The Bitcoin Standard
The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 30 days of Premium Plus free
Buy Now for $31.26
-
Narrated by:
-
James Fouhey
-
Written by:
-
Saifedean Ammous
About this listen
When a pseudonymous programmer introduced “a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party” to a small Online mailing list in 2008, very few paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally-accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications.
While bitcoin is a new invention of the digital age, the problem it purports to solve is as old as human society itself: transferring value across time and space. Ammous takes the listener on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems of trading limestones and seashells, to metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt. Exploring what gave these technologies their monetary role, and how most lost it, provides the listener with a good idea of what makes for sound money, and sets the stage for an economic discussion of its consequences for individual and societal future-orientation, capital accumulation, trade, peace, culture, and art. Compellingly, Ammous shows that it is no coincidence that the loftiest achievements of humanity have come in societies enjoying the benefits of sound monetary regimes, nor is it coincidental that monetary collapse has usually accompanied the collapse of a civilization.
With this background in place, the book moves on to explain the operation of bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way. Bitcoin is a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, thus allowing its users to utilize the Internet to perform the traditional functions of money without having to rely on, or trust, any authorities or infrastructure in the physical world. Bitcoin is thus best understood as the first successfully implemented form of digital cash and digital hard money. With an automated and perfectly predictable monetary policy, and the ability to perform final settlement of large sums across the world in a matter of minutes, Bitcoin’s real competitive edge might just be as a store of value and network for final settlement of large payments - a digital form of gold with a built-in settlement infrastructure.
Ammous’ firm grasp of the technological possibilities as well as the historical realities of monetary evolution provides for a fascinating exploration of the ramifications of voluntary free market money.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2018 Saifedean Ammous (P)2018 Audible, Inc.You may also enjoy...
-
The Fiat Standard
- The Debt Slavery Alternative to Human Civilization
- Written by: Saifedean Ammous
- Narrated by: Saifedean Ammous, Guy Swann
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall72
-
Performance58
-
Story56
In The Fiat Standard, world-renowned economist Saifedean Ammous applies his unique analytical lens to the fiat monetary system, explaining it as a feat of engineering and technology just as he did for bitcoin in his global best seller The Bitcoin Standard. This time, Ammous delves into the world's earlier shift from the gold standard to today's system of government-backed fiat money—outlining the fiat standard's purposes and failures; deriving the wider economic, political, and social implications of its use; and examining how bitcoin will affect it over time.
-
-
Fiat whatever
- By Jerome on 2022-12-04
Written by: Saifedean Ammous
-
The Price of Tomorrow
- Why Deflation Is the Key to an Abundant Future
- Written by: Jeff Booth
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall426
-
Performance344
-
Story338
We live in an extraordinary time. Technological advances are happening at a rate faster than our ability to understand them, and in a world that moves faster than we can imagine, we cannot afford to stand still. These advances bring efficiency and abundance - and they are profoundly deflationary. Our economic systems were built for a pre-technology era when labor and capital were inextricably linked - an era that counted on growth and inflation and an era where we made money from inefficiency.
-
-
old hat, homo deus did it
- By Anonymous on 2021-06-29
Written by: Jeff Booth
-
Principles of Economics
- Written by: Saifedean Ammous
- Narrated by: Saifedean Ammous
- Length: 12 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall7
-
Performance7
-
Story7
Principles of Economics is a university-level textbook in economics that offers a clear and concise exploration of the most important economic concepts. This book is unapologetically Austrian in its approach. It tackles major economic concepts and topics independently, but in a logical sequence aimed at delivering the listener an understanding of economics at an individual and societal level, and the widespread implications of economics as a topic.
-
-
Best book I've listened to this year
- By Sebastian on 2023-10-28
Written by: Saifedean Ammous
-
$100M Money Models
- How to Make Money (Acquisition.com $100M Series)
- Written by: Alex Hormozi
- Narrated by: Alex Hormozi
- Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall58
-
Performance53
-
Story53
If you have a business, this book will help you make more from it. If you don’t have a business, this will help you start one. If you have parents, this book will help you retire them. If you have rivals, this book will help you beat them. If you have monetary goals, this book will help you achieve them. I can show you how to accelerate cash flow in a business — in other words, get more customers to spend more money in less time (over & over again).
-
-
Great Value!
- By Shar on 2026-02-11
Written by: Alex Hormozi
-
Stock Investing for Canadians for Dummies, 6th Edition
- Written by: Andrew Dagys
- Narrated by: Frank Block
- Length: 19 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3
-
Performance3
-
Story3
Stock Investing For Canadians For Dummies keeps you current as the Canadian stock market, industry, and tax laws go through a series of critical changes. Plus, this friendly, just-for-Canadians guide will help you minimize risk and maximize your investment returns. This latest edition also covers independent online brokers and robo-advisor services, so you can weigh all your options. With up-to-date references and resources, this book is the most reliable guide for the new stock market investor.
-
-
The book is extremely informative.
- By Wise man on 2024-11-16
Written by: Andrew Dagys
-
Broken Money
- Why Our Financial System Is Failing Us and How We Can Make It Better
- Written by: Lyn Alden
- Narrated by: Guy Swann
- Length: 17 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall37
-
Performance31
-
Story31
Broken Money explores the history of money through the lens of technology. Politics can affect things temporarily and locally, but technology is what drives things forward globally and permanently. The book's goal is for the listener to walk away with a deep understanding of money and monetary history, both in terms of theoretical foundations and in terms of practical implications.
-
-
Supremely educational
- By Anonymous on 2025-02-08
Written by: Lyn Alden
-
The Fiat Standard
- The Debt Slavery Alternative to Human Civilization
- Written by: Saifedean Ammous
- Narrated by: Saifedean Ammous, Guy Swann
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall72
-
Performance58
-
Story56
In The Fiat Standard, world-renowned economist Saifedean Ammous applies his unique analytical lens to the fiat monetary system, explaining it as a feat of engineering and technology just as he did for bitcoin in his global best seller The Bitcoin Standard. This time, Ammous delves into the world's earlier shift from the gold standard to today's system of government-backed fiat money—outlining the fiat standard's purposes and failures; deriving the wider economic, political, and social implications of its use; and examining how bitcoin will affect it over time.
-
-
Fiat whatever
- By Jerome on 2022-12-04
Written by: Saifedean Ammous
-
The Price of Tomorrow
- Why Deflation Is the Key to an Abundant Future
- Written by: Jeff Booth
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall426
-
Performance344
-
Story338
We live in an extraordinary time. Technological advances are happening at a rate faster than our ability to understand them, and in a world that moves faster than we can imagine, we cannot afford to stand still. These advances bring efficiency and abundance - and they are profoundly deflationary. Our economic systems were built for a pre-technology era when labor and capital were inextricably linked - an era that counted on growth and inflation and an era where we made money from inefficiency.
-
-
old hat, homo deus did it
- By Anonymous on 2021-06-29
Written by: Jeff Booth
-
Principles of Economics
- Written by: Saifedean Ammous
- Narrated by: Saifedean Ammous
- Length: 12 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall7
-
Performance7
-
Story7
Principles of Economics is a university-level textbook in economics that offers a clear and concise exploration of the most important economic concepts. This book is unapologetically Austrian in its approach. It tackles major economic concepts and topics independently, but in a logical sequence aimed at delivering the listener an understanding of economics at an individual and societal level, and the widespread implications of economics as a topic.
-
-
Best book I've listened to this year
- By Sebastian on 2023-10-28
Written by: Saifedean Ammous
-
$100M Money Models
- How to Make Money (Acquisition.com $100M Series)
- Written by: Alex Hormozi
- Narrated by: Alex Hormozi
- Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall58
-
Performance53
-
Story53
If you have a business, this book will help you make more from it. If you don’t have a business, this will help you start one. If you have parents, this book will help you retire them. If you have rivals, this book will help you beat them. If you have monetary goals, this book will help you achieve them. I can show you how to accelerate cash flow in a business — in other words, get more customers to spend more money in less time (over & over again).
-
-
Great Value!
- By Shar on 2026-02-11
Written by: Alex Hormozi
-
Stock Investing for Canadians for Dummies, 6th Edition
- Written by: Andrew Dagys
- Narrated by: Frank Block
- Length: 19 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3
-
Performance3
-
Story3
Stock Investing For Canadians For Dummies keeps you current as the Canadian stock market, industry, and tax laws go through a series of critical changes. Plus, this friendly, just-for-Canadians guide will help you minimize risk and maximize your investment returns. This latest edition also covers independent online brokers and robo-advisor services, so you can weigh all your options. With up-to-date references and resources, this book is the most reliable guide for the new stock market investor.
-
-
The book is extremely informative.
- By Wise man on 2024-11-16
Written by: Andrew Dagys
-
Broken Money
- Why Our Financial System Is Failing Us and How We Can Make It Better
- Written by: Lyn Alden
- Narrated by: Guy Swann
- Length: 17 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall37
-
Performance31
-
Story31
Broken Money explores the history of money through the lens of technology. Politics can affect things temporarily and locally, but technology is what drives things forward globally and permanently. The book's goal is for the listener to walk away with a deep understanding of money and monetary history, both in terms of theoretical foundations and in terms of practical implications.
-
-
Supremely educational
- By Anonymous on 2025-02-08
Written by: Lyn Alden
-
A Random Walk Down Wall Street, 12th Edition
- The Time Tested Strategy for Successful Investing
- Written by: Burton G. Malkiel
- Narrated by: George Guidall
- Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall115
-
Performance90
-
Story89
At a time of frightening volatility, what is the average investor to do? The answer: Turn to Burton G. Malkiel's advice in his reassuring, authoritative, gimmick-free, and perennially best-selling guide to investing. Long established as the first book to purchase before starting a portfolio or 401(k), A Random Walk Down Wall Street now features new material on "tax-loss harvesting", the crown jewel of tax management; the current bitcoin bubble; and automated investment advisers; as well as a brand-new chapter on factor investing and risk parity.
-
-
Boring monotone voice
- By Jason on 2022-01-20
Written by: Burton G. Malkiel
-
Think and Grow Rich
- Written by: Napoleon Hill
- Narrated by: Russ Williams
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall1,499
-
Performance1,159
-
Story1,152
"Think and Grow Rich" is a motivational personal development and selfhelp audiobook written by Napoleon Hill and inspired by a suggestion from Scottish-American businessman Andrew Carnegie. While the title implies that this book deals only with how to achieve monetary wealth, the author explains that the philosophy taught in the book can be used to help individuals do or be almost anything they want in this world.
-
-
Worst Book I've listened to on Audible!
- By Nathan on 2019-05-27
Written by: Napoleon Hill
-
The Essays of Warren Buffett
- Lessons for Corporate America, Fifth Edition
- Written by: Lawrence A. Cunningham, Warren E. Buffett
- Narrated by: Brennen Blotner
- Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall2
-
Performance2
-
Story2
The fifth edition of The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America continues a 25-year tradition of collating Warren Buffett's philosophy in a historic collaboration between Mr. Buffett and Prof. Lawrence Cunningham. As the book Buffett autographs most, its popularity and longevity attest to the widespread appetite for this unique compilation of Mr. Buffett’s thoughts that is at once comprehensive, non-repetitive, and digestible.
Written by: Lawrence A. Cunningham, and others
-
The Complete TurtleTrader
- How 23 Novice Investors Became Overnight Millionaires
- Written by: Michael W. Covel
- Narrated by: Joel Richards
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall59
-
Performance45
-
Story46
This is the true story behind Wall Street legend Richard Dennis, his disciples, the Turtles, and the trading techniques that made them millionaires. What happens when ordinary people are taught a system to make extraordinary money? Richard Dennis made a fortune on Wall Street by investing according to a few simple rules.
-
-
What a waste
- By Matt on 2020-12-12
Written by: Michael W. Covel
-
Mastering the Market Cycle
- Getting the Odds on Your Side
- Written by: Howard Marks
- Narrated by: LJ Ganser, Howard Marks
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall142
-
Performance118
-
Story117
The legendary investor shows how to identify and master the cycles that govern the markets. We all know markets rise and fall, but when should you pull out, and when should you stay in? The answer is never black or white, but is best reached through a keen understanding of the reasons behind the rhythm of cycles. Confidence about where we are in a cycle comes when you learn the patterns of ups and downs that influence not just economics, markets and companies, but also human psychology and the investing behaviors that result.
-
-
Good review on market cycles...
- By Randy charko on 2019-02-14
Written by: Howard Marks
-
Tribe of Mentors
- Short Life Advice from the Best in the World
- Written by: Tim Ferriss
- Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith, Ray Porter, Tim Ferriss, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall146
-
Performance116
-
Story116
Tim Ferriss, the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, shares the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure book - a compilation of tools, tactics, and habits from 130+ of the world's top performers. From iconic entrepreneurs to elite athletes, from artists to billionaire investors, their short profiles can help you answer life's most challenging questions, achieve extraordinary results, and transform your life.
-
-
a cash grab
- By derrick j campbell on 2020-06-28
Written by: Tim Ferriss
-
Fiat Food
- Why Inflation Destroyed Our Health and How Bitcoin Fixes It
- Written by: Matthew Lysiak, Saifedean Ammous
- Narrated by: Matthew Lysiak
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3
-
Performance3
-
Story3
THE REAL COST OF INFLATION ON A COUNTRY can be best seen not through government-sanctioned data points circulated throughout the corporate sponsored media, but in the financial, physical, and mental health of its citizenry.
-
-
Food & Economic History of the last Century
- By Mike on 2024-07-15
Written by: Matthew Lysiak, and others
-
The Bullish Case for Bitcoin
- Written by: Vijay Boyapati
- Narrated by: Vijay Boyapati
- Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall23
-
Performance21
-
Story21
Boyapati presents the theory of money, the anatomy of Bitcoin, the reasons it is superior to the gold and fiat standards that came before it, and the promise that it offers to human civilization. He describes path dependence and the trajectory of a newly monetizing asset in terms the layman can understand, and he addresses the concerns that most commonly arise as newcomers struggle to comprehend the essence and significance of this first digital monetary network.
-
-
Core Values
- By Fabio Morais on 2022-01-24
Written by: Vijay Boyapati
-
Ego Is the Enemy
- Written by: Ryan Holiday
- Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall777
-
Performance633
-
Story626
"While the history books are filled with tales of obsessive visionary geniuses who remade the world in their images with sheer, almost irrational force, I've found that history is also made by individuals who fought their egos at every turn, who eschewed the spotlight, and who put their higher goals above their desire for recognition." (From the prologue)
-
-
An easy listening that makes some good points
- By Enrique on 2020-02-24
Written by: Ryan Holiday
-
Carnivore Diet
- Written by: Shawn Baker
- Narrated by: Callen Friesen
- Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall15
-
Performance13
-
Story13
A groundbreaking approach to nutrition that will help you break away from traditional dietary habits that leave you sick, weak, tired, or depressed! Challenge everything you thought you knew about health, learn how to safely adopt a meat-based diet, and walk away with all the tools you need to achieve lifelong success. This revolutionary, paradigm-breaking nutritional strategy takes contemporary conventional nutrition science theory and dumps it on its head.
-
-
Great Book!
- By Mr Grinch on 2025-07-17
Written by: Shawn Baker
-
Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making
- Written by: Randall Bartlett, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Randall Bartlett
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall69
-
Performance57
-
Story55
Economic forces are everywhere around you. But that doesn't mean you need to passively accept whatever outcome those forces might press upon you. Instead, with these 12 fast-moving and crystal clear lectures, you can learn how to use a small handful of basic nuts-and-bolts principles to turn those same forces to your own advantage.
-
-
Informative, Concise and Useful wisdom
- By B on 2018-06-11
Written by: Randall Bartlett, and others
-
Hijacking Bitcoin
- The Hidden History of BTC
- Written by: Roger Ver, Jeffrey Tucker - foreword
- Narrated by: Steve Patterson
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4
-
Performance3
-
Story3
Bitcoin was promised to be a liberating technology, a free market alternative to state-controlled money. But that promise was broken after a small group of insiders took over the project and fundamentally changed Bitcoin's design.
-
-
A must read for anyone using cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin.
- By Neha on 2025-06-10
Written by: Roger Ver, and others
A necessary perspective on our modern economy
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Remember the adage ... “if you snooze you lose”.
Stay ahead or you will be left behind and you will forever kick yourself.
Your grandchildren and their grandchildren will forever thank you.
Bitcoin Is here to stay. It is the future.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A Great Lesson in Real World Economics
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved the chapter on art.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My next read on BTC will be a more current and where do we go from here viewpoint.
Great Macro View - perfect timing for 2020
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.