The Bitcoin Adoption Supercycle with Dan Held - WBD495

Dan Held is the Growth Lead at Kraken. In this interview, we
discuss the splintering and factionalization of the Bitcoin
community, trying to be honest in a toxic environment, update on
the Bitcoin supercycle, and Bitcoin application (selling,
hodling, lending, and collateralizing).


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Bitcoin is under almost constant attack, but despite significant
pressures, efforts to ensure the technology remains truly
decentralised and open have been successful, in a large part,
thanks to the toxicity within the bitcoin community. But those
who have worked at close quarters to the Bitcoin ecosystem have
witnessed a rapid evolution and segmentation of beliefs, business
proposals, and market for what is still a nascent innovation.


The original libertarian community that nurtured Bitcoin has been
diluted by new groups. Conservatives and progressives have
aligned themselves to Bitcoin with their own dogmas. In the wake
of the maximalist victory in the Blocksize Wars new divisions
have arisen based on divergent ideologies. Can we find a unifying
narrative to coalesce these factions?


Equally, the industry that has developed around the unique
monetary and payment characteristics of the technology has
resulted in an explosion of new products and features. No longer
is Bitcoin merely a static store of value: hodlers can now lend,
short, and collateralize their asset. Should we fully embrace the
investment opportunities this asset can provide?


Finally, the cyclical nature of the asset price has continued to
evolve. Macro forces, game theory, and geo-political events are
potentially aligning to create a supercycle: a new phase of
adoption that could propel Bitcoin into becoming a global reserve
currency to rival gold. Will those who have prevised such a
future be proven right?


Are we finally about to enter a phase when Bitcoin matures and
becomes money for all?