TPB68 - Bitcoin is Direct Action with Margot Paez

TPB68 - Bitcoin is Direct Action with Margot Paez

Author: Bitcoin is for Everyone January 9, 2024 Duration: 1:35:00

"This is direct action. This is mutual aid. And doing it with people all over the world." - Margot on using #Bitcoin for aid without borders

My guest today is Margot Paez. Margot is a climate change physicist, Bitcoin mining researcher, and Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. She is one of my favorite guests to have on to discuss politics, social movements, all things bitcoin mining, and beyond.

We discuss how Bitcoin can serve human rights causes and humanitarian efforts globally and talk about using Bitcoin to provide direct mutual aid to struggling families in Gaza, circumventing barriers that often prevent aid from reaching people in war zones. We also discuss Bitcoin's social impact potential, improving sustainability in the Bitcoin mining industry, and the importance of listening to local communities regarding bitcoin ming, and how the industry can continue to embrace being a good neighbor.

Margot and I encourage you to check out Yusef’s Geyser Fundraiser and consider donating any sats/bitcoin if you can to support families in Gaza with basic essentials during this time of war and crises.

Follow Margot on X You can find Trey on nostr and via the pod’s social channels

SPONSORS:

BitBox: My favorite bitcoin hardware wallet for keeping your bitcoin safe in cold storage. Use promo-code TPB during checkout to get 5% off your purchase: https://bitbox.swiss/tpb 

Sazmining: Get $50 off the purchase of a miner using the following link: https://app.sazmining.com/purchase?ref=byyhN2mCGXlu. Sazmining is a Hosted Bitcoin Mining provider with a commitment to using 100% renewable energy for your mining operation.

00:00:00 Start00:04:32 Intro 00:10:37 Mining Research 00:19:14 Political Views  00:25:43 Early Influences00:32:39 Biden or Trump?00:42:00 Early Tech Days00:49:32 Long Trajectory   01:00:39 The Network Lives01:07:42 Noise Pollution01:13:16 Meeting People 01:21:04 Gaza Example  01:28:08 Borderless Money

Support The Progressive Bitcoiner: https://geyser.fund/project/theprogressivebitcoiner 

Join in on the conversation at our Progressive Bitcoiner Community telegram group!

The Team:Producer/Editor: @DamienSomersetBranding/Art: @DanielWebsite: @EvanPrim

Head to our website to learn more



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit progressivebitcoiner.substack.com

There’s a common story told about Bitcoin, one focused on speculation and a certain type of enthusiast. The Progressive Bitcoiner exists to tell the rest of the story. This podcast moves past the headlines to explore how this technology is being used in tangible, human ways around the world. You’ll hear from organizers, developers, and everyday people who are applying Bitcoin as a practical tool for financial inclusion and personal autonomy. Each conversation focuses on real-world impact, whether that’s supporting human rights work, providing an economic lifeline in unstable regions, or simply offering a new way to think about value and community. Hosted by Bitcoin is for Everyone, the discussions are grounded in education and firsthand narratives, linking the technical foundations to broader cultural and societal shifts. The aim isn’t to hype an asset, but to document a movement. Tune in for a perspective that is often missing from the mainstream conversation-one that finds the progressive potential within a protocol and amplifies the voices already building a more accessible future with it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Progressive Bitcoiner
Podcast Episodes
TPB54 - Financial Alternatives for Marginalized Communities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:34
My guest today is Ian Gaines. Ian is the Government Relations Assistant Director for The Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) in Washington D.C. COSSA is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to promote…
TPB52 - The Power of Bitcoin Education in Africa with Anita Posch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:03
Today I am joined by Anita Posch. Anita is a renowned Bitcoin educator, author, and founder of Bitcoin for Fairness, a non-profit initiative raising awareness and understanding of Bitcoin for people in emerging countries…
TPB49 - Bitcoin as a Tool for Human Rights with Farida Nabourema [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:34
Today we are joined by Farida Nabourema, citizen of Togo and human rights and pro-democracy activist. We discuss the history of Togo, authoritarian regimes, the CFA Franc colonial currency used in Togo and other African…
TPB48 - Bitcoin's Role as a Tool for Financial Inclusion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:20
Today we are joined by Taimur Ahmad, who focuses on Energy, Macro/Finance and Geopolitics and is a recent graduate of Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. We discuss progressive idea…
TPB45 - Nostr, Freedom and Community with Marce Romero [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:41
Today we are joined by Marce Romero who is a marketing professional and journalist from The Nostr Report. While this show is focused on bitcoin, one of my favorite things to talk about is Nostr, with its emphasis on dece…