Epicenter brings you in-depth conversations about the technical, economic and social implications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. Every week, we interview business leaders, engineers academics and entrepreneurs, and bring you a diverse spectrum of opinions and points of view. Epicenter is hosted by Sebastien Couture, Brian Fabian Crain, Friederike Ernst, Meher Roy and Felix Lutsch. Since 2014, our episodes have been downloaded over 8 million times.
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episode 81: Nathaniel Popper: Digital Gold – The Inside Story of Bitcoin
From the mysterious creation story, to the early development among a small group of cypherpunks, to the emergence of the Silk Road, the collapse of MtGox, to the entry of a tidal wave of VC money and the Silicon Valley elite, Bitcoin’s short history has been action-packed. It’s no surprise that this could make for a riveting story and NY Times journalist Nathaniel Popper’s book ‘Digital Gold – Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money’ is precisely that.
Popper joined us for a conversation about his must-read book about the remarkable story of Bitcoin.
Topics covered in this episode:
- How Nathaniel Popper ended up writing a book about Bitcoin
- Why he chose ‘Digital Gold’ as a title and some of its different connotations
- Why he chose to focus on the people and stories of Bitcoin rather than the technology
- The story of the Silk Road and how it played such a critical role in the early days of Bitcoin
- How Xapo CEO Wences Casares came to play a crucial role in evangelizing Bitcoin among Silicon Valley’s power players
- The rising tension and passing of influence between the old, ideological guard and the newer Silicon Valley crew
Episode links:
- Get 'Digital Gold' on Amazon
- Nathaniel Popper's website
- Can Bitcoin Conquer Argentina article
- Decoding the Enigma of Satoshi Nakamoto
This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/081