Bitcoin Journeys is dedicated to exploring the diverse journeys and reasons people from various backgrounds turn to Bitcoin.
Each episode of the podcast is a focused 30–60-minute conversation that centers around two main questions: What brought you to Bitcoin, and why do you invest in it?
Through this, I aim to uncover personal narratives that provide unique perspectives and bring to light how transformational of a technology Bitcoin is.
Bitcoin Journeys is dedicated to exploring the diverse journeys and reasons people from various backgrounds turn to Bitcoin.
Each episode of the podcast is a focused 30–60-minute conversation that centers around two main questions: What brought you to Bitcoin, and why do you invest in it?
Through this, I aim to uncover personal narratives that provide unique perspectives and bring to light how transformational of a technology Bitcoin is.
In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Eric Yakes, a CFA charterholder, former corporate restructuring expert, author of "The 7th Property: Bitcoin and the Monetary Revolution," and founder of Epoch VC—a Bitcoin-focused venture capital firm dedicated to building the future of decentralized finance.
Eric shares his transformation from a fiat system insider betting on economic failures to a Bitcoin advocate, drawing on his deep economic background and experiences in distressed investing. He explores Bitcoin's role as a revolutionary digital commodity, critiques the flaws of central banking, and outlines a vision for Bitcoin's layered architecture and global adoption cycles, offering profound insights for both newcomers and seasoned investors.
TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction and Eric's Bitcoin journey beginnings02:00 - Economic priming: From Milton Friedman to Keynesian education06:00 - Experiences in distressed investing and fiat system flaws10:00 - Rethinking value: Bitcoin as a commodity, not a security14:00 - Discovering Bitcoin as an alternative to central banking17:00 - Why Bitcoin over altcoins: Trade-offs in speed and complexity20:00 - Layered architecture for Bitcoin's future financial system25:00 - Bitcoin's market potential and adoption cycles31:00 - Education and technology in driving Bitcoin adoption39:00 - Parallel systems: Centralized vs. Bitcoin-native44:00 - Incentives for migrating to a decentralized future50:00 - Advice for newcomers and closing thoughts
Resources mentioned:Capitalism and Freedom by Milton FriedmanThe 7th Property: Bitcoin and the Monetary Revolution by Eric YakesHuman Rights Foundation (in context of Bitcoin use cases)Paper: "Banks Without Bankers" by Eric Yakes
Follow Eric Yakes:X: @ericyakesWebsite: epochvc.ioBook: Available on major platforms or via his website
Follow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisory
