If you want to understand the forces shaping Bitcoin's future, this is the episode for you.The kickback crew is back after an 8-month hiatus to discuss:00:00 Running and Training for Marathons01:59 Reflections on Bitcoin Vegas05:52 The OP_RETURN Drama and Bitcoin Core12:08 Scaling Bitcoin: CTV and CheckSig from Stack24:52 Debating Bitcoin Upgrades30:01 The Rise of OdinFun33:11 Alkanes and Meta Protocols42:59 Nerdaxes and Open Source Mining Follow the crew on Twitter Charlie: https://x.com/cbspea...
Jun 11, 2025•55 min•Ep. 165
Kevin He, a seasoned blockchain architect with experience launching multiple L1s/L2s (including Huobi Eco Chain), joins the show to discuss Bitlayer. We explore his journey into crypto, the genesis of Bitlayer, and take a deep dive into BitVM technology - what it is, how it works, its current development status (BitVM 2, Alliance progress, auditing), and how Bitlayer is leveraging it to build trust-minimized Bitcoin L2 solutions, focusing on DeFi. Kevin shares insights on the Bitcoin opcode deba...
Mar 28, 2025•58 min
Is Lightning on its way out or primed for massive adoption? This is a question underlying so much of the discussion around Lightning on the timeline. So I sat down with Graham to discuss the state of Lightning in 2025. Recently they published a report in partnership with Fidelity Digital Assets and presented some great stats on the health of the network. This episode will make you bullish on Lightning. Check out this conversation with Graham Krizek - CEO & Founder of Voltage Cloud. Follow Gr...
Mar 08, 2025•46 min
In this conversation, we sit down with Harsha Goli and delve into the complexities of Bitcoin compliance, exploring the challenges faced by startups in navigating regulatory landscapes. Harsha shares his extensive background in the Bitcoin space, highlighting the importance of compliance and the impact of regulations on innovation. We discuss the current state of regulatory uncertainty, the implications of KYC and AML requirements, and the evolving role of custodial and non-custodial solutions. ...
Jan 24, 2025•45 min
In this episode, we sit down with Dominik Harz, co-founder of BOB (Build on Bitcoin), to explore the cutting edge of Bitcoin scaling and interoperability. Dom dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of building on Bitcoin, focusing on Bob's innovative approach to bridging Bitcoin with other networks like Ethereum using BitVM. We discuss the importance of network effects, the intricacies of cross-chain security, and the practical considerations for users interacting with these technologi...
Jan 03, 2025•58 min
Today, Matteo & Raul join me to discuss how Fluid Tokens is revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) on Bitcoin. As pioneers in leveraging Bitcoin’s UTXO model with Ordinals & Runes, they’re building innovative DeFi primitives like staking, lending, and decentralized exchanges (DEXs) in a trustless and permissionless way. In this episode, we explore: • [00:00] Surviving the Bear Market and Building in Web3 • [07:00] Matteo & Raul’s Journey into Crypto • [13:00] Understanding UTXO...
Nov 15, 2024•48 min
Bitcoin-Backed Stablecoins: A Deep Dive with Jakob Schillinger Jakob Schillinger, CEO & Founder of Hermetica, joins me to discuss the exciting potential of Bitcoin-backed stablecoins. Hermetica is building a system of decentralized finance on Bitcoin, using stablecoins as a key building block. In this conversation, we explore: [00:00] Bitcoin and Stablecoin Adoption Curve [08:10] Jakob's Journey into Bitcoin [18:50] The Different Types of Stables [27:30] What is Hermetica & How it Works....
Nov 08, 2024•55 min
Today we have Mithil Thakore, co-founder of Velar, on the podcast. Velar is a DeFi application focused on providing yield on Bitcoin. Mithil shares his journey in the crypto space, the vision behind Velar, and the importance of building on Bitcoin's secure infrastructure. The discussion delves into the differences between L1 and L2 solutions, the current product offerings of Velar, and an in-depth explanation of derivatives and perpetual contracts in the crypto market. The intricacies of perpetu...
Nov 01, 2024•50 min
The time to board the Ark is coming. Ark is a new off-chain scaling solution for Bitcoin that plays nicely with other off-chain protocols like Lightning. Alex is the Head of Ecosystem at Ark Labs, in this conversation, we discuss: The current landscape of off-chain protocols How does Ark work? What will the UX feel like for users? Wen live on mainnet? Alex’s background in Bitcoin And much more. Follow Ark Labs on Twitter: @ArkLabsHQ Learn more about Ark: https://arklabs.to/ Best place to dive de...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Counterparty is back in active development after taking a long hiatus. For the newer Bitcoiners that typically listen to this podcast, you may not know what Counterparty is. In this conversation, we discuss: [0:00] Shitcoins on Bitcoin. 2014 vs Now. [4:40] Meta-Protocols vs Forking Bitcoin [6:52] Centralization Fears: Core Devs vs Mining [9:20] OP_Return Debate [11:00] Alternative tokens on Bitcoin [16:00] What is Counterparty [22:04] Counterparty 2.0: Big upgrades [28:25] What does XCP token do...
Oct 04, 2024•41 min
Setzeus is a prominent developer and educator in the Bitcoin space. In this episode, we discuss his journey into the Bitcoin space and how he stays locked in as a founder. Tools his development house (Strata Labs) have built empowering developers with Bitscript and Rootkey. We also explore how Strata Labs operates as a development agency. Follow Setzeus on Twitter: @setzeus Check out Strata Labs: https://www.stratalabs.org/ Explore Bitscript: https://www.bitscript.app/ --------------------------...
Sep 27, 2024•48 min
Follow Charlie on X: @cbspears Follow Donny on X: @itsdonnyok Follow Jake on X: @jakeblockchain This Bitcoin Weekly Kickback episode covers various topics related to proof of work and mining. It starts with a discussion about a project called the Rats, which involves inscribing rat-related things onto an inscription. The conversation then moves on to the effectiveness of proof of work for new chains and the challenges they face in competing with Bitcoin. The hosts express skepticism about the su...
Sep 04, 2024•52 min
Ordinalsbot is one of the most successful companies in the Ordinals space. In this episode, Brian Laughlan discusses his journey from launching a collection called Satoshibles on Ethereum to building on Bitcoin with Ordinals. He highlights the advantages of storing data on-chain and the challenges of high fees. We also his process of iterating on product and understanding what to build next. Follow Brian on Twitter: @bruffstar Check out Ordinalsbot: https://ordinalsbot.com/...
Aug 30, 2024•41 min
On this latest Bitcoin Weekly we discuss the Babylon Mainnet launch, Fractal Bitcoin Sidechain, The state of discourse on Bitcoin Twitter, East vs West and how they invest differently, Proof-of-Work being zero sum, the effects of the Ordinals numbering debate on devs, and much more. Follow Charlie on X: @cbspears Follow Donny on X: @itsdonnyok Follow Bob on X: @bobbodily Follow Jake on X: @jakeblockchain Sound Bites "People have been craving the pod. I'm gonna waste no time. Let's just jump righ...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Its Bitcoin L2 season and Botanix is a nake you've surely heard around. But do you know what the Spiderchain is? In this episode we deep dive into how their novel peg-in/peg-out and consensus mechanism works to move BTC into their sidechain. Willem Schroe is the co-founder of Botanix Labs. You can follow him on Twitter: @WillemSchroe Learn more about Botanix on their website: https://botanixlabs.xyz/
Aug 23, 2024•49 min
Today we're talking about Bitcoin design and how to make products people love. In this conversation, Erik and Skyler discuss the concept of design and its application in the Bitcoin space. They explore the misconception that design is solely about aesthetics and highlight its utilitarian nature. They also delve into the psychology behind design and the importance of creating pleasant and intuitive user experiences. The conversation then shifts to the role of designers in the Bitcoin space and th...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min
The gang is back from Nashville. Follow us on Twitter/X: Donny: @itsdonnyok Charlie: @cbspears Bob: @BobBodily Jake: @Jakeblockchain
Aug 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min
When Ordinals launched, there were so many tools lacking to properly inscribe and trade these new assets on Bitcoin. Emblem Vault was one of the first movers and marketplaces to allow trading of these new digital artifacts. Today I had Adam McBride on the show to discuss what Emblem Vault is, their unique view on the digital asset space and what they are working on next. Follow Adam on X: @adamamcbride Learn more about Emblem Vault: https://circuitsofvalue.com/
Aug 02, 2024•39 min
In this video, we're talking with Shehzan Maredia, the co-founder of Lava. We'll dive into how Lava is revolutionizing financial freedom with self-custody solutions, wallets without seed phrases, and ways to spend your BTC effortlessly. Follow Shehzan on Twitter: https://x.com/MarediaShehzan Check out Lava Wallet: https://www.lava.xyz/
Jul 18, 2024•39 min
What's the future of Bitcoin scaling? In this episode, I talk with Janusz. The co-founder of Bitcoin Layers, a new research group and educational platform demystifying Bitcoin scaling protocols. We'll explore the concept of "Bitcoin Layers," why newer Bitcoin "L2s" are gaining attention despite not always meeting true Layer 2 criteria, and the wide variety of scaling designs. Janusz sheds light on the trust assumptions in these systems and why understanding current implementations is crucial to ...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode, Yago delves into the significance of the Bitcoin halving and its role in the consolidation of the cryptocurrency industry as Bitcoin begins to establish its dominance. He explores key technological advancements in Bitcoin, including Taproot and roll-ups, that position it as an operating system for a decentralized future. Additionally, Yago discusses Sovryn's multi-chain strategy aimed at creating a sustainable Bitcoin economy. He also examines the impact of tokens and decentrali...
May 03, 2024•46 min
The US government shook up the crypto world when it was announced the Samourai Wallet devs were arrested and the domain seized. This opened up a ton of questions around regulation clarity, non-custodial tools, what is and isn't a money transmitter, and a bunch more topics. I brought on Orlando Cosme to help dissect and understand what's going on in this situation and how the government is viewing these things. Follow Orlando on Twitter: @Orlando_btc Check out OC Advisory for legal help: https://...
May 01, 2024•54 min
This week we are back and talk about: - The hysteria around miners reorging the halving block and what actually happened - How did the Runes launch go and what happens next? - The Samourai Wallet situation and privacy - New data on miner centralization in Bitcoin As always, go follow us on Twitter: Charlie: @cbsspears Bob: @bobbodily Donny: @itsdonnyok Jake: @Jakeblockchain All previous episodes at https://www.builtonbitcoin.xyz/
Apr 29, 2024•50 min
Could Solana be a solid Bitcoin L2? Is there value in making it effortless to swap between BTC and Solana assets? The co-founders of Atomiq think so and have created an excellent product to eaisly swap between these assets with minimal risk. Sylvie Durach and Adam Borcany of the co-founders of Atomiq. An atomic swap protocol that let's you swap assets from different chains with a dead simple interface. Check out Atomiq: https://app.atomiq.exchange/ Follow Sylvie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/S...
Apr 26, 2024•50 min
In this Bitcoin Weekly Kickback. Jake, Charlie, Donny, and Bob are joined by Matt Luongo to delve into: - The role of nodes versus miners in controlling Bitcoin. - The importance of fee revenue and NgU for different network users. - Designing Layer 2 incentives that align with Layer 1 priorities. - The Game Theory of UNCOMMON GOODS (The first Rune) Follow these cats on Twitter: @itsdonnyok, @bobbodily, @cbspears, @jakeblockchain, @mhluongo
Apr 15, 2024•52 min
Ordinals have been huge for Bitcoin since launching early 2023. There is $100's of millions in value locked in these digital artifacts. Liquidium allows users to borrow BTC using their Ordinal as collateral and lenders can earn a BTC yield lending to borrowers. Robin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Liquidium. Follow Robin on Twitter: @robin_liquidium Take a loan on Liquidium: https://www.liquidium.fi/
Apr 12, 2024•49 min
Another weekly chat of the latest in Bitcoin land. We have two special guests drop in this week. Philip from Arkadiko and Ian from Joltz Rewards, as well as the usual suspects Bob and Jacob. We Discuss: - Marathon Pools latest fee revenue coming way above average - Lighting + Coinbase - Custodial Lightning - Is DeFi a worthwhile goal? - Is BitVM safe? Follow these gents on Twitter: @BobBodily, @ian__major, @philiphacks and @jakeblockchain.
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr
Fungible tokens and digital collectibles are hot topics on Bitcoin. This year we saw BRC20's and Ordinals take off. Now in 2024, there are two new standards being launched that aim to replace many of the shortcomings of these previous attempts. Linden Stark breaks down Taproot Assets and compares the similarities and differences between this protocol and Runes. Linden Stark is the CTO at Joltz Rewards. A Lightning-powered rewards provider and non-custodial Taproot Assets wallet. Follow Linden on...
Apr 05, 2024•35 min
In this chat we discuss: - The growing problem of mempool sniping and what to do. - MEV on Bitcoin - Private Mempools - Game of Blocks A relaxed and wide ranging chat with Charlie Spears, Bob Bodily, Donny and Jacob Brown.
Mar 26, 2024•55 min
The halving is right around the corner. Miners have to adapt to the revenue reduction and stay profitable. That's what we're talking about today with a new initiative Marathon, a large public Bitcoin miner, is starting called Anduro. Creating an ecosystem of sidechains with Bitcoin at the center. Follow Jullian on Twitter: @jullian0701 Check out MARA: https://www.mara.com/ Learn more about Anduro: https://www.anduro.io/
Mar 21, 2024•59 min
