Stop Asking Permission: Bitcoin Or Fiat Prison - Knut Svanholm | Ep. 99

My guest today is Knut Svanholm, author, educator, and philosopher focused on Bitcoin. Drawing on ethics, praxeology, and monetary history, Knut argues that sound money reduces conflict by aligning human action with natural law and voluntary exchange. In this episode, he explains why fiat banking already functions like a CBDC system in practice, why cash preserves privacy but not liberty, and why real freedom requires self custody and non-KYC Bitcoin. We explore his critique of custodial “paper Bitcoin,” the case for non-custodial adoption over treasury companies, and his view of Bitcoin as intellectual armor that raises the cost of violence. Knut outlines a practical path away from banks, explains why stablecoins can be a bridge yet remain fiat, and why a low-time-preference culture of quality over quantity matters.

► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!

-- SPONSORS --

→ Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn
→ Shield your bitcoin with time-delayed transactions over multisig with BitVault: https://bit.ly/bitvault_efrat
→ Have you tried mining bitcoin? Stack sats directly to your wallet while saving on taxes with Abundant Mines: https://AbundantMines.com/Efrat

– AFFILIATES –

→ Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)
→ Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat
→ Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat
→ Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events

-- LINKS –

Knut’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/knutsvanholm
Knut’s Nostr: https://primal.net/knut
Knut’s Website (10% off with code EFRAT): https://www.bitcoininfinity.com/
Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigson
Efrat's Channels: https://linktr.ee/efenigson
Watch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoice
Support Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson ⁠
Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson

-- CHAPTERS –

00:00 - Coming Up
01:23 - Introduction to Knut
03:40 - Current Affairs: Stablecoins & CBDCs
06:55 - Cash & Fiat vs. Bitcoin
08:20 - Ethics of Money, Natural Law, First Principles
10:00 - Conflict Resolution via Violence Or Communications
13:12 - Ad Break: Trezor & BitVault
15:30 - Bitcoin as Intellectual Armor
20:30 - Knut’s Take on Bitcoin Treasury Companies
23:11 - Ad Break: Abundant Mines & Expat Money
27:39 - Mass Adoption & Future Outlook
29:46 - Transitioning to a Bitcoin-Only Reality
34:44 - The Psychological Manipulation of Obedience
39:05 - Hope & the Shawshank Redemption Metaphor
42:43 - Bitcoin as a Tool for Human Freedom & Hope
48:12 - Closing Thoughts & Acknowledgements