for thousands of years because of its scarcity and durability.

But as global trade grew, gold’s limitations became clear—it couldn’t keep up with the pace of commerce.

Enter gold-backed currencies… and the beginning of gold’s downfall.

BRICS nations think a gold-backed system is the solution to the ...

2025-01-07T16:51:44Z

BRICS nations think a gold-backed system is the solution to the dollar’s dominance.

Would have been a great idea…if Bitcoin didn’t exist.

Now it is 100% doomed to fail.

Endless money printing, reckless government spending, and the ...

2025-01-07T16:50:54Z

Endless money printing, reckless government spending, and the Cantillon Effect enriching a few while impoverishing the rest.

Time for hard money again, but let’s be clear: the only answer is Bitcoin.

Neutral Money for a Fractured Nation Syria’s fragmentation into ...

2024-12-17T18:24:23Z

Neutral Money for a Fractured Nation

Syria’s fragmentation into enclaves controlled by competing ethnic militias creates barriers to trade and cooperation. Each faction has its own priorities, and foreign backers, making the use of politically-aligned fiat currencies problematic.

Bitcoin is perfect in this environment.

Unlike national currencies, Bitcoin is not tied to any group, ideology, or external sponsor. It allows families to trade without relying on the approval of any faction.

Cross-border Bitcoin transactions enable financial aid to war ...

2024-12-17T18:24:11Z

Cross-border Bitcoin transactions enable financial aid to war torn regions

Bitcoin bypasses corrupt systems and sanctions, letting ...

2024-12-17T18:23:59Z

Bitcoin bypasses corrupt systems and sanctions, letting international donors send aid securely and instantly to Syrian families.

Aid in Syria is often stolen or blocked by militias. Bitcoin ...

2024-12-17T18:23:06Z

Aid in Syria is often stolen or blocked by militias.

Bitcoin changes this, allowing funds to flow directly to those in need.

Bitcoin as a Store of Value in a Fragmented State Traditional ...

2024-12-17T18:22:21Z

Bitcoin as a Store of Value in a Fragmented State

Traditional ways of storing wealth—stocks, bonds, real estate, gold—are either impossible or very risky in today’s Syria. Property can be seized and legal protections do not exist.

Families and clans face the risk of losing everything they’ve worked for in an instant.

Bitcoin is the secure alternative.

No authority in the country can confiscate it. It can be safeguarded with 24 words on a piece of paper, and thus taken anywhere at a whim.

For those living Syria’s fractured reality, Bitcoin can be the digital vault, protecting wealth and what little security remains.

Unlike fiat, Bitcoin isn’t tied to any group, foreign sponsor, ...

2024-12-17T18:22:00Z

Unlike fiat, Bitcoin isn’t tied to any group, foreign sponsor, or ideology.

It enables people to trade freely across Syria’s fractured enclaves.

Divided regions in Syria struggle with trade. Politically aligned ...

2024-12-17T18:21:14Z

Divided regions in Syria struggle with trade.

Politically aligned fiat currencies worsen divisions.

Bitcoin is the neutral solution for trade

Bitcoin allows families to safeguard wealth and carry it ...

2024-12-17T18:20:18Z

Bitcoin allows families to safeguard wealth and carry it anywhere.

A digital vault immune to confiscation.

Syria and the Case for Bitcoin Amidst the backdrop of competing ...

2024-12-15T13:29:26Z

Syria and the Case for Bitcoin

Amidst the backdrop of competing ethnic militias, Syria faces economic devastation, fractured governance, and the threat of more conflict.

In this fragmented and volatile environment, Bitcoin offers a practical solution to stabilize and secure the lives of families and individuals.

Bitcoin’s decentralized design offers a foundation for safety and prosperity when trust is scarce and governance has broken down.

Bitcoin requires at least temporary internet access, but it is reasonable to assume that within most families, there is at least one phone with sporadic connectivity. This minimal access is sufficient to buy, manage, and secure Bitcoin offline.

Storing wealth in Syria is risky. Gold can be stolen, property ...

2024-12-15T13:29:08Z

Storing wealth in Syria is risky.

Gold can be stolen, property lacks (legal) protection.

Bitcoin, secured by 24 words, is the common-sense alternative.

Bitcoin’s decentralized design provides safety when trust is ...

2024-12-15T13:28:31Z

Bitcoin’s decentralized design provides safety when trust is scarce and governance has broken down.

Even with sporadic internet access, Bitcoin can be used

Syria faces economic devastation, fractured governance, and ...

2024-12-15T13:27:45Z

Syria faces economic devastation, fractured governance, and on-going conflict.

In this chaos, Bitcoin offers families a way to secure the wealth they still have.

From Stagnation to Innovation: Bitcoin as a Cultural Reset ...

2024-12-04T18:12:19Z

From Stagnation to Innovation: Bitcoin as a Cultural Reset

Societies across the globe are burdened by rising debt and driven by instant gratification—both symptoms of short-term thinking caused by unsound fiat money. This mindset leaves individuals and nations vulnerable to long-term challenges.

Pursuing immediate rewards instead of creating long-term value stifles technological progress and leads to cultural stagnation.

Enter Bitcoin

Unlike fiat currencies that devalue over time, Bitcoin's deflationary model encourages saving, planning, and investment in the future.
At its core, Bitcoin promotes a mindset shift, fostering a return to values that prioritize long term thinking and deferring gratification over short-term indulgence.

From Prosperity to Collapse: Lessons from Monetary History

History offers powerful examples of the transformative impact of sound money.

During the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, societies flourished because stable monetary systems encouraged saving, investment, and innovation.

Gold-backed currencies provided a foundation for long-term thinking. This long-term thinking in turn led to extraordinary advancements in art, science, and industry.

In stark contrast, periods of unsound money led to decline. The fall of the Roman Empire, for instance, was accelerated by currency debasement, forcing a vicious cycle of short-term survivalism on Roman society.

Similar patterns have played out in other civilizations, like Weimar Germany in the 1920s or 15th century Ming China. Money printing leads to inflation, which in turn forces short-term thinking on people at the expense of long-term value creation.

When sound money gets abandoned, short-term thinking and instant gratification takes precedence of long-term value creation. And more often than not this leads to either collapse or the start of an extended collapse.

How Bitcoin Shapes Long-Term Thinking

Bitcoin reshapes societal values by fostering long-term thinking. Unlike fiat currencies, which lose value over time, Bitcoin's deflationary feature incentivizes saving and prudent financial planning.

The more people save, the more they shift their focus from immediate consumption to future-oriented goals.
This shift will have a profound impact on societal priorities. A culture that embraces Bitcoin is likely to prioritize health, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

When individuals know their savings will grow in purchasing power, they are more inclined to invest in their well-being and pursue lifelong learning to improve their future prospects.

Entrepreneurs, too, will benefit from this mindset, as accumulated savings create the capital needed for innovation and productivity increases.

Transforming Nations Through Bitcoin

The adoption of Bitcoin transforms nations by fostering a culture of long-term thinking and fiscal responsibility. Bitcoin provides the hard money alternative that curtails inflationary pressures and encourages economic growth.

When a nation adopts Bitcoin, its citizens benefit from money that retains its purchasing power, creating a culture of savings and prudent investment. This financial stability translates into more entrepreneurial activity, as individuals and businesses can plan with confidence, unburdened by the fear of eroding wealth.

Bitcoin adoption would renew the economic strength of nations like those in the West, which have long been plagued by debt-fueled consumption and short-term policymaking. By embracing Bitcoin, these nations can shift away from short-term consumption and short-term thinking, increasing their likelihood of economic reinvigoration.
For developing nations, Bitcoin presents a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional financial systems and establish themselves as innovation hubs. Countries like El Salvador are already showcasing how Bitcoin can attract investment, drive technological growth, and elevate global standing.

By adopting Bitcoin, nations go on a journey toward economic resilience, building societies grounded in sound money, innovation, and long-term value creation.

Reversing Decline: Bitcoin as a (Cultural) Renaissance

By promoting long-term thinking, Bitcoin has the potential to reverse the decadence and stagnation that accompany unsound monetary systems.
As history shows, civilizations thrive when they embrace long-term thinking, saving, and investment. Bitcoin offers a clear path toward economic stability, innovation, and cultural rejuvenation.

For nations, the adoption of Bitcoin represents not just an economic shift but a cultural reset. By adopting Bitcoin, nations enter a new era of growth, innovation, and cultural vitality—one where society thrives for generations to come.

How Bitcoin Shapes Long-Term Thinking Bitcoin reshapes societal ...

2024-12-03T18:36:52Z

How Bitcoin Shapes Long-Term Thinking

Bitcoin reshapes societal values by fostering long-term thinking. Unlike fiat currencies, which lose value over time, Bitcoin's deflationary feature incentivizes saving and prudent financial planning.

The more people save, the more they shift their focus from immediate consumption to future-oriented goals.

This shift will have a profound impact on societal priorities. A culture that embraces Bitcoin is likely to prioritize health, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

When individuals know their savings will grow in purchasing power, they are more inclined to invest in their well-being and pursue lifelong learning to improve their future prospects.

Entrepreneurs, too, will benefit from this mindset, as accumulated savings create the capital needed for innovation and productivity increases.

Developing nations can leapfrog traditional systems with Bitcoin. ...

2024-12-03T18:36:31Z

Developing nations can leapfrog traditional systems with Bitcoin.

El Salvador is proving how Bitcoin adoption attracts investment, drives innovation, and elevates a nation’s global standing.

The West suffers from debt-fueled consumption and short-term ...

2024-12-03T18:35:59Z

The West suffers from debt-fueled consumption and short-term policymaking.

Bitcoin offers the chance for economic reinvigoration by fostering investment over consumption and long-term thinking.

Entrepreneurs thrive in the Bitcoin system. Savings provide the ...

2024-12-03T18:35:20Z

Entrepreneurs thrive in the Bitcoin system.

Savings provide the capital for innovation and productivity gains.

From Prosperity to Collapse: Lessons from Monetary History ...

2024-12-02T18:07:38Z

From Prosperity to Collapse: Lessons from Monetary History

History offers powerful examples of the transformative impact of sound money.

During the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, societies flourished because stable monetary systems encouraged saving, investment, and innovation.

Gold-backed currencies provided a foundation for long-term thinking. This long-term thinking in turn led to extraordinary advancements in art, science, and industry.

In stark contrast, periods of unsound money led to decline. The fall of the Roman Empire, for instance, was accelerated by currency debasement, forcing a vicious cycle of short-term survivalism on Roman society.

Similar patterns have played out in other civilizations, like Weimar Germany in the 1920s or 15th century Ming China. Money printing leads to inflation, which in turn forces short-term thinking on people at the expense of long-term value creation.

When sound money gets abandoned, short-term thinking and instant gratification takes precedence of long-term value creation. And more often than not this leads to either collapse or the start of an extended collapse.

A Bitcoin-centric society will prioritize health, ...

2024-12-02T18:07:12Z

A Bitcoin-centric society will prioritize health, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

When savings grow in purchasing power, people invest in their well-being and long-term goals.

Bitcoin encourages long-term thinking by incentivizing saving. ...

2024-12-02T18:06:05Z

Bitcoin encourages long-term thinking by incentivizing saving.

Knowing your wealth will grow in value drives you to prioritize the future over immediate consumption.

It’s a mindset shift that reshapes society.

The Roman Empire's fall was hastened by currency debasement. ...

2024-12-02T18:05:11Z

The Roman Empire's fall was hastened by currency debasement.

Inflation forced short-term survivalism over long-term value creation.

Similar patterns emerged in Weimar Germany and Ming China.

History is clear: unsound money leads to collapse.

From Stagnation to Innovation: Bitcoin as a Cultural Reset ...

2024-12-01T14:14:12Z

History shows civilizations thrive under sound money. The ...

2024-12-01T14:13:04Z

History shows civilizations thrive under sound money.

The Renaissance and Industrial Revolution flourished because stable currencies encouraged saving and long-term thinking.

This led to innovation, and cultural growth.

Fiat currencies devalue over time, encouraging short-term ...

2024-12-01T14:09:15Z

Fiat currencies devalue over time, encouraging short-term consumption.

Bitcoin, with its deflationary model, promotes saving, planning, and investing in the future.

It’s a shift from short-term indulgence to long-term value creation.

Societies burdened by debt and driven by instant gratification ...

2024-12-01T14:04:53Z

Societies burdened by debt and driven by instant gratification suffer from short-term thinking caused by unsound fiat money.

This mindset stifles progress and leads to cultural stagnation.

Bitcoin offers a path to reverse this.

Bitcoin Hashpower: The New Metric of Global Power Bitcoin is ...

2024-11-27T17:45:59Z

Bitcoin Hashpower: The New Metric of Global Power

Bitcoin is poised to become the backbone of global financial transactions. Controlling Bitcoin hashpower—the computational force securing the network and publishing blocks—will soon become a strategic necessity for every nation.

By controlling hashpower, nations can safeguard their sovereignty, ensuring their transactions are prioritised. Additionally, it enables them to influence financial flows to benefit allies while obstructing rival nations from using the network.

Hashpower grants the ability to control the new financial system, forcing rivals to incur higher costs for participation—or excluding them entirely.

Much like control over oil pipelines or the U.S. dollar in the 20th century, hashpower will define nation state power in the 21st.

Nations failing to secure their share of hashpower risk financial serfdom and will lose their sovereignty.

Hashpower as a Strategic Asset

Hashpower controlled by a nation increases its likelihood of winning the next Bitcoin block, earning rewards through transaction fees and block subsidies.

Winning a block also grants the miner authority to decide which transactions to include or exclude. This capability enables nations to prioritise their own transactions while censoring those of rivals.

In a world increasingly dependent on Bitcoin for trade, this capability is as critical as a navy or air force was in the past.

Securing hashpower within national borders is a strategic imperative and should be a top priority for nations today.

Without hashpower, nations risk being at the mercy of others—a precarious position, as history has often shown.

Lessons from History: How Resource Control Shapes Power

History shows the significance of controlling essential resources. For decades, the U.S. has used its control of the world reserve currency, the dollar, to maintain global dominance.

The Roman Empire’s monopoly on salt—vital for food preservation—allowed it to assert economic dominance over dependent territories.

Similarly, during the 1600s to 1800s, the Dutch East India Company monopolised the Indonesian spice trade. Spices were popular in Europe and became a source of immense wealth and power for the Netherlands.

The U.S. imposed an oil embargo on Japan in 1941, cutting off critical energy supplies. This move significantly pressured Japan’s economy and contributed to its decision to escalate militarily (culminating in the attack on Pearl Harbor).

Just as salt, spices and oil defined geopolitical power in the past, Bitcoin mining is going to be the 21st-century equivalent.

Nations Competing for Hashpower

Several nations are already developing their Bitcoin mining sectors. Countries like El Salvador and Kazakhstan are incentivizing Bitcoin mining, while the U.S. has emerged as a global leader in this space.

The game theory of Bitcoin mining favours early movers; nations that establish strong mining sectors today will control more Bitcoin and reap greater benefits in the future.

Developing a thriving Bitcoin mining industry requires cheap energy, advanced technology, and manufacturing capabilities.

Additionally, geopolitical partnerships focused on Bitcoin mining and energy collaboration will become critical.

Smaller nations, such as Bhutan, must also navigate threats from neighbours that may seek to confiscate their mining resources through military means. Bhutan will probably have to “ally” with either India or China in order to survive.

"Hash Wars": Bitcoin Mining as the New Arms Race

The competition for hashpower will evolve into a geopolitical arms race. Max Keiser’s term “hash wars” perfectly describes this struggle, as nations vie to dominate Bitcoin mining.

Potential flashpoints include disputes over Bitcoin mining supply chains, technological know-how, and access to cheap energy.

Alliances for collaborative mining will emerge, but conflicts are inevitable. Economic sanctions could target nations’ hashpower, and in extreme cases, military action may be used to seize control over mining infrastructure.

Control over Bitcoin mining infrastructure will become as strategic as oil fields or semiconductor fabs.

A New Paradigm: Hashpower’s Rise

Bitcoin hashpower will surpass traditional metrics of geopolitical power.

Nations that fail to recognize this shift risk losing financial sovereignty and falling subordinate to those that act.

Policymakers must act now to secure their share of this critical resource—or risk falling into geopolitical irrelevance.

Lessons from History: How Resource Control Shapes Power History ...

2024-11-26T17:52:44Z

Lessons from History: How Resource Control Shapes Power

History shows the significance of controlling essential resources. For decades, the U.S. has used its control of the world reserve currency, the dollar, to maintain global dominance.

The Roman Empire’s monopoly on salt—vital for food preservation—allowed it to assert economic dominance over dependent territories.

Similarly, during the 1600s to 1800s, the Dutch East India Company monopolised the Indonesian spice trade. Spices were popular in Europe and became a source of immense wealth and power for the Netherlands.

The U.S. oil embargo on Japan in 1941 crippled Japan’s economy ...

2024-11-26T17:52:28Z

The U.S. oil embargo on Japan in 1941 crippled Japan’s economy and escalated conflict.

Control over resources shapes history—and hashpower is next.

The Roman Empire controlled salt. The Dutch monopolised spices. ...

2024-11-26T17:51:35Z

The Roman Empire controlled salt.

The Dutch monopolised spices.

The U.S. dominated oil.

In the 21st century, Bitcoin hashpower will define geopolitical power.

Securing hashpower within national borders is essential. A nation ...

2024-11-26T17:50:25Z

Securing hashpower within national borders is essential.

A nation without it is at the mercy of others.

Hashpower as a Strategic Asset Hashpower controlled by a nation ...

2024-11-25T16:23:38Z

Hashpower as a Strategic Asset

Hashpower controlled by a nation increases its likelihood of winning the next Bitcoin block, earning rewards through transaction fees and block subsidies.

Winning a block also grants the miner authority to decide which transactions to include or exclude. This capability enables nations to prioritise their own transactions while censoring those of rivals.

In a world increasingly dependent on Bitcoin for trade, this capability is as critical as a navy or air force was in the past.

Securing hashpower within national borders is a strategic imperative and should be a top priority for nations today.

Without hashpower, nations risk being at the mercy of others—a precarious position, as history has often shown.

Hashpower will become as critical to national strategy as navies ...

2024-11-25T16:23:22Z

Hashpower will become as critical to national strategy as navies and air forces were in the 20th century.

Winning Bitcoin blocks isn’t just profitable—it grants ...

2024-11-25T16:20:34Z

Winning Bitcoin blocks isn’t just profitable—it grants control.

Nations can decide which transactions are processed and which are censored.

Without a share of Bitcoin hashpower, nations risk financial ...

2024-11-25T16:20:06Z

Without a share of Bitcoin hashpower, nations risk financial subjugation. History shows the cost of being at the mercy of others.

Bitcoin Hashpower: The New Metric of Global Power Bitcoin is ...

2024-11-24T18:20:41Z

Controlling hashpower allows nations to prioritise their own ...

2024-11-24T18:20:25Z

Controlling hashpower allows nations to prioritise their own transactions, support allies, and block rivals from the financial system.

Hashpower—the computational force securing Bitcoin—will ...

2024-11-24T18:19:26Z

Hashpower—the computational force securing Bitcoin—will define sovereignty in the 21st century.

Nations must act or risk falling behind.

Bitcoin is poised to become the backbone of global financial ...

2024-11-24T18:18:49Z

Bitcoin is poised to become the backbone of global financial transactions.

Nations that control Bitcoin hashpower will dominate the financial system of tomorrow.

Nations that fail to adopt Bitcoin face a grim future. Servitude ...

2024-11-24T04:07:35Z

Nations that fail to adopt Bitcoin face a grim future. Servitude to forward-thinking nations will define those that ignore Bitcoin.

Adopt or die.

Bitcoin’s incentives extend its benefits to every industry and ...

2024-11-24T04:07:07Z

Bitcoin’s incentives extend its benefits to every industry and every citizen.

The choice is simple: adopt Bitcoin or fall behind.

Bitcoin mining is more than an economic opportunity—it’s a ...

2024-11-24T04:06:49Z

Bitcoin mining is more than an economic opportunity—it’s a lifeline for nations to achieve energy abundance and sovereignty.

Incentivize miners to buy chips and equipment locally. Invest in ...

2024-11-23T06:13:49Z

Incentivize miners to buy chips and equipment locally. Invest in research partnerships between the state, universities, and private firms to fuel innovation.

Start with simple steps: eliminate capital gains tax on Bitcoin ...

2024-11-23T06:13:35Z

Start with simple steps: eliminate capital gains tax on Bitcoin and reduce corporate taxes for miners. Build an environment that attracts mining operations.

Nations should encourage Bitcoin mining if they want to remain ...

2024-11-23T06:13:17Z

Nations should encourage Bitcoin mining if they want to remain sovereign nations

Bitcoin mining isn’t just about the economy—it’s about ...

2024-11-21T16:47:59Z

Bitcoin mining isn’t just about the economy—it’s about providing cheap energy to the nation and harnessing all the productive benefits that come from this cheap energy.

More energy projects become viable because of Bitcoin mining, ...

2024-11-21T16:47:17Z

More energy projects become viable because of Bitcoin mining, increasing supply and driving down electricity prices.

Industries and households benefit from the ripple effect.

Bitcoin mining will drive energy abundance Bitcoin mining’s ...

2024-11-21T16:47:04Z

Bitcoin mining will drive energy abundance

Bitcoin mining’s hunger for cheap energy is not a bug—it’s a feature. Miners seek out and incentivize cheap energy.

Bitcoin Mining: The Key to a Domestic Chip Industry Trump’s ...

2024-11-20T17:44:42Z

Bitcoin Mining: The Key to a Domestic Chip Industry

Trump’s victory signals massive incoming nation-state Bitcoin adoption.

Bitcoin is now officially an important geopolitical resource.. Probably the most important one…

Purchasing power will be defined in Bitcoin and nations will want to own as much as possible.

Bitcoin mining gives nations the ability to conduct the most important economic transactions (and impede competitors from doing theirs). Not having domestic mining operations will be a vulnerable position to be in…

Bitcoin mining also offers nations a unique chance to strengthen important domestic industries.

Hash Wars: The New Battleground for Nation-States

Nation-state competition will revolve around control over hash rate, the computational power securing Bitcoin's network.

Countries that dominate hash rate will have the power to control transactions on the Bitcoin network.

Bitcoin mining relies on advanced chips, such as Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), designed for maximum efficiency. This creates consistent demand for cutting-edge semiconductor technologies.

Nations embracing Bitcoin mining are uniquely positioned to redirect this demand into developing domestic chip development capabilities.

Transforming Bitcoin Demand into Chip Innovation

The demand generated by Bitcoin mining offers a great opportunity to boost local chip production. By encouraging miners to source chips domestically, nations can create a cycle of innovation and investment.

This approach will help develop a domestic ecosystem around the production of technologies needed for Bitcon mining and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Chip manufacturing will be one of those industries and produce chips, not only for Bitcoin mining, but for every industry that needs them.

Bitcoin Mining will Drive Energy Abundance

Bitcoin mining doesn’t just impact technology—it also drives energy innovation. Mining operations naturally want to find the cheapest energy sources.

This will lead to breakthroughs in cheap energy because mining operations will make more energy projects profitable. This allows more energy sources to come online…

This increase in supply will cause a decrease in electricity prices, from which resident areas and other industries also profit.

Winning the Bitcoin Race with Smart Policies

To optimise the potential of Bitcoin mining, governments should adopt a strategy that encourages mining AND encourages domestic sourcing of mining equipment.

Nations should actively encourage Bitcoin adoption and mining operations, ensuring they are a serious participation in the global Bitcoin economy. Removing capital gains tax on Bitcoin and lowering corporate taxes for mining companies would be a good start.

Second, incentives should be established for mining companies to source chips and other equipment domestically.

Finally, governments must invest in research and development partnerships with universities and private firms to build a competitive semiconductor industry.

The Only Path to Sovereignty

Bitcoin mining presents a transformative opportunity for nations to bolster domestic chip industries and achieve energy abundance.

By aligning policy with Bitcoin's economic incentives, nations can extend the benefits of Bitcoin into other industries and thus into the lives of its citizens.

Adopting Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining is not only a great opportunity for nations, it is an absolute must.

Nations that fail to do so are doomed to a fate of servitude to nations that did have the vision to adopt this new paradigm.

Bitcoin mining with locally developed chips will also drive other ...

2024-11-19T15:43:47Z

Bitcoin mining with locally developed chips will also drive other industries like AI, cars, telecommunications and much much more.

Encouraging miners to source chips domestically creates a cycle ...

2024-11-19T15:43:18Z

Encouraging miners to source chips domestically creates a cycle of innovation and investment.

Nations gain both tech leadership and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Bitcoin mining offers a shortcut to develop a domestic ...

2024-11-19T15:43:05Z

Bitcoin mining offers a shortcut to develop a domestic semiconductor industry

Bitcoin mining relies on cutting-edge chips, like ASICs, for ...

2024-11-18T17:23:56Z

Bitcoin mining relies on cutting-edge chips, like ASICs, for efficiency. This creates unlimited demand for advanced semiconductor technologies.

Countries that dominate hash rate gain unparalleled power: ...

2024-11-18T17:23:29Z

Countries that dominate hash rate gain unparalleled power: control over transactions

Control over hash rate is the new arms race. The computational ...

2024-11-18T17:23:01Z

Control over hash rate is the new arms race. The computational power securing Bitcoin's network will define global prominence.

Bitcoin mining is not just about hash rate. It’s also a great ...

2024-11-17T13:57:06Z

Bitcoin mining is not just about hash rate. It’s also a great opportunity for nations to strengthen vital domestic industries.

The chip sector is the most important one.

Purchasing power will be defined in Bitcoin, and nations will ...

2024-11-17T13:56:51Z

Purchasing power will be defined in Bitcoin, and nations will compete to own as much as possible.

Owning hash rate = controlling transactions.

No mining? No influence.

Trump’s victory is the official start of the Great Power Hash ...

2024-11-17T13:54:51Z

Trump’s victory is the official start of the Great Power Hash Wars.

Bitcoin is now officially an important geopolitical resource.

If the US doesn't want to pay Bitcoin for Chinese goods, its ...

2024-11-15T12:35:30Z

If the US doesn't want to pay Bitcoin for Chinese goods, its only choice is to innovate and produce goods that China and the world genuinely desire.

The US will be just as reluctant to supply Bitcoin to China as ...

2024-11-15T12:35:00Z

The US will be just as reluctant to supply Bitcoin to China as Britain was with silver, but it won’t be able to rely on force

The modern Opium War seems unlikely to succeed—China’s ...

2024-11-15T12:34:35Z

The modern Opium War seems unlikely to succeed—China’s military and tech gap with the US is far smaller than it was with Britain in the 1800s

The US may even try military pressure to force China to accept ...

2024-11-14T17:34:11Z

The US may even try military pressure to force China to accept anyting but Bitcoin for their trade deficits.

The US may very well attempt economic coercion and sanctions if ...

2024-11-14T17:34:00Z

The US may very well attempt economic coercion and sanctions if China demanded it only pay with Bitcoin for the trade deficit

Nations will be reluctant to part with their Bitcoin reserves, ...

2024-11-14T17:33:32Z

Nations will be reluctant to part with their Bitcoin reserves, but will need vital products...

The Modern Opium War will be Fought over Bitcoin The Opium Wars ...

2024-11-13T16:30:33Z

The Modern Opium War will be Fought over Bitcoin

The Opium Wars of the 19th century were about silver. The 21st century equivalent will be about Bitcoin.

In the 1800s Britain desired Chinese goods (tea and silk) but produced nothing the Chinese desired. China only wanted silver, and Britain’s silver reserves went down fast.

Britain solved this by militarily forcing China to accept opium, for which the decaying Qing society had a high demand.

With the rise of Bitcoin as the economic resource nations compete over, we might see a similar dynamic play out in the future: The US having a high demand for Chinese products, but producing nothing the Chinese want.

Reluctant to see its strategic Bitcoin reserves dwindle too fast, the US might try to force China to accept anything else but Bitcoin.

What if the US Produces Nothing the Chinese Want?

Today’s trade landscape echoes the 19th-century economic imbalance that fueled the Opium Wars. The US imports vast amounts of goods from China but has fewer products China desires in return.

China, as the “factory of the world,” produces everything from high-tech components to consumer goods.

The US further restricts exports of key technologies, like semiconductors, limiting its appeal in China’s eyes.

If China were to accept only Bitcoin, the US could face a strategic dilemma.

It will be reluctant to see its strategic Bitcoin reserves go to China and will seek to find other ways to resolve its trade balance with China.

Will the US Try to Force China, Like the British Did?

China only accepting Bitcoin will put the US in a similar position as Britain in the 1800s. Facing a trade imbalance and dwindling Bitcoin reserves is not a situation the US will be comfortable with.

What will it do about it?

Will the US try to pressure China through economic means, or might it even try to use its military to force China to accept anything but Bitcoin?

What Strategies Could the US Employ?

The US may consider various strategies to avoid draining its Bitcoin reserves.

Economic coercion is one, with the US imposing sanctions to pressure China into accepting other currencies or products. However, the trade imbalance means that China is less dependent on the US than the other way around.

Alternatively, the US might consider military pressure to get what it wants.

This is also unlikely to succeed since the military and technology gap between the US and China is much smaller than between Britain and China in the 1800s.

History Will Not Repeat Itself

The US will attempt to maintain its economic dominance, but history is unlikely to repeat itself in the same way.

What will be the same is that the US will be just as reluctant to supply Bitcoin to China as the British were to supply silver in the 19th century.

But the US is unlikely to impose its will on China through sanctions or military force. The only choice it will have is to innovate and produce goods that China and the world genuinely desire.

Another example of Bitcoin forcing nations to innovate and compete peacefully…

China only accepting Bitcoin for its exports will put the US in a ...

2024-11-12T17:33:52Z

China only accepting Bitcoin for its exports will put the US in a difficult position.

The US restricting key tech exports to China means China is more ...

2024-11-12T17:32:21Z

The US restricting key tech exports to China means China is more likely to demand Bitcoin for its exports to the US

China, being the “factory of the world,” is in a good ...

2024-11-12T17:31:26Z

China, being the “factory of the world,” is in a good position increase its Bitcoin reserves.

The modern Opium Wars may well be between the US and China. The ...

2024-11-12T06:54:13Z

The modern Opium Wars may well be between the US and China.

The US needs China's produce, but doesn't produce anything the Chinese want.

China will only accept Bitcoin but the US is reluctant to tap into its strategic reserves to address this trade imbalance.

The Opium Wars illustrate how nations are reluctant to use ...

2024-11-12T06:53:18Z

The Opium Wars illustrate how nations are reluctant to use limited supply resources (in this case silver) to solve trade balances

The Opium Wars were caused by China resisting the destructive ...

2024-11-12T06:52:38Z

The Opium Wars were caused by China resisting the destructive opium trade and Britain forcing its will on the technologically backward Qing empire

China being silver maxis pushed 1800s Britain to get creative: ...

2024-11-10T15:40:54Z

China being silver maxis pushed 1800s Britain to get creative:

selling opium to a decaying Qing society to balance the trade deficit

In the 19th century, the Opium Wars were about British demand for ...

2024-11-10T15:40:08Z

In the 19th century, the Opium Wars were about British demand for Chinese goods.

China only accepted silver, but Britain didn't want to lose its strategic silver reserves.

The modern Opium War will be fought over Bitcoin ...

2024-11-10T15:39:16Z

The modern Opium War will be fought over Bitcoin

BRICS is Going to Adopt Bitcoin for Trade The BRICS nations are ...

2024-10-13T10:50:35Z

BRICS is Going to Adopt Bitcoin for Trade

The BRICS nations are evaluating ways to reduce their dependence on Western financial systems.
The main proposal discussed is the creation of a BRICS currency, either a basket of member countries' currencies or a gold-backed currency.
The intention is to challenge the dominance of the dollar and establish greater financial independence in a multipolar world.
What BRICS is not realising yet is that sooner or later they will—due to its decentralised and global nature—adopt Bitcoin as their currency for trade.

Problems with the BRICS Currency – Basket Version

Currency Devaluation:
In a basket with multiple currencies, one country's currency can devalue faster than the others. This would cause the entire BRICS currency to lose value, reducing the purchasing power for all members.
If one country prints more money than the others, the devaluation would impact the collective currency, decreasing its purchasing power and making it less reliable as a store of value.

Dependency on Larger Nations:
China's economy towers over the other BRICS economies, and if the BRICS currency is based on a basket of member currencies, the Yuan’s share of the basket will always give China outsized influence over the currency.
Smaller BRICS countries would shift their dependency on the US (via the dollar) to dependency on China, and maybe, other large BRICS nations.

Costly Political Coordination:
Maintaining a basket currency requires continuous political coordination between member nations, involving currency adjustments and policy agreements.
Like all bureaucratic processes, this would be time-consuming, expensive, and fraught with “one-size-fits-none” political agreements.

Problems with the BRICS Currency – Gold-Backed Version

Gold Reserve Imbalances:
Countries within BRICS hold different levels of gold reserves. A gold-backed currency would disproportionately benefit nations with larger reserves, while leaving smaller economies at a disadvantage.
This will create an internal imbalance of power within BRICS, where smaller countries may struggle to keep pace with their larger counterparts.

Trust Issues:
Historically, gold-backed systems have failed due to the over-issuance of currency relative to gold reserves.
This was the problem during the era of the gold standard and later during the Bretton Woods system, where the US printed more dollars than it had gold reserves.
The question of how to trust each other’s gold holdings would present a significant challenge, as transparency around reserves will be difficult to guarantee.

High Costs:
Gold is expensive to store, secure, and transport.
For a currency system that is expected to support international trade, the logistics of maintaining and transferring gold reserves is crazy inefficient and impractical.
In a modern, fast-paced global economy, such a gold-backed system feels like a relic from days long gone.
Why Bitcoin is the Superior Alternative

Decentralisation:
Bitcoin is decentralised, meaning it isn’t controlled by any one nation.
This is crucial for BRICS, as it allows member countries to trade on equal footing without one nation holding an unfair advantage.
Unlike a BRICS currency, no member country has dominant influence over Bitcoin’s value or operation.

Global Reach:
Bitcoin can be used for trade not just within BRICS, but with non-BRICS countries as well. This global acceptance makes it a flexible option, extending its utility beyond the borders of BRICS nations.
It ensures that BRICS nations are not limited to their own trading bloc but can freely participate in international trade.

No Exchange Rate Fluctuations:
As a single, universal currency, Bitcoin eliminates the need for managing exchange rates between different national currencies.
This reduces the complexities and costs associated with currency fluctuations, making Bitcoin a stable medium for international trade.

No Political Coordination:
Bitcoin operates on a decentralised protocol, meaning it doesn’t require inter-governmental agreements or political coordination to function.
This allows for smooth and cost-efficient operations without the bureaucracy associated with managing a BRICS currency.

Existing Infrastructure:
Bitcoin’s global infrastructure is already in place, with a growing number of participants, nodes, and miners around the world.
Its network is secure, scalable, and continually being improved upon, making it a ready-to-use solution for international trade.

Cost-Effective:
Bitcoin is significantly cheaper to store, secure, and transfer than gold. There are no physical reserves to guard, no transportation costs, and no need for costly security infrastructure.
This makes Bitcoin an efficient, low-cost option for settling international trade transactions.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s neutrality, cost-efficiency, flexibility, and established global infrastructure make it the superior option for BRICS trade.
It bypasses the complexities and challenges posed by both the basket-based and gold-backed BRICS currency models.
While the idea of a BRICS currency might seem appealing in theory, in practice it is very unlikely to succeed.
It is only a matter of time before BRICS nations realise that Bitcoin offers the only viable solution for their goal of achieving financial independence and international trade efficiency.

Bitcoin Nation Strategies: Cooperation Bitcoin will emerge as the ...

2024-10-06T13:02:57Z

Bitcoin Nation Strategies: Cooperation

Bitcoin will emerge as the resource over which nations engage in fierce competition to increase their share of the pie. Similar to gold and oil in the past but a lot more cutthroat due to Bitcoin’s absolute finite supply.

National power will be equated to Bitcoin holdings and because no country is able to control Bitcoin, nations will compete with each other to increase their holdings. It will be a zero-sum game in which one nation will increase its Bitcoin at the cost of another nation.

One way nations will do this is via cooperation. These are the cooperation strategies I see nations engage in in the future:

1. Strategic Alliances for Joint Bitcoin Investments

Nations increase their Bitcoin reserves by forming coalitions to pool resources and jointly invest in Bitcoin mining or other Bitcoin infrastructure. Smaller nations, for example, could band together to share the risks and rewards of investing in Bitcoin infrastructure. By combining their strengths, these countries can compete with large nations in increasing their share of the Bitcoin pie.

2. Trade Agreements for Bitcoin Transactions

Nations can also accumulate Bitcoin by incorporating it into bilateral or multilateral trade agreements. By allowing Bitcoin to be used as a medium of exchange in international trade, nations not only bypass the nation-state control of fiat currencies but also increase their Bitcoin by providing the world goods and services.

3. Technology Sharing for Bitcoin Mining

Bitcoin mining relies on energy consumption and technological efficiency. By collaborating on more energy-efficient Bitcoin mining technologies, countries can reduce costs and increase their Bitcoin production. Sharing technical expertise and cheap energy resources and technologies can give cooperating nations a significant advantage in the Bitcoin mining space.

4. Bitcoin-Based Citizenship or Residency Programs

Another strategy is for nations to offer Bitcoin-based citizenship or residency programs. Countries could grant citizenship or residency to individuals who invest a certain amount in Bitcoin and Bitcoin-related industries. This approach will attract wealthy individuals and investors seeking tax-friendly jurisdictions or nations with favourable Bitcoin regulations, boosting Bitcoin inflows

This strategy ties Bitcoin accumulation to immigration policies, creating a mutually beneficial mechanism where nations attract global talent and capital and individuals gain legal residency in a Bitcoin-friendly nation.

5. Bitcoin-Based Global Resource Cartels

Nations could also form global monopolies that control the raw materials needed for Bitcoin mining, such as rare earth minerals used in mining hardware production. By monopolising these resources, cooperating nations will make it more difficult for others to scale their Bitcoin mining operations, giving the cartel members a competitive edge.

6. Smart Contracts for Sovereign Bitcoin Reserves

Another strategy would be for nations to use smart contracts to manage their diplomatic agreements. These contracts could be programmed to automatically execute Bitcoin transactions from their reserves if specific conditions are met (or not met), such as the fulfilment of trade agreements, defence pacts or non-aggression agreements. This will create trust between nations by making their actions more predictable.

It will also make international cooperation a lot more efficient and make obsolete the money-wasting bureaucracies attached to global institutions.

Cooperation is the Peaceful way for Nations to Increase their Bitcoin

As Bitcoin becomes the primary resource nations compete over, cooperation strategies will start to enter the scene. These are peaceful strategies that nations will use to increase their Bitcoin holding compared to competing nations.

Since it is impossible to conquer a nation’ Bitcoin reserves (like was the case with gold), cooperation might be the most rational way to increase a nation’s Bitcoin.

This would shift the paradigm from competition through war towards competition through cooperation, trade and producing value to the world.

3 ways the US can avoid China's rise: 1- Pre-emptive war 2- ...

2024-09-08T13:48:41Z

3 ways the US can avoid China's rise:

1- Pre-emptive war
2- Economic war
3- Isolation

Europe's future will be decided by its 10 million Bitcoin ...

2024-09-08T13:48:23Z

Europe's future will be decided by its 10 million Bitcoin owners and how governments will treat them

Is Bitcoin able to give the West back what it is losing at an ...

2024-09-08T12:51:24Z

Is Bitcoin able to give the West back what it is losing at an accelerating rate?

quoting
note1yvf…z8l9
Freedom as a Competitive Advantage

It has been obvious for a while what Bukele is doing in El Salvador.
He is using freedom to attract the capital and talent to create a new 17th century Netherlands from the ashes of civil war and gang violence.

His biggest ally? News headlines like we saw last couple of days:

“Telegram founder Pavel Durov arrested in France for “allowing criminal activity” on his app”

The (traditional) West is actively jailing founders and devs and even putting people in person for sharing memes. El Salvador in the meantime is encouraging free speech and free money and tries to lure talented people to help rebuild the country.

Western leaders have inherited lands that have been so prosperous for so long that they believe they can do anything without consequences. Maybe they even believe they are responsible for its prosperity.

They are not…

And the result of this reckless behaviour is a hollowing out of the pluralism that made the West strong. The ability to have different voices in society that provide a different narrative from that of the powers that be.

Talent will be fleeing western countries for greener pastures, like El Salvador. Macron may be thinking that it is hard to leave France, but he is vastly underestimating the technology that allows people to take everything they have and leave at a whim:

Bitcoin!

There are estimated to be 10 million Bitcoin owners in Europe and it is likely that most talented and influential people own Bitcoin. It is therefore a group that is highly mobile and welcomed with open arms in El Salvador today and many other countries tomorrow.

Freedom is a competitive advantage because it attracts the ...

2024-09-07T08:34:35Z

Freedom is a competitive advantage because it attracts the brightest minds.

It's absolute MADNESS if El Salvador and Bhutan are the only ...

2024-09-07T08:33:51Z

It's absolute MADNESS if El Salvador and Bhutan are the only countries in the world buying Bitcoin.

The best way to get a microchip industry going is by getting a ...

2024-09-07T08:25:48Z

The best way to get a microchip industry going is by getting a Bitcoin mining industry going

Strategies Countries will use to get more Bitcoin Bitcoin is ...

2024-09-06T11:53:37Z

Strategies Countries will use to get more Bitcoin

Bitcoin is about to become the global resource for which the nations of the world will fiercely compete.

Offensive Realism predicts the strategies countries will pursue to gain as much of the Bitcoin pie as possible. Countries will not only try to get as much Bitcoin as possible, but will also try to control as much of the Bitcoin mining industry as they can.

What is Offensive Realism?

The theory that predicts the behaviour of countries in the anarchic system of world geopolitics. With no central authority this system consists of competition and conflict between countries.

Countries all try to survive by focusing on their own interests, maximising their own power and they fear each other because they can’t be sure of each other’s intentions. Offensive realism provides strategies countries will follow to maximise their chances of survival.

Strategies to get as much Bitcoin as Possible

If countries prioritise their survival and security it automatically follows that in a world where Bitcoin is the most important strategic resource, they will prioritise getting as much Bitcoin as possible.

1. Cooperation
Countries can decide to pool their resources and work together.

Example: Two countries deciding to jointly develop their Bitcoin mining industries.

2. Economic statecraft
This involves countries using economic policy tools to influence the behaviour of other states.

Example: One country selling important technical know-how or essential resources (like foodstuffs) in return for the receiving nation’s Bitcoin.

3. Military Power
Military power leveraged to secure a country’s Bitcoin interests.

Example: A country can invade the Bitcoin mining region of another country and take control of its Bitcoin mining infrastructure

4. Coercion
Under the threat of war one country can blackmail another country into getting what it wants.

Example: A stronger country can blackmail a weaker country into handing over Bitcoin or run the risk of getting invaded.

5. Bribery and Corruption
Bribes and corruption can be used to influence another country’s behaviour.

Example: A country can bribe government officials of another country in order to let them pass regulation that will damage its Bitcoin mining industry. Giving the bribing country the opportunity to increase its share of global hash rate.

6. Information Warfare
Propaganda, disinformation and psychological operations are used to shape public opinion in another country.

Example: Propagandising the population of another country into believing Bitcoin mining is bad for the environment, putting pressure on that country’s hash rate.

7. Economic/Technological Development
The final (most constructive) strategy is investing in your own Bitcoin industries.

Example: A country investing in its energy sector to make sure domestic Bitcoin miners have access to the cheapest energy.

The Goal of a State is to Increase its Share of the World’s ...

2024-09-04T11:24:25Z

The Goal of a State is to Increase its Share of the World’s Bitcoin

And as soon as they realise this, there will be no more cheap sats for you…

The overriding goal of a state is to increase its share of world power. They need this to keep themselves safe from coercion and invasion.

States always try to become more powerful militarily compared to other states. Military power, however, grows out of economic power. Building a powerful military is costly.

So what states are really competing for is economic power. And in particular, the purchasing power that allows them to build a stronger military than their rivals.

Technological innovations, commodities and human capital are the potential sources of a state’s purchasing power. But whatever the source, states need to transfer economic power into money in order to have purchasing power.

So what states really aim for is to increase their share of the world’s money. Do you see where I am going?

Bitcoin’s hard limit of 21 million!

After the gold-standard failed as the world’s money, the USD is now in the process of failing as the world’s money. The speculation is about what the world’s next money will be.

I think there is only one serious contender and that is Bitcoin.

This means that states will soon wake up to the fact that in order to be safe they will need to own as much Bitcoin as possible compared to their rivals.

This will kickstart a buying frenzy the world has never witnessed before. And when the dust is settled, there will be a Bitcoin balance of power that states will try to maintain through bilateral agreements and military stand-offs.

Bitcoin & the Security Dilemma The “security dilemma” in ...

2024-09-03T15:35:38Z

Bitcoin & the Security Dilemma

The “security dilemma” in geopolitics refers to the paradox where a state’s attempt to increase its own security leads to a decrease in security of other states.

The same applies to Bitcoin, but with opposite consequences…

States that adopt policies or build weapons to increase their defensive capabilities think they are acting defensively. Potential rivals however often perceive this as offensive actions and will take countermeasures themselves.

This starts a spiral in which multiple states engage in a security competition that makes the entire environment less stable. It can even lead to war!

This “security dilemma” also applies to Bitcoin, but with Bitcoin the consequence is not destabilisation. It actually leads to competition for the benefit of humanity.

The “security dilemma” applies to Bitcoin because of its limited supply of 21 million coins. Every Bitcoin bought by one state therefore is one Bitcoin less for other states to buy.

States benefit by holding Bitcoin because of its ever increasing purchasing power. This allows states to attract talents and get resources more easily than rival states.

One state increasing its purchasing power is a strategic threat to other states if they don’t increase their purchasing. This is where Bitcoin’s “security dilemma” kicks in.

As soon as the world understands Bitcoin, one state buying more of it will cause stress among other states. And they will want to increase their own Bitcoin holdings.

Why this doesn’t cause destabilisation is because it is hard to impossible to “conquer” another state’s Bitcoin. It is after all an asset in cyberspace.

The best way for a state to acquire more Bitcoin is by developing its energy and technology industries. This allows the state to increase its share of the pie that is block subsidies and transaction fees.

If every nation develops its energy and technology industries the entire world benefits. It provides cheaper and cheaper energy and more advanced technologies.

This will increase productivity and make all our lives better!

Thank you 🙏☺️

2024-09-02T17:25:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…8fj9
_________________________

Thank you 🙏☺️

Depending on Other Countries for your Defence is Fiat Lots of ...

2024-09-02T17:11:44Z

Depending on Other Countries for your Defence is Fiat

Lots of countries depend on larger, more powerful nations for their defence. Just like fiat, this seems a good idea at first but is dangerous in the long-term.

It saves money and energy to outsource defence. But both have to be paid back multifold by any country pursuing this strategy.

The money that is saved can be used by the government for programs that are popular with citizens. Programs that get politicians reelected, like healthcare and welfare programs.

This is good for the reelected politicians, bad for the country. It is exactly the same as fiat money…

Fiat money allows governments to “help” its citizens by alleviating (perceived) economic pains. Artificially low interest rates and budget deficits is how this is done.

The long term consequences of this “money printing” are a weaker economy (due to misallocation of capital) and a weaker population (due to savings being inflated away).

In a similar way, the consequences of depending on others for defence weakens a country. It puts its sovereignty at risk. It also puts its economy at risk.

It is fiat in that the defence of that country depends on the whims of others. The king decides and the king can tomorrow decide to withdraw his military commitments.

Where does this leave the country being “protected”? Exactly…f*cked!

Not only can a country lose its sovereignty when it is left defenceless at the mercy of its (potential) enemies. It also leaves it at a severe disadvantage vis a vis the nation doing the defending.

The nation doing the defending has all the leverage…

Ask yourself what Germany’s reaction would have been to the blowing up of Nordstream if it didn’t have 30,000 US troops on its soil.

Or how Japan would have behaved in its trade spat with the US in the 80s if it didn’t have 54 US military bases on its territory.

For nations to be healthy, they need hard money and build an independent military.

Bitcoin alters the economic dynamic in geopolitics Great powers ...

2024-09-01T09:48:23Z

Bitcoin alters the economic dynamic in geopolitics

Great powers often pursue their interests with strategies that involve economic coercion or competition.

Bitcoin will force them to completely alter these strategies. And this will be good for the world.

Economic sanctions are the classic way in which great powers try to submit other nations to their interests. Especially if they have control over the financial system, like the US currently has.

This explains why the US is the leader in sanctions with 9,000 imposed as of 2023. Its control over the global financial system through the USD allows it to create serious headaches to any entity using dollars for trade.

Bitcoin will force great powers to adopt a totally different strategy because no great power (or small power) can control it or decide who can or cannot use it.

It will be impossible for great powers to cut their adversaries out of world trade with the push of a button. Instead they will have to revert back to competition to gain an advantage over competitors and adversaries.

The most viable strategy to gain an advantage is by attracting as much hash rate as possible to its or friendly jurisdictions.

By doing so they will earn Bitcoin fees on as many Bitcoin transactions worldwide as possible. In theory they could then push their adversaries’ Bitcoin transactions to hash rate in other jurisdictions. This should put upwards pressure on the transaction fees of those adversaries.

In order to attract as much hash rate as possible great countries will need to develop their technology and energies sectors.

This competition in tech and energy will be good for the world, which will benefit greatly from the second and third order effects of these (peaceful!) developments.

quoting
note1f9n…n4qn
Bitcoin: the answer to Russia’s payment and China’s sanctions problem

Russian companies have encountered payment issues in their transactions with Chinese partners. Chinese banks are stricter towards transactions with Russia after threats of secondary sanctions from the US.

Bitcoin would allow China to continue trade with Russia unabated while making threats of sanctions look silly and pathetic. And causing an economic boom while they are at it!

The US has always been the defender of free flow of information, trade and transactions. China declaring that it is a universal right to trade and transact freely, will make US threats of sanctions look silly and pathetic.

By allowing Bitcoin (and stablecoins on Bitcoin infrastructure) tens of thousands of entities in China would be transacting with tens of thousands of entities in Russia. Nobody will be able to stop it.

The US won’t be able to interfere and neither will the Chinese government. It provides the perfect excuse to continue trade with Russia. While at the same time providing the world with an alternative to the ever tightening grip of western governments on trade and their economies.

Sanctioning China for the free flow of goods, services and money will make the US look like a hypocrite in the eyes of the world. Besides, China will experience an economic boom that will catapult it to be the #1 economy on the globe. In a very short time frame…

It will require the Chinese government to relinquish its perception of control, which probably won’t come easy to it. Luckily El Salvador provides an example.

El Salvador and Bukele show that economic freedom alters the contract between government and citizens without the government losing legitimacy.

On the contrary, El Salvador’s government and Bukele in particular have only become more popular by providing their citizens with better lives through economic freedom.

Dumb people are okay with censorship Smart people realise its ...

2024-08-31T04:43:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…80ek
_________________________

Dumb people are okay with censorship

Smart people realise its long term consequences

Bitcoin: the answer to Russia’s payment and China’s sanctions ...

2024-08-31T04:35:17Z

Bitcoin: the answer to Russia’s payment and China’s sanctions problem

Russian companies have encountered payment issues in their transactions with Chinese partners. Chinese banks are stricter towards transactions with Russia after threats of secondary sanctions from the US.

Bitcoin would allow China to continue trade with Russia unabated while making threats of sanctions look silly and pathetic. And causing an economic boom while they are at it!

The US has always been the defender of free flow of information, trade and transactions. China declaring that it is a universal right to trade and transact freely, will make US threats of sanctions look silly and pathetic.

By allowing Bitcoin (and stablecoins on Bitcoin infrastructure) tens of thousands of entities in China would be transacting with tens of thousands of entities in Russia. Nobody will be able to stop it.

The US won’t be able to interfere and neither will the Chinese government. It provides the perfect excuse to continue trade with Russia. While at the same time providing the world with an alternative to the ever tightening grip of western governments on trade and their economies.

Sanctioning China for the free flow of goods, services and money will make the US look like a hypocrite in the eyes of the world. Besides, China will experience an economic boom that will catapult it to be the #1 economy on the globe. In a very short time frame…

It will require the Chinese government to relinquish its perception of control, which probably won’t come easy to it. Luckily El Salvador provides an example.

El Salvador and Bukele show that economic freedom alters the contract between government and citizens without the government losing legitimacy.

On the contrary, El Salvador’s government and Bukele in particular have only become more popular by providing their citizens with better lives through economic freedom.

Hard choice for Asian countries Asian countries are about to make ...

2024-08-30T12:16:24Z

Hard choice for Asian countries

Asian countries are about to make the most difficult choice in their existence. They have to choose between the superpowers China and the US. Neutrality is probably not an option…

China is the behemoth next door, while the US is the superpower on the other side of the world. How to make this choice?

One thing that speaks in favour of siding with the US is that it is the superpower on the other side of the world. This means it will never be able to conquer territory in Asia because it is simply too far away to maintain these conquests.

With China, Asian countries can never be 100% sure, because countries can’t be sure what other countries are really thinking.

China on the other hand is by far the largest economy of Asia and many Asian countries already depend on it for their economic well-being. This is likely to increase in the decades to come…

Expect economic heft to be China’s preferred tool to influence and draw in its neighbours into its sphere of influence. With countries that depend most on China for their exports to be the first to side with China against the US.

Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia export more to China than they export to the US. These countries can therefore be expected to deviate more towards China over time.

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India all export more to the US than to China.

India will likely be one of the few Asian countries that remains neutral and will follow its own independent course. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are tightly knit into the US sphere of influence (and security architecture) which most likely plays a role in their higher exports to the US.

It will be curious to see how this develops over time as China develops further and actively tries to increase Asian countries' dependence on its economy.