Stephan Livera Podcast

Stephan Livera
  • 4.9 (397)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. Strive: Amplified Bitcoin Exposure Engine with Matt Cole | SLP710

    2D AGO

    Strive: Amplified Bitcoin Exposure Engine with Matt Cole | SLP710

    In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Matt Cole discuss the rapid growth and strategic developments of Strive, a Bitcoin treasury company, particularly following its merger with Semler Scientific. They explore the implications of this merger, the importance of institutional interest in Bitcoin, and the strategies for managing debt and generating yield. The discussion also touches on the competitive landscape of Bitcoin treasury companies, the role of digital credit, and the future outlook for Bitcoin in the context of increasing institutional adoption and market dynamics. Takeaways: 🔸Strive has rapidly grown its Bitcoin holdings through strategic mergers. 🔸The merger with Semler positions Strive as a leading Bitcoin treasury company. 🔸Institutional investors are increasingly interested in Bitcoin treasury companies. 🔸Strive aims to generate a significant Bitcoin yield for its investors. 🔸Managing debt effectively is crucial for Strive's future growth. 🔸The healthcare business from Semler will be monetized within a year. 🔸Acquisitions in the Bitcoin treasury space are strategic and not frequent. 🔸Understanding Bitcoin yield and amplification is key for investors. 🔸Digital credit is a growing area within Bitcoin treasury companies. 🔸The future of Bitcoin looks promising with increasing institutional adoption. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:37) - Strive’s growth and developments  (05:54) - What do institutions look for when investing in a BTCTC?; Reverse stock split  (09:08) - How will Strive manage its debt?; Amplifying Bitcoin exposure   (13:22) - How will Semler Scientific be monetized?  (17:06) - Accelerating Bitcoin yield through SATA; Possible future M&A (22:53) - Structuring a merger of a BTCTC  (26:30) - Valuing a BTCTC and mNAV considerations (34:46) - Matt's take on Danny Knowles's interview with Michael Saylor (39:54) - Should every BTCTC engage in financial engineering?  (44:18) - Differentiation in Bitcoin treasury companies (48:40) - What is the difference between SATA and STRC? (53:38) - Who is SATA for?  (57:49) - Which are the pools of capital that can’t directly buy Bitcoin? (1:01:41) - Have BTCTC cannibalized the on-chain use of Bitcoin? (1:04:34) - Outlook for Bitcoin in 2026 Links:  https://x.com/ColeMacro  https://x.com/Strive  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    1h 9m
  2. Bitcoin on the map with Dr. Padraig Corcoran | SLP709

    3D AGO

    Bitcoin on the map with Dr. Padraig Corcoran | SLP709

    In this conversation, Dr. Padraig Corcoran discusses his research on Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, focusing on the use of spatial data from OpenStreetMap and BTC Map. He explores the dynamics of merchant adoption, the role of community initiatives, and the implications for policymakers. The conversation highlights the importance of grassroots movements in promoting Bitcoin usage and the potential for growth in merchant acceptance as technology improves. Takeaways: 🔸Bitcoin serves multiple purposes: unit of account, store of value, medium of exchange. 🔸OpenStreetMap is a crowdsourced geographical data project. 🔸BTC Map helps identify merchants accepting Bitcoin. 🔸Adoption of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange is growing. 🔸Quality of crowdsourced data can vary significantly. 🔸Community initiatives play a crucial role in Bitcoin adoption. 🔸Government policies do not directly influence merchant adoption. 🔸The Lightning Network is vital for facilitating Bitcoin transactions. 🔸Merchants often accept Bitcoin to attract a specific customer base. 🔸Bitcoin can function as both a store of value and a medium of exchange. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:08) - Dr. Padraig Corcoran’s background & his research on Bitcoin and Spatial Analysis (02:31) - OpenStreetMap; Pros & Cons of crowdsourced geographical data (06:19) - How did BTC Map use OpenStreetMap to represent Bitcoin merchants? (10:08) - What are the insights from analysing the adoption of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange?  (15:25) - Nation level vs. Grassroots Bitcoin adoption; Bitcoin circular economies (18:37) - Bitcoin adoption in El Salvador vs Berlin (19:51) - Are merchants accepting Bitcoin without them knowing about it?  (23:14) - What are the factors influencing merchant adoption?; Learnings for policymakers from Dr. Padraig’s research (25:19) - What kind of Bitcoin businesses are on BTC Map? (27:49) - Is Bitcoin only for savings?   (32:30) - What should Bitcoin builders focus on? (33:34) - What is Dr. Padraig’s perception of Bitcoin as money? (35:23) - Closing thoughts Links:  https://x.com/pcorcoran9  https://x.com/btcmap/status/1993737818271633638  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40854-025-00871-z  Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    37 min
  3. Has Lightning Quietly Succeeded? with Nate (Beeforbacon) | SLP708

    12/29/2025

    Has Lightning Quietly Succeeded? with Nate (Beeforbacon) | SLP708

    In this conversation, I discuss with Nate the current state and future prospects of the Lightning Network as of December 2025. They explore various aspects such as payment success rates, public perception versus practitioner insights, routing fees, centrality in nodes, yield opportunities, privacy considerations, and the overall adoption of the Lightning Network. The discussion highlights the improvements made over the years, the economic incentives for node operators, and the importance of community-driven initiatives in shaping the future of the Lightning Network. =Takeaways: 🔸The Lightning Network has improved payment success rates over time. 🔸Public perception of the Lightning Network often differs from actual usage statistics. 🔸Routing fees are crucial for maintaining liquidity and economic incentives in the network. 🔸Centrality in Lightning nodes affects payment success and routing efficiency. 🔸Yield opportunities exist for those operating Lightning nodes. 🔸Adoption of the Lightning Network is expected to grow as more enterprises recognize its benefits. 🔸Privacy in Lightning transactions is nuanced and requires careful management. 🔸Innovations in Lightning technology continue to enhance user experience and functionality. 🔸The future of the Lightning Network may involve more integration with traditional financial systems. 🔸Community-driven initiatives are essential for the growth and improvement of the Lightning Network. Timestamps:00:00 Intro 02:53 Current State and Performance of the Lightning Network 05:58 Public Perception vs. Practitioner Insights 08:53 Routing and Payment Success Rates 11:55 Fee Structures and Yield in Lightning Network 14:56 The Evolution of Lightning Node Operations 17:56 Centralization Concerns in the Lightning Network 27:45 Hub and spoke model? 30:14 Privacy Concerns in Lightning Network 32:41 The Centralization Debate in Lightning Network 35:43 Merchant Adoption of Bitcoin Payments 38:47 The Role of Bitcoin as a Medium of Exchange 40:53 Exploring Lightning Network Implementations 45:36 Recommendations for Different User Types 50:45 Comparing Lightning Network with Alternative Solutions 54:52 Enhancing Bitcoin's Functionality 57:37 The Future of Bitcoin Development 59:59 Bitcoin Myths and Misconceptions 01:02:08 The Importance of Bitcoin Ownership 01:06:05 Lightning Network Adoption and Innovations 01:11:01 Privacy in the Lightning Network Links: https://x.com/BeefOrBacon1 http://billandkeonne.org/ https://learn.robosats.org/ Sponsor: CoinKite.com (code LIVERA) Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    1h 20m
  4. Bitcoin Network Monitoring with B10C | SLP707

    12/19/2025

    Bitcoin Network Monitoring with B10C | SLP707

    In this episode, B10C discusses his work in the Bitcoin ecosystem, focusing on the importance of censorship resistance, the role of mining pools, and the implications of OFAC sanctions on Bitcoin transactions. He introduces the Peer Observer project aimed at monitoring the Bitcoin network for anomalies and attacks, and highlights the need for a collaborative approach to Bitcoin network operations through the Bitcoin Network Operations Collective. Takeaways: 🔸B10C has been working on Bitcoin open source projects since 2021. 🔸Research on mining pools reveals they may filter out certain transactions. 🔸Censorship resistance is a key feature of Bitcoin that needs monitoring. 🔸The Bitcoin network lacks a professional monitoring system compared to large companies. 🔸The Peer Observer project aims to detect attacks on Bitcoin nodes. 🔸Monitoring tools can help identify anomalies in the Bitcoin network. 🔸The Bitcoin Network Operations Collective is a forum for collaboration on network monitoring. 🔸Compact block relay improves block propagation efficiency. 🔸Different mining pools have varying policies on transaction inclusion. 🔸The future of Bitcoin monitoring relies on community collaboration. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro Links:  https://x.com/0xb10c  https://b10c.me/  Sponsor: CoinKite.com (code LIVERA) Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    1h 22m
  5. Start your career in Bitcoin with ₿OSS Challenge with Satsie, Macgyver and Sangbida | SLP706

    12/16/2025

    Start your career in Bitcoin with ₿OSS Challenge with Satsie, Macgyver and Sangbida | SLP706

    In this episode the discussion revolves around the BOSS program (Bitcoin Open Source Software), which offers a 30-day series of technical programming exercises aimed at engaging participants in Bitcoin protocol development. The guests, Satsie, Sangbida, and Ron, share their backgrounds, motivations for joining the program, and experiences throughout the challenges. They discuss the impact of the program on their careers, the importance of community support, and the unique environment of open source development. The conversation also touches on the challenges of grant applications and the mindset required to succeed in this field. The episode concludes with advice for potential participants, encouraging them to take the leap and apply for the program. Takeaways: 🔸The BOSS program is a free opportunity for learning Bitcoin development. 🔸Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including IT and finance. 🔸The program is gamified to keep participants motivated. 🔸Community support is crucial for success in the program. 🔸Contributing to Bitcoin open source is seen as ethical and impactful. 🔸The experience in open source differs significantly from corporate environments. 🔸Grant applications require a proactive approach and clear proposals. 🔸Imposter syndrome is common but can be overcome with dedication. 🔸Feedback from the community is direct and valuable for developers. 🔸Working in open source can lead to fulfilling and autonomous careers. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:21) - What is the BOSS program?; Sangbida & Macgyver’s journey with BOSS (04:07) - Participant’s motivation & experiences with the BOSS program (09:00) - What are the career opportunities for Bitcoin developers after the BOSS program?  (12:57) - Challenges of learning & working in open source (16:53) - What are Sangbida & Macgyver currently working on? (18:25) - What is it like applying for grants and funding in open source? (19:48) - Sponsor (23:12) - The role of community engagement in open source (25:16) - Skills and mindset required to thrive in open source (30:23) - Working in Bitcoin - passion vs. reality (38:13) - Closing thoughts Links:  https://x.com/satsie  https://bosschallenge.xyz/  https://bitcoindevs.xyz/  https://x.com/Bitcoin_Devs  BOSS Challenge: https://x.com/i/status/1996282354969858301   Sponsor: CoinKite.com (code LIVERA) Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    40 min
  6. Floresta: Making Bitcoin Node Verification Accessible with Davidson Souza | SLP705

    12/14/2025

    Floresta: Making Bitcoin Node Verification Accessible with Davidson Souza | SLP705

    In this conversation, Davidson, a Bitcoin developer, discusses his project Floresta, which aims to provide a lightweight Bitcoin node solution that balances privacy, security, and usability. He explains the technical aspects of Floresta, including its architecture, the use of compact block filters, and its relationship with Utreexo. Davidson emphasizes the importance of making Bitcoin more accessible to non-technical users while maintaining security and privacy. The discussion also touches on the challenges of running Bitcoin nodes, the potential integration of Floresta with existing applications, and the future of Bitcoin technology. Takeaways: 🔸Floresta aims to provide lightweight Bitcoin nodes with better trade-offs. 🔸The project is designed for non-technical users who want to run their own nodes. 🔸Privacy and security are key concerns in Bitcoin transactions. 🔸Floresta uses compact block filters to enhance user experience. 🔸The architecture of Floresta allows for easy integration with existing wallets. 🔸Proof of work fraud proof offers a new way to validate blocks. 🔸Floresta is a library that can be embedded in other applications. 🔸User experience is crucial for wider adoption of Bitcoin technology. 🔸Feedback from users is essential for improving Floresta. 🔸The project has received positive reception, indicating a demand for lightweight solutions. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:04) - Who is Davidson Souza?  (01:39) - What is Floresta? (03:40) - Floresta tradeoff for the end user  (08:08) - How does a Utreexo-powered Electrum server work?; Neutrino (BIP 157,158)  (12:00) - Feasibility for mobile devices (14:47) - Which script types does Floresta support?  (15:50) - Who is the target audience of Floresta?  (20:18) - Could Floresta be built into existing Bitcoin phone apps?   (22:22) - How does Floresta work?  (27:53) - What’s the goal of ‘Proof of Work Fraud Proof’? (29:26) - Sponsor (34:24) - Who are ‘honest miners’? (36:05) - Proof of Work Fraud Proof vs. SPV vs. IBD model  (42:50) - The relationship between Floresta and Utreexo; Rich nodes & compact state nodes (51:12) - What will be the cost & accessibility challenges to run a Floresta node?  (56:23) - Is Floresta compatible with Bitcoin’s Layer 2 protocols?  (59:15) - Using Floresta in real life (1:01:32) - Closing thoughts  Links:  https://x.com/Erik17192799  https://github.com/vinteumorg/floresta  https://blog.dlsouza.lol/2023/09/28/pow-fraud-proof.html  https://blog.dlsouza.lol/2023/09/28/new-floresta-wire.html  Sponsor: CoinKite.com (code LIVERA) Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    1h 4m
  7. Multisig Bitcoin custody for businesses with Kevin Loaec | SLP704

    12/05/2025

    Multisig Bitcoin custody for businesses with Kevin Loaec | SLP704

    In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Kevin Loaec discuss the challenges and advancements in self-custody and multi-signature (multisig) wallets for businesses. They explore the reasons why many businesses are hesitant to adopt self-custody, including regulatory constraints and the current limitations of available tools.  The discussion highlights the evolution of multisig, the risks associated with centralized custodians, and the introduction of Liana Business as a tailored solution for businesses looking to implement multi-sig setups. They also dive into the importance of defining roles within a multisig framework, the mechanisms for recovery, and the future of recovery paths in Bitcoin.  Kevin also shares various aspects of Bitcoin custody, focusing on time locks, key management, and the importance of recovery pathways for businesses. He emphasizes the need for user-friendly solutions that mitigate risks associated with key loss and the complexities of managing multiple wallets.  The discussion also touches on the role of insurance in Bitcoin custody, the potential threats posed by large custodians, and the challenges of maintaining privacy while reusing keys across different setups.  Takeaways: 🔸Businesses often avoid self-custody due to regulatory concerns. 🔸The tools for self-custody are still not user-friendly enough for many businesses. 🔸Multisig wallets have evolved but still require technical knowledge. 🔸Centralization of funds in custodians poses significant security risks. 🔸Liana Business offers tailored solutions for business self-custody needs. 🔸Recovery pathways are crucial for ensuring access to funds. 🔸Insurance options can mitigate risks associated with key loss. 🔸Employee turnover can complicate key management in businesses. 🔸Replay protection is essential to prevent loss during forks. 🔸Future corporate custody solutions may involve hybrid models with banks. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:06) - Why aren't businesses doing self custody right now?  (02:55) - Evolution of multisig and Hardware Wallets (07:51) - Are there centralization risks with custodians? (10:24) - What is Liana Business? (13:11) - Multisig configurations with Liana (15:24) - Is Liana business optimal for businesses of all sizes? (17:31) - How does Liana Business address role-based governance? (25:03) - What are some of the recovery mechanisms in Liana?; Recovery paths  (29:04) - Understanding Time Locks and Wallet Management (31:02) - Sponsor (32:00) - Who are the key holders while setting up Liana business?; Insurance in Bitcoin custody (37:06) - How should businesses manage key loss? (38:47) - What are some of the threat vectors in Bitcoin custody?  (41:07) - What are the privacy concerns with hardware key reuse?  (48:23) - Seamless key management for businesses (53:40) - What is Liana business’s USP? (55:27) - What is the future of corporate Bitcoin custody?  (58:49) - Balancing convenience and security in Bitcoin custody Links:  https://x.com/KLoaec  https://x.com/lianabitcoin  https://lianawallet.com/business/  https://x.com/wizardsardine  Sponsor: CoinKite.com (code LIVERA) Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    1h 2m
  8. Bitcoin Spam: A Libre Relay View with Proof of Cash | SLP703

    11/17/2025

    Bitcoin Spam: A Libre Relay View with Proof of Cash | SLP703

    Stephan Livera and Kevin Cai dive into the Bitcoin spam debate, breaking down the different camps in the community, the line between consensus and policy, and how transaction filters, dust limits, and Libre Relay affect the network. They explore mining economics, fee dynamics, and the subjective nature of what people call spam. Kevin also discusses UTXO consolidation, decentralization, and how BRC-20 activity impacts the fee market. He explains the cultural differences behind spam opinions and the broader implications for Bitcoin’s ecosystem. The conversation covers the challenges of Bitcoin development, including concerns around temporary fixes like RDTS, and why programmability matters for Bitcoin’s future utility. Takeaways: 🔸The Bitcoin spam debate involves different camps with varying perspectives. 🔸Consensus refers to the agreement needed for transactions to be valid, while policy is more subjective. 🔸Libre Relay aims to align consensus with policy, promoting censorship resistance. 🔸Filters can influence transaction behavior, but their effectiveness is debated. 🔸Dust limits are a contentious topic, with arguments for and against their implementation. 🔸Transaction fees are influenced by market dynamics and user behavior. 🔸The Bitcoin network's resilience is tied to its decentralized nature and redundancy. 🔸Subjective judgments about transactions can lead to disagreements within the community. 🔸The future of Bitcoin transaction policies will likely evolve based on economic incentives and user behavior. I have a high time preference. 🔸Blocking inscriptions is unlikely to succeed. 🔸Libre Relay offers a low-friction solution for transactions. 🔸The role of miners is driven by economic incentives. Temporary fixes may lead to wasted time and effort. 🔸Bitcoin's permissionless nature allows for innovation without approval. 🔸Auto-updates contradict Bitcoin's ethos of user control. 🔸The RDTS poses risks to user transactions and programmability. 🔸Confiscatory risks arise from the RDTS's limitations. 🔸Programmability is crucial for Bitcoin's future applications. 🔸Arbitrary data embedding is inherent to communication systems. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:49) - What are the different camps in this debate? (04:55) - What is consensus and how is it different from policy?  (11:23) - Libre Relay and its role in Bitcoin (15:53) - Are certain transactions strictly harmful? (19:30) - Do Dust filters work?; Dust limits and their implications (29:59) - Orphan rates & mining dynamics (35:14) - What is Spy mining?  (38:14) - Can all the small miners gather to punish spam on Bitcoin?; Decentralizing mining  (43:40) - Do Bitcoin miners shape reality?  (47:18) - Sponsor (48:13) - What constitutes spam in Bitcoin?  (56:09) - Cultural perspectives on Bitcoin and spam (1:03:15) - Are miners short-term focussed?; Bitcoin’s robust fee market  (1:11:39) - The unsustainable nature of hype  (1:19:50) - What are the hardware costs of running a node?; Connectivity & accessibility for Bitcoin nodes (1:29:00) - Spam - incremental costs & time of transaction confirmation (1:36:40) - Is it cost & time intensive for spammers to run Libre Relay? (1:42:00) - What are the legal perspectives of data embedding in Bitcoin? (1:49:47) -  Is it feasible to block inscriptions?; Dilemma of temporary fixes (2:01:50) - Kevin’s thoughts on RDTS (Reduced Data Temporary Softfork) (2:21:53) - Is programmability important in Bitcoin? (2:27:40) - Closing thoughts Links:  https://github.com/djkazic   https://x.com/ProofOfCash  https://lightning.engineering/team/  Sponsor: CoinKite.com (code LIVERA) Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

    2h 29m
See All (710)

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
397 Ratings

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
    710
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephan Livera
  • Show Website
    Stephan Livera Podcast

You Might Also Like