#HCPP17 - Interview with Slush (Trezor, Slushpool) with Tone Vays & Thomas Hunt

## #HCPP17 - Interview with Slush (Trezor, Slushpool) with Tone Vays & Thomas Hunt: Summary

1. Narrative Summary:

This episode of the Human Capital podcast features a deep dive into the history and future of Bitcoin security and hardware wallets with Slush, the founder of both Slush Pool (the first Bitcoin mining pool) and Trezor (the first hardware wallet). Joined by Trezor's community manager, Bach, Slush recounts the early days of Bitcoin, the founding of his projects, and the challenges of navigating the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the contentious issue of Bitcoin forks and the concerns surrounding companies like Coinbase and Bitcoin.com, to the skepticism surrounding altcoins and ICOs. Slush emphasizes the critical importance of self-custody and the risks of relying on third-party custodians, advocating for users to be their own banks. The interview also details the upcoming release of a new Trezor device, the "Proder," with enhanced features like a touchscreen, microSD slot, and open platform for third-party developers. Throughout the discussion, Slush's Bitcoin maximalist perspective shines through, highlighting his belief in Bitcoin's dominance and the potential threat posed by competing cryptocurrencies.

2. Main Topics Discussed:

• Trezor & Slush Pool History: Founding and early development of both companies.
• New Trezor Device (Proder): Features including a touchscreen, microSD slot, open platform, and Monero support. Release expected within a few months.
• Bitcoin Forks & Maximalism: Discussion of Bitcoin Cash (Bcash), Bitcoin Gold, the 2X split, and Slush's stance as a Bitcoin maximalist.
• Coinbase & Bitcoin.com: Concerns about their practices regarding new coins and branding.
• Replay Protection & Address Formats: Importance in new forks.
• Altcoins vs. Bitcoin: Slush's skepticism towards most altcoins, with Zkash as a notable exception.
• ICOs: Largely viewed as scams.
• Funding Trezor & Slush Pool: Early crowdfunding efforts and the use of a Bitcoin pre-sale.
• Self-Custody & Hardware Wallets: Emphasizing the importance of user control over their Bitcoin.
• Future of Bitcoin & Retirement: Potential for Bitcoin as a retirement savings vehicle.
• Trezor Pricing History: Initial price of 1 Bitcoin (around $200 in 2013) and subsequent adjustments.

3. Key Quotes:

• "Because if Zkash succeeds, Bitcoin fails and I know my life savings go to zero." - Slush, on the potential impact of competing cryptocurrencies.
• "I think that most of them are scams." - Slush, referring to ICOs.
• "You should be your own bank. You should hold your own keys." - A recurring message about self-custody.

4. People Mentioned:

• Slush: Founder of Slush Pool and Trezor.
• Bach: Community Manager at Trezor.
• Tone Vays: Podcast Host.
• Thomas Hunt: Podcast Host.
• Roger Ver: Founder of Bitcoin.com.
• Zuko: Early Bitcoin figure who introduced Slush to Bitcoin.
• Joseph: Part of the Trezor team.
• Ledger: Competitor hardware wallet.
• Coinbase: Cryptocurrency exchange.

5. Bitcoin Price Mentioned:

• 1 Bitcoin = $200 (in 2013): The initial price of a Trezor device.

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