Stephan Livera Podcast

Roman Martinez, Lexi & Stephan discuss the evolving real estate landscape in El Salvador, particularly in the context of Bitcoin adoption. They explore the motivations of various buyers, the impact of recent changes in infrastructure and regulations, and the unique challenges and opportunities present in the market. The conversation also touches on the importance of trust in real estate transactions and the varying expectations of foreign buyers regarding property quality and development. Lexi and Roman also discuss the experience of moving to El Salvador, highlighting cultural adjustments, healthcare quality, language integration, and the real estate market. They emphasize the importance of understanding local customs, the benefits of private healthcare, and the growing expat community. 

The podcast also covers the real estate landscape, including prices, investment opportunities, and the significance of discovery trips for potential expats. They conclude by addressing the risks associated with real estate investments and the importance of due diligence.

Takeaways

• El Salvador's real estate market is evolving rapidly.

• Many buyers are looking for a 'plan B' due to safety concerns.

• Bitcoin adoption is influencing real estate investments.

• There are no property taxes in El Salvador, attracting investors.

• Bitcoin Beach is a key area for Bitcoin enthusiasts.

• Real estate transactions require trust and local knowledge.

• Expectations of property quality vary among foreign buyers.

• Pre-construction projects are gaining popularity.

• Education on Bitcoin is crucial for local adoption.

• Location is a critical factor in real estate investment decisions. Cultural understanding is crucial for expats in El Salvador.

• Healthcare in El Salvador can be better than in the US.

• Learning Spanish enhances the experience of living in El Salvador.

• Real estate prices have increased significantly in recent years.

• El Salvador offers a unique lifestyle that differs from Western norms.

• Discovery trips provide valuable insights for potential expats.

• The private healthcare system in El Salvador is highly accessible.

• Real estate investment requires careful consideration and due diligence.

• The expat community in El Salvador is growing and vibrant.

• El Salvador is seen as a country with potential for growth and opportunity.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:54) - What is Goodlife El Salvador?; El Salvador’s Real Estate landscape

(04:05) - What is the Real Estate buyer persona in El Salvador?

(05:52) - What motivates people to move to El Salvador?

(10:35) - Bitcoin education, adoption and spending in El Salvador

(15:30) - Living in Bitcoin Hubs & adjacent localities 

(20:18) - What are the Real Estate investment trends? 

(22:11) - Common pitfalls for new buyers

(27:41) - Sponsors

(29:55) - Quality of development & matching the expectations of expats 

(31:49) - Cultural norms & Healthcare in El Salvador

(38:32) - Overcoming language barriers 

(41:17) - Real Estate prices & trends in El Salvador

(43:33) - Sponsors

(50:47) - What to expect in El Salvador?; Discovery trips for expats

(57:42) - Navigating Real Estate risks

Links: 

In this conversation, Freddie New, general counsel at The Little Car and Head of Policy at Bitcoin Policy UK, discusses the evolution of Bitcoin regulation in the UK. He highlights the historical context of regulatory attitudes, the role of the Law Commission in recognizing Bitcoin as property, and the challenges posed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The conversation also touches on banking access issues, the impact of fraud concerns, and the future of Bitcoin custodianship. They also discuss the strategic reserve held by the UK government, regulatory challenges faced by Bitcoin exchanges, and the broader policy goals for Bitcoin advocacy. Freddie sheds light on the political landscape and the need for engagement with politicians to promote Bitcoin-friendly policies. Additionally, they address the ECB's recent criticisms of Bitcoin and contrast the regulatory approaches of the UK and EU.

Takeaways

• Freddie New advocates for Bitcoin policy in the UK.

• The UK has a history of misunderstanding Bitcoin.

• The Law Commission has recognized Bitcoin as property.

• The FCA has restricted access to Bitcoin products.

• Fraud concerns impact banking access for Bitcoin users.

• Bitcoin is seen as a unique form of money.

• The government is becoming more positive about Bitcoin.

• Banks are primarily concerned with self-preservation.

• The FCA's stance is a significant barrier to adoption.

• Bitcoin is for both individuals and institutions. The UK holds 61,000 Bitcoin, making it the third largest holder.

• There is a need for the UK to capitalize on its Bitcoin holdings.

• Self-custody of Bitcoin must remain legal in the UK.

• Access to exchanges and banking services is crucial for Bitcoin adoption.

• The UK should explore the potential of Bitcoin mining using renewable energy.

• Political engagement is essential for Bitcoin advocacy in the UK.

• The ECB's criticisms of Bitcoin are fundamentally flawed.

• The UK and EU have different regulatory approaches to Bitcoin.

• Pension funds are beginning to allocate assets to Bitcoin.

• Support for Bitcoin Policy UK can help influence positive change.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:00) - Who is Freddie New?

(03:26) - An overview of Bitcoin regulatory scenario in the UK

(08:00) - The shift in perception: From criminality to legitimacy

(17:23) - Are banking onramps/offramps to Bitcoin a hurdle in the UK?

(21:13) - AML regulations & their Implications for Bitcoin

(26:21) - Sponsors

(32:08) - The FCA's resistance to Bitcoin adoption in the UK; Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

(40:43) - Sponsors

(44:02) - Answering a questionnaire to buy Bitcoin in the UK?

(47:51) - What are the Policy Goals for Bitcoin in the UK?; Bitcoin Developer community 

(53:06) - Politicians & their stance on Bitcoin advocacy

(1:06:27) - Contrasting UK & EU Regulatory approaches

(1:12:00) - How to support Bitcoin Policy UK?

Links: 

Eric Yakes & Tyler Stevens join me to discuss their efforts to build a Bitcoin-focused community in Denver through various events, educational initiatives, and sustainable financial practices. 

Summary

In this episode, Stephan Livera hosts Eric Yakes and Tyler Stevens to discuss the burgeoning Bitcoin community in Denver and their initiative to establish a dedicated Bitcoin space. They explore the dynamics of the local Bitcoin scene, the vision behind creating a community-driven hub, and the importance of governance and member engagement. The conversation also touches on the philosophy of creating a 'third place' for Bitcoin enthusiasts, comparing their efforts to similar initiatives like Bitcoin Park in Nashville, and outlining plans for coworking and events in their new space. In this conversation, Tyler and Eric emphasize the importance of documentation for leadership transitions, the need for financial sustainability, and the engagement of the developer community. They also share insights on creating educational opportunities and offer advice for others looking to establish similar community spaces.

Takeaways

• The Bitcoin community in Denver is rapidly growing.

• Creating a Bitcoin space aims to bridge social and technical meetups.

• Community-driven governance fosters member engagement and influence.

• The 'third place' philosophy emphasizes a balanced community environment.

• The Denver Bitcoin space seeks to attract talent from the broader crypto community.

• The governance structure allows for member representation and influence.

• The space is designed to be a hub for education and events.

• The initiative aims to positively influence the local culture and economy. 

• You need to motivate your local community.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro 

(01:21) - The vibrant Bitcoin community in Denver; BitDevs

(04:48) - What is Bitcoin Space? 

(09:21) - ‘The Third Place’ Philosophy in Bitcoin

(14:45) - Similarities & differences between Bitcoin Space, Denver & Bitcoin Park, Nashville

(15:54) - Community growth & member engagement in Bitcoin Space

(18:57) - Sponsors

(21:39) - Building community through Coworking & Events at Bitcoin Space

(27:00) - Self-sustaining nature of leadership & importance of documentation

(29:32) - Financial sustainability and Treasury management

(32:36) - FOSS Developer community in Denver; Creating Educational initiatives 

(33:44) - Sponsors

(42:15) - Advice for aspiring Community Builders

(45:28) - Outro

Includes Paid Partnerships

Links: 

Here are some short interviews I did while at Lugano Plan B on a range of topics, from bitcoin ossification to block size, government regulation, the latest state of wallets, and mining decentralization with:

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro 

(01:01) - Jimmy Song, Bitcoin Expert

(07:30) - John Carvalho, CEO at Synonym

(12:51) - Sponsors

(15:05) - Dennis Porter, CEO & Co-Founder Satoshi Action Fund

(24:58) - Ben, Host of BTCsessions

(31:54) - Sponsor

(32:50) - Luke Dashjr, CTO OCEAN Mining

(37:53) - Jameson Lopp, Co-founder & Chief Security Officer Cas

(47:22) - Outro

Links: 

Fabian Jahr and Gloria Zhao rejoin me to discuss whether big projects can be done inside Bitcoin core. We delve into AssumeUTXO, ASMap, developer funding, and meritocracy in the developer community.

Summary

In this episode, Stephan discusses the upcoming Bitcoin Core version 28, its new features, and the ongoing development efforts with Fabian and Gloria. They delve into the pace of change within Bitcoin Core, the importance of communication and collaboration in software development, and the challenges faced by developers in getting projects approved. The conversation also covers the AssumeUTXO project, its implications for node operation, and the significance of funding and competing implementations in the Bitcoin ecosystem. The episode concludes with insights into future projects and the collaborative nature of Bitcoin development.

Takeaways

• Bitcoin Core version 28 introduces exciting new features.

• The development process involves both small bug fixes and significant changes.

• Communication and collaboration are essential for project success.

• AssumeUTXO allows for quicker node synchronization.

• The decentralized nature of Bitcoin development presents unique challenges.

• Funding can influence project focus but should not dictate it.

• Competing implementations can complicate backward compatibility.

• Iterative development is crucial for large projects.

• Engaging the community early can lead to better outcomes.

• Future projects like ASMap and Cluster Mempool are on the horizon.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:32) - What to expect from Bitcoin Core V28.0?

(05:10) - What should be the pace of change for Bitcoin Core?

(11:15) - How does one decide which is a worthwhile project to work on?

(14:15) - Why did it take so long for AssumeUTXO to go live?

(20:38) - AssumeUTXO explained

(22:04) - Sponsors

(25:40) - BtcpayServer ‘s Fast Sync 

(27:36) - Developer funding landscape in Bitcoin; Working on FOSS 

(31:27) - What are the effects of having various implementations of Bitcoin Core?

(35:05) - What does it take to successfully merge a PR?

(37:31) - What is the ASMap project?

(48:34) - Sponsor

(49:58) - Importance of soft skills & meritocracy in Bitcoin’s developer community

(1:00:13) - Upcoming projects; Closing thoughts 

Previous Episodes: 

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