Stephan Livera Podcast Archiv

In this urgent 15-minute conversation, Stephan speaks with Ricki Allardice, one of the leaders of the Property Rights Defense Group, about South Africa’s Draft Capital Flow Management Regulations 2026 — the most serious threat to Bitcoin self-custody the country has seen.

Ricki breaks down exactly what the draft rules would do to private keys, self-custody, and everyday Bitcoiners, where the process stands right now, and what the community can still do before the 30 June 2026 public comment deadline.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Overview of the Regulation Against Self Custody

(04:07) - Public Consultation Process 

(05:49) - Can it be challenged?

(07:20) - It’s About Capital Controls

(08:02) - AML, Sanctions, FATF 

(10:46) - What does it mean for Bitcoiners in South Africa?

(12:22) - Safety or Security concern here?

(14:22) - Call to Action and Support for Legal Defense

Links: 

Site: propertyrightsdefense.org

X: https://x.com/PRDG_ZA 

Donate: https://btcpay386617.lndyn.com/apps/4TcSxV6dNFYzb1DBDthPL89Tjz72/crowdfund?ref=propertyrightsdefense.org 

Stephan Livera links:

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Matt McClintock (Founder & CEO of Bespoke Group) returns to the show alongside Alla Futterman (Associate Client Relationship Manager & Head of Philanthropy Operations) fresh off his main-stage talk at BTC Prague 2026 titled “Using Bitcoin to Change the World.”

In this deep dive, we explore how ultra-high-net-worth Bitcoiners and their families are moving beyond simple HODLing to become active stewards — deploying Bitcoin through sophisticated, values-aligned philanthropy to solve real problems (landmine clearance, human trafficking recovery, wildlife protection, cultural preservation, and more).

We unpack Bespoke Group’s “Wealth Operating System,” sovereign estate planning for bearer assets, tax-efficient giving structures, next-gen involvement, the mindset shift from ownership to “this wealth has been entrusted to me,” and practical advice for Bitcoiners at every level who want their capital to outlive them and actually improve the world.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn Bitcoin conviction into lasting generational impact while keeping sovereignty and privacy intact, this is the episode.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction to Bitcoin Philanthropy

(06:38) - Tax-Efficient Philanthropy Strategies

(13:07) - Charitable Structures for Bitcoin

(20:22) - Mindset Shifts in Bitcoin Philanthropy

(27:22) - Wealth Stewardship and Bitcoin

(32:13) - Challenges in Bitcoin Philanthropy

(37:23) - Engaging the Next Generation in Philanthropy

(39:49) - Practical Tips for Everyday Bitcoiners

  

Links: 

Bespoke Group https://bespokegroup.io/

Matt’s article: “How Bitcoin Wealth is Changing the World” (June 2026)

Alla’s article: “Philanthropy as Wealth in Motion”

https://x.com/mcclintock_m

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode, we sit down with Adam Juchniewicz of Bitcoin Passport Index and Bitcitizen to discuss Bitcoin sovereignty, jurisdictional arbitrage, and how Bitcoiners should think about second passports and residencies.

We dive into the Bitcoin Passport Index, why Bitcoin-friendly tax and legal treatment matters more than most people realize, and how the landscape for citizenship and residency programs is rapidly changing.

Adam also breaks down his fast-track Vanuatu citizenship program and his full-service approach to helping Bitcoiners build a proper sovereign stack — from companies to passports to, in some cases, full exits.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Bitcoin Passport Index

(03:21) - How do you balance mobility against Bitcoin sovereignty?

(05:45) - How will CARF and global reporting change the game?

(08:41) - Vanuatu CBI program

(11:17) - Vanuatu compared with cheaper options like Sao Tome and Principe?

(13:27) - “citizen, not tourist” approach

(14:55) - Final advice for Bitcoiners

Links:

Bitcoin Passport Index: https://bpi.21cbi.io

Bitcitizen: https://www.bitcitizen.io

Vanuatu Citizenship Program: https://cbi.vu

Stephan Livera links:

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Steven Roose (CEO of Second) rejoins me to explain Bark going live on Bitcoin’s main net. 

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Bark mainnet launched on June 9th

(02:01) - Bark and Lightning onboarding

(03:30) - Ark compared to Lightning — replacement or teammate?

(04:15) - User experience with Bark

(05:54) - Developer experience with Bark SDK

(08:04) - Barkd for merchants and services

(08:56) - Dev tooling and VTXO Inspector

(10:40) - What's the current status of adoption and what's coming next?

Fees? 

(13:25) - Tx type overview

Links:

https://second.tech/

https://x.com/stevenroose3 

https://x.com/secondhq

Stephan Livera links:

Follow me on X: @stephanlivera

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In this episode, NG Zhang, founder and CEO of Canaan Inc., shares his journey in Bitcoin mining technology, from early ASIC development to modern innovations like heat reuse and energy integration. We talk about the evolution of mining hardware, industry trends, and future prospects.

Timestamps:

(00:00) –  Intro and Early Days of Bitcoin Mining

(03:40) –  From FPGA to ASIC Technology

(06:22) –  The Avalon A16 Series

(09:07) –  Reliability and Durability of Mining Machines

(12:15) –  Failure Rates and Useful Life

(14:40) - Primary Market and Secondary Market for Mining

(16:40) –  Small Scale vs. Large Scale Mining

(22:00) - What % is home mining today?

(23:00) - Heat Recovery

(29:00) - Different methods of cooling in Bitcoin Mining

(31:40) - Mining machine form factor

(32:40) - Stratum V2 Support?

(37:35) - Market Dynamics: Public vs. Private Miners

(39:50) –  Energy Grid Integration and Bitcoin Mining

(44:25) - Efficiency gains are slowing down in bitcoin mining

Links: 

https://www.canaan.io/

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode, I caught up with Will Cole from Zaprite, Alex Bragin (Jan3), Nathan Day from BTCMap, Philipp (Satora), and Skot 9000 (BitAxe/SHA256) while at BTC Prague 2026.

Timestamp:

(00:00) – Interview with Skot9000 of (SHA256)

(09:01) – Interview with Alex Bragin of JAN3 

(20:35) – Interview with Will Cole of Zaprite

(28:45) – Interview with Philipp of Satora.io

(39:33) – Chris Seedor of Seedor.io

(46:23) – Nathan Day of BTCMap

Links: 

Philipp: https://x.com/bonomat

Chris: https://x.com/coinjoined 

Will Cole: https://x.com/willcole

Alex: https://x.com/BraginRights

Skot9000: https://x.com/skot9000

Nathan Day: https://x.com/nathan_day

JAN3: https://x.com/JAN3com 

BTCMap: https://x.com/BTCMap

Satora: https://x.com/satora_io

Zaprite: https://x.com/ZapriteApp

SHA256: https://x.com/sha256

Seedor: https://x.com/seedor_io

Stephan Livera links:

Follow me on X: @stephanlivera

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In this episode, industry experts discuss the latest developments in Bitcoin treasury strategies, Lightning Network innovations, and market outlooks amid macroeconomic uncertainties. Gain insights into hardware wallets, stablecoins, and the future of Bitcoin adoption.

Timestamp:

(00:00) – Interview with Freddie New from BHODL

(08:47) - Interview with Nick Farrow from Frost Snap

(21:27) - Interview with Tony Klausing from Stable Channels

(26:41) - Interview with André Dragosch from Bitwise

(39:35) - Interview with Sam Callahan from Oranje BTC

Links: 

https://x.com/freddienew

https://x.com/UTXOClub

https://x.com/tonklaus

https://x.com/Andre_Dragosch

https://x.com/SamCallah

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode, Chris Ritter joins me to discuss Lightning Network economics, yield opportunities, network centralization, and the rapid growth of Lightning payments. We explore who captures value in the Lightning Network, security considerations for routing nodes, and what recent data reveals about the future of Bitcoin payments.

Timestamp:

(00:00) – Introduction to Lightning Economics

(04:23) – Understanding Bitcoin Treasury Strategies

(09:08) – The Evolution of Lightning Network Routing

(14:45) – Growth and Volume in the Lightning Network

(19:57) – Centralization Trends in the Lightning Network

(25:08) – Security Considerations in Lightning Routing

(29:18) – Yield Generation in Lightning Network

(35:05) – The Future of Payments and AI in Lightning

(41:34) - Closing Thoughts

Links: 

https://zeusln.com/

https://freecritter.xyz/

https://x.com/ZeusLN

https://primal.net/freecritter

Report: https://zeusln.com/Lightning_Economics_Report_April_2026.pdf 

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode, PakoVM joins me as we discuss the security challenges facing Bitcoin users, from scams and self-custody risks to the trade-offs of convenience versus sovereignty. The conversation explores emerging Bitcoin protocols such as Ark and Spark, the role of Linux and open-source hardware, advancements in wallet design, privacy, inheritance planning, and whether stablecoins and Bitcoin-native financial infrastructure can accelerate global adoption.

Timestamp:

(00:00) – Introduction 

(05:24) – Navigating Scams in the Bitcoin Space

(10:16) – The Rise of Linux and Desktop Alternatives

(15:18) – Bitcoin Technology: Lightning, Ark, and Beyond

(30:27) – Bridging Traditional Finance and Bitcoin

(35:10) – Bitcoin as a Medium of Exchange vs. Store of Value

(39:22) – Stablecoins and Their Role in Bitcoin Ecosystem

(41:50) – Wallets and User Experience in Bitcoin Transactions

(44:23) – Community Perspectives: Bitcoin Only vs. Multi-coin

(46:14) – Global Perspectives on Bitcoin Adoption

(50:17) – Future of Bitcoin Technology and User Adoption

(01:02:18) – Privacy Solutions and User Experience in Bitcoin

(01:08:21) – Closing thoughts

Links:

https://x.com/PakoVM

https://blog.bitbox.swiss/en/transferring-bitcoin-without-actually-moving-it-explaining-how-statechains-work/

https://pakovm.substack.com/p/ark-and-the-train-analogy-a-guide

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode, Stephan sits down with Arbedout to explore one of the most debated technical topics in Bitcoin today: covenants, vaults, and the future of Bitcoin custody infrastructure.

They discuss why many people may be misunderstanding where the real demand for covenants comes from, and how covenant-related features could improve Bitcoin self-custody through vaults, spending limits, recovery mechanisms, and more secure long-term storage setups.

The conversation also explores Bitcoin adoption, conviction, long-term store of value dynamics, and the psychological challenges of holding Bitcoin through volatility.

Timestamp:

(00:00) – The privacy problem with co-signing today

(03:25) – What does Sigbash allow us to do?

(08:15) – What is Oblivious Signing? 

(12:20) – Privacy, Regulation, and Reducing Multisig Honeypot Risks

(15:10) - What does Sigbash use look like in practice? Inheritance, Vaults, and Multisig

(19:50) - Can the server grief the user?

(21:10) – Mobile Wallets, Assisted Self-Custody, and NeoBank Possibilities

(25:50) - Sigbash project and product

(28:29) – Sigbash vs PIPES vs BinoHash Explained

(33:01) – Covenant Demand, Bitcoin Security, and the Future of Self-Custody

(36:33) – Closing Thoughts

Links: 

https://sigbash.com/

https://x.com/arbedout

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode, Sanjay Mavinkurve and Chase Palmieri join me to discuss Sovana, a groundbreaking product that allows property owners to leverage their real estate equity to gain Bitcoin exposure without traditional debt. They explore the product's mechanics, target audience, market timing, and future potential, providing insights into how real estate and Bitcoin markets intersect.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(02:50) - The Problem with Home Equity and Bitcoin

(06:38) - How Sovana Works

(11:10) - What if Bitcoin is down in 5 years?

(14:55) - Is this only for people who are already HODLers?

(17:25) - Why TradFi can’t ignore Bitcoin anymore

(19:17) - Would a 10 year period be possible in future?

(26:35) - Comparing Sovana to Traditional Financing

(29:05) - What about Capital Gains taxes?

(32:55) - Real Estate vs. Bitcoin Performance

(39:37) - Bridging the Gap: Conviction and Capital

(47:55) - Closing Thoughts

Links: 

https://x.com/SovanaHQ

https://x.com/sgmavinkurve

https://x.com/chasepalmieri

https://www.sovana.io/

Stephan Livera links:

Follow me on X: @stephanlivera

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In this episode, we explore the latest in Bitcoin security with NVK, including the new MK5 device, firmware updates, and the impact of AI and quantum computing on crypto security. We discuss practical tools, philosophical debates on self-custody, and future tech trends.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro 

(00:21) - What’s new with @COLDCARDwallet?

(04:05) - Miniscript support in Coldcard

(09:48) - Thoughts on Bitkey

(17:49) - @bisq_network protocol exploit

(23:17) - Debunking the quantum FUD

(29:51) - nvk on AI & LLMs

(37:54) - llm-wiki

(45:38) - Practical guides for using AI agents

(52:03) - Closing thoughts 

Links: 

https://x.com/nvk 

https://bitcoinquantum.space 

https://learntoprompt.org/   

https://llm-wiki.net/ 

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode, Pavlenex joins Stephan to discuss the strategic importance of funding open source in the Bitcoin ecosystem. They explore how open source support benefits companies, the stages of open source project development, and recent updates on Stratum V2 and BTCPay Server.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:09) - Open source is not philanthropy

(05:07) - Reaction to MARA Foundation’s initiative

(06:40) - Stages of open source projects

(11:51) - The necessity of economic incentives

(16:42) - AI's impact on open source contributions

(19:48) - “Upstream decisions, downstream impact”

(24:33) - Open source as a complement to R&D

(28:46) - Navigating corporate funding & control

(31:14) - Identifying & supporting the right projects

(35:56) - Directed grants vs Open grants

(39:55) - The importance of supporting open source

(42:41) - Updates on Stratum V2

(47:02) - Updates on BTCPay Server

(48:47) - What is the Samrock protocol for BTCPay?

Links: 

https://x.com/pavlenex 

https://x.com/pavlenex/status/2049122238033531339 

Stephan Livera links:

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In this episode Stephan speaks with Matyas Kuchar, co-founder of BTC Prague, about the upcoming Bitcoin conference in Prague. They discuss the conference's focus on Bitcoin and its intersection with other technologies like AI, the regulatory landscape in Europe, and the community divides within the Bitcoin space. 

Matyas shares insights on the importance of self-custody, the challenges posed by CBDCs, and the need for a united front in the Bitcoin community. The discussion also touches on the influence of institutional investments on Bitcoin adoption and the value of self-custody. 

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:18) - What to expect from BTC Prague?

(06:10) - The Intersection of AI & Bitcoin

(10:41) - Rise of surveillance state & importance of Bitcoin

(16:07) - CBDCs in Europe and regulatory challenges

(19:30) - Community divides in Bitcoin

(25:59) - The different types of conference attendees at BTC Prague

(29:58) - The value of in-person connections

(34:40) - Strategy’s influence on Bitcoin adoption

(40:20) - Why attend BTC Prague?

Links: 

https://x.com/Matyas44Cook 

https://x.com/btcprague 

Stephan Livera links:

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