I am a tank of bitcoin.
Brunswick @Brunswick - 23m
This might be my best work nostr:nevent1qqs9hh9vsx500mx3sjfks5kyl397ghkctqsyw46p84cgc0c9a4vql6cpz3mhxw309akx7cmpd35x7um58g6rsd3e9upzps0f4va9dg4tdjjta06yafjt9ldyptrrz85gdw5xk3jjz6wt266rqvzqqqqqqy9pfclf
Brunswick @Brunswick - 26m
Mine is the fourth one
Brunswick @Brunswick - 58m
I'm still 29
Brunswick @Brunswick - 7h
Toward Freedom and Prosperity: How Hard Money and Decentralized Networks Could Reshape Our Economic Future --- Table of Contents 1. Introduction: A Vision for Freedom and Prosperity 2. The End Goal: Individual Liberty and Shared Prosperity 3. Three Competing Worldviews: MMT, Austrian, and Marxian 4. Why “Hard Money” Could Shift Economic Value Toward Productivity 5. Stagnant Value Storage vs. Productive Capital 6. Taxation, Fascism, and Cronyism: Obstacles to True Freedom 7. Bitcoin, Nostr, and Decentralized Social Protocols 8. A Gradual Path to Adoption: Likely Resistance and Opposing Views 9. Conclusion: The Road to a Freer Tomorrow --- 1. Introduction: A Vision for Freedom and Prosperity Picture a future in which individual liberties stand at the forefront of our economic and social organization. Rather than being locked into legacy financial systems—where governments and corporate interests often hold disproportionate sway—people freely exchange value through neutral, censorship-resistant currencies and communicate via decentralized platforms that are nearly impossible to silence. This blog post offers a big-picture exploration of how a shift to “hard money” and decentralized social media protocols might spark such a transformation, redirecting economic energy from stagnant, unproductive asset hoarding toward innovation and genuine wealth creation. We’ll also examine competing economic viewpoints—Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), Austrian economics, and Marxian perspectives—alongside a discussion of taxation, fascism, and cronyism that may stand in the way. Finally, we’ll paint a vision of peaceful, incremental change through the adoption of decentralized technologies like Bitcoin and Nostr—and the opposing views one might encounter along the way. --- 2. The End Goal: Individual Liberty and Shared Prosperity The central question is: How do we achieve greater freedom, both politically and economically, while ensuring broad-based prosperity? Ideally, we want a society where: Personal autonomy is respected, with minimal risk that one’s financial assets or speech can be arbitrarily revoked. Economic opportunity flourishes, enabling entrepreneurs and innovators to allocate capital efficiently and drive production. Wealth creation aligns with real productivity, rather than speculative bubbles or politically engineered favoritism. Many argue that today’s system—marked by powerful central banks, complex tax regimes, and state-corporate alliances—stifles such ideals. A potential solution lies in decentralizing two crucial aspects of civilization: 1. Money (hard, censorship-resistant currency). 2. Speech and Coordination (censorship-resistant communication platforms). --- 3. Three Competing Worldviews: MMT, Austrian, and Marxian Before exploring how hard money might shape a freer, more prosperous future, it’s helpful to note the major economic schools at odds in this discussion: 1. MMT (Modern Monetary Theory) Sees a sovereign government’s ability to issue fiat currency as a powerful tool. Believes spending is constrained only by inflation, not by solvency. Advocates using deficits to achieve full employment, with taxes as a lever to manage inflation or excessive demand. 2. Austrian Economics Emphasizes sound money (often precious metals or a fixed-supply currency) and minimal government interference. Argues that artificial credit expansion causes boom-bust cycles and malinvestment. Supports allowing the market to set interest rates and direct capital efficiently. 3. Marxian Perspective Critiques capitalism as exploitative, where the owners of capital (means of production) extract surplus labor value from workers. Proposes collective or state ownership of resources to redistribute wealth and eliminate profit-driven hierarchies. In practice, historically associated with central planning (though variations exist). Where does “hard money” fit in? The Austrian School, in particular, supports limiting the supply of money to prevent government-driven inflation and resource misallocation. Hard money aligns poorly with MMT’s reliance on fiat currency creation, and it also runs counter to Marxian ideals where the state might want full control of financial levers. Nonetheless, the promise of limited-supply money resonates with those who value individual autonomy and minimal state interference in market processes. --- 4. Why “Hard Money” Could Shift Economic Value Toward Productivity In an inflationary fiat regime, people often feel compelled to park wealth in assets like real estate, stocks, and commodities—not solely for productive returns, but to outrun currency debasement. This dynamic can inflate asset bubbles, channeling capital away from potentially transformative endeavors. By contrast, a deflationary or inelastic currency—like a gold standard of old, or a digital currency with a fixed supply—removes the fear of perpetual dilution. People can hold currency without watching its purchasing power deteriorate. This transforms the decision to invest: Investing for real returns: One invests in a startup or technology only if it promises genuine profit beyond what simply holding “hard money” might earn over time. Reduced speculation in “safe havens”: Less impetus to store value in real estate just to avoid inflation. Housing prices might stabilize, becoming more utility-driven. Promoting truly productive capital: Freed from the inflation treadmill, entrepreneurs and investors focus on authentic innovation, potentially accelerating technological and societal progress. --- 5. Stagnant Value Storage vs. Productive Capital Today, households and wealthy investors often hoard capital in unproductive or semi-productive assets—partly out of fear of monetary debasement. High real-estate prices, inflated stock valuations, and commodity hoards can become a form of stagnant value storage. In an economy where people trust the currency to retain (or even slowly gain) purchasing power, large sums of liquid capital might flow to ventures that expand the economy’s productive capacity. Critics warn that hard money can also introduce deflationary pressures, making credit more expensive and causing some investors to “hoard” currency. Yet historical examples show that moderate deflation in a growing economy—where technology drives down costs—doesn’t automatically stifle growth. It can, in fact, usher in stable long-term planning and robust capital formation. --- 6. Taxation, Fascism, and Cronyism: Obstacles to True Freedom A major challenge arises when governments exploit fiat money issuance or partner with large corporations in a “crony capitalist” or quasi-fascist arrangement: Taxation can fund legitimate public goods, but it can also enable rent-seeking and bureaucratic bloat if accountability and transparency are lacking. Fascism / Corporatism emerges when state power fuses with private oligarchies to dominate markets and curtail competition, effectively sidelining small challengers or grassroot initiatives. Cronyism sees well-connected businesses receiving subsidies, bailouts, or regulatory protection, while truly innovative startups face bigger hurdles. When combined, these elements reinforce each other, creating a system that is resilient and resistant to change. For many, inflation serves as a “hidden tax,” transferring wealth from savers to the state and its preferred clients. Over time, this can create widespread societal malaise and a sense of hopelessness. --- 7. Bitcoin, Nostr, and Decentralized Social Protocols To counter these entrenched powers, decentralized networks have emerged: 1. Bitcoin A digital currency with a strictly capped supply. Operates on a peer-to-peer network without a central bank. Offers the possibility of transacting outside the purview of legacy finance, reducing reliance on inflationary currencies. 2. Nostr (and Other Decentralized Social Media Protocols) Allows censorship-resistant communication. Has no single controlling entity or “on/off switch.” Empowers content creators and citizens alike to speak freely, coordinate, and share knowledge without corporate or intelligence-backed media filters. Together, hard money (Bitcoin) and decentralized speech (Nostr) could gradually undermine the pillars of top-down control: By removing the ability of governments to inflate away citizens’ wealth, and By offering a means for individuals to exchange information and ideas without corporate or state censorship. --- 8. A Gradual Path to Adoption: Likely Resistance and Opposing Views a) A Peaceful, Incremental Transformation Rather than advocating for a violent revolution, many proponents envision incremental adoption: Individuals and businesses voluntarily choose Bitcoin for its soundness. Communities move to Nostr-style platforms to avoid mainstream algorithms and editorial bias. This slow, market-driven approach circumvents direct confrontation with the state’s strongest levers—legal force, judiciary rulings, or police actions—by simply offering alternatives. b) Opposing Views 1. MMT Proponents may argue that government spending (fueled by fiat) is vital for infrastructure, public health, and full employment. They’ll see hard money as limiting the state’s necessary fiscal freedom. 2. Marxian Critics might see private ownership of “hard money” as entrenching class divides unless accompanied by drastic reforms in ownership of the means of production. 3. Crony Capitalists or Fascists within state-corporate networks will likely brand these alternatives as dangerous, facilitating crime or undermining social stability. Expect regulatory crackdowns on crypto and even decentralized communication channels. --- 9. Conclusion: The Road to a Freer Tomorrow We stand at a crossroads: Either persist with status quo systems that many feel are drifting toward centralization, corporate oligarchy, and endless money creation, or begin adopting parallel networks of value and speech that promise a more open, merit-based, and transparent economy. Hard money—whether via Bitcoin or another fixed-supply currency—coupled with decentralized social protocols like Nostr offers a peaceful means of restructuring: Value flows: away from speculation fueled by easy credit and inflation hedges, and toward genuinely productive pursuits. Information flows: away from top-down editorial control, and toward free, grassroots discourse that fosters innovation and authentic consensus. Of course, these shifts aren’t guaranteed. Powerful interests will not willingly cede their privileged positions. But just as the internet once disrupted monolithic media, the rise of decentralized money and communications technologies can steadily chip away at entrenched structures—provided that enough people see the benefits and choose these alternatives. In the end, no single technology or policy can singlehandedly ensure freedom and prosperity. Yet the combination of inelastic currency and censorship-resistant speech marks a significant step. It allows citizens to opt out of systems they deem exploitative, forging a new path—one that aspires to expand human liberty, enhance community-driven innovation, and empower the many instead of the few. If this vision resonates, then gradual adoption—peaceful, bottom-up, and determined—may very well light the way to a freer tomorrow.
Brunswick @Brunswick - 8h
How?
Brunswick @Brunswick - 1d
Enhancing Compliance Without Sacrificing Privacy: The Next Evolution in Bitcoin Wallets A Long-Form Microblog for Bitcoiners and Bitcoin Wallet Devs Introduction Despite Bitcoin’s meteoric rise and its promise of a decentralized future, the practical reality is that fiat currencies—particularly the U.S. dollar—aren’t going anywhere. Governments around the world rely on tax revenue, and there’s little incentive for them to create a haven free from Bitcoin taxation. That means most of us who use Bitcoin day-to-day must grapple with tracking cost basis, capital gains, and reporting requirements. Ignoring this isn’t an option for anyone who wants to remain above board—yet many Bitcoin wallets still treat compliance tools like an afterthought. With that in mind, it’s time for wallet developers—whether you’re building BlueWallet, LNBits, Alby (spelled A-L-B-Y), or another innovative wallet—to consider user-friendly, privacy-preserving features for categorizing transactions (gifts, purchases, trades, transfers, and yes, even microtipping), accurately tracking cost basis, and generating report-ready data (like 1099-B equivalents in the U.S.). Not only does this meet a clear user need, but it also promotes broader legitimacy for Bitcoin as a mainstream financial tool. The Many Faces of Bitcoin Transactions 1. Gifts It’s often stated that Bitcoin can be gifted without triggering a tax event, but that depends heavily on local regulations. In the U.S., for example, there are annual exclusion limits. In 2023, an individual could gift up to a certain amount (e.g., $17,000) to another person without incurring a gift tax filing obligation. However, the specifics can get tricky, and recipients might need to prove that the transaction was genuinely a gift. Solution: Wallets should offer a user-facing “Gift” tag, so you can mark a transaction at the time it’s made or received. This creates a record that might help you (and your accountant) later distinguish it from a taxable sale. 2. Purchases From buying a cup of coffee to splurging on new hardware, everyday payments can technically trigger capital gains or losses if the Bitcoin’s value differs from your cost basis. Solution: Provide a “Purchase” tag that automatically references the user’s historical cost basis. Let the user see the gain or loss in fiat for each small transaction. 3. Trades Whether you’re trading Bitcoin for altcoins or buying and selling on a centralized exchange, these transactions are the classic scenario for potential capital gains. Solution: Offer easy integration with exchange APIs or user-imported CSVs so the wallet can keep a running ledger of what was acquired or sold, at what price, and on what date. 4. Transfers to Personal Accounts Moving Bitcoin from a hot wallet to a hardware wallet doesn’t trigger a tax event in most jurisdictions, but you might still need to prove it’s your own address. Solution: A “Transfer” tag that’s recognized as non-taxable. Provide an audit trail that clearly shows the same user controlling both addresses. 5. Microtipping (Zaps, LN, etc.) Lightning microtransactions—like zapping on social media—are among the most exciting new use cases for Bitcoin. Yet each micro-tip could technically be considered a disposal event. Solution: A “Tip” or “Microtransaction” tag to classify these trivial but frequent transactions. Ideally, the wallet could group and summarize them daily or weekly so you’re not left with thousands of individual lines come tax season. The Crucial Role of Cost Basis Tracking Data Points to Capture: Date Acquired Amount of BTC Value in Fiat (USD or another local currency) at that time Adjustments for Gifts The cost basis for gifted BTC could be the donor’s basis, but rules vary by country. Having that “Gift” tag from the moment of receipt greatly reduces confusion. Automatic Updates As soon as BTC enters the wallet—whether via purchase, trade, or gift—the wallet logs the cost basis. Whenever BTC leaves the wallet, the wallet calculates potential gains or losses based on the user-defined cost basis. Handling Reports and Tax Forms For many users, the holy grail is a single report that can be handed off to an accountant or easily imported into a tax-filing application. 1. Transaction History Export Summaries in .csv or .pdf format, ideally with the same categories used by tax professionals. 2. Near-1099-B Format While only brokers officially issue 1099-Bs in the U.S., the ability to generate a “1099-B-style” report can be enormously helpful. 3. Security & Privacy Encryption and local storage are critical. Users should be able to choose exactly what data to export, when to export it, and how it’s shared. Why the Dollar (and Tax Regulation) Isn’t Going Away 1. Government Incentives Tax revenue is a core pillar of government operations. No major jurisdiction has an incentive to forgo taxation just because Bitcoin is “digital money.” 2. Legitimacy & Adoption For Bitcoin to flourish as a legitimate financial tool, average users and institutions need a clear path to compliance. 3. Reducing Regulatory Friction Fostering a transparent environment for those who want to comply reduces the likelihood of a draconian crackdown. People aren’t forced “underground” if compliance is made straightforward. Lessons from Strike and Others Strike has famously tried to bridge the gap between traditional banking and Bitcoin, offering features that align well with real-world financial compliance. Wallet developers such as BlueWallet, LNBits, and Alby can adapt similar strategies: Offer compliance-friendly add-ons or modules. Provide robust categorization, tagging, and reporting features. Help your users see exactly where they stand from a tax perspective. This doesn’t mean turning your back on Bitcoin’s privacy ethos. It means recognizing that there is a large contingent of users who want to follow local laws—and giving them the tools to do so on their own terms. Action Steps for Bitcoin Devs 1. Build Easy-to-Use Categorization At the time of sending or receiving Bitcoin, prompt users to label the transaction. Don’t wait until they’re sifting through thousands of lines at the end of the year. 2. Automate Cost Basis Integrate fiat price feeds to log acquisition value in real time. Store these details locally (encrypted) for each user. 3. Simplify Reporting Generate one-click summaries that can be handed off to an accountant. Aim for a “1099-B-like” export with minimal user friction. 4. Address Microtransactions Recognize that small payments (zaps, LN tips, etc.) can add up to a bookkeeping nightmare. Consider grouping them or automatically labeling them as “tips” for streamlined reporting. 5. Respect Privacy Let users choose if and how they share transaction records. Keep data encrypted by default. Ideally, everything resides locally unless the user opts to sync externally. Conclusion As Bitcoin continues its steady march toward mainstream acceptance, ignoring tax compliance is no longer a viable stance for wallet creators and developers. By building in thoughtful tagging systems, robust cost basis tracking, and ready-to-export reporting, you equip users to meet their obligations without sacrificing the decentralized values that make Bitcoin so powerful in the first place. This isn’t about capitulation; it’s about legitimacy. The majority of Bitcoiners—and by extension, potential new adopters—want a system they can use confidently, with clear, streamlined compliance options. Let’s pave the way for a future where Bitcoin thrives not just in theory, but in practice—everywhere from microtipping on social media to million-dollar transactions, with nothing to hide and everything to gain.
Brunswick @Brunswick - 2d
Anything pure is good
5
The world isn't as interesting as your life
Its a refreshing -19C here
I'll take the goat. Free lawn service and fresh raw milk
Looks like a country music album cover from the 60s
Daylight saving time is proof Congress has not served the interests of the people for a very very long time https://www.zerohedge.com/political/yes-abolish-daylight-saving-time
#Chauvin #GeorgeFloyd #fentanyl https://www.zerohedge.com/political/judge-rejects-federal-government-request-allows-derek-chauvin-examine-george-floyds-heart
I'm taking vitamin D3 seriously from now on
You are letting the media control your mind. As a nostrich, you should be above this addiction
Amethyst used to support markdown. I don't know what happened to it
LinkedIn because most people are stupid
Markdown isn't a programming language, it's a text formatting language like wiki text or LaTeX
What is stopping you?
