In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads.

We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry.

Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely.

We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance.

Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle.

A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

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In this episode, I talk with Arty Bespaloff, one of the earliest Bitcoin mining pioneers, about how a search for a banned book led him into crypto — and eventually into building physical infrastructure for a decentralized future. From growing up in Kazakhstan and Argentina to discovering Bitcoin on the dark web and launching one of Canada’s first OTC desks and mining businesses, Artem shares a compelling origin story shaped by curiosity and resilience.

We uncover the hidden history of Bitcoin’s early days: shady Telegram trades for mining rigs, PayPal and eBay cracking down on crypto sellers, and licensed companies still losing access to banks. Artem explains how Canada’s strict regulations pushed him to build independently — turning Bitcoin into both a business opportunity and a safeguard against centralized financial control.

Our conversation goes beyond speculation, touching on mining logistics, the tension between decentralization and compliance, and the philosophical divide between Bitcoin as a store of value versus a medium of exchange. Artem explains why mining is now a scale game, how small players are being edged out, and why the greatest risk may not be price — but being locked out of the system entirely.

We also challenge big ideas: Should Canada merge with the U.S.? Can Bitcoin thrive without merchant adoption? Is belief alone enough to give it value? A raw and thought-provoking deep dive into the philosophy, infrastructure, and human stories behind crypto’s rise.

Perfect for anyone curious about Bitcoin’s history, mining infrastructure, financial sovereignty, and what it really means to build in crypto.

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In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Lin, Head of Mining Hardware at Luxor Technology, to unpack the complex, high-stakes world of bitcoin mining infrastructure. Lauren shares her journey from business analyst to leading one of the most influential hardware divisions in the crypto mining space, navigating global logistics, trade risks, and the evolving demands of the industry.

We dive into the hidden backbone of Bitcoin: the supply chains, warehousing, tariffs, and energy strategies that make mining possible. Lauren offers an insider's view on how U.S. trade policy is reshaping global hardware flows, why miners are increasingly shifting operations to Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, and how AI’s rise is forcing miners to think bigger — and smarter.

We also explore the future of mining infrastructure: from immersion cooling and direct-to-chip technology to whether crypto miners can pivot into AI data centers — or if AI firms might pivot into mining. Lauren doesn’t shy away from the hard questions, including the controversial idea of Bitcoin ever moving to proof-of-stake.

Tune in to understand the real mechanics behind bitcoin mining, how geopolitical shifts are impacting the industry, and why the next generation of miners may look more like data center operators than crypto cowboys.

A must-listen for anyone at the intersection of crypto, energy, infrastructure, and emerging tech.

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