Humans of Bitcoin
89 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsHumans of Bitcoin tells the stories of people whose lives have been impacted by cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Guests range from activists and refugees to artists and entrepreneurs.
At Humans of Bitcoin, we just want to know how cryptocurrency is changing people’s lives, and why.
Hosted by Matt Aaron. Part of the Bitcoin.com podcast network.
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Episodes
Rory MacDonald - MMA and Bitcoin
November 13, 2018 14:21 - 19 minutes - 34.8 MBRory has become the defacto "Bitcoin Guy" in the MMA circuit. The current Bellator Welterweight World Champion, we talk about his life as a pro fighter and thoughts on cryptocurrency.
Amara's Law, FB Censorship, and Southern Charm - Sterlin Lujan
November 06, 2018 12:15 - 55 minutes - 102 MBBitcoin.com's global ambassador Sterlin is the first two time guest on the show. The charming Texan talks about his fascinating worldwide bitcoin travels, psychadelics, and the battle with Facebook censoring his fan page. He lives a life many can only dream about. Sterlin travels to conferences speaking about bitcoin and anarchy. From debates in D.C. to exciting adventures in Eastern Europe, what a fascinating and insightful person. When I have the chance to hang out with Sterlin, it is ...
The Future of Bitcoin in India - Nischal of WazirX
October 30, 2018 12:12 - 25 minutes - 47.1 MBA country with 1.3 billion people and less than 20% of citizens have a bank account.. The central bank (RBI) is back and forth on Bitcoin regulations. Nischal is on a mission to involve every Indian in the Blockchain revolution. Timestamps: 2:09 – Demonetization and the change towards new notes on account of “Black Money” 4:02 – Growing up and the start of Crowdfire 6:21 – First Bitcoin Experience back in 2009 8:15 – Second try at Bitcoin 2013 and Coinbase 10:00 – The start of ...
Erik Voorhees on WSJ, SEC Regulations, and the Future
October 23, 2018 14:49 - 44 minutes - 81.9 MBHe is one of the most important and influential members of the bitcoin world. Founder and CEO of ShapeShift, Erik approaches the fiat-crypto battle with unwavering perseverance AND pragmatism. We talk about a variety of topics, including: After so much progress for bitcoin over the last 7 years, does Erik ever stop to smell the roses? His bitcoin story. Meeting Roger Ver and Charlie Shrem back in the early days. His recent run-in with an unethical hit piece on ShapeShift by the Wal...
Does Cryptocurrency Work in Venezuela? - Jose of EatBCH
October 16, 2018 10:35 - 35 minutes - 64.1 MBHyper-inflation, lack of food, water, basic goods, and safety. Venezuela has fallen apart over the years, and there isn't much hope in sight for the Government to turn things around. Jose is in Venezuela running a charity, EatBCH. With Bitcoin Cash donations from around the world, Jose and the team help acquire food and cook meals for people in 6 different states across the country. What is life like in Venezuela today? How does commerce work and what money is used? Timestamps: 2:51 -...
John McAfee: Life and Crypto NSFW
October 09, 2018 11:49 - 27 minutes - 50.8 MBHe just turned 73, but John remains full of vigor. When we spoke, he was enjoying life on the Outer Banks. No stranger to public attention, John has been in contentious battles with multiple governments, ran two public companies, made big bets, and is running for president in 2020. John and I discussed his entrance into the bitcoin world, standing up to the S.E.C., the smartest man in the world, what we need to do for cryptocurrency to be a revolution (and not just an asset class)and muc...
The BCH Wolf of Johannesburg
October 02, 2018 12:20 - 28 minutes - 39.2 MBIn Johannesburg, Sibo tirelessly works to help adoption of Bitcoin. Learn about her initiative BCH4Bicycles. And - What would Nelson Mandela think about bitcoin? 1.15: The importance of using cryptocurrency in South Africa 2.20: We discover who Sibo is and her background 4.06: South Africa is in recession but how this is positive for Bitcoin adoption. 5:25: Famous people using Xhosa - her mother tongue 6:60: Her cool career in metallurgy - ( yes, that word Matt can’t pronounce ) 10:20...
Ernesto Huerta - Bitcoin Freedom in Los Angeles
September 25, 2018 11:55 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBHe’s been scammed more times than you can imagine. Ernesto is resilient though .. His undenying faith in cryptocurrency has changed his life. Instead of lambos, he chose to launch Cryptospace. Now he’s helping others discover economic freedom in San Pedro, Los Angeles. A neighborhood, physical space where anyone can learn about bitcoin and buy/sell on Ernesto's licensed exchange. This is a powerful local business model that needs to be replicated around the world. Check out the Crypt...
Financial Wisdom from a Crypto Media O.G. - Chris DeRose
September 18, 2018 13:29 - 43 minutes - 60 MBTwo of the most prevalent problems in analysis of crypto: 1. Allegiance to a blockchain - as a fan of X coin, your arguments are emotionally driven 2. Lack of historical perspective - lessons from other technological shifts Chris is aware of both of these problems and has a unique perspective on how to think about the future going forward. I learned a ton both as an investor and a believer in the purpose of cryptocurrencies.
Vinny Lingham Leads From The Front
September 11, 2018 09:03 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBA pleasure to have one of the O.G.'s of bitcoin on the show. Many of you are familiar with Vinny. He is well known for his success as an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. He is a successful investor, a media figure on shows like Shark Tank and Dragon's Den, and a partner in the largest cryptocurrency hedge fund. At one point, 5% of all bitcoin transactions were made via his company Gyft. Today, he serves as the CEO of Civic, a decentralized identity ecosystem built on Ethereum. Vinny...
The Emperor of Bitcoin - Daniel Krawisz
September 04, 2018 13:48 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBA highly recommended person to interview, I was delighted to watch Daniel's YouTube channel and his analysis of Groucho Marx as a stupid genius. It was a pleasure to speak with him and pick his brain. He's been around since the very early years of bitcoin. And he is full of many ideas / viewpoints that you probably haven't heard. We talk about meeting Ross Ulbricht in the early days, why a return to the cryptoanarchy ideals could benefit Bitcoin, and a lot more! An entertaining episode...
Freedom of Code - Cody Wilson (EXCLUSIVE)
August 27, 2018 21:14 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBCody Wilson became famous in 2013 with his blueprint for a 3D printable gun. Five years later, his company Defense Distributed is still making headlines. Fresh off a settlement victory with the Federal government, Cody is now in a legal war with over 20 states. In this exclusive interview, he shares the ins and outs of his legal situation and what the future holds for Defense Distributed.
Prediction Markets, Decision Making, and Politics - Paul Sztorc (Part 2)
August 21, 2018 17:43 - 33 minutes - 23 MBPaul is the godfather of blockchain prediction markets. With a personal interest in prediction markets and it's effect on the future, I picked his brain some more. Distributed decision making can change sports, investing, global warming, and politics. If you have better information, you can profit. Listen as we go deep into something that could change the world. Timestamps: 2:25 - Godfather of prediction markets 4:04 - Use cases for prediction markets 5:35 - Making Government bet...
A True Bitcoin Polymath - Paul Sztorc (part 1)
August 14, 2018 16:39 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBBitcoin changed the game; changed the rules. With new rules comes new solutions. That's where Paul comes in. Working on sidechains and prediction markets, he applies a skillset from many disciplines: Statistics, Economics, Psychology, Finance, Programming, Cryptography among other fields. Roger paid Paul to leave Yale and work full-time on Bitcoin. And he's still working on it years later!
How Libertarian Leader 'Mr Liechtenstein’ Got Lucky
August 07, 2018 17:08 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBHe holds four passports, although Lichtenstein isn't one of them. Forced to pave his own way, Andreas got involved with accounting and economics as a teenager in London. A few years later, he would be gifting bitcoin to the Prince of Lichtenstein, Hans Adam II. Just 23, he has become a key figure for the wealthiest country in the world, leading them in bitcoin and blockchain adoption. Lichtenstein has only 37,000 citizens. Yet it is a force in the cryptoworld with over 200 ICO's ba...
How to Build a Crypto Business - Konstantin of Changelly
July 31, 2018 14:14 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBPrague, Czech Republic Konstantin Gladys is in the Changelly HQ. As he walks around to show me the office on the video call, you can see that this a growing, powerful crypto outfit. Operating since 2015, Changelly has attracted over 2M registered users from around the world. Currently, the service processes more than 15K transactions weekly with a monthly turnover of around 60K BTC. He came from the advertising world and has a PHD in machine learning. How did he get to where he is to...
Bitcoin, Country Music and Ranch Life - Corb Lund
July 24, 2018 16:44 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBCorb Lund is a lifelong musician. He writes his own lyrics and is one of the top country music artists out of Canada. He has also been into bitcoin for a while and is a go-to guy to educate ranchers about cryptocurrency. Many in the "rural lifestyle" buy and invest in gold. Will they end up getting into bitcoin? Corb is intelligent, thoughtful and opens up on a world that many of us know very little about.
How to take control of your career - Derek Magill
July 17, 2018 12:50 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBHe had to decide between a dinner with Ron Paul and his college finals. Derek chose the former and never returned to the University of Michigan. Just 25, he is a successful entrepreneur and writer. He is currently helping other ambitious young minds skip college and start their career right away as the director of marketing at Praxis. Listen and learn how to supercharge your career.
From Wall Street to Bitcoin - Caitlin Long
July 10, 2018 13:51 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MB"Bitcoin leaves me with tremendous hopes for the future...it is a chance to re-write wrongs and change history. Thanks to Satoshi we actually have an alternative option” -Caitlin Long We had a chance to interview one of our idols. The Wall street insider played on the other side. When she found Austrian economics her world flipped. Now she helps traditional institutes embrace Bitcoin. She was part of the team that convinced Wyoming to become a crypto/blockchain friendly state. Listen t...
A Lesson on the Future of E-commerce with Joe Einhorn
July 03, 2018 12:38 - 48 minutes - 33 MBFancy.com is a social commerce website that is used by famous celebrities and jet setters all around the world. It's been running for 10 years and the company has made many pivots along the way. Consumer behavior and sophistication has evolved. As you'll learn, your company needs to evolve as well. Joe is a deep thinker. Listen as he reflects on the past, present, and future.
Bryan Micon ‘The King Of All Degenerates’
June 26, 2018 16:54 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBA pro poker player, Bryan Micon brought bitcoin to the poker community. He helped launch an online pokerroom that only used bitcoin. In doing so, he got in trouble with the Nevada gaming commission. Like Calvin Ayre, he now resides in Antigua. We talk poker, the U.S. Government, and other topics that fascinate Bryan.
From Bodog to Bitcoin - Calvin Ayre
June 19, 2018 14:06 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBCalvin's life got better when he shifted his international payments from fiat to Bitcoin Cash. Craig Wright brought him into this world and he is making his mark. Calvin is currently building a 100 million dollar wellness resort that will be crypto friendly and is funded by his crypto profits. He is also a diplomat: the economic envoy to Antigua. Prior to that he founded Bodog entertainment, one of the largest players in the online gambling industry. What is life like for a magnat...
War Veteran Adam Kokesh Takes On Trump
June 12, 2018 13:31 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBIt is impossible to not be intrigued when you read Adam's Wikipedia page Adam is no stranger to controversy. Protesting with Iraqi Veterans Against War and other groups, he has been arrested multiple times. Based on the principles of his book Freedom!, which he started writing while in prison for civil disobedience, Adam is running for Not-President of the United States.
Why Africa Needs Bitcoin with Ray Youssef
June 05, 2018 13:37 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBGrowing up in Hell's Kitchen, he developed entrepreneurial grit at an early age. Ray went through many ups and downs. In an especially rough patch, he was homeless for a few months. Today, his exchange, Paxful, is a major player in the African Bitcoin scene. We talk about the absurd limitations that Nigerians have to deal with and where Bitcoin and gift cards can help.
Retired Vegas Gigolo Turned Crypto Innovator
May 29, 2018 13:23 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBA true polymath. Vin Armani is an internationally known, elite, male escort for women. His years of experience, both professional and otherwise, in the art of seduction have given him a deep understanding of the applied principles of human sociosexuality. In addition to being a gigolo, he has made his living as a software developer, pirate radio station operator, DJ, music producer, motorcycle courier. He also owns a vodka company. Vin's main project right now is Cointext: send Bitcoin u...
Erik Finman: Crypto will save the world
May 22, 2018 12:36 - 33 minutes - 23 MBErik never graduated. Despite coming from a family of academics, he had his parents blessing to drop out of high school. But the blessing was conditional - he had to make a million dollars. And the catalyst behind his early wealth? You guessed it .. Bitcoin. Erik is a young, gifted entrepreneur. He was named TIME's most influential teen. He's working to change the education system and building a satellite with NASA. We delve into his worldviews and his plans for the future.
A Porn Star’s Take on Cryptocurrency - Brenna Sparks
May 15, 2018 12:56 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBRecently, a Las Vegas strip club was in the news for advertising their acceptance of bitcoin. Strippers had temporary QR code tattoos on their bodies that clients could scan for sending payment. We wanted to find out more, so we got in touch with adult film star Brenna Sparks. Brenna tells us why crypto means survival in the adult entertainment industry. Listen to find out why she’s a HODLer + her honest views on the infamous Legends club.
The Life of Roger Ver
May 11, 2018 08:30 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBIn his early 30's, Roger Ver was pretty much retired. Then he discovered bitcoin. And he was hooked. Roger became a key investor and advocate for the cryptoworld. It's been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride: Roger's day-to-day life His relationship with Erik Voorhees What keeps Roger going? How does he manage all the ups and downs? Why you should never enter prison on a Friday And much, much more..
Bitcoin's Chief Economist - Jeffrey Tucker
May 08, 2018 14:01 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBEsteemed economist Jeffrey Tucker, like most of us, didn't immediately wrap his head around bitcoin. Another attempt at digital money? When he finally understood, Jeffrey risked his reputation and made the biggest bet of his career: advocating Bitcoin. Many economists laughed at him then. While they'll never admit that he was right (human nature), his bet has paid off big time. Jeffrey Tucker cut his teeth with Ron Paul in the 80's. Today, he is the founder of Liberty.me and the Atlan...
The Morality, Humanity, and Weirdness of Bitcoin - Joannes Vermorel
May 01, 2018 12:26 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBJoannes is a French intellectual. But not one of the arrogant ones :) On top of running a 60-person company, he is a Bitcoin thought leader. We talk about the moral compass of bitcoin it's role in humanity. A thought-provoking conversation. Check out his essay A Weirder Bitcoin.
Bitcoin is a better option than a PhD - Ryan Charles of Yours.org
April 24, 2018 14:12 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBRyan didn't want to stay in academia his whole life. Just 6 months away from his PhD in physics, he left to pursue a career in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Today, he runs a social media platform powered by Bitcoin Cash micropayments, Yours.org. Ryan is currently ranked #44 on the CryptoInfluencers list.
XDite: Bitcoin’s Renaissance Woman
April 17, 2018 11:39 - 40 minutes - 28 MBMeet XDite. Taiwan's world class Ruby On Rails Hacker, founder of the world's largest online coding camp & the power behind crypto exchange OTCBTC. Prior to the exchange, she started ico.info, an ICO Kickstarter that raised 200M in 2 months until it was shutdown by the government. A self taught Bitcoin millionaire, this superwoman is unstoppable. Check out her announcement to run for mayor of Taipei here
Becoming a Bitcoin Expert at 11 Years Old, with Andrew Courey
April 03, 2018 16:04 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBThis week’s guest is a 6th grader from Wellesley, Massachusetts and the author of recently released book called The Early Bird Gets the Bitcoin: The Ultimate Guide to Everything About Bitcoin. We chat with Andrew about what it’s like to become and expert in something so complex at such a young age, the reception of the book at his school, and we even nerd out about who we really think Satoshi Nakamoto was/is. Andrew also gives advice on how to tackle learning new things that may be intim...
How to Survive in Venezuela with Juan Pinto
March 27, 2018 12:26 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBThe full interview from Juan Pinto, a Venezuelan miner, recently featured in WIRED Magazine, about using cryptocurrency to survive in Venezuela’s crippling economy. Life is not easy in Venezuela. Hyperinflation has resulted in Venezuela’s currency losing 98% of its value against the US dollar. The value of people’s life savings is disintegrating, the minimum wage is worth roughly $5, and many people are even rummaging through the trash for food. Juan and so many other Venezuelans are tur...
What scares the US Gov't more: Drugs or Bitcoin? with Lyn Ulbricht
March 13, 2018 13:26 - 43 minutes - 30 MBThis week our guest is Lyn Ulbricht, the activist-mother to Ross Ulbricht. Ross was the founder of the famous Silk Road platform, a site on the Dark Web known best as a marketplace where you could buy and sell drugs using bitcoin. The Silk Road website had a massive impact on the rise of bitcoin because it was one of the first places where it was tested and used as a real currency. Lyn discusses how her life has changed since the day Ross was arrested, how she keeps fighting, where the c...
Bitcoin: Money or Digital Gold? With Sergej Kotliar of BitRefill
March 06, 2018 11:29 - 45 minutes - 31 MBThis week we talk to Swedish entrepreneur, Sergej Kotliar about his belief that people should be able to pay for just about anything with bitcoin and how he’s working to make that happen. His company, BitRefill, allows people in 163 countries to top up their prepaid phone balances using bitcoin. 70% of the world uses prepaid phones rather than paying a monthly flat rate plan! That’s huge. We chat about why phone technology might be a good avenue for popularizing the use of bitcoin as mon...
What is Crypto-Art?
February 27, 2018 09:49 - 39 minutes - 26.8 MBThis week we explore the topic of crypto-art with artist Nanu Berks. Nanu used to be completely disinterested in money and just wanted to make art, now she’s spreading the message of cryptocurrency through murals, paintings, virtual reality galleries and five-senses installations. She tells us about living in the jungle, traveling all over South and Central America, and how she first discovered bitcoin. Learn about her art, how she pays the rent, and how viewers experience her five-sense...
How migrants use bitcoin without knowing it
February 20, 2018 10:39 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBThis week we explore bitcoin and blockchain solutions to sending money across borders. We talk to Luis Buenaventura, a Filipino entrepreneur, and Hugo Cuevas Mohr, a strategy consultant for the money transfer industry. 2 billion people in the world are un-banked - How can bitcoin help serve these people in ways that traditional financial institutions have failed them? To check out Luis’ illustrations, take a look at Coindesk’s 10 Most Influential in Blockchain in 2017 Host: Cady Voge ...
From drug deals to conference circuits with Sterlin Lujan
February 13, 2018 11:58 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MBSterlin Lujan had been working for Walmart for 10 years and was trying to finish up his Bachelor’s degree when he was arrested for possession of 500 pills of MDMA and 26 grams of cocaine. Now he travels the world talking about bitcoin and anarchism. Host: Cady Voge Guest: Sterlin Lujan, Communications Ambassador at Bitcoin.com Producers: Matt Aaron and Cady Voge