Where did Bitcoin come from? Since the mysterious conception of Bitcoin following the 2008 financial crisis, people have been trying to figure out who created it, and why.

Joining Kate Wand on Liberty Curious is independent thinker & writer Emile Phaneuf, to discuss the origins of Bitcoin, and its philosophical influences including the writings of Hayek, Ayn Rand and David Friedman.

Emile writes on matters of money and cryptocurrency and has spent well over a decade working in international business development around the world.

Emile explains that Hayek imagined how private enterprise could compete with the long withstanding government monopoly on money to create better choices for the people. He draws parallels as to how Bitcoin is an example of decentralization in the Information Age, and how this kind of technology has the potential to disrupt the status quo.

To begin, we delve into the potential motives of the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.

Emile Phaneuf's articles discussed in this podcast:

https://www.aier.org/article/hayek-and-bitcoin/

https://www.aier.org/article/cypherpunks-galts-gulch-and-bitcoin/

https://www.aier.org/article/anarchy-and-bitcoin/

Emile Phaneuf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EconEmile

emilephaneuf.com

*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***

0:00 - Introduction

0:23 - Origins of Bitcoin and philosophical influences

2:15 - Influence of Hayek, Rand, and Friedman

5:06 - Decentralization and disruptive potential of Bitcoin

6:43 - Concealment of Satoshi Nakamoto's identity

8:28 - Hayek's argument for denationalization of currency

10:02 - Government monopolization and the public's lack of choice

11:56 - Algorithmic monetary policy of Bitcoin

19:14 - The Machinery of Freedom

25:03 - Parallel Financial System

29:26 - CBDC

32:31 - The Revolt of the Public

44:20 - Absolute Control

47:05 - Final Thoughts

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