Episode 8 - Building Lasting Local Communities & Better Bitcoin Wallets with Jerry Qian

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Is This The New Internet?

11 episodes

3 days ago

A podcast for people who deeply care about the internet, and want it to be better. Exploring how new tools, platforms and technologies are reshaping how we go about our lives on the internet.

Technology

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A podcast for people who deeply care about the internet, and want it to be better. Exploring how new tools, platforms and technologies are reshaping how we go about our lives on the internet.

Technology

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Episode 8 - Building Lasting Local Communities & Better Bitcoin Wallets with Jerry Qian

Is This The New Internet?

1 hour 7 minutes 7 seconds

7 months ago

Episode 8 - Building Lasting Local Communities & Better Bitcoin Wallets with Jerry Qian

In this episode of "Is This The New Internet," Marvyn Paul sits down with Jerry Qian, a key figure in Toronto's crypto scene and founder of Bitcoin Bay, the city's longest-running crypto meetup series. Jerry shares his journey from a biology graduate who discovered Bitcoin during the Mt. Gox era to becoming a community builder and crypto wallet developer.

The conversation explores Jerry's vision for his OPTN wallet project that embraces both Bitcoin Cash and covenants as vital features, offering users unprecedented control over their crypto transactions. Jerry provides insight into the history of the Bitcoin/Bitcoin Cash split, the current limitations of wallet technology, and his philosophy of building tools that empower users rather than restricting them. Whether you're a crypto veteran or newcomer, this episode offers valuable perspective on community building, wallet development, and the practical utility of blockchain technology.

Show Notes

Introduction to Jerry Qian - Co-founder of Bitcoin Bay, Toronto's longest-running crypto meetup series with events downtown, Mississauga, and Richmond Hill
Jerry's crypto origin story - Discovering Bitcoin in 2013 after graduation and his journey through the Mt. Gox collapse
History of Bitcoin Bay - How Jerry and his team built the community from sometimes just one attendee to a thriving meetup series
The Bitcoin/Bitcoin Cash debate - Jerry's perspective on the split and why he chose Bitcoin Cash
Covenants and programmable money - How these features enable new transaction possibilities
Opt-In Wallet - Jerry's project bringing advanced features to Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash users
Wallet development philosophy - Empowering users with tools rather than limiting functionality
Current wallet limitations - Why today's crypto wallets restrict capabilities and how Opt-In addresses this
Nostr integration - How Bitcoin Bay is supporting decentralized social media development
Future of crypto adoption - Jerry's view that real adoption will happen in developing nations
Upcoming events - Bitcoin Bay's plans for Consensus and Toronto Blockchain Week

Jerry's Links & Socials

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-qian-4ba2a79a/

Twitter - https://x.com/Lightswarm

OPTN Labs Website - https://www.optnlabs.com/

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Jerry and Bitcoin covenants04:00 - Marvyn's introduction and podcast supporters06:00 - Jerry's background and first Bitcoin purchase09:00 - The Cyprus banking crisis and early Bitcoin awareness10:00 - Joining Toronto's early crypto meetups13:00 - Starting Bitcoin Bay meetups16:00 - Early Toronto crypto scene and businesses19:00 - Bitcoin Bay's evolution and hosting philosophy22:00 - Advice for starting your own crypto meetup26:00 - Bitcoin Bay's vision and incremental adoption approach30:00 - Bitcoin Bay coworking space32:00 - Introduction to Nostr and decentralized social media35:00 - Bitcoin network utility beyond store of value39:00 - Bitcoin Cash vs Bitcoin Core development43:00 - History of the Bitcoin block size debate47:00 - Building applications on Bitcoin Cash49:00 - Evolution of wallet functionality and limitations53:00 - Adding DApp functionality to Bitcoin wallets56:00 - UI/UX philosophy for crypto wallets59:00 - Early user feedback on Opt-In wallet01:02:00 - What real crypto adoption looks like01:04:00 - Opt-In wallet development and resources01:05:00 - Upcoming events and closing thoughts