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What makes it possible for billions of strangers to cooperate every day?

Trust.

Not the kind you have with friends and family. But an elaborate, invisible scaffolding of norms, institutions, laws, and technologies that took thousands of years to build and that most of us never think about.

In this episode, we trace the full arc: from ancient legal codes and religious enforcement, to medieval merchant networks, the rise of banking and modern finance, and finally to blockchain and cryptocurrencies that propose to eliminate the need for trusted intermediaries altogether.

We explore why Bitcoin proved trustless exchange was possible, why newer digital assets like XRP are designed to make it practical, and what the "Internet of Value" could mean for a future dominated by AI agents.

But we also confront an uncomfortable question: can any technology, no matter how elegant, replace the social trust that holds civilizations together?

To help keep Context with Brad Harris going and access bonus episodes, join me on Patreon or subscribe through Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Why Modern Civilization Runs on Trust — And Why It's Breaking