Early Days

Summary: In this episode, Car talks with Lynne and Israel, to unpack what’s changing in Bitcoin startups and venture capital right now. They share their backgrounds, compare entrepreneurial ecosystems across Austin, San Francisco, Mexico, and Miami, and dig into why Bitcoin is creating outsized opportunities, especially across Latin America. Along the way, they explore new Bitcoin-native funding mechanisms, why strong advisory support matters for early founders, and what the next wave could look like at the intersection of AI and Bitcoin. A must-listen for Bitcoin founders. Chapters: 03:45 Transitioning from TradFi to Bitcoin 06:22 Insights from the Build with Bitcoin Journey 09:25 Bitcoin Venture Capital 12:36 Innovative Funding Mechanisms for Bitcoin Startups 15:27 Advisory Services in the Bitcoin Space 20:33 Exploring Startup Profitability in the Bitcoin Ecosystem 24:41 The Future of Bitcoin Startups and Market Trends 31:57 The Potential of Bitcoin in Latin America 39:58 The Rise of Bitcoin in Mexico 42:53 Latin America's Unique Position in Bitcoin Adoption 45:47 Youth Understanding of Bitcoin in Latin America 49:00 The Startup Ecosystem in ATX, SF, MIA, CDMX 53:05 Investment Opportunities in Bitcoin 55:53 The Future of Bitcoin Infrastructure 57:54 Innovations in AI and Bitcoin 01:02:49 Closing Thoughts on Myths about Bitcoin Learn more about Build With Bitcoin Follow Build With Bitcoin on X Follow Lynne on X Follow Israel on X Subscribe to Early Days wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to leave a review! Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to foundational and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Stacker News ⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab ⁠ Build with PlebLab Online: ⁠~Builders Territory on SN Online Builder Pass PlebTV PlebLab is a group that supports Bitcoin's success through free and open-source development. We back early-stage Bitcoin startups, builders and developers who host weekly workshops and hangouts. Reach out to PlebLab on X or our website to: host a workshop, work out of the lab, pitch your startup idea, or find a co-founder. The FOSS ethos drives our mission to foster an open-source software and hardware community. • 🟠 Apply to join: PlebLab Hackerspace Application. • 🤙 Interested in supporting the mission? Consider donating. • 💬 Stay in touch: X or Primal. • ✨ Learn more about PL: pleblab.dev and our News/Blog. • 📍 PL Events calendar: Luma. • 👕 PL Merch: shop here. • 🔵 PL LinkedIn: company page. • 🤖 PL GitHub: PlebLab/main. • 📚 PL Udemy: PlebLab Courses • ⚡️ Stacker News: @PlebLab. • 📮 PL Newsletter: subscribe. • 👉 Follow for more PL Builder updates: Pulse • 🟠 Bitcoin Builders Club: calendar. • 🎥 Watch our latest events: YouTube Streams, Twitch, PlebTV. • 🎧 Listen to this podcast on Fountain or Apple

Summary: In this episode, Car talks with Muzz of Lightning Ventures about the real mechanics of funding Bitcoin startups. Muzz traces his path from early Bitcoin experiments to running the world’s largest Bitcoin angel investing network, then breaks down what investors look for, how consistent updates change outcomes, and why Bitcoin founders are unusually resilient. He also introduces Thunder Funder, an equity crowdfunding platform built for Bitcoin companies, and maps the growing community, capital, and playbooks available to builders. Whether you are writing your first investor update or exploring your first check, this conversation delivers clear, usable insight for Bitcoin founders. Chapters: 03:29 Building A Bitcoin Only Syndicate 06:32 The Importance of Investor Updates and Communication 09:27 Challenges of Raising Capital in the Bitcoin Space 12:27 Comparing Bitcoin and Traditional Investment Models 15:30 The Unique Resilience of Bitcoin Founders 18:25 Understanding the Hurdles of Bitcoin Investments 24:23 Navigating the VC Landscape in Bitcoin 30:35 Future Plans for PL Startup School 35:10 Building a Bitcoin Company 39:41 The Austin Bitcoin Scene 40:40 Thunder Funder: Equity Crowdfunding for Bitcoin Startups 44:36 Lessons Learned Navigating the Crowdfunding Landscape 48:18 Changes in Accreditation and Regulation 54:35 The Evolution of Lightning Ventures Learn more about Lightning Ventures Learn more about Thunder Funder Follow Lightning Ventures on X Follow Muzz on X Subscribe to Early Days wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to leave a review! Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to foundational and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: LinkedIn ⁠Stacker News ⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab ⁠ Build with PlebLab Online: ⁠~Builders Territory on SN Online Builder Pass PlebTV PlebLab is a group that supports Bitcoin's success through free and open-source development. We back early-stage Bitcoin startups, builders and developers who host weekly workshops and hangouts. Reach out to PlebLab on X or our website to: host a workshop, work out of the lab, pitch your startup idea, or find a co-founder. The FOSS ethos drives our mission to foster an open-source software and hardware community. • 🟠 Apply to join: PlebLab Hackerspace Application. • 🤙 Interested in supporting the mission? Consider donating. • 💬 Stay in touch: X or Primal. • ✨ Learn more about PL: pleblab.dev and our News/Blog. • 📍 PL Events calendar: Luma. • 👕 PL Merch: shop here. • 🔵 PL LinkedIn: company page. • 🤖 PL GitHub: PlebLab/main. • 📚 PL Udemy: PlebLab Courses • ⚡️ Stacker News: @PlebLab. • 📮 PL Newsletter: subscribe. • 👉 Follow for more PL Builder updates: Pulse • 🟠 Bitcoin Builders Club: calendar. • 🎥 Watch our latest events: YouTube Streams, Twitch, PlebTV. • 🎧 Listen to this podcast on Fountain or Apple

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Ted from Feed Filter AI to explore using AI as a tool to enhance user experience on social media by filtering out unwanted content. They discuss the role of Feed Filter AI in content curation, the challenges of social media today, and the importance of understanding user needs in early-stage products. Ted shares hard lessons from earlier startups, the importance of shipping with live user feedback, and why he’s building Feed Filter AI as a company for the Bitcoin era, where privacy, ownership, and open networks matter. We explore: How to Make Social Media Great Again! Where does the moat live? User-owned rules, privacy, compounding models What to measure? Junk removed, time saved, retention User-controlled filters that run across X and Instagram Cutting social noise so users get their attention back Chapters: 00:00 Problem framing: noise steals attention, AI gives it back 03:11 Context over keywords: how the model reads text, images, memes 06:33 UX realities: overwhelm, friction, drop-off—what actually fixes it 09:55 Market entry: where Feed Filter wins first, initial wedge 12:21 Feedback loop: ship weekly, instrument everything, learn fast 16:15 Filtering engine: user rules, aggregation, precision at scale 20:55 Roadmap and future app rollout 25:05 Founder scars: what previous startups taught Ted that transfers 40:30 Surviving the trough: cash, focus, and saying no 48:13 Past pivots (incl. health tech): extracting playbooks, not baggage 58:07 Post-mortems that matter: what to keep, what to kill 01:02:53 Building for the Bitcoin era: privacy, ownership, open networks Learn more about Feed Filter AI Download Feed Filter AI for Chrome Follow Feed Filter AI on X Follow Ted Thayer on X Subscribe to Early Days wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to leave a review! Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to foundational and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Stacker News ⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab ⁠ Build with PlebLab Online: ⁠~Builders Territory on SN Online Builder Pass PlebTV PlebLab is a group that supports Bitcoin's success through free and open-source development. We back early-stage Bitcoin startups, builders and developers who host weekly workshops and hangouts. Reach out to PlebLab on X or our website to: host a workshop, work out of the lab, pitch your startup idea, or find a co-founder. The FOSS ethos drives our mission to foster an open-source software and hardware community. • 🟠 Apply to join: PlebLab Hackerspace Application. • 🤙 Interested in supporting the mission? Consider donating. • 💬 Stay in touch: X or Primal. • ✨ Learn more about PL: pleblab.dev and our News/Blog. • 📍 PL Events calendar: Luma. • 👕 PL Merch: shop here. • 🔵 PL LinkedIn: company page. • 🤖 PL GitHub: PlebLab/main. • 📚 PL Udemy: PlebLab Courses • ⚡️ Stacker News: @PlebLab. • 📮 PL Newsletter: subscribe. • 👉 Follow for more PL Builder updates: Pulse • 🟠 Bitcoin Builders Club: calendar. • 🎥 Watch our latest events: YouTube Streams, Twitch, PlebTV. • 🎧 Listen to this podcast on Fountain or Apple

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Joe from Unchained to explore what building early in Bitcoin really teaches you: ship fast, listen closely, iterate constantly, survive the hard parts, and play the long game. Joe shares lessons from selling his first startup before entering Bitcoin, learning to find real customer pull, make revenue make sense, and improve security without sacrificing speed. They dive into strategies that compound over time such as education, tooling, and partnerships, and why education is not just marketing but part of the product. Joe also breaks down how brand is earned through consistency and presence, and where he sees custody and treasury companies heading next. We explore: Early mistakes harden into operating principles that stick Education as culture building, not just content Brand as trust, consistency over slogans Resilience and adaptability when markets swing Chapters: 00:58 First Startup exit: early mistakes: operating principles 02:56 Why Bitcoin? reading the market and timing the jump 04:22 Business model fit, revenue that actually makes sense 06:40 Unchained Day 1–500: chase customer pull, not feature creep 09:16 Handling criticism: investor pressure (show, don’t slogan) 11:04 Notes to early builders: ship fast, listen harder 12:21 Survival mode: runway, focus, resilience 14:38 Hold tight vs. let go: when to persist or pivot 16:35 Indirect plays that compound: education, tooling, partnerships 18:32 Culture as product: education as culture-building; brand trust 22:56 Revenue in Bitcoin: services → product, infra → ? 29:32 Secure without slowing down: custody trade-offs 31:14 Custody then & now: workflows for teams and enterprises 34:09 Wallet UX + security: what’s actually new 36:59 Custody biz models 42:34 Treasury companies & stable coins 47:17 The digital playground and Bitcoins next wave 50:48 Education that scales community Subscribe to Early Days wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to leave a review! Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: LinkedIn ⁠Stacker News ⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab ⁠ Build with PlebLab Online: ⁠~Builders Territory on SN Online Builder Pass PlebTV PlebLab is a group that supports Bitcoin's success through free and open-source development. We back early-stage Bitcoin startups, builders and developers who host weekly workshops and hangouts. Reach out to PlebLab on X or our website to: host a workshop, work out of the lab, pitch your startup idea, or find a co-founder. The FOSS ethos drives our mission to foster an open-source software and hardware community. • 🟠 Apply to join: PlebLab Hackerspace Application. • 🤙 Interested in supporting the mission? Consider donating. • 💬 Stay in touch: X or Primal. • ✨ Learn more about PL: pleblab.dev and our News/Blog. • 📍 PL Events calendar: Luma. • 👕 PL Merch: shop here. • 🔵 PL LinkedIn: company page. • 🤖 PL GitHub: PlebLab/main. • 📚 PL Udemy: PlebLab Courses • ⚡️ Stacker News: @PlebLab. • 📮 PL Newsletter: subscribe. • 👉 Follow for more PL Builder updates: Pulse • 🟠 Bitcoin Builders Club: calendar. • 🎥 Watch our latest events: YouTube Streams, Twitch, PlebTV. • 🎧 Listen to this podcast on Fountain or Apple

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Alex of Project 11 for a thoughtful discussion on the current state of quantum computing and its potential implications for cryptography and Bitcoin. They explore the risks and opportunities this emerging technology presents particularly in the context of ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) and RSA (Rivest Shamir Adleman encryption). Alex explains how Project 11 is approaching these developments and offers a grounded perspective on what quantum advancements could mean for the future of digital assets. Whether you're cautiously curious or deeply embedded in the ecosystem, this episode provides a measured look at a complex and increasingly relevant topic. We explore: Explore how quantum computing could reshape cryptography and digital assets, with far-reaching implications for the future of finance. Examine the potential risks quantum advancements pose to Bitcoin and how the ecosystem is preparing to meet these challenges. Learn how Project Eleven is proposing solutions to safeguard digital currencies against potential technological threats. Hear Alex’s personal journey from a military background to leading a pioneering effort in the quantum computing space. Chapters: 03:05 Understanding Qubits and Cryptography Threats 05:44 The Implications of Quantum Computing on Bitcoin 08:54 Government Responses to Quantum Threats 12:03 The Risks of Nation-State Actors 13:48 The Future of Bitcoin and Quantum Computing 16:44 Current Developments in Quantum Computing 19:41 The Race for Quantum Supremacy 22:48 Project 11 and the Yellow Pages Initiative 28:12 Understanding Post-Quantum Cryptography 31:29 The Open Source Approach of Project 11 35:05 Funding and Future Directions of Project 11 36:21 Optimism in Quantum Computing 44:34 Introducing the Q Day Prize Subscribe to Early Days wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to leave a review! Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: PlebTV ⁠Stacker News

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Jim of CASCDR to talk about what he’s building and why it matters. We get into the future of AI and its impact on Bitcoin, media, podcasting, and even legal systems. Jim breaks down what CASCDR is, how feedback loops improve AI, and why leadership and team culture matter more than ever. We also dig into the ethics of it all, what’s coming, what to watch for, and how to build tools that actually help humanity. We explore: Why AI is seen as an elemental technology with vast potential. How building workflows in AI can enhance efficiency and creativity. Why we need Bitcoiners leading the charge in AI development. Why Feedback mechanisms are crucial for improving AI systems. Chapters: 02:52 Understanding CASCDR 05:53 The Importance of AI 11:53 Role of Bitcoin in AI Development 18:08 Ethics and Responsibility in AI Development 23:58 The Dangers of AI Without Ethical Oversight 43:41 Features of Jamie Pro 45:18 AI in Podcasting 47:58 Jamie Pro and AI Tools 53:01 Clara: A New Tool for Legal Translation 01:02:04 AI and Interoperability 01:06:14 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Development Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: PlebTV ⁠Stacker News Bitcoin Builders Club Primal⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Luma⁠ ⁠Meetup⁠

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Alekos of Portal, to discuss the Portal hardware device, they explore the importance of user experience, the concepts and future plans around decentralized identity, and examine the evolving role of hardware in the Bitcoin space. We explore: How decentralized identity can simplify online and offline authentication. How to transition from open source to founding a startup in the bitcoin ecosystem. The difficulties of raising funds for hardware startups in the bitcoin ecosystem. Why more startups should pursue ambitious ideas in the bitcoin ecosystem. Chapters: 01:01 Hackerspace Updates 03:27 Alekos's Journey into Bitcoin 06:27 The Evolution of Ideas and Creativity 09:17 From OpenSource to Bitcoin Startup 15:40 Innovations in NFC Technology 24:32 Expanding Functionality of Portal 29:13 Security and Authentication 37:07 Understanding the Portal Device 46:13 User Experience in Digital Security 52:27 Security and Privacy Concerns in Digital Identity 57:45 Learnings on Building Hardware 01:06:00 Future of Portal Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: PlebTV ⁠Stacker News Bitcoin Builders Club Primal⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Luma⁠ ⁠Meetup⁠

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Matt of Solo Satoshi, to discuss the rise of Bitaxe and its impact on home mining. They discuss the possibilities of home mining, decentralization, and how community support fuels resilience when building a bitcoin business. We explore: Why Bitaxe open source design files allow users to build their own devices. How home mining is in its infancy and has huge growth potential. How Bitaxe mining solutions can lead to greater decentralization. Why the sovereign bitcoin stack will be made accessible to everyone. Chapters: 02:43 Bitaxe Open Source Movement 03:49 Creating Solo Satoshi 17:01 Differentiating in the Bitaxe market 24:37 The Sovereign Bitcoin Stack 30:31 Bitaxe Operations and Challenges 42:04 Home Mining Competition 51:49 Importance of Integrity 01:02:04 The Evolution of Bitcoin Adoption 01:12:43 Plans for Solo Satoshi Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com/?aff=PlebLab Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: PlebTV ⁠Stacker News Bitcoin Builders Club Primal⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Luma⁠ ⁠Meetup⁠ ⁠Newsletter Learn more: Follow Matt on <…

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Kilian, Co-founder and CEO of Boltz, to explore the inception and evolution of the platform—designed to enable non-custodial swaps across Bitcoin layers. Kilian shares insights into the early challenges of the Lightning Network, the integration of Liquid for more efficient transactions, and the ongoing pursuit of privacy in Lightning payments. We explore: Why professional operation of routing nodes is key to network reliability. How privacy in Lightning transactions is progressing, with advancements like Bolt12. Liquid’s shifting role as a valuable option during high-fee periods. Why Kilian sees the Lightning Network as connective tissue across Bitcoin layers. Chapters: 03:38 How Boltz Evolved 06:16 Liquid’s Role in Lightning 09:25 User Experience and Wallet Integration 12:31 The Boltz Founders Journey 15:30 Technical Challenges and Node Management 18:27 Legal Considerations: Structuring a Non-Custodial Business 21:39 The Future of Lightning Network and Privacy Concerns 41:52 How Private is Lightning? 45:16 Bolt12 in Focus 48:55 Compliance Challenges in an Open Bitcoin Ecosystem 52:10 Rethinking Liquid 59:28 Lightning Network and Channel Management Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Meetup⁠ ⁠Newsletter Learn more: Follow Kilian on X Learn more Boltz

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Ge, the founder of Alamo Labs, to talk about the new Bitcoin hub taking shape in San Antonio — and the grassroots journey that brought it to life. We explore: The importance of plebs playing a crucial role in grassroots Bitcoin initiatives. How the city often guides the direction and energy of local Bitcoin movements. How building a physical space comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities for Bitcoin builders and community members Why San Antonio is well-positioned to become a regional hub for Bitcoin in South Texas, with the right vision and support Chapters: 01:11 The Story of Building Alamo Labs 07:00 Scaling Challenges 16:27 Measuring Impact 21:38 Expanding the Model for Other Cities 33:24 The Reality of Fundraising vs. Revenue 44:25 Unique Identity of Every Bitcoin City 49:46 Breaking Out of the Echo Chamber 1:01:54 Love, Legacy, and Brotherhood Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Meetup⁠ ⁠Newsletter Learn more: Follow Ge on X Learn more Alamo Labs

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with John to discuss the evolution of Synonym, its vision for a decentralized digital economy, and the development of the Pubky protocol. We explore: The importance of self-sovereignty, identity, and trust in the digital age Pubky introducing a public key domain system for censorship resistance. The Atomic Economy and why it is not just a technology stack. Future of Pubky, Social Media and it's AI Integration. Chapters: 05:01 Challenges of Lightning 10:51 Exploring the PubKey Protocol 17:43 Self-Sovereignty and Digital Identity 30:27 Payments and Settlement in The Next Web 36:36 The Challenge of Scaling Bitcoin 40:23 Building a Trusted Payment System 41:07 Understanding the "Semantic Social Graph" 44:47 The Future of Pubky, Social Media and AI Integration 52:32 Creating Meaningful Technology for Families 55:09 The Launch of PubKey Special thanks to our sponsor, VENTAC – trusted legal resources built for founders. From contracts to trademarks and fundraising docs, VENTAC makes it easy and affordable to get the support you need to build. Save 10% with code: PlebLab https://myventac.com Follow Car: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠Stacker News⁠ Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PlebLab: ⁠Primal⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Meetup⁠ ⁠Newsletter Learn more about Synonym Follow John on Pubky, X Learn more Synonym Build on Pubky Core

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Jeremy from Assign Money who shares his builder journey, detailing his love for creation, the challenges of building in Nigeria and why Bitcoin payroll is a growing need in Africa. We explore: Jeremy's journey into coding began with a desire to create and innovate. The Nigerian government strict regulations against cryptocurrency transactions. Why education is key to increasing Bitcoin adoption in Nigeria. Despite regulations, there is a growing interest in Bitcoin among the population. Chapters: 09:36 Challenges of Building on Bitcoin 16:44 The Regulatory Landscape in Nigeria 22:59 Adoption and Understanding of Bitcoin in Africa 27:48 The Development Ecosystem in Nigeria 31:04 What is Assign Money? 41:08 Stablecoins and Payroll Solutions in Africa Learn more about Assign Money Follow Jeremy on X Follow Car: Primal Stacker News Apply to PlebLab Learn more about PlebLab Follow PlebLab: Primal X LinkedIn YouTube Meetup Newsletter

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Alex from Heatbit who shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the inception of Heatbit during the COVID-19 lockdown, the challenges faced in product development, and the importance of market validation. We explore: The journey began with a curiosity about Bitcoin mining and heating. Market validation is crucial before fully developing a product. Prototyping and user testing are essential steps in product development. Optimism is common among founders, but realistic expectations are necessary. Simplicity in product design often leads to better user experiences. Chapters: 03:28 The Genesis of Heatbit: A Journey of Curiosity 06:38 Passion for Physical Products and Waste Reduction 09:30 The First Iteration: Building the Heatbit 12:29 Design Evolution and Professional Input 15:35 Market Entry: Lessons from Indiegogo 18:37 Navigating Challenges and Market Confirmation 21:38 Building the Team and Engaging Customers 24:38 Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement 27:37 Production Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles 30:26 The Emotional Journey of Product Creation 32:52 From Prototypes to Production 33:35 Customer Reactions: Excitement and Reality Check 36:25 Lessons Learned: Optimism vs. Reality in Startups 40:03 Simplicity in Design: The Key to User Experience 41:38 Funding the Vision 42:55 The Resurgence of Home Mining 47:29 Navigating Investor Relationships 51:58 Open Source and Privacy in Mining Learn more about Heatbit Follow on X Follow Car: Primal Stacker News Apply to PlebLab Learn more about PlebLab Follow PlebLab: Primal X LinkedIn YouTube Meetup Newsletter

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Joshua, the founder of Bitspend, to discuss his journey in developing a payment solution using Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. The conversation also touches on the Ark protocol, revenue models for Bitspend, and the application of the 80/20 principle in development. We explore: Cross-border payments are difficult, especially from Nigeria. Bitspend plugin aims to simplify user interactions with Bitcoin. Bitshala Lab plays a significant role in educating developers. Nigeria Bitcoin ecosystem The Ark protocol The 80/20 principle helps prioritize development efforts. Joshua shares his experiences with cross-border payments, the importance of verification in Bitcoin transactions, and the challenges faced with the Lightning Network. Chapters: 03:43 Challenges in Cross-Border Payments 06:37 The Importance of Verification in Bitcoin Transactions 09:29 Introducing the Bitspend Plugin 12:21 User Experience and Security in Wallet Applications 15:39 The Future of Bitspend and its Integration 18:19 Joshua's Background and Interest in Bitcoin 21:27 BitShala and its Role in the Bitcoin Ecosystem 24:13 The Bitcoin Community in Nigeria 33:20 Bitcoin as a Medium of Payment 35:26 The Lightning Network: Pros and Cons 37:44 Exploring the ARK Protocol 43:09 Revenue and Growth Strategies 48:25 The 80/20 Principle 52:41 Bitcoin's Role in Economic Empowerment Learn more about Bitspend Follow on X: @boringprimate Follow Car: Primal Stacker News Apply to PlebLab Learn more aboutPlebLab Follow PlebLab: Primal X LinkedIn YouTube Meetup Newsletter

Summary: In this episode of Early Days, Car sits down with Phil, the founder and CEO of 21M Communications, to discuss his journey in the Bitcoin space and the unique PR strategies he employs for Bitcoin companies. We explore: The importance of aligning PR strategies with low time preference values. How PR and marketing should work hand in hand. Building relationships with reporters for effective media outreach. Social listening as a key strategy for identifying trends and engaging with the media. Leveraging podcasts for brand visibility and engagement. How consistency in producing content can lead to unexpected opportunities and connections. Phil discusses the differences between PR and marketing, foundational strategies for startups, and the significance of newsletters and content creation in building a brand’s presence in the media. Learn more about 21M Comms Follow on X: @ColdHardSats Follow Car: Primal Stacker News Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to 21M Communications 03:34 Phil’s Journey in Media and Bitcoin 06:50 High Time Preference vs. Low Time Preference in Bitcoin 09:39 The Art of Storytelling in Bitcoin Marketing 12:33 Influencer Marketing in the Bitcoin Space 15:30 Understanding PR vs. Marketing 18:30 Case Study: AMBOSS and Effective Marketing Strategies 32:17 Building a Strong Foundation for Startups 40:43 Engaging with Media and Social Listening 45:14 Creating Impactful Content and Thought Leadership 48:41 The Power of Newsletters and Community Engagement Apply to PlebLab Learn more aboutPlebLab Follow PlebLab: Primal X LinkedIn YouTube Meetup Newsletter

Summary: In this episode of_Early Days_, Car sits down with Kiki, a creative technologist and game designer, to dive into her unique journey from artist yogi to Bitcoin hacker and Unreal Engine maxi. Kiki shares how she discovered coding through an artist collective, fell in love with VR, and found her way into the ecosystem through hackathons. We explore: The evolution of AR, VR, MR, and XR – and where it's all headed. The inspiration behind Cozy, her AI-powered Tamagotchi-like agent built on Bitcoin & Nostr. How machine-to-machine payments and AI assistants could redefine human-to-digital interaction. The growing wave of Bitcoin-native innovation in gaming, AI, and immersive tech. Her vision for Cozy and the future of decentralized digital companions. Kiki’s journey weaves together art, technology, and open-source innovation—tune in for a deep dive into the future of interactive and immersive digital experiences! Learn more aboutKiki Follow Car: Primal Stacker News Chapters: 00:00 Kiki's Journey into Coding and Bitcoin 05:16 Understanding AR, VR, MR, and XR 10:22 The Vision Behind Cozy 15:29 The Future of Virtual Agents 20:02 Kiki's Unique Perspective from Venezuela 26:08 Introduction to Cozy and Its Development 32:56 Exploring 3D Tools and Technologies 36:26 Kiki's Educational Journey and Future Aspirations 40:04 The Vision for Cozy and Its Unique Features 43:58 Final Thoughts Apply toPlebLab Learn more aboutPlebLab Follow PlebLab: Primal X LinkedIn YouTube Meetup Newsletter

Summary: In this conversation, Car talks with Keith, who shares his journey from Bloomberg to founding Branta. He reflects on the challenges of Building on Bitcoin, the need to adapt in a competitive landscape, and the value of long-term thinking when transitioning into the Bitcoin space. Keith delves into Branta’s evolution, highlighting its flagship product, Guardrail, which ensures safe transactions on the Bitcoin Lightning Network. They also explore Branta’s business model, the role of relationship-building in sales, and Keith’s vision for the company's future. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠Branta Follow Car on ⁠⁠⁠Primal⁠⁠⁠ Follow Car on ⁠⁠⁠StackerNews⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 Transitioning from Bloomberg to Bitcoin 03:13 The Evolution of Branta 06:18 Guardrail: Ensuring Safe Transactions 09:21 Business Model and Market Positioning 12:29 Navigating Competition in the Bitcoin Space 15:22 Keith's Builder Journey and Philosophy 18:27 Family and Personal Background 21:19 The Significance of Open Source Projects 27:14 Sparrow Wallet 32:57 Open Source vs. Commercial Models 35:44 Navigating Sales and Client Relationships 43:18 Building a Business the Old-Fashioned Way 50:33 The Vision for Branta Apply to ⁠⁠⁠PlebLab⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about ⁠⁠PlebLab⁠⁠ Follow PL on ⁠⁠Primal⁠⁠ Follow PL on ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ Follow PL on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Subscribe to PL on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Visit PL in Austin on ⁠⁠Meetup⁠⁠ Stay Up To Date with PL ⁠⁠Newsletter

Summary: In this conversation Car talks with Calvadev for a deep dive into Shopstr, a relatively new marketplace built on Bitcoin and powered by Nostr. Together, they discuss the importance of innovative revenue models, the unique challenges of launching a Bitcoin/Nostr business, and how user experience will shape the future of payments. Calvadev also shares practical advice for aspiring builders—highlighting community engagement, continuous experimentation, and simply getting started. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Shopstr Follow Car on ⁠⁠Primal⁠⁠ Follow Car on ⁠⁠StackerNews⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Building Shopstr 03:30 Community in Entrepreneurship 06:21 The Role of Nostr in Shopstr's Creation 09:26 Bridging the Gap to Mainstream Users 12:14 Innovative Revenue Models for Marketplaces 15:28 Navigating Competition and Collaboration 18:30 Future Directions and Premium Features 21:22 Building on Nostr: Opportunities and Challenges 30:23 The Future of Payment Systems and User Adoption 34:31 Challenges in Building Bitcoin/Nostr Companies 40:24 Opportunities in Nostr Marketplace Development 54:33 Advice for Aspiring Builders Apply to ⁠⁠PlebLab⁠⁠ Learn more about ⁠PlebLab⁠ Follow PL on ⁠Primal⁠ Follow PL on ⁠X⁠ Follow PL on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Subscribe to PL on ⁠YouTube⁠ Visit PL in Austin on ⁠Meetup⁠ Stay Up To Date with PL ⁠Newsletter

Summary: In this conversation Car talks with the team behind Lightning Bounties discussing their journey from hackathon MIT participants to building a platform that rewards developers for contributing to open source projects. They share insights on the importance of teamwork, the evolution of their open source project, and the challenges they faced in creating a two-sided marketplace for bounties. The discussion also touches on the future of decentralization, and the role of AI in development, and including valuable advice for early stage startups. Learn more about ⁠Lightning Bounties⁠ Follow Car on ⁠Primal⁠ Follow Car on ⁠StackerNews⁠ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lightning. Bounties Team 09:22 The Value of Hackathons 13:26 The Evolution of Lightning Bounties 18:41 Building a Two-Sided Marketplace 26:42 Future Prospects and Concerns 29:43 The Genesis of Lightning Bounties 32:31 Decentralization vs Centralization in Development 35:41 The Future of Work and Value for Value Exchange 39:15 Navigating Challenges in Startup Development 45:28 Building a Strong Team for Success 50:56 Engagement and Future Directions for Lightning Bounties 52:53 Closing thoughts Apply to ⁠PlebLab⁠ Learn more about PlebLab Follow PL on Primal Follow PL on X Follow PL on LinkedIn Subscribe to PL on YouTube Visit PL in Austin on Meetup Stay Up To Date with PL Newsletter