From Bank Freezes to Bitcoin Freedom: Adam O'Brien’s Journey

In this episode of the Bitcoin Sports Network Podcast, Chris and Frieda sit down with Adam O'Brien—the CEO of Bitcoin Well, one of North America’s leading Bitcoin-only exchanges. Adam’s journey into the world of Bitcoin started in 2013, when he first thought it was just “fake internet money.” Since then, his perspective has transformed, leading him to create a company dedicated to financial sovereignty and self-custody.

Adam discusses why owning your own Bitcoin is essential in an increasingly centralized world. He shares his personal experiences with bank account freezes and the importance of self-custody to maintain financial independence. Adam also highlights the mission of Bitcoin Well—to empower people to own their wealth securely without relying on third parties.

In this insightful conversation, Adam touches on how Bitcoin aligns with his vision for intergenerational wealth, giving his great-great-granddaughter a fighting chance in an uncertain future. Plus, hear about the upcoming Samara Bitcoin Golf Championship in Las Vegas, where Bitcoin enthusiasts and athletes will gather for a unique fusion of sports and crypto.

About Adam O’Brien:
- Founder and CEO of Bitcoin Well
- Bitcoin Advocate since 2013
- Pioneer in promoting non-custodial Bitcoin transactions
- Known for his stance on financial freedom and security
- His experience with bank account freezes fueled his mission to advocate for financial independence

Episode Highlights:
- Adam’s Journey into Bitcoin: From skepticism to conviction
- The Importance of Self-Custody: Why controlling your Bitcoin matters
- Banking Frustrations: Personal stories of financial institutions freezing accounts
- Bitcoin Well’s Mission: Enabling financial independence and self-sovereignty
- Long-Term Thinking: How Bitcoin secures wealth for future generations
- Bitcoin and Sports: The philosophy of proof of work applied to both

Upcoming Event: Second Annual Samara Bitcoin Golf Championship at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas

Chapters
00:00 Intro: Meet Adam O'Brien
02:00 Bitcoin as a Legacy Asset: Building for Future Generations
04:36 Adam’s First Encounter with Bitcoin: From Skeptic to Believer
09:42 Building Bitcoin Well: Focusing on Non-Custodial Solutions
12:40 Why Self-Custody Matters: Avoiding Exchange Risks
17:48 Personal Story: How Banking Issues Led Adam to Bitcoin
24:57 Financial Freedom: Why 12 Words Can Set You Free
29:10 The Challenges of Building a Bitcoin Business
45:00 Golf and Bitcoin: Why the two are alike
50:00 Event Announcement: Samara Bitcoin Golf Championship
55:00 Closing Thoughts: Embracing Bitcoin as a Mindset

Connect with Adam O’Brien:
Adam O’Brien: https://adamobrien.ca/
Bitcoin Well: https://bitcoinwell.com/

Connect with us:
Website: https://www.bitcoinsports.network/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/BSN_Events

Exciting Events on the Horizon:
Website: https://bitcoingolfchampionship.com/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/Golf_BGC