The Bitcoin Frontier

• Bitcoin is the hurdle rate with Matt Cole, CEO of Strive

  What happens when corporations and nations wake up to bitcoin’s dominance? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Cole, former CalPERS portfolio manager, to discuss why every public company will eventually hold bitcoin and how the U.S. is already falling behind in the global bitcoin race. Matt shares his journey from managing $70 billion in fixed income to realizing bitcoin’s role as the ultimate savings vehicle. We explore his viral letter urging GameStop to adopt bitcoin, the concept of bitcoin as a corporate hurdle rate, and the growing pressure for businesses to rethink treasury strategies. Matt breaks down the risks and misconceptions around MicroStrategy’s leverage, how AI could reshape business moats, and why a higher hurdle rate could force a more productive economy. We also discuss why he believes regulatory risks for bitcoin have dropped to near zero and what this means for the future.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe→ Leave a review→ Share the show with your friends and family→ Send us an email [email protected]→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontierTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro01:32 - From Wall Street to bitcoin: Matt Cole’s journey03:45 - Managing $70 billion at CalPERS and the pension crisis05:34 - Buying US treasuries and questioning the system07:22 - The moment Matt first heard about bitcoin (on a bodybuilding forum!)10:17 - Why institutions are always late to bitcoin12:19 - The fight between bitcoin and CBDCs15:36 - Why the US must buy bitcoin before it's too late16:05 - The viral letter urging GameStop to adopt bitcoin20:06 - Could GameStop become the next MicroStrategy?23:25 - Why every public company will hold bitcoin27:02 - Bitcoin as the new corporate hurdle rate35:36 - Why most businesses are losing to bitcoin’s hurdle rate39:59 - Does MicroStrategy have too much leverage?46:56 - Will bitcoin force a more productive economy?WHERE TO FOLLOW US:→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom→ Unchained Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter → Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD→ Matt Cole’s Twitter: https://x.com/ColeMacro

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• Will bitcoin and AI decentralize the world?

  What happens when a small AI company moves its entire treasury into bitcoin? In this episode, we sit down with Drew D’Agostino, founder of Crystal, to unpack his bold decision to adopt a bitcoin standard. Drew shares how the 2022 bear market forced him to rethink his company’s financial strategy, the challenges of onboarding employees to bitcoin, and how he uses bitcoin as a hurdle rate for business spending. We compare his approach to Microstrategy’s aggressive accumulation, explore AI’s role in disrupting traditional business models, and discuss whether AI and bitcoin together could decentralize the world.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe→ Leave a review→ Share the show with your friends and family→ Send us an email [email protected]→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontierTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:01 - Why drew moved his company to a bitcoin standard3:46 - The bear market forced a critical decision5:28 - How bitcoin saved the company from collapse7:11 - Using bitcoin as a hurdle rate for business spending9:05 - How employees reacted to the bitcoin strategy12:42 - How bitcoin aligns with long-term company culture18:17 - Comparing microstrategy’s strategy to a private business23:15 - Will more businesses adopt a bitcoin-first strategy?25:30 - AI is accelerating faster than expected29:56 - Why AI gives small companies an edge over big corporations32:35 - Can bitcoin and AI decentralize the world?35:41 - Will AI accelerate hyperbitcoinization?45:00 - The biggest risk to bitcoin’s future57:15 - Where to find DrewWHERE TO FOLLOW US:→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom→ Unchained Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter → Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD→ Drew D’Agoostino’s Twitter: https://x.com/DrewDAgostino

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• Unpacking the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: America’s most consequential decision since 1971

  This episode was recorded moments before the U.S. made its biggest financial decision since 1971. In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Jacoutot, attorney and bitcoin policy expert, to break down the push for a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve. We explore the 20-year HODL mandate in Senator Lummis' bill, Trump's policy shift, and why nation-states could face bitcoin FOMO. Bryan explains how the U.S. could acquire 1 million bitcoin, the debate over funding it with gold revaluation, and the risks of waiting too long. We also discuss whether altcoins should be included, shifting banking regulations, and how a sovereign wealth fund could reshape global finance.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe→ Leave a review→ Share the show with your friends and family→ Send us an email [email protected]→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontierTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro2:12 - The 20-year bitcoin HODL mandate in Senator Lummis' bill4:29 - Trump's surprising shift on bitcoin policy5:31 - EO vs legislative strategic reserve10:14 - How the U.S. could acquire 1 million bitcoin12:14 - The genius idea to fund bitcoin purchases with gold revaluation15:02 - How the crypto summit could influence bitcoin policy20:35 - Is the U.S. front-running the world on bitcoin?23:50 - The case against a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve29:28 - Why the U.S. must hedge against not buying bitcoin31:58 - Sovereign wealth fund vs. strategic bitcoin reserve35:38 - Why Texas and Georgia may lead the state-level bitcoin reserves42:10 - SAB 121 repeal: A game-changer for bitcoin banking?51:51 - Why only bitcoin belongs in a U.S. strategic reserveWHERE TO FOLLOW US:→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom→ Unchained Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter → Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD→ Bryan Jacoutot’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BryanJacoutot

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• Inside the Max & Stacy Invitational in El Salvador

  How did a simple golf tournament turn into one of the most unique bitcoin events in the world? In this episode, we sit down with the key organizers and participants of the Max & Stacy Bitcoin Golf Invitational in El Salvador to unpack how this event came to life. We explore the surprising connection between bitcoin and golf, the challenges of organizing a major bitcoin event from scratch, and why the tournament attracted bitcoiners from around the world. The conversation covers El Salvador’s rapid transformation, its growing role in the bitcoin community, and the inspiring story of the country’s top golfer. We also discuss bitcoin’s long-term adoption, the power of a strong network, and the future of bitcoin sports events.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe→ Leave a review→ Share the show with your friends and family→ Send us an email [email protected]→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontierTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:12 - How the bitcoin golf tournament started3:46 - From article to international event8:20 - Why bitcoin and golf share the same mindset12:32 - The rise of bitcoin sports events18:25 - Inside the Max & Stacy Invitational22:05 - El Salvador’s top golfer and his bitcoin connection25:41 - The unique culture of bitcoiners31:10 - El Salvador’s transformation and first impressions34:09 - The best food in El Salvador39:32 - Why hash rate signals bitcoin’s strength42:18 - Executing a flawless bitcoin event45:42 - How bitcoin reshapes time and wealth50:06 - The power of taking action52:35 - The future of bitcoin sports and elite events55:00 - Final thoughts on bitcoin, El Salvador, and the tournamentWHERE TO FOLLOW US:→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter → Joe Burnett (Host) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD→ Max Keiser on Twitter: https://x.com/maxkeiser→ Stacy Herbert on Twitter: https://x.com/stacyherbert→ Bitcoin Sports Network on Twitter: https://x.com/BSN_Events→ Trey Sellers on Twitter: https://x.com/ts_hodl→ Rocky Wold on Twitter: https://x.com/rkywld

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• The stoic strategy to survive bitcoin’s extreme volatility with Zach Bradford

  Could bitcoin mining reshape the global energy grid? In this episode, we sit down with Zach Bradford, CEO and President of CleanSpark, to uncover how mining and energy industries are converging. Zach shares how stoicism influences his leadership, why CleanSpark navigated past bull and bear cycles so effectively, and his take on whether bitcoin will ever see another 80% drawdown. We discuss the risks of market euphoria, how SAB 121 could open the floodgates for institutional adoption, and why nation-states may begin accumulating serious amounts of bitcoin. Zach also explains CleanSpark’s distributed mining strategy, the future of energy integration, and how bitcoin could ultimately transform global trade and finance.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe→ Leave a review→ Share the show with your friends and family→ Send us an email [email protected]→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontierTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:00 - How stoicism shapes bitcoin mining leadership5:09 - Will bitcoin ever see another 80% drawdown?7:29 - Strategy over ideology in bitcoin mining9:34 - How CleanSpark capitalized on the bull and bear cycles13:39 - Is the market too euphoric right now?16:20 - How SAB 121 could change the financial system18:10 - Will bitcoin mining and energy industries fully converge?21:44 - Could bitcoin mining fundamentally disrupt the power industry?25:36 - Bitcoin as digital gold or digital capital?30:40 - Why nation-states are accumulating bitcoin32:26 - Will the United States adopt a strategic bitcoin reserve?37:34 - How CleanSpark balances short-term execution with long-term vision42:31 - Why CleanSpark focuses on efficiency over size46:00 - The unexpected second-order effects of bitcoinWHERE TO FOLLOW US:→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter → Joe Burnett (Host) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital→ Jose Burgos (Director of Media Production) on Twitter: https://x.com/DeFBeD→ Zach Bradford on Twitter: https://x.com/ZachKBradford

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