$1B Founder: "The Banks Took My Home, So I Built A Company To Replace Them" | Jeremy Almond

#economicempowerment #circulareconomy #financialinclusion

Is Bitcoin actually helping anyone, or is it just another Wall Street game with better branding?
In this conversation, Mike Peterson sits down with Jeremy Almond (@jeremyalmond) to argue that the answer shows up in Bitcoin circular economies, where people earn, spend, and save in Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, and where financial inclusion can look like a kid getting access to school, tools, and a first job.

Jeremy shares the personal story that brought him here, shaped by the 2008 financial crisis, Occupy Wall Street, and a family tragedy that turned “money problems” into a life-changing emergency. It is the kind of Main Street vs Wall Street moment that forces a choice either accept the system as it is or build toward something that gives people more economic agency.

Then, Jeremy breaks down what Paystand is doing and why the company keeps Bitcoin in the background. He explains how Bitcoin adoption can happen through business-friendly rails, payment solutions, corporate cards, and payroll, so companies get speed and lower costs without needing a boardroom debate about Bitcoin first.

The conversation also goes deep on Paystand.org and corporate philanthropy that tries to avoid the usual traps. The focus is economic empowerment, not dependency, and the goal is to fund and support grassroots leaders who are building circular Bitcoin economies that can stand on their own.

Finally, Mike and Jeremy zoom in on what actually scales Hope House, Bitcoin education, fellowships, and the tough balance between moving fast and protecting communities from bad actors. If you want the clearest case for how Bitcoin can change outcomes in the economy people live in every day, this episode makes the argument without pretending it is easy.

-Bitcoin Beach Team

Connect and Learn more about Jeremy Almond:
X: https://x.com/jeremyalmond
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@redefinedpodcast
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@PayStand

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Web: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com

Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:
00:00 Intro
03:42 - How did the 2008 financial crisis spark Jeremy’s Bitcoin journey?
07:48 - What is Paystand’s "Trojan Horse" strategy for Bitcoin adoption?
12:42 - How do corporate cards introduce companies to Bitcoin? What role does Bitwage play?
16:29 - How a payments company became a top 20 Bitcoin miner
20:16 - Why are circular economies the "purest" form of Bitcoin?
23:51 - How does Hope House use Bitcoin mining for education?
26:33 - Why send tech employees to indigenous communities? How do fellowships change corporate culture?
30:34 - How do you scale grassroots Bitcoin movements without breaking them?
34:29 - Why does traditional foreign aid fail? How does Bitcoin fix the incentive structure?
39:16 - What is Paystand.org? How can you volunteer for circular economy projects?