#994 Bruce Fenton On Running For Senator As A Bitcoiner
6/8/2022 · 28 min · transcript via mlx
Tags
Key topics
— Bruce Fenton, Bitcoin OG and US Senate candidate from New Hampshire, discusses why he's running for political office to advocate for Bitcoin and libertarian principles.
— The distinction between politicians who genuinely understand Bitcoin versus those treating it as a fundraising opportunity; Fenton criticizes Mayor Adams of NYC for flip-flopping on crypto support.
— Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) represent an existential threat to freedom because they enable government to shut off citizens' money; Fenton advocates for legislation to prevent CBDCs in the US.
— Bitcoin should be treated as protected free speech under the First Amendment and software code, similar to the Bernstein v. Department of Justice precedent.
— ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives are heavy-handed, government-driven overreach that interfere with business governance and free markets.
— Self-custody remains a valid concern for Bitcoin adoption; companies like Casa are working to solve custody risks, but the problem isn't fully solved yet.
Market & price signals
— None discussed.
Actionable insights
— Evaluate political candidates based on their fundamental principles of non-intervention and freedom rather than their specific technical knowledge of Bitcoin or crypto.
— Understand that CBDCs are a more immediate threat to financial freedom than Luna-style collapses; lobby representatives against any CBDC legislation that includes government shutdown capabilities.
Episode sponsorships
Paid placements mentioned in this episode. BTC Pods is not sponsored by or affiliated with these advertisers. Links are included so you can find offers mentioned on the show.
— FTX US is the safe, regulated way to buy and sell Bitcoin and other digital assets with up to 85% lower fees than top competitors, no fixed minimum fees, no ACH transaction fees, and no withdrawal fees. FTX US is also the only leading exchange that supports both Ethereum and Solana NFTs. Download the FTX app and use referral code POMP to earn free crypto on every trade over $10. Visit https://ftx.us or download the app today.
— Brave Wallet is the first secure crypto wallet built natively in a Web3 crypto browser with no extension required. You can buy, store, send, and swap assets, manage NFTs, and connect other wallets and dApps—all from the security of the best privacy browser on the market. Download Brave at brave.com/Pomp and click the wallet icon to get started.
— BetOnline.ag is the world's largest sports betting, casino, poker, and horse racing website that accepts cryptocurrency for wagering. Visit https://promotions.betonline.ag/pomp and use promo code POMP100 to receive a 100% matching bonus on any crypto deposit with no crypto transaction fees and instantaneous, secure processing.