In this episode, we sit down with George Selgin, Director Emeritus at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, to explore his views on money, markets, and bitcoin’s role in the global economy. George shares his journey from studying marine biology to becoming a leading voice in monetary economics and discusses how definitions of money have evolved. We examine bitcoin’s classification as a synthetic commodity, its potential as a store of value, and whether it could ever replace the US dollar. George also analyzes the proposed bitcoin strategic reserve, highlighting its costs, risks, and implications for government debt.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:11 - Introducing George Selgin's background and career

00:07:42 - Moving from Hong Kong to the University of Georgia

00:09:50 - Defining money and its role in economics

00:12:12 - Explaining why bitcoin doesn’t meet the definition of money

00:13:31 - Defining the dollar and its place in the economy

00:15:52 - Understanding gold’s history and modern role

00:19:11 - Analyzing bitcoin as a synthetic commodity

00:21:51 - Evaluating bitcoin as a store of value vs. medium of exchange

00:24:52 - Discussing bitcoin’s long-term price potential

00:29:21 - Examining markets, prices, and bitcoin’s future

00:36:13 - Questioning if the US dollar could be replaced

00:42:36 - Evaluating the bitcoin strategic reserve proposal

00:49:11 - Breaking down the costs and risks of a bitcoin reserve

00:55:00 - Closing thoughts and where to follow George Selgin

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→ George Selgin’s Twitter: https://x.com/GeorgeSelgin

In this episode, we recap the top 5 episodes of 2024 on The Bitcoin Frontier, reflecting on the show’s growth, standout moments, and what’s ahead in 2025. We’re joined by Jose, Director of Media Production at Unchained, to discuss the podcast’s journey, including hitting 1.5 million views and 17 years of watch time this year. We highlight key episodes featuring expert guests who tackled topics like bitcoin ETFs, mining, macroeconomic trends, health, science, AI, and the philosophical debates shaping bitcoin’s future. From bitcoin’s role as a reserve asset to its vulnerabilities and the risks of quantum threats, this countdown captures the most important conversations of the year while setting the stage for what’s next.

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→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro

1:14 - Jose, Director of Media Production

3:07 - 2024 growth and podcast milestones

5:25 - Unchained hits 1.5M views and 17 years watched in 2024

11:22 - Honorable mention

13:42 - Episode #5

16:56 - Episode #4

21:32 - Episode #3

27:04 - Episode #2

30:27 - Episode #1

34:55 - 2025 podcast plans and bitcoin growth outlook

37:55 - Is bitcoin just digital gold or the best form of money?

43:30 - Bitcoin risks from fiat dominance to quantum threats

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

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→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter

→ Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Jose Burgos’ Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Batten to explore the six megatrends shaping bitcoin this cycle, from sovereign wealth funds and pension funds entering the market to miners becoming net buyers instead of sellers. Daniel shares his take on bitcoin ETFs as a game-changer for traditional finance and the growing potential for national bitcoin reserves. We discuss whether this cycle will break the pattern of diminishing returns, why volatility isn’t the risk many think it is, and how bitcoin’s adoption could accelerate at unprecedented levels.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

→ Subscribe

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→ Share the show with your friends and family

→ Send us an email podcast@unchained.com

→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description

→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontier

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 — Why sovereign wealth funds are the next big bitcoin adopters

00:01:22 — The six megatrends shaping bitcoin this cycle

00:05:06 — How pension funds are allocating to bitcoin

00:11:42 — Why miners are buying, not selling, bitcoin this cycle

00:15:19 — Will this cycle break bitcoin’s diminishing returns trend?

00:27:33 — Blow-off tops vs. steady growth: what to expect this cycle

00:30:47 — Why the bitcoin ETF success is just beginning

00:35:14 — The rise of bitcoin strategic reserves among nations

00:40:54 — Addressing the “too late for bitcoin” mindset

00:49:57 — The biggest risks to bitcoin’s future

WHERE TO FOLLOW US:

→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom

→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom

→ Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter

→ Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital

→ Daniel Batten’s Twitter: https://x.com/DSBatten