Bitcoin: A Year in Review with Matt Odell - WBD604

Matt Odell is host of the Citadel Dispatch, co-host of Rabbit
Hole Recap, venture partner at Ten31 and co-founder of Bitcoin
Park. In this interview, we review 2022: the attacks on privacy,
the reaffirmation of self-custody, how people who were treated
like gods rekted the market, and the responsibility of Bitcoin
podcasters in doing right by the audience.


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2022 has been brutal. First, tough lessons were learnt in trying
to use Bitcoin for warranted privacy needs within North America.
Then, we had our industry's very own global financial crisis when
the tide went out and we saw how many of the supposed titans were
swimming naked. So many people have been damaged, so many have
been rekt.


The collateral damage to Bitcoin is unknown, but material. So
much of that damage has come from malign and selfish actions by
people who knew better. They have exploited a new form of money,
which was meant to circumvent systemic centralized greed and
corruption, to put into practice new more brutal forms of
extraction than anything we witnessed in TradFi.


But, there are also those, whose actions have been made in good
faith, who need to reflect on the events of the past year. We
know where blame is centred, but how far does blame extend?
Explicitly, what responsibilities do Bitcoin podcasters in
general, and this Bitcoin podcaster in particular, have in regard
to protecting and educating their audience?


2022 has been personally brutal for a whole range of reasons.
But, it is now time for reflection. It is right therefore that,
as a show that assesses and comments on the industry, the tables
are turned and a light is shone on this show’s decision-making.
There is nobody better than Odell to shine that light.


Fundamentally, it is the audience who will decide. I look forward
to reading any comments listeners may have following one of the
toughest podcasts I have hosted.