Bitcoin Is Just for Libertarians, Right? Two Progressives Disagree - Ep. 698

Unchained

As the 2024 elections draw near, Bitcoin and crypto have become hot topics on the political stage. In this episode, Trey Walsh, host of The Progressive Bitcoiner podcast, and Jason Maier, author of “A Progressive’s Case for Bitcoin,” explain why they believe progressive values align with Bitcoin. They discuss how Bitcoin can be a tool for social justice and financial inclusion, challenge misconceptions about its environmental impact, and debate whether making Bitcoin a presidential issue in 2024 was premature.

With Elizabeth Warren attacking crypto and the unfriendly environment for the industry under the Biden administration, the guests also highlight that there’s a slight change in the Democratic party, though they are not certain that the Harris campaign will adopt a pro-Bitcoin stance.

Show highlights:

• How Trey and Jason became Bitcoiners
• What progressivism means to Trey and Jason, highlighting Bitcoin's alignment with social justice and financial inclusion, beyond its typical libertarian associations
• How Jason and Trey persuade skeptical progressives about Bitcoin
• Whether they believe that other areas of crypto besides Bitcoin have value
• Why they think Bitcoin’s environmental impact is the biggest misconception among progressives
• Whether Elizabeth Warren’s focus on consumer protection blinds her to Bitcoin as a tool for financial inclusion
• Why Jason believes pushing Bitcoin as a presidential issue in 2024 was premature
• Why Trey sees potential hope for pro-crypto policies under a potential Harris administration, despite the hostility of the Biden administration

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Polkadot
• Stellar
• Mantle
• Coinbase

Guests:

• Trey Walsh, host of The Progressive Bitcoiner podcast
• Jason Maier, author of “A Progressive’s Case for Bitcoin”
• Trump and the Future of Bitcoin, Jason’s op-ed

Timestamps:

➡️ 02:06 - How Trey and Jason became Bitcoiners

➡️ 05:14 - Bitcoin, progressivism & social justice

➡️ 11:24 - Persuading skeptical progressives

➡️ 16:19 - Value beyond Bitcoin? Other cryptos

➡️ 21:46 - Environmental impact misconceptions

➡️ 34:36 - Elizabeth Warren & Bitcoin: Consumer protection vs. financial inclusion

➡️ 41:24 - Was making Bitcoin a 2024 election issue premature?

➡️ 55:15 - Potential for pro-crypto policies under Harris?

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