Defending Bitcoin in DC with David Zell - WBD601

David Zell is a co-founder of the Bitcoin Policy Institute and
Director of Policy at BTC Inc. In this interview, we discuss how
the Bitcoin Policy Institute engages to educate politicians in DC
through combating FUD, distinguishing Bitcoin from crypto, and
aligning Bitcoin with US National Security interests and American
values.


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Bitcoin was developed on the shoulders of the cypherpunks
building new forms of money outside of government control and
oversight. Permission was not sought, as permission would not
have been granted. Government actively disrupted the cypherpunk
vision, seeking to destroy it. Bitcoin’s emergence was therefore
antithetical to the concerns and endorsement of decision-makers.


But, some believe that the initial battle has been won. Bitcoin
is now 14 years old. It has spread to all corners of the globe,
and radically changed the mindset of those who have interacted
with it. This includes some of those in the corridors of power,
who have been won over by its ideology and technical resilience.
The question now is how Bitcoin development continues.


Bitcoin could continue to evolve without seeking to engage with
the levers of the state. Experience suggests that this would
marginalise Bitcoin and Bitcoiners within the US. In the
meantime, other protocols and blockchains would continue to curry
favour with lawmakers and mould the regulatory framework to their
needs. Who would win in this situation?


Or, through advocacy and education and cooperation with those in
DC, Bitcoin could be allowed to develop openly within the United
States. Much like the internet, the risks posed by this new
innovation wouldn’t be allowed to throttle the huge benefits it
has to offer both individuals and society.


In a grand scenario, Bitcoin could allow the United States to
continue to compete for hegemonic power whilst continuing to
champion individual freedom and sovereignty. This is a huge
prize. Perhaps the biggest prize. This is why there are people
willing to put in the hard graft to develop and nurture bodies
like the Bitcoin Policy Institute. The future owes them
gratitude.