Bitcoin Price:
$3.90 (with a reported range of $377 to $390).
People Mentioned:
* Brian Armstrong (Coinbase CEO)
* Peter Thiel (PayPal founder)
* Ben Lossky (Mentioned in relation to BitPay)
Main Topics Discussed:
* Bitcoin Adoption & Vision: Discussion of Bitcoin's future, noting that while adoption is slow, transaction numbers are climbing.
* Critique of Payment Systems: A deep dive into the failure of PayPal, arguing that its lack of decentralization and inability to function as a true currency were its weaknesses.
* Payment Competition: Analysis of competing payment methods, including the emergence of Apple Pay, which the hosts suggest is beneficial for Bitcoin.
* Technological Developments: Coverage of new Bitcoin access points, such as the Baltimore ATM, and global initiatives like Crypto Radio and the BitSat project.
* Geopolitical & Cultural Issues: Discussion of the Hong Kong protests and the increasing focus on the fight for digital freedom (EFF/BitLicense).
* Pop Culture: A brief, humorous mention of the impending arrival of hoverboards.
Key Quotes:
1. "The failure of PayPal is that it wasn't a currency. The failure of PayPal is that it wasn't decentralized." (Peter Thiel critique)
2. "The more Apple closes the wallets, the better it is for Bitcoin." (Sentiment on centralized payments)
3. "The power is with the people, and the people of Hong Kong are in the streets." (Commentary on the Hong Kong protests)