Global debt keeps climbing. Bitcoin’s supply stays fixed at 21 million. All you need to know.

The best thing about the Core v Knots ordeal is more people running nodes, even if they don’t fully understand how it all works yet.

Non-economic actors who want to destroy bitcoin will gladly pay a 4x higher fee for OP_RETURN, but they’re too lazy to bypass the mempool altogether. Make it make sense.

Financial independence is a spectrum, not black and white.

This is the most depressing thing I think I've seen on X. The state of personal finance education is absolutely rekt 🤦‍♂️

🤦‍♂️ Mr. Money Mustache still says “bitcoin is stupid.” 7 years later, it’s up 10x since his post. Here’s why he’s still wrong…

🤦‍♂️ Why Bitcoin is Stupid (Revisited)

FIRE BTC #48 - Mr. Money Mustache doubles down

If you don’t run a node, you have no right to complain. If you do run a node, you have no reason to.

Money solves the coincidence of wants (apples → shoes) and reduces uncertainty about the future by giving us optionality. Holding money is using it. Spending is just the final step. Saving is using.

Bitcoin is having its Covid moment. The gain of function mutation in Core v30 that removes the default OP_RETURN relay policy size limit has resulted in an environment in bitcoin culture that closely mirrors the Covid era. The threat of the spam virus has turned normally level-headed, sane bitcoiners into hysterical hypochondriacs with a touch of authoritarianism. One side advocates for mask mandates and quarantines, while the other side hosts superspreader parties in brazen mockery. I’ve seen public shaming, baseless virtue signaling, shameless moral superiority, and even appeals to law enforcement to arrest offending opponents. Each side parrots the party line, taking cues from their respective authority figures, and using language they just learned a week ago as if they’ve been experts all along. I’ve spent countless hours sifting through the noise, doing my best to fairly consider each argument. My perspective is this: Filters are like wearing a mask when you walk through a restaurant, only to take it off when you sit down. Masks don’t stop the virus, but if it makes you feel better, then go for it. However, there’s a wave of mass hysteria spreading, where reason and thoughtfulness has been overcome by a fever of existential crisis. And as it was during Covid, this lockdown-style reaction is way worse than the disease you’re fighting. Bitcoin will be just fine. It is healthy, fit, strong, and has a great immune system. The best thing you can do is get some fresh air and some exercise. This is not an existential threat in any way, and we shouldn’t treat it that way.

Calling things by their proper name is the first step to fixing them. Well done 👏

Gold is reminding us that the majority of the world’s capital is still controlled by boomers.

3.25 BTC coming my way any day now

“Paying off my mortgage gives me peace of mind.” Sounds smart, right? It’s actually one of the most expensive emotional decisions you can make. Here’s why paying off your mortgage early makes you poorer (and less free). A 30-year fixed mortgage isn’t a ball and chain. It’s one of the best financial tools available: ✅ Fixed terms for decades ✅ Predictable payment ✅ Inflation eats away at its real cost Time and debasement work in your favor. Prepaying your mortgage locks up capital in bricks. That kills: ❌ Growth ❌ Flexibility ❌ Freedom And for what? A feeling. Let’s look at the math. Have $100K? Option 1: Pay mortgage at 5% “return” Option 2: S&P 500 (~10% historical) Option 3: Bitcoin (conservative 20%) After 10 years: 🏠 $163K 📈 $259K ₿ $619K “Peace of mind” could cost you $500K! And it gets worse: Broad money supply (M2) grew 7% annually over the last decade. Your “guaranteed” 5% return is actually a -2% real loss after inflation. “But it makes me feel safe.” Nope. You’re trading one risk for another: ✅ Less debt ❌ Less liquidity Need cash? You can’t peel off a piece of siding. You’ll refinance or sell...often at the worst time. Smart money = options. Keep the mortgage. Invest the difference. That gives you: ✅ Bigger portfolio that compounds ✅ Liquid reserves to cover mortgage if life happens More liquid assets = more security. FIRE + bitcoin is about freedom and optionality. You don’t get that by locking up cash for your feels. You get it by keeping your wealth working and outpacing debt. Poorer isn’t safer. This week’s FIRE BTC issue breaks down the full math and mindset shift: 👉 Why “peace of mind” is a costly illusion 👉 Why a mortgage is your friend 👉 How to build security without killing flexibility Read the full post + subscribe here:

🧘 Peace of Mind

FIRE BTC #40 - Why paying off your mortgage early makes you poorer