Stephan Livera Podcast

Stephan Livera

Join Stephan as he interviews the sharpest economic and technical minds in Bitcoin & Austrian Economics to help you understand how money is changing and evolving. Leading names in the world of Bitcoin join the show to share their insights, whether they are developers, CEOs, economists, authors, analysts and more.

  1. Sigbash: Covenant-Like Policies on Bitcoin Without a Soft Fork with Arbedout | SLP737

    12H AGO

    Sigbash: Covenant-Like Policies on Bitcoin Without a Soft Fork with Arbedout | SLP737

    In this episode, Stephan sits down with Arbedout to explore one of the most debated technical topics in Bitcoin today: covenants, vaults, and the future of Bitcoin custody infrastructure. They discuss why many people may be misunderstanding where the real demand for covenants comes from, and how covenant-related features could improve Bitcoin self-custody through vaults, spending limits, recovery mechanisms, and more secure long-term storage setups. The conversation also explores Bitcoin adoption, conviction, long-term store of value dynamics, and the psychological challenges of holding Bitcoin through volatility. Timestamp: (00:00) – The privacy problem with co-signing today (03:25) – What does Sigbash allow us to do? (08:15) – What is Oblivious Signing?  (12:20) – Privacy, Regulation, and Reducing Multisig Honeypot Risks (15:10) - What does Sigbash use look like in practice? Inheritance, Vaults, and Multisig (19:50) - Can the server grief the user? (21:10) – Mobile Wallets, Assisted Self-Custody, and NeoBank Possibilities (25:50) - Sigbash project and product (28:29) – Sigbash vs PIPES vs BinoHash Explained (33:01) – Covenant Demand, Bitcoin Security, and the Future of Self-Custody (36:33) – Closing Thoughts Links:  https://sigbash.com/ https://x.com/arbedout Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    35 min
  2. Unlocking Bitcoin Exposure Through Real Estate | Sovana Explained | SLP736

    5D AGO

    Unlocking Bitcoin Exposure Through Real Estate | Sovana Explained | SLP736

    In this episode, Sanjay Mavinkurve and Chase Palmieri join me to discuss Sovana, a groundbreaking product that allows property owners to leverage their real estate equity to gain Bitcoin exposure without traditional debt. They explore the product's mechanics, target audience, market timing, and future potential, providing insights into how real estate and Bitcoin markets intersect. Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction (02:50) - The Problem with Home Equity and Bitcoin (06:38) - How Sovana Works (11:10) - What if Bitcoin is down in 5 years? (14:55) - Is this only for people who are already HODLers? (17:25) - Why TradFi can’t ignore Bitcoin anymore (19:17) - Would a 10 year period be possible in future? (26:35) - Comparing Sovana to Traditional Financing (29:05) - What about Capital Gains taxes? (32:55) - Real Estate vs. Bitcoin Performance (39:37) - Bridging the Gap: Conviction and Capital (47:55) - Closing Thoughts Links:  https://x.com/SovanaHQ https://x.com/sgmavinkurve https://x.com/chasepalmieri https://www.sovana.io/ Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    50 min
  3. Coldcard Mk5, quantum, and AI with NVK | SLP735

    MAY 6

    Coldcard Mk5, quantum, and AI with NVK | SLP735

    In this episode, we explore the latest in Bitcoin security with NVK, including the new MK5 device, firmware updates, and the impact of AI and quantum computing on crypto security. We discuss practical tools, philosophical debates on self-custody, and future tech trends. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro  (00:21) - What’s new with @COLDCARDwallet? (04:05) - Miniscript support in Coldcard (09:48) - Thoughts on Bitkey (17:49) - @bisq_network protocol exploit (23:17) - Debunking the quantum FUD (29:51) - nvk on AI & LLMs (37:54) - llm-wiki (45:38) - Practical guides for using AI agents (52:03) - Closing thoughts  Links:  https://x.com/nvk  https://bitcoinquantum.space  https://learntoprompt.org/    https://llm-wiki.net/  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    54 min
  4. Why funding open source is NOT philanthropy with Pavlenex | SLP734

    MAY 2

    Why funding open source is NOT philanthropy with Pavlenex | SLP734

    In this episode, Pavlenex joins Stephan to discuss the strategic importance of funding open source in the Bitcoin ecosystem. They explore how open source support benefits companies, the stages of open source project development, and recent updates on Stratum V2 and BTCPay Server. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:09) - Open source is not philanthropy (05:07) - Reaction to MARA Foundation’s initiative (06:40) - Stages of open source projects (11:51) - The necessity of economic incentives (16:42) - AI's impact on open source contributions (19:48) - “Upstream decisions, downstream impact” (24:33) - Open source as a complement to R&D (28:46) - Navigating corporate funding & control (31:14) - Identifying & supporting the right projects (35:56) - Directed grants vs Open grants (39:55) - The importance of supporting open source (42:41) - Updates on Stratum V2 (47:02) - Updates on BTCPay Server (48:47) - What is the Samrock protocol for BTCPay? Links:  https://x.com/pavlenex  https://x.com/pavlenex/status/2049122238033531339  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    52 min
  5. BTC Prague 2026 with Matyas Kuchar | SLP733

    APR 3

    BTC Prague 2026 with Matyas Kuchar | SLP733

    In this episode Stephan speaks with Matyas Kuchar, co-founder of BTC Prague, about the upcoming Bitcoin conference in Prague. They discuss the conference's focus on Bitcoin and its intersection with other technologies like AI, the regulatory landscape in Europe, and the community divides within the Bitcoin space.  Matyas shares insights on the importance of self-custody, the challenges posed by CBDCs, and the need for a united front in the Bitcoin community. The discussion also touches on the influence of institutional investments on Bitcoin adoption and the value of self-custody.  Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:18) - What to expect from BTC Prague? (06:10) - The Intersection of AI & Bitcoin (10:41) - Rise of surveillance state & importance of Bitcoin (16:07) - CBDCs in Europe and regulatory challenges (19:30) - Community divides in Bitcoin (25:59) - The different types of conference attendees at BTC Prague (29:58) - The value of in-person connections (34:40) - Strategy’s influence on Bitcoin adoption (40:20) - Why attend BTC Prague? Links:  https://x.com/Matyas44Cook  https://x.com/btcprague  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    42 min
  6. The Physics of Bitcoin with Giovanni | SLP732

    MAR 27

    The Physics of Bitcoin with Giovanni | SLP732

    In this conversation, Giovanni Santostasi discusses his new book 'The Physics of Bitcoin' and the application of power law analysis to understand Bitcoin's growth, value, and long-term behavior. The conversation covers the scientific basis of Bitcoin's patterns, the significance of power laws in natural and social systems, and how this framework challenges common narratives about exponential growth. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (02:14) - Why write 'The Physics of Bitcoin'? (06:18) - The significance of Bitcoin’s Power Law  (10:28) - Bitcoin's growth: Power law vs Exponential models (21:41) - The nature of Bitcoin as a network effect (29:46) - How would bitcoin’s power law be falsified? (37:30) - Bitcoin’s price floor (41:35) - Can it break to the upside? (43:14) - Will Bitcoin hit a saturation point? (52:51) - Sustainable nature of Bitcoin's growth Links:  https://x.com/Giovann35084111 http://thephysicsofbitcoin.com  https://scientificbitcoininstitute.org/  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    59 min
  7. There's Hope for Bitcoin with James Van Straten | SLP731

    MAR 17

    There's Hope for Bitcoin with James Van Straten | SLP731

    In this episode, Stephan Livera chats with James Van Straten, senior analyst at CoinDesk, to explore the current state of Bitcoin and macro markets. They discuss the nature of bear markets, cycle theories, technical indicators, institutional behavior, and macroeconomic influences affecting Bitcoin’s price and sentiment.  Takeaways: 🔸James shares his perspective on Bitcoin's bear market versus previous cycles 🔸Debunking the four-year cycle hypothesis and its implications 🔸The significance of institutional demand and holder behavior in market bottoms 🔸Technical analysis tools like realised price and 200-week moving average support 🔸The impact of macro events, such as geopolitical conflicts and macroeconomic trends 🔸The role of options markets, liquidity, and sentiment indicators during downturns 🔸The importance of dollar-cost averaging through bear markets for long-term gains 🔸Insights into emerging Bitcoin treasury strategies and product offerings like STRC 🔸How industry players are raising capital even in challenging market conditions 🔸The potential for demand recovery and signs of green shoots in the current environment Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:40) - Is this bear market different? (02:48) - Does James believe in the 4-year cycle? (07:32) - Realised BTC price & 200WMA (13:13) - Total BTC supply in profit (17:22) - Long-term holder supply  (19:20) - UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) (25:00) - Bitcoin’s performance during the US-Iran war (29:49) - Strategy’s massive BTC purchase using STRC (36:31) - Rise of Bitcoin treasury companies (39:04) - DCA during bear cycles (41:09) - Closing thoughts  Links:  https://x.com/btcjvs  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    42 min
  8. Cluster Mempool Explained with Pieter Wuille | SLP730

    MAR 12

    Cluster Mempool Explained with Pieter Wuille | SLP730

    Stephan Livera and Pieter Wuille discuss Cluster Mempool for Bitcoin Core, its motivations, and its implications for Bitcoin users and miners. Where does the current mempool design have issues? Why is it important to maintain a transparent and reliable open mempool?  Pieter Wuille also explains the complexities of transaction clustering and how the new framework improves efficiency and helps keep bitcoin mining open.  Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:05) - What is Cluster Mempool? (03:05) - What is its impact on everyday Bitcoin users? (06:21) - How does the mempool work today? (11:52) - Current mempool heuristics and issues (16:37) - Censorship resistance and economic demand (22:56) - Practical implications for exchanges & miners (26:12) - How does cluster mempool work? (29:29) - Transaction clusters & mempool dynamics (37:27) - Should mempools align across the node network? (43:47) - What about other implementations of Bitcoin? (48:17) - Other interesting areas for bitcoin development (52:11) - Closing thoughts Links:  https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/33629  https://bitcoinmagazine.com/print/the-core-issue-cluster-mempool-problems-are-easier-in-chunks  https://delvingbitcoin.org/t/an-overview-of-the-cluster-mempool-proposal/393  https://delvingbitcoin.org/t/mempool-incentive-compatibility/553  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    53 min
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About

Join Stephan as he interviews the sharpest economic and technical minds in Bitcoin & Austrian Economics to help you understand how money is changing and evolving. Leading names in the world of Bitcoin join the show to share their insights, whether they are developers, CEOs, economists, authors, analysts and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephan Livera
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    737
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stephan Livera
  • Show Website
    Stephan Livera Podcast

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