Bitcoin Policy Institute

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.

  1. Economists Discuss Block Fullness, Security, and the Price of Bitcoin

    8 SEPT

    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 activities, the empirical analysis of breaches and fraud, and the historical context of the block size debate. The discussion also touches on policy considerations for Bitcoin's future and the potential impact of Layer Two solutions on transaction dynamics. Connect with the Bitcoin Policy Institute: https://x.com/btcpolicyorg Connect with William Luther: https://x.com/WilliamJLuther Connect with Josh Hendrickson: https://x.com/RebelEconProf Connect with Renee Sorchik: https://x.com/Renee_C_S Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Guest Bios 01:00 – Block size, congestion & crime deterrence 04:30 – Why criminals must move fast 07:00 – Fees, laundering risks & public blockchains 09:00 – Lessons from traditional finance (Brazil example) 12:00 – Breaches are rare, but significant 15:00 – Blocksize Wars & small blocks as security 20:30 – Policymakers, trade-offs & decentralization 25:00 – SegWit as a natural experiment 30:00 – Congestion, confidence & Bitcoin price 38:00 – Lightning Network & scaling trade-offs 43:00 – Why academics should study Bitcoin 52:00 – Closing thoughts & future research

    1h 1m
  2. Bitcoin & Elections: What the Leading Pollsters See Coming in the Midterms

    21 AUG

    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 survey findings on Bitcoin adoption, ownership, and public perception. The conversation explores who really owns Bitcoin, how those demographics compare to common assumptions, and what Cygnal’s nationally recognized polling reveals about Bitcoin’s role in American politics. With elections approaching, the guests discuss how Bitcoin intersects with voter trends, public policy, and broader cultural narratives. From the Nakamoto Project’s mission to close gaps in Bitcoin education to Cygnal’s insights as the top-ranked private pollster, this discussion sheds light on Bitcoin’s growing influence both in the marketplace and at the ballot box. Read the Cygnal Poll: https://www.cygn.al/poll-bitcoin-owners-lean-republican-emerging-as-sought-after-voting-bloc-in-2026-elections/ Read the Nakamoto Project Poll: https://www.thenakamotoproject.org/report Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Bitcoin Landscape 04:17 The Nakamoto Project and Bitcoin Ownership Insights 08:38 Survey Insights: Political Leanings and Bitcoin Ownership 12:54 Demographics of Bitcoin Owners and Their Values 17:06 The Impact of Bitcoin on Political Engagement 21:59 The Future of Bitcoin and Political Influence 28:15 Understanding Bitcoin's Political Impact 30:55 The Disconnect Between Bitcoin Holders and Policymakers 32:50 Mobilizing Bitcoin Holders for Political Action 36:11 Targeting the Bitcoin Demographic in Politics 38:47 Building Wealth and Understanding Bitcoin 44:11 The Political Advantage of Supporting Bitcoin 48:42 Long-Term Strategies for Engaging Bitcoin Voters

    1h 4m
  3. Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 11: Why the Quantum Threat to Bitcoin Matters for US-China Conflict

    28 JUL

    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 the "Q-Day" threat—the moment quantum computers become powerful enough to threaten Bitcoin’s core cryptographic security.This leads to the question: with the ability to undermine Satoshi’s coins, could a quantum breakthrough trigger a global monetary crisis, and ignite a new geopolitical arms race between the U.S., China, and tech giants? Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Crypto Legislation Update07:45 - Political Dynamics and Future of Crypto Bills12:15 - White House Crypto Report and Strategic Bitcoin Reserve16:42 - Order of Operations for Market Structure and BRCA18:34 - Quantum Computing Summit and Bitcoin Implications25:17 - Technical Progress and Timelines in Quantum Computing30:21 - Quantum Threats to Bitcoin and Migration Strategies41:39 - Political Economy and Strategic Importance of Quantum Risk for Bitcoin43:26 - BPI's Role and Government Interest in Quantum and Bitcoin47:03 - Risk Assessment and Market Perception of Quantum Threat52:00 - Policy Implications and Institutional Considerations for Quantum Migration53:47 - Closing Remarks and Teaser for Next Episode on Quantum Opportunities

    55 min
  4. Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 10: Crypto Week, CBDC Drama, $120k BTC w/ David Zell

    17 JUL

    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 in Bitcoin price action, the growing role of institutional capital, and how partisan politics are shaping the current outlook for digital asset policy in the United States. They also dive into the Roman Storm/Tornado Cash trial and the legal threat to open-source development represented therein. (Recorded 7/15/2025)Chapters:00:00 - Intro + Market Moves Breakdown 02:30 - Institutional vs. Retail: Who’s Buying Bitcoin Now? 06:00 - Policy Shift: Why Institutions Are Finally Allocating 12:00 - Crypto Week in DC: Bills and Political Maneuvering 17:00 - Bitcoin vs. Crypto: Political Spending and Influence 21:00 - Genius Act + Stablecoin Politics 34:00 - CBDCs vs. Stablecoins: Privacy, Control, and the Future of Money 43:00 - Tornado Cash Case and Open Source Legal Risk

    47 min
  5. Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 9: Elon's America Party Bitcoin Embrace & 80K BTC "Hack" a Quantum Canary?

    16 JUL

    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 steps closer to Bitcoin. Chapters:00:00 – Elon’s Political Power & Bitcoin Alignment01:04 – Mysterious 80,000 BTC Movement: Quantum or OG?06:00 – Legal Ownership vs Possession of Bitcoin13:00 – Adverse Possession, White Hat vs Black Hat19:00 – National Security Risks if North Korea Brute-Forces Bitcoin22:00 – Elon, Trump, and the Politicization of Bitcoin26:40 – Why the “Bitcoin Unifier” Narrative Still Struggles in DC30:00 – Sidelines in Legislation: Crypto vs Bitcoin in Congress33:00 – The Van Hollen Bill: Bitcoin Punishment via El Salvador35:00 – Bitcoin as Anti-Authoritarian Tech vs State Control38:00 – Stablecoins, Tether, and U.S. Digital Dollar Statecraft42:00 – Geopolitical Stakes in Monetary Technology Wars

    59 min
  6. Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 8: Running it Hot, The Big Beautiful Bill Debt Playbook Explained

    6 JUL

    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 and why it matters for Bitcoin, inflation, and America’s fiscal future. They dive into the last-minute push to pass pro-Bitcoin tax reform (including the de minimis exemption and mining tax fixes), explain why it failed, and assess the rising importance of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) as the next key battleground.The episode also explores deep tensions within the Republican coalition, how Bitcoin fits into U.S. national security priorities, and what the growing demand for stablecoins reveals about where the monetary system is headed. 🔶 Connect with Matthew Pines on X: https://x.com/matthew_pines 🔶 Connect with Zack Shapiro on X: https://x.com/zackbshapiro 🔶 Connect with Zack Cohen on X: https://x.com/zackcohen_ 🔶 Learn more about the Bitcoin Policy Institute: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ Chapters: 00:00 – The U.S. Is Running It Hot: Fiscal Dominance Explained 01:00 – Behind the Scenes at the Bitcoin Policy Summit 05:00 – Strategic Bitcoin Reserve & Leaked “Accumulation Plan” 08:00 – Why the Big Beautiful Bill Matters for Bitcoin 12:30 – What Killed the De Minimis Tax Fix? 17:00 – Mining Tax Reform & Wash Sale Loopholes 21:00 – Why the Crypto Lobby Failed in DC 26:00 – GOP Factions, Elon vs. Trump, and Bitcoin’s Role 31:30 – The Real Bitcoin Priorities: BRCA and Privacy 36:00 – What’s Next: Senate Market Structure Bill & Regulatory Outlook 41:00 – Final Thoughts: Bitcoin, Inflation & the Next Political Chapter

    1h 7m
  7. Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 7: From $2T to $10T, How Bitcoin Will Re-Architech Political Power in America

    2 JUL

    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 and dual-use tech with Patrick Witt 09:00 - Government’s evolving view on Bitcoin 10:30 - Balancing privacy, surveillance & freedom 12:00 - Private intel conversations on Bitcoin geopolitics 16:50 - Stablecoins, Clarity Act, and legislative strategy 18:30 - Strategic outlook: quantum, AI & China 22:00 - Lightning, AGI, and machine-to-machine payments Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/D2B6Svxjgew

    29 min
  8. Bitcoin as Collateral: A New Era in Home Financing with Yaël Ossowski

    9 JUN

    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 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The conversation concludes with thoughts on the broader economic impact of Bitcoin mortgages and the potential for future innovations in the financial sector.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Bitcoin-Based Mortgages01:18 The Intersection of Bitcoin and Lending04:06 Understanding the Market Potential07:04 How Bitcoin Mortgages Would Function09:09 Regulatory Landscape and Challenges13:27 The Role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac16:09 Potential Impact of Regulatory Changes18:40 The Future of Bitcoin in Banking21:21 Political Implications and Future Administrations24:16 The Need for Legislative Support29:21 The Broader Economic Impact of Bitcoin Mortgages32:03 Final Thoughts and Future OpportunitiesRegister for the Bitcoin Policy Summit using code "SORCHIK21" using this link: https://lu.ma/btcpolicysummit?coupon=SORCHIK21

    41 min
See All (30)

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 intersection of Bitcoin and United States policy.

Information

  • Creator
    Bitcoin Policy Institute
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bitcoin Policy Institute
  • Show Website
    Bitcoin Policy Institute

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