Interview with Ben Schmidt at Bitcoin Historic

The Canadian Bitcoin Bull, Bridging Real Estate, Sovereignty, and the Global BTC Community
In the ever-evolving world of Bitcoin, where digital gold meets real-world ambition, few figures embody the fusion of traditional investing and revolutionary finance quite like Ben Schmidt. A Canadian entrepreneur with a sharp eye for real estate opportunities and an unyielding commitment to Bitcoin sovereignty, Schmidt has carved out a niche as a self-custody advocate, node runner, and strategic thinker. With a Twitter bio that wryly declares him a "lover of a bull with the brain of a strategist" and an admitted affinity for "Ponzi schemes these days" (a tongue-in-cheek nod to fiat's flaws), Schmidt isn't just stacking sats—he's building a life around them. Recently, he made waves by attending El Salvador's landmark Bitcoin Histórico conference in November 2025, dubbed the "event of the year" by the global BTC community. But Schmidt's journey extends far beyond one gathering; it's a tapestry of friendships, invitations, and invitations that highlight his deep ties to Bitcoin's vibrant ecosystem.
From Maple Syrup to Mining: Schmidt's Roots in Bitcoin and Real Estate
Hailing from Canada—a nation grappling with its own regulatory hurdles around cryptocurrency—Ben Schmidt's path to Bitcoin sovereignty reads like a playbook for the modern HODLer. Like many early adopters, Schmidt entered the space during the volatile cycles of the 2010s, drawn not by hype but by the promise of financial independence. "Bitcoin isn't just an asset; it's a tool for opting out of a broken system," he echoed in a recent X post, emphasizing self-custody and running his own node as non-negotiables for true ownership.
Schmidt's professional background adds a layer of intrigue. As a real estate investor, he's navigated the highs and lows of property markets in one of the world's most stable economies. Canadian real estate, with its skyrocketing prices and institutional buy-ins, has long been a gateway for savvy investors seeking tangible assets. Yet Schmidt saw the cracks early: inflation eroding returns, government overreach via central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and the fragility of fiat-backed loans. Enter Bitcoin. He began liquidating select properties to fund BTC acquisitions, viewing it as the ultimate hedge against a depreciating dollar (or loonie). "I'm unloading real estate like a mutha to get a piece of this underwater fraudulent ponzi," he quipped on X, referring to traditional finance's endless debt cycles.
This strategic pivot isn't impulsive. Schmidt's posts reveal a calculated approach: leveraging capital markets knowledge to bet on Bitcoin treasuries like MicroStrategy ($MSTR), while schooling skeptics on asymmetric information. "TradFi doesn’t understand Bitcoin, and Bitcoiners don’t understand capital markets," he noted in a thread dissecting Michael Saylor's playbook. For Schmidt, real estate provided the war chest; Bitcoin offers the flywheel—compounding value through scarcity and network effects.
Bitcoin Histórico: El Salvador's Call to the Faithful
If 2025 was the year Bitcoin went institutional, El Salvador's Bitcoin Histórico conference—held November 12-13 in San Salvador's historic Centro Histórico—was its cultural coronation. Billed as the world's first government-sponsored BTC summit, the event transformed the National Palace, National Theater, and surrounding plazas into a festival of sovereignty. With keynotes from firebrands like Max Keiser, Jeff Booth, and Stacy Herbert broadcast on massive LED screens, it wasn't just talks; it was a declaration: Bitcoin as money, culture, and civilization's future.
Ben Schmidt answered the call, joining thousands of global attendees for what organizers dubbed "a testament to an extraordinary moment in history." Amid workshops on Lightning Network adoption and family-friendly cultural activations, Schmidt networked with miners, educators, and policymakers. His presence underscored a key theme: Bitcoin's migration from fringe to frontier. For a Canadian like Schmidt, fresh from navigating Toronto's crypto winters, El Salvador's sun-soaked embrace of BTC as legal tender felt like vindication. "History begins right now," tweeted the National Bitcoin Office as the event kicked off—words that resonated with Schmidt, who live-tweeted insights on self-custody setups tailored for cross-border HODLers.

The conference's timing was poetic, coming just weeks after El Salvador's constitutional reforms solidified President Nayib Bukele's pro-BTC vision. Schmidt, ever the strategist, used the platform to connect dots between real estate tokenization on Bitcoin rails and El Salvador's booming eco-tourism. Attendees like him left not just inspired, but armed with actionable ideas—proving events like this aren't spectacles; they're sovereignty accelerators.
Friendships in the Fast Lane: Ties to Bitcoin Sports Network and the Max & Stacy Invitational
Schmidt's orbit in the Bitcoin world isn't solitary; it's a web of alliances forged in the fires of shared conviction. Central to this is his camaraderie with the Bitcoin Sports Network (BSN), a dynamic collective blending athletic competition with BTC ethos. BSN, known for producing high-octane events like golf tournaments and pickleball showdowns, positions sports as a gateway to "proof of work" in action—mirroring Bitcoin's mining rigor. Schmidt's alignment with BSN is evident in his enthusiastic support for their mission: fueling the "Bitcoin lifestyle" through community and real-world connections.

This bond shines brightest at the Max & Stacy Invitational, the crown jewel of BSN's calendar. Hosted by the irreverent duo of Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert—Bitcoin evangelists extraordinaire—the event is equal parts championship golf, beachside banter, and unapologetic orange-pilling. Schmidt teed off at the inaugural edition last January 2025 at El Encanto Country Club in El Salvador, rubbing elbows with HODLers amid Coco Max cocktails and live interviews. "It's not just a tournament; it's where Bitcoiners prove their mettle," Schmidt reflected in a post-event X thread, praising the fusion of fairways and financial freedom.

The invitational's magic lies in its intimacy: 3 days of scramble play, optional poker and pickleball side quests, and sunset banquets honoring sovereignty. For Schmidt, a real estate vet who appreciates tangible wins, the event's El Salvador setting—Bitcoin Beach sunsets and all—echoed his own journey from bricks to blocks. His participation wasn't passive; he networked on preferred shares in BTC treasuries and swapped strategies on weathering Canada's crypto regs.
Excitement is building for the second annual Max & Stacy Invitational, set for January 8-10, 2026, back at El Encanto. With player spots nearly sold out and poolside "Outdoor Club Party" tickets still available, Schmidt has already signaled his return. "Same crew, bigger swings," he teased on X, hinting at deeper dives into BSN's upcoming slate, including the Bitcoin Fit Games. In a space often fractured by debates (ETFs vs. self-custody, anyone?), friendships like Schmidt's with BSN and the Keiser-Herbert tandem remind us: Bitcoin thrives on human connections.
A Bull with Brains: What's Next for Ben Schmidt?
As 2025 closes, Ben Schmidt stands at a crossroads of convergence. With Bitcoin eyeing $100K and nation-states like El Salvador leading the charge, his blend of real estate acumen and BTC maximalism positions him uniquely. Expect more from Schmidt: perhaps tokenized property plays on Bitcoin sidechains, or deeper dives into sovereign living via BSN events. He's not chasing headlines; he's engineering escapes from fiat's grasp.
In a world of noise, Schmidt's voice cuts clear: Stack sats, run nodes, and play the long game. Whether fore in El Salvador or fairway-bound next January, he's proof that Bitcoin isn't just changing money—it's reshaping lives. For investors eyeing the next halving or HODLers plotting their exit ramps, Ben Schmidt's story is a blueprint: Invest boldly, connect deeply, and always swing for sovereignty.
Follow Ben on X at @benschmidtbtc for unfiltered takes on the bull run ahead.