Why aren't people doing self custody? with NVK | SLP694

In this episode, NVK, CEO of CoinKite, discusses the advancements in Bitcoin self-custody solutions, particularly focusing on the Coldcard wallet and its new spending policies. The conversation explores the challenges businesses face in self-custody, the complexities of accounting for Bitcoin transactions, and the growing trend of Bitcoin treasuries among corporations. NVK emphasizes the importance of self-custody, the future of Bitcoin custody solutions, and the evolving landscape of Bitcoin adoption in the financial markets. The discussion also touches on the ongoing debates within the Bitcoin community regarding the Bitcoin Core development and the implications of debt in treasury companies.

Takeaways:

🔸Spending policies enhance operational security for Bitcoin transactions.

🔸Self-custody is crucial for businesses to manage Bitcoin effectively.

🔸Accounting complexities hinder Bitcoin adoption for companies.

🔸Bitcoin treasuries are becoming a popular choice for corporate investments.

🔸The market for Bitcoin collateralized loans is expected to grow.

🔸There is a need for more diverse Bitcoin custody solutions.

🔸The Bitcoin community is divided on the future of Bitcoin Core.

🔸Debt can be a useful tool for Bitcoin treasury companies.

🔸The demand for Bitcoin will continue to drive its value up.

🔸The evolution of Bitcoin will impact societal structures and power dynamics.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:41) - What are Coldcard spending policies? How is it useful?

(05:19) - Why do companies not prefer self-custody?

(07:58) - Operational difficulties in accounting & taxation of Bitcoin

(10:29) - Why do BTCTCs not prefer self-custody?; Role of custodians in Bitcoin treasury management

(15:51) - How many BTCTCs will we have by EOY?

(17:11) - The Bitcoin Leaderboard ft. @BTCtreasuries

(20:46) - ‘Winner takes all’ scenarios for BTCTCs?

(22:55) - Sponsors

(24:39) - The future of financial engineering in Bitcoin

(28:11) - Any demand is good for Bitcoin

(29:56) - Is Bitcoin being co-opted?; Bitcoin’s power-shift - Economic & Political influence

(35:40) - BTCTCs using ‘cheap fiat’ to stack Bitcoin

(39:50) - Mindset shifts among Bitcoin OGs; Does everybody care about Bitcoin price?

(44:33) - NVK’s thoughts on Core

(46:48) - NVK’s thoughts on Knots

(51:09) - Should there be multiple Bitcoin implementations?

(54:50) - Closing thoughts

Links:

• https://x.com/nvk

Sponsor:

• CoinKite.com (code LIVERA)

Stephan Livera links:

• Follow me on X: @stephanlivera

• Subscribe to the podcast

• Subscribe to Substack