SOB #498 Rights Versus Privileges in a Global Financial System

SOB #498 Rights Versus Privileges in a Global Financial System

Author: Adam B. Levine April 30, 2022 Duration: 28:36

This episode was recorded earlier in 2022...

Two critical questions about financial freedom and responsibility

As the second week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine begins, questions continue to arise surrounding crypto’s complexities in a wartime environment alongside broader questions about the future of money.

On this episode of “Speaking of Bitcoin,” hosts Adam B. Levine, Stephanie Murphy and Jonathan Mohan dive into two critical questions about financial freedom and responsibility.

The first question surrounds an emerging narrative of sanction evasion. Could bitcoin (BTC) even be an effective tool for a nation-state to use to evade sanctions, given crypto’s relative market size to a nation’s reserves? Even further, how effective are these sanctions at all?

The second question lies in the distinction between rights versus privileges for financial freedom. Do nation-states or individuals have a right to transact, or is interacting with larger financial systems a privilege that can be revoked by whoever operates the system?”




For years, Speaking of Bitcoin has served as a thoughtful hub for conversation about the technology reshaping money and society. Hosted by Adam B. Levine alongside Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Dr. Stephanie Murphy, and Jonathan Mohan, this podcast approaches a complex and often divisive space with a commitment to clarity and even-handed exploration. The discussions prioritize depth over hype, breaking down technical concepts, economic implications, and the human stories behind the cryptocurrency phenomenon. You'll hear nuanced analysis and interviews that respect the listener's intelligence, whether the topic is a new protocol layer, a regulatory shift, or a philosophical debate about digital sovereignty. As the longest-running English-language talk show dedicated to this ecosystem, it offers a unique historical perspective that newcomers and veterans alike will appreciate. Tune in for the friendly, substantive dialogue that has defined this show since its earlier days as Let's Talk Bitcoin.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Speaking of Bitcoin (formerly Let's Talk Bitcoin!)
Podcast Episodes
SOB # 495 First Practices Aren’t Best Practices [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:17
On this episode of Speaking of Bitcoin, join hosts Adam B. Levine, Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Stephanie Murphy and Jonathan Mohan for a discussion about crypto cycles and consequences. As 2022 kicks into gear many of us ar…
SOB #494 Bitcoin Security and a Rogue Power Plant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:40
Bitcoin's energy usage has long been controversial but this time it's not what you'd expect, a story about a rogue power plant kicks off a wide ranging discussion between the hosts, touching on key issues like game theor…
SOB #492 Can Stablecoins Survive? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:32
Join hosts Adam B. Levine and Stephanie Murphy along with special guest Josh Scigala, CEO of Vaultoro, for a wide-ranging exploration of the growing asset class of "Stablecoins." On this episode we discuss: The possibili…
SOB #491 The Jokes Wear Thin as Inflation Becomes Normal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:36
“We’re in the upside-down world. The time value of money is negative. Debts are assets and revenue streams are liabilities.” Join hosts Adam B. Levine, Stephanie Murphy, Jonathan Mohan and Andreas M. Antonopoulos for a w…
SOB #490 Checking in on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:09
The Lightning Network is arguably the most anticipated scaling solution for Bitcoin to date. Why isn’t everyone using it? “Speaking of Bitcoin” hosts Adam B. Levine, Andreas M. Antonopoulos and Stephanie Murphy are joine…
SOB #489 Big Gaming Signals NFTS Are Closer to Mainstream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:44
With NFTs continuing their rapid advance into mainstream cultural awareness, how much is FOMO (fear of missing out) and how much is real? This time Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Stephanie Murphy, Jonathan Mohan and Adam B. Le…
SOB #488 How Far We've Come (And How Much Stayed the Same) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:37
Today’s show is from a time before the trillion (or even billion) dollar market cap; Before Vitalik had ever spoken the word Ethereum; Before taproot, segwit, stock-to-flow and the institutional investing thesis. In the…
SOB #487 If Facebook Can't Run A Global Currency, Who Could? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:43
A recent letter addressed to the social media giant from five democratic senators laid it out clearly; There's simply no way Meta (formerly Facebook) will be allowed, much less trusted, to run a supra-national stablecoin…