He Helped Build Bitcoin—Now He’s Warning About What’s Coming Next

In this episode, I chat with Rockstar Dev, a legendary shadowy super coder, core contributor, and cypherpunk. We explore what Lightning and eCash mean for Bitcoin’s future, what it’s like to live a masked identity, and how to build better systems that empower individuals.

––– Offers & Discounts –––

🚨 SCAN THE QR CODE on the screen to enter our contest and get a chance to win a Blockhunters board game! 🚨

⭐ Get 10% OFF Blockhunters — the ultimate Bitcoin board game.
Visit https://blockhuntersgame.com/ and use code btcmatrix at checkout!

Get 10% off your ticket for the Bitcoin Conference 2025 in Vegas! Use the promo code MATRIX at https://tickets.b.tc/affiliate/matrix/event/bitcoin-2025

Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric

Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/Matrix

The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order.

Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/

––– Get To Know Today's Guest –––

• Uncle Rockstar Dev on X: https://x.com/r0ckstardev
• Uncle Rockstar Dev on Nostr: npub1j8y6tcdfw3q3f3h794s6un0gyc5742s0k5h5s2yqj0r70cpklqeqjavrvg

––– Socials –––

• Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com
• Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman
• Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix
• Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs

––– Chapters –––

00:00 - Intro
02:00 - Rockstar’s Origin Story & BTCPay Genesis
05:31- - Discovering Bitcoin’s Ideological Core
08:22 - Community, Collaboration & BTC’s Cultural Impact
11:00 - BTCPay as a Platform and Alternative to BitPay
14:38 - The Block Size Wars & Ongoing Cultural Conflicts
20:38 - Camaraderie Among Core Contributors
22:48 - Privacy, Identity & Living Behind the Mask
25:54 - Ego, Recognition & Stories of Gigi
33:00 - Satoshi as a Coder & Mythic Figure
35:10 - Information Madness & Cypherpunk Prophecy
38:40 - Compliance vs Building Better Systems
42:05 - Bitcoin for Personal & Collective Freedom
46:09 - Rockstar on Realizing Financial Independence
48:20 - Lessons from Working in Bitcoin Startups
52:58 - Why Lightning Thrills Rockstar
57:42 - Stablecoins on Lightning & Their Bitcoin Impact
01:00:00 - Bitcoin is for Anyone—but Not for Everyone
01:04:45 - Can We Have Privacy Without KYC-Free Bitcoin?
01:14:00 - Is Rockstar Planning on Disappearing?
01:19:00 - Keeping Satoshi Unknown
01:25:45 - Reflecting on Corporate Jobs & Finding Meaning in your Work
01:38:45 - How Bitcoin Has Changed Rockstar
01:41:45 - Hope for a Sovereign Future

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing.

Thank you for listening!