Bitcoiners - Live From Bitcoin Beach

Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, I sat down with Carel Van Wyk, a true Bitcoin pioneer from South Africa, to hear his incredible journey in the Bitcoin space. Carel shared how a sci-fi book planted the seeds for his belief in a non-governmental digital currency and how he stumbled across Bitcoin back in 2010. From helping build South Africa’s first Bitcoin exchange (now known as Luno) to launching Money Badger, a project aimed at making Bitcoin a spendable currency, Carel’s story is nothing short of inspiring.We dive into the challenges he faced, like navigating strict regulations and innovating payments with the Lightning Network, and how his team enabled 1,600 Pick n Pay stores in South Africa to accept Bitcoin. Carel also reflects on his visit to El Salvador and the amazing progress this country has made in Bitcoin adoption, comparing it to the hurdles South Africa is still facing.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a Bitcoin-based payment system from scratch, you don’t want to miss this one! Tune in and let’s learn from Carel’s incredible journey!- MikeSupport and follow Bitcoin Beach:https://twitter.com/Bitcoinbeachhttps://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv/https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com/Follow and connect with Carel, Money Badger, and Luno:X: https://x.com/carelvwykWebsite: https://www.moneybadger.co.za/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moneybadger/X: https://x.com/MoneyBadgerPayIG: https://www.instagram.com/MoneyBadgerPayWebsite: https://www.luno.com/Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:0:00 - Introduction1:47 - What is Carel van Wyk’s background in Bitcoin and technology?3:53 - How do South Africa’s economic challenges impact Bitcoin adoption?5:21 - How did Carel van Wyk first discover Bitcoin in its early days?7:34 - What was South Africa’s first Bitcoin exchange, and how was it founded?9:28 - How do Bitcoin exchanges handle liquidity and exchange controls in South Africa?12:46 - How did BitX evolve into Luno, and what lessons were learned?16:23 - Why did Carel van Wyk leave Luno, and what happened next?19:06 - What is Money Badger, and how does it help make Bitcoin a usable currency?22:14 - How did Money Badger enable Bitcoin payments at South Africa’s Pick n Pay stores?26:36 - What challenges arise with Bitcoin QR codes, and how can they be solved?30:58 - How did Money Badger and Blink wallet collaborate to simplify Bitcoin payments?35:31 - Can proprietary QR codes like Pick n Pay’s work seamlessly with Bitcoin wallets?38:59 - How could Bitcoin wallets improve compatibility with Chivo QR codes in El Salvador?42:19 - What’s next for Money Badger, and how does it plan to expand globally?47:45 - Why is Bitcoin as a unit of account important for businesses like Money Badger?50:35 - What are South Africa’s new crypto regulations, and how do they affect Bitcoin? 56:15 - How does El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption compare to other countries?58:56 - Can improving safety and reducing crime accelerate Bitcoin adoption in South Africa?1:00:01 - How can you follow Carel van Wyk and learn more about Money Badger?Live From Bitcoin Beach

Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, in this episode, I sit down with Aleks Svetski, one of the busiest minds in Bitcoin, to talk about his latest book, The Bushido of Bitcoin, and his journey through the space. Aleks dives into how his book explores the virtues we’ll need as Bitcoiners to build a better world, drawing lessons from the Samurai, ancient Rome, and other great civilizations.We also talk about his entrepreneurial journey—starting with AmberApp, one of the first Bitcoin dollar-cost averaging apps, to his newest project, Satlantis, a super app for sovereign individuals. Aleks shares how his experiences traveling, writing, and working in the Bitcoin space have shaped his vision for a world built on freedom, virtue, and parallel systems.We wrap up with a discussion about El Salvador, its transformation under President Bukele, and why it feels like a beacon of hope for the future.Whether you’re into Bitcoin, history, or just love hearing inspiring stories, this episode is for you. Tune in and get ready to be challenged, inspired, and maybe even white-pilled!- MikeSupport and follow Bitcoin Beach:https://twitter.com/Bitcoinbeachhttps://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv/https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com/Follow and connect with Aleks:X: https://x.com/alekssvetskiThe Bushido of Bitcoin: https://www.bushidoofbitcoin.com/https://x.com/svetskiWriteshttps://www.instagram.com/SvetskiWritesSatlantis: https://www.satlantis.io/placehttps://x.com/joinsatlantishttps://www.linkedin.com/company/satlantis.io/https://www.instagram.com/joinsatlantis/Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:0:00 - Introduction1:00 - How Big is Aleks Svetski’s New Bitcoin Book? 1:05 - What Inspired Aleks Svetski to Write His Book on Bitcoin and Virtue? 3:47 - Why Should You Subscribe to This Bitcoin Podcast? 4:16 - How Did Aleks Svetski Research and Write His Bitcoin Book? 6:52 - What are the Biggest Challenges of Writing a Book on Bitcoin? 8:33 - How Did Aleks Svetski Discover Bitcoin and Start His Journey? 14:45 - What Made Aleks Svetski Become a Bitcoin Maximalist? 19:25 - How Was Amber, a Bitcoin-Only Savings App, Created? 29:15 - What is Satlantis and How Does it Help Bitcoiners? 33:28 - Why Should You Read Aleks Svetski’s Book on Bitcoin and Virtues? 37:37 - What Are the 10 Key Virtues Bitcoiners Should Live By? 46:26 - How is El Salvador Changing Under Bitcoin Adoption? 51:21 - What’s Next for Bitcoiners and Sovereign Individuals in a Changing World? 52:17 - Where Can You Find Aleks Svetski’s Book and Projects?Live From Bitcoin Beach

Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, in this episode, I sit down with Adam Cowperthwait, a passionate Bitcoiner who's on a mission to spread Bitcoin adoption in unique and underserved communities. Adam shares the story of how his visit to El Zonte in 2022 inspired him to create Bitcoin Victoria Falls in Zambia and launch a new project in Montserrat, a small island in the Caribbean.We dive into the challenges and successes of building circular Bitcoin economies, from teaching locals about Bitcoin to onboarding merchants and even tackling big issues like energy shortages. Adam talks about the power of combining grassroots education with tourism to bring Bitcoin into these communities sustainably.He also gives us a glimpse into his plans for the future, including scaling the Victoria Falls project and launching the Montserrat initiative, where he sees huge potential for a Bitcoin revival thanks to the island’s geothermal energy and small, tight-knit population.If you’re curious about how Bitcoin can transform communities and want to hear about some exciting real-world adoption stories, this episode is for you. Don’t miss it!- MikeSupport and follow Bitcoin Beach:https://twitter.com/Bitcoinbeachhttps://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv/https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com/Follow and connect with Adam, Bitcoin Victoria Falls, and Bitcoin Montserrat:X: https://x.com/CowpertweetsX: https://x.com/BitcoinVicFallsX: https://x.com/btcmontserratBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:0:00 - Introduction0:42 - What inspired Adam Cowperthwait to visit El Salvador and explore Bitcoin?1:36 - How did early experiences in El Salvador shape Bitcoin Victoria Falls?2:07 - Who is Adam Cowperthwait, and how did he get started with Bitcoin?5:23 - What is Bitcoin Victoria Falls, and how did it start?6:30 - Why was Zambia’s Victoria Falls chosen for a Bitcoin circular economy project?7:32 - What challenges do NGOs face when integrating Bitcoin?10:05 - How can tourism and local economies work together to grow Bitcoin adoption?11:06 - What progress has Bitcoin Victoria Falls made in its first year?12:35 - How does Mi Primer Bitcoin educate communities about Bitcoin?13:29 - Why are locals in Zambia interested in learning about Bitcoin?15:00 - How many businesses in Victoria Falls are accepting Bitcoin?16:49 - How is Bitcoin being used for payments in Zambia’s Victoria Falls?18:09 - What is Bitcoin Montserrat, and how can Bitcoin help this Caribbean island?20:52 - What makes Montserrat’s geothermal energy and history perfect for Bitcoin revival22:47 - How does Bitcoin Victoria Falls plan to focus on specific areas for growth?26:15 - What’s next for Bitcoin Victoria Falls and Montserrat projects?Live From Bitcoin Beach

Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, I sit down with Kgothatso Ngako, the brilliant mind behind Machankura—a project that’s changing the game for Bitcoin adoption in Africa. We dive into how Machankura is enabling people without smartphones or internet access to send and receive Bitcoin using only SMS, and why that’s a game-changer for millions across the continent.Kgothatso shares his thoughts on El Salvador’s leadership, energy policies, and Bitcoin adoption, and why he believes it’s a model of prosperity the world (and Africa) should pay attention to. We talk about the challenges of scaling Bitcoin adoption in Africa, from low internet penetration to tough regulatory environments, and how Machankura is navigating these hurdles while building for the future.Plus, we explore the amazing grassroots Bitcoin communities like Bitcoin Ekasi and Bitcoin Witsand, where entire villages are operating on a Bitcoin standard. Kgothatso also gives us a sneak peek at his plans for self-custodial Bitcoin wallets, a new smartphone app, and how he’s working to bring entrepreneurship and innovation to the forefront in Africa.This is an inspiring conversation about using Bitcoin to empower communities and bridge gaps in financial inclusion. Don’t miss it!- MikeSupport and follow Bitcoin Beach:https://twitter.com/Bitcoinbeachhttps://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv/https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com/Follow and connect with Kgothatso and Machankura:X: https://x.com/Machankura8333Website: https://8333.mobi/Nostr: primal.net/p/npub1nv4j840c5ugjjq7ym3sqkz5jcschjx8ulnaa90645av0rwdylm9qv9x0grBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00:00 - Introuction00:01:09 - How Has Kgothatso Ngako's Bitcoin Journey Evolved?00:02:11 - What Is Machankura, and How Does It Help Bitcoin Users in Africa?00:02:42 - How Does Machankura Operate Across African Countries?00:03:26 - How Can You Send Bitcoin Using WhatsApp in Africa?00:05:35 - Why Is El Salvador’s Bitcoin Success Important for Africa?00:07:13 - How Is Machankura Making Bitcoin Accessible Without Internet?00:08:04 - Why Are African Currencies Failing, and How Can Bitcoin Help?00:11:37 - Can You Use Bitcoin on a Feature Phone Without Internet?00:12:46 - How Did Mobile Money in Africa Set the Stage for Bitcoin Adoption?00:20:50 - What Are Self-Custodial Bitcoin Wallets, and How Do They Work on SIM Cards?00:27:40 - How Could SIM-Based Bitcoin Wallets Change the Game for Users?00:33:10 - How Does Regulation Impact Bitcoin Adoption in Africa?00:40:45 - What Is the Adopting Bitcoin Conference in Cape Town About?00:42:37 - How Are Bitcoin Ekasi and Bitcoin Witsand Driving Adoption in South Africa?00:44:03 - What’s Next for Kgothatso Ngako and Machankura?Live From Bitcoin Beach