Why does everything cost more while the quality keeps getting worse?

That's the question behind this episode. We look at why your paycheck doesn't stretch as far, why buying a home is so much harder, and why so many things cost more while giving you less.

From shrinkflation and CEO incentives to bailouts and crony capitalism, the bigger story is about the rules and incentives underneath the economy. And that leads to the final question: what changed about the money itself, and where does Bitcoin fit in?

📖 Want to go deeper? Read the first two chapters of my book, Bitcoin Is for Everyone, free: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

📰 Subscribe to my free newsletter, The News Block, for my weekly breakdown of the biggest stories in Bitcoin, markets and the economy: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

SHOW PARTNERS

⚡ Ledn
Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold.
Get 0.25% off your first Bitcoin-backed loan: https://www.ledn.io/natalie
Offer subject to terms and eligibility. Digital asset lending involves risk, including loss of collateral.

⚡ Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR)
Bitdeer powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy and owns the stack from equipment manufacturing to data centers and proprietary orchestration software.
Learn more: https://www.bitdeer.com

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

The government hasn't paid this much to borrow since 2007, mortgages just broke 7 percent, and the most conventional financial advisor in America is telling clients to put 10 percent in Bitcoin. This is what a week looks like when the old playbook stops working.

• Bond yields hit a 20-year high and Bitcoin held anyway. Here's what the buyers know
• Ric Edelman went from 1% to a 10% Bitcoin floor. Why the man who built a $350 billion firm says 60/40 is dead
• Strategy wants to pay you every single day, and it's not the only one
• $387 million walked out of an exchange in an afternoon, and Bitcoin never flinched

The News Block is powered exclusively by Ledn. 

Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. Your Bitcoin is held in custody and never lent out, and Ledn publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold. Get 

0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply.

My book: "Bitcoin Is for Everyone," an approachable introduction to Bitcoin — amzn.to/3WzFzfU. 

Signed copies at shop.talkingbitcoin.com, powered by Speed Wallet.

Newsletter: Every story with charts, free — thenewsblock.substack.com

Upcoming Events:

Bitcoin 2027: Use code HODL for 10% off at tickets.b.tc.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

In this new in-depth interview, Bitcoin OG, author, and angel investor Simon Dixon breaks down the transition from the American empire to a multi-node global financial order.

Simon pulls back the curtain on how transnational power structures operate, why the $40 trillion national debt is being leveraged against ordinary citizens, and how individuals can escape debt slavery by adopting a low time preference and taking control of their money. We discuss:

• How the Financial, Military, and Tech Industrial Complexes (FIC, MIC, TIC) engineer a multipolar world
• Why $40 trillion in national debt is a Ponzi scheme that will never be repaid
• How 7% mortgage rates and central bank policies are creating a generation of "serfs"
• The situation that would make him "sell all of his Bitcoin"
• Understanding the Game of Money to break free and own your future

Follow Simon Dixon on X https://x.com/SimonDixonTwitt

----

Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU

----

SHOW PARTNERS

Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold.

Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

----

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy — and owns the entire stack, from equipment manufacturing to data centers to proprietary orchestration software. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com.

----

Kalshi is the largest prediction market in the world. Use code HODL and get $25 when you trade $25 http://kalshi.com/r/HODL

----

Bitgo is the digital asset infrastructure company trusted by institutions worldwide for regulated, insured custody, trading, settlement, and liquidity. BitGo now offers that same institutional-grade, insured qualified custodian to individuals—completely free! Learn more at https://www.bitgo.com/natalie

----

Learn about multisig self-custody without a seed phrase. Download Bitkey Today and use my promo code STORIES to get 10% off the new Bitkey. This episode has been sponsored by Bitkey: https://bitkey.world/STORIES

----

Master Bitcoin self-custody and gain peace of mind with 1-on-1 training: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie?utm_source=partner-natalie&utm_medium=podcast

----

With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie

----

Natalie's Upcoming Events:

• The Sovereign Summit is coming to Miami in February 2027. Get discounted passes using code HODL: https://thesovereignsummit.com
• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

Extra Services to Consider:

• One of the best decisions I made for both my heath and my bank account was joining CrowdHealth years ago. I never spend more than $200 on health coverage through my CrowdHealth plan and all my health events have been crowd-funded. Get started with a discounted plan at my link. : www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

----

Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

Strategy CEO Phong Le joins Natalie Brunell for an in-depth conversation about the future of the world's largest corporate Bitcoin treasury. From STRC's recovery and Strategy's growing cash reserves to the outlook for MSTR shareholders, Phong explains the company's evolving approach to Bitcoin and capital markets.

Plus, why Strategy is prioritizing share buybacks over higher dividends, how it plans to navigate future volatility, and Michael Saylor's vision of building the JPMorgan of digital capital.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• STRC's selloff: What Strategy learned about leverage and volatility.
• Buybacks vs. dividends: Why Strategy is prioritizing repurchases and building the USD reserve.
• The future of MSTR: Shareholder concerns, stock performance, and Strategy's outlook.
• The next financial system: AI, Bitcoin, Wall Street, and Strategy's long-term vision.

Follow Phong on X at: https://x.com/phongle?lang=en

----

Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU

----

Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold.

Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

----

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy — and owns the entire stack, from equipment manufacturing to data centers to proprietary orchestration software. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com.

----

Kalshi is the largest prediction market in the world.Use code HODL and get $25 when you trade $25 http://kalshi.com/r/HODL

----

Bitgo is the digital asset infrastructure company trusted by institutions worldwide for regulated, insured custody, trading, settlement, and liquidity. BitGo now offers that same institutional-grade, insured qualified custodian to individuals—completely free! Learn more at https://www.bitgo.com/natalie

----

Multisig self-custody without a seed phrase! Download Bitkey Today and use my promo code STORIES to get 10% off the new Bitkey. This episode has been sponsored by Bitkey: https://bitkey.world/STORIES

----

Master Bitcoin self-custody and gain peace of mind with 1-on-1 training: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie?utm_source=partner-natalie&utm_medium=podcast

----

With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie

----

Natalie's Upcoming Events:

• The Sovereign Summit is coming to Miami in February 2027. Get discounted passes using code HODL: https://thesovereignsummit.com
• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

Extra Services to Consider:

• One of the best decisions I made for both my heath and my bank account was joining CrowdHealth years ago. I never spend more than $200 on health coverage through my CrowdHealth plan and all my health events have been crowd-funded. Get started with a discounted plan at my link. : www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

----

Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

In this week's episode of the Coin Stories News Block powered exclusively by Ledn, we cover these major headlines related to Bitcoin, macroeconomics, and global finance:

• The Fed hiked, and the same house now costs twice as much per month as in 2021
• The CLARITY Act failed in the Senate, is the issue the Trump family's crypto gains?
• The SEC clears the way for tokenized stocks in the U.S.
• Bitcoin was called a dead cat. Then it hit an eight-month high

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Read every story in the News Block with visuals and charts! Join our mailing list and subscribe to our free Bitcoin newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

----

Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold.

Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

----

Order my approachable introduction to Bitcoin book "Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1804091138?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzameri07b-20&creativeASIN=1804091138&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3Q6CKLCXBKGSV&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin

Limited signed copies are available for purchase at shop.talkingbitcoin.com powered by Speed Wallet.

----

Upcoming Events:

• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

----

Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

Jordi Visser is back by popular demand. I shared something I've been noticing all year — that Bitcoin sentiment feels different this cycle, less like a movement to fix a broken system and more like a line item in a portfolio.

He pushed back harder than I expected. His argument is that the old financial system is breaking in front of us, a new one is forming faster than people think, and Bitcoin is the piece of it he's certain survives. We discuss:

• Whether the sudden push for AI regulation was coordinated, and who benefits
• His response to the argument that the data center debt looks like 2008 housing
• Why he says you can't understand where Bitcoin goes next without watching the rest of crypto
• Where he agrees with Michael Saylor, and where he says he sees Bitcoin differently than anyone he knows
• Why worrying about the future is the habit that costs investors the most
• Why he walked away from a top job at Morgan Stanley after 9/11

Follow Jordi Visser on X https://x.com/jvisserlabs

----

Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU

----

Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold. Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

----

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy — and owns the entire stack, from equipment manufacturing to data centers to proprietary orchestration software. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com

----

Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie

----

Bitgo is the digital asset infrastructure company trusted by institutions worldwide for regulated, insured custody, trading, settlement, and liquidity. BitGo now offers that same institutional-grade, insured qualified custodian to individuals—completely free! Learn more at https://www.bitgo.com/natalie

----

Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners:

• Multisig self-custody without a seed phrase! Download Bitkey Today and use my promo code STORIES to get 10% off the new Bitkey. This episode has been sponsored by Bitkey: https://bitkey.world/STORIES
• Master Bitcoin self-custody and gain peace of mind with 1-on-1 training: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie?utm_source=partner-natalie&utm_medium=podcast
• With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie
• Kalshi is the largest prediction market in the world.Use code HODL and get $25 when you trade $25 http://kalshi.com/r/HODL

Natalie's Upcoming Events:

• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

Extra Services to Consider:

• One of the best decisions I made for both my heath and my bank account was joining CrowdHealth years ago. I never spend more than $200 on health coverage through my CrowdHealth plan and all my health events have been crowd-funded. Get started with a discounted plan at my link. : www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

----

Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

In this rapid-fire episode of Coin Stories, Natalie Brunell sits down with former Federal Reserve insider Danielle DiMartino Booth immediately following the Fed's latest interest rate hike.

Danielle breaks down the hidden contraction underneath official data, including surging delinquencies, shuttering small businesses, and where the economy is struggling. We cover:

• Whether the Fed hikes again before the midterms and EOY
• Small businesses closing, and why homeowners are pulling cash out of their houses
• Why she thinks almost all the growth left in the economy is coming from one place
• The debt nobody in Washington can stop growing, and why it keeps getting rolled over
• What she'd do if she were running the Fed

Follow Danielle DiMartino Booth on X https://x.com/DiMartinoBooth

----

Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU

----

Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold. Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

----

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy — and owns the entire stack, from equipment manufacturing to data centers to proprietary orchestration software. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com.

----

Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie

----

Bitgo is the digital asset infrastructure company trusted by institutions worldwide for regulated, insured custody, trading, settlement, and liquidity. BitGo now offers that same institutional-grade, insured qualified custodian to individuals—completely free! Learn more at https://www.bitgo.com/natalie

----

Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners:

• Multisig self-custody without a seed phrase! Download Bitkey Today and use my promo code STORIES to get 10% off the new Bitkey. This episode has been sponsored by Bitkey: https://bitkey.world/STORIES
• Master Bitcoin self-custody and gain peace of mind with 1-on-1 training: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie?utm_source=partner-natalie&utm_medium=podcast
• With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie

Natalie's Upcoming Events:

• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

Extra Services to Consider:

• One of the best decisions I made for both my heath and my bank account was joining CrowdHealth years ago. I never spend more than $200 on health coverage through my CrowdHealth plan and all my health events have been crowd-funded. Get started with a discounted plan at my link. : www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

----

Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

When Jack Mallers stepped down from Twenty One Capital (XXI), Rapha Zagury stepped in as CEO. A Wall Street veteran who ran trading desks at Merrill Lynch, Rapha later co-founded Elektron, the Tether-backed Bitcoin mining operation that grew into one of the largest mining companies in the world.

Now he joins me to explain what comes next for XXI — and to answer some of the biggest questions surrounding Tether. We discuss:

• How much of XXI Tether actually owns — and what it wants to build next
• Whether Tether's biggest critics are asking the right questions
• Why XXI is trying to become much more than a Bitcoin treasury company
• Whether Elektron will be absorbed into XXI
• What really happened at Ocean during the BIP 110 controversy

Follow Rapha Zagury on X https://x.com/RaphaZagury

----

Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU

----

Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold.

Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

----

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy — and owns the entire stack, from equipment manufacturing to data centers to proprietary orchestration software. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com

----

Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie

----

Bitgo is the digital asset infrastructure company trusted by institutions worldwide for regulated, insured custody, trading, settlement, and liquidity. BitGo now offers that same institutional-grade, insured qualified custodian to individuals—completely free! Learn more at https://www.bitgo.com/natalie

----

Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners:

• Multisig self-custody without a seed phrase! Download Bitkey Today and use my promo code STORIES to get 10% off the new Bitkey. This episode has been sponsored by Bitkey: https://bitkey.world/STORIES
• Master Bitcoin self-custody and gain peace of mind with 1-on-1 training: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie?utm_source=partner-natalie&utm_medium=podcast
• With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie
• Kalshi is the largest prediction market in the world.Use code HODL and get $25 when you trade $25 http://kalshi.com/r/HODL

Natalie's Upcoming Events:

• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

Extra Services to Consider:

• One of the best decisions I made for both my heath and my bank account was joining CrowdHealth years ago. I never spend more than $200 on health coverage through my CrowdHealth plan and all my health events have been crowd-funded. Get started with a discounted plan at my link. : www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

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Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

In this week's episode of the Coin Stories News Block powered exclusively by Ledn, we cover these major headlines related to Bitcoin, macroeconomics, and global finance:

• The CEOs of multiple leading AI companies say the industry needs to slow down. We break down the major AI news story that broke over the weekend.
• Why a Fed rate hike now looks all but certain, and the tiny inflation number that sealed it
• Trump's $5,000 promise to every adult American. Who would actually pay for it?
• Metaplanet gives up $220 million to calm a shareholder revolt. Is it enough?
• Blockstream to the Liquid hackers: "It is theft." The 600 bitcoin standoff

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Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold. Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

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Order my approachable introduction to Bitcoin book "Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1804091138?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzameri07b-20&creativeASIN=1804091138&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3Q6CKLCXBKGSV&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin

Limited signed copies are available for purchase at shop.talkingbitcoin.com powered by Speed Wallet.

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Read every story in the News Block with visuals and charts! Join our mailing list and subscribe to our free Bitcoin newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

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Upcoming Events:

• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

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Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

Natalie Brunell sits down with Vik Sharma, founder and CEO of Radar Chat, Cake Wallet and an active angel investor in the Bitcoin space. Vik spent decades in the steel industry in Pittsburgh before Bitcoin pulled him in, and he's now one of the most prolific builders and angel investors in the space. We discuss:

• The purchase that got him banned from Coinbase
• Sending money the same way you send a text
• What he saw people in China doing years before Apple Pay
• The strange reason tariffs made steel companies billions
• His line about Bitcoin's price that he says everyone has backwards

Follow Vik Sharma on X https://x.com/vikrantnyc

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Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold.

Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

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Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy — and owns the entire stack, from equipment manufacturing to data centers to proprietary orchestration software. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com.

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Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie

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BitGo is the digital asset infrastructure company trusted by institutions worldwide for regulated, insured custody, trading, settlement, and liquidity. BitGo now offers that same institutional-grade, insured qualified custody to individuals—completely free! Learn more at BitGo.com/natalie

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Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners:

• Multisig self-custody without a seed phrase! Download Bitkey Today and use my promo code STORIES to get 10% off the new Bitkey. This episode has been sponsored by Bitkey: https://bitkey.world/STORIES
• Master Bitcoin self-custody and gain peace of mind with 1-on-1 training: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie?utm_source=partner-natalie&utm_medium=podcast
• With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie

Natalie's Upcoming Events:

• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

Extra Services to Consider:

• One of the best decisions I made for both my heath and my bank account was joining CrowdHealth years ago. I never spend more than $200 on health coverage through my CrowdHealth plan and all my health events have been crowd-funded. Get started with a discounted plan at my link. : www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

----

Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

BitGo has been the vault behind institutional Bitcoin for over a decade — holding coins for funds, businesses, and today some of the largest Bitcoin ETFs. Regular people were never invited...until now.

Mike Belshe, co-founder and CEO of BitGo, joins the show to announce that anyone can open an account. No minimums. No account fees. The same product institutions have been using for years. Get a free BitGo account: https://www.bitgo.com/natalie

He also explains why he left 100 Bitcoin in a wallet and told the internet to come take it. We discuss:

• What you pay to buy Bitcoin, and what Wall Street pays for the same thing
• The 100 Bitcoin bounty nobody has claimed
• What quantum computing can and can't do to your coins
• The change BitGo shipped this week that shows if you're exposed
• The two kinds of banks, and why one of them is safer

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Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU

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Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Ledn offers Bitcoin-backed loans built for serious holders, with rates that get lower as your loan size increases. With Ledn's custodied loan product, your Bitcoin is held in custody and not lent out. Ledn has operated through multiple market cycles without a loss of client assets and publishes Proof of Reserves so you can verify what they hold. Get 0.25% off your first loan at ledn.io/natalie. Terms apply — see the site for details.

----

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) powers AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure with 3 GW of secured global energy — and owns the entire stack, from equipment manufacturing to data centers to proprietary orchestration software. Learn more at https://www.bitdeer.com.

----

Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie

----

BitGo is the digital asset infrastructure company trusted by institutions worldwide for regulated, insured custody, trading, settlement, and liquidity. BitGo now offers that same institutional-grade, insured qualified custodian to individuals— completely free! Learn more at BitGo.com/natalie NYSE: $BTGO

----

Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners:

• Multisig self-custody without a seed phrase! Download Bitkey Today and use my promo code STORIES to get 10% off the new Bitkey. This episode has been sponsored by Bitkey: https://bitkey.world/STORIES
• Master Bitcoin self-custody and gain peace of mind with 1-on-1 training: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie?utm_source=partner-natalie&utm_medium=podcast
• With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie

Natalie's Upcoming Events:

• The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL

Extra Services to Consider:

• One of the best decisions I made for both my heath and my bank account was joining CrowdHealth years ago. I never spend more than $200 on health coverage through my CrowdHealth plan and all my health events have been crowd-funded. Get started with a discounted plan at my link. : www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

----

Disclaimer: The News Block and Coin Stories are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Natalie Brunell is not a financial advisor. Some content may include sponsorships or paid partnerships, which are disclosed. Always do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Bitcoin and digital assets are volatile — never invest more than you can afford to lose.

ABOUT COIN STORIES & THE NEWS BLOCK

Natalie Brunell's content features conversations with leading voices in Bitcoin, economics, finance, and technology, exploring the future of money and how it impacts our lives.

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

Read Bitcoin is for Everyone: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com/freechapters

Subscribe to the free newsletter: https://thenewsblock.substack.com

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nataliebrunell

Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/NatBrunell

Follow Natalie on X: https://www.x.com/natbrunell

Website: https://www.talkingbitcoin.com

PARTNERSHIPS & INQUIRIES

Interested in sponsoring Coin Stories? Contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Natalie Brunell or Coin Stories. Paid partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable. Natalie Brunell may earn commissions from purchases or sign-ups through certain links, at no additional cost to you. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.