THE Bitcoin Podcast: “BITCOIN OR SLAVERY” with Nico Moran from Simply Bitcoin

Date: November 10, 2025
Host: Walker America
Guest: Nico Moran (Simply Bitcoin)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Walker America welcomes Nico Moran, co-founder of Simply Bitcoin, for a deep dive into the present and future of Bitcoin—not just as an asset, but as a global movement. The conversation spans personal journeys in Bitcoin, lessons from content creation, the role of the state, the meaning of financial freedom, El Salvador’s transformation, and why the choice humanity now faces is stark: Bitcoin or slavery. With real talk, passionate rants, and practical insights, this episode is both a primer for newcomers and an energizing signal for veterans.

Table of Contents

1. Bitcoin's Enormous Potential & The Myth of Being "Late"
2. The El Salvador Transformation: Safety, Media Narratives & Bukele
3. Building Bitcoin Media: Lessons from Simply Bitcoin
4. Censorship, Platforms, & The Necessity of YouTube
5. Market Sentiment, Bull Markets & Wall Street Games
6. Bitcoin Zen: Mindset, Patience & Generational Wealth
7. Orange-Pilling: Onboarding Friends, Family, & the Human Factor
8. The Role of the State, Property, and the Fiat System
9. Memorable Quotes
10. Timestamps Quick Reference

Bitcoin Potential & Being Early (00:00–03:00)

• Nico insists the extraordinary upside of Bitcoin remains:

  "Where else are you going to park your wealth? Nothing's going to give you what bitcoin can give you."
  — Nico (00:00)

• Reframes the “I missed the boat” mindset as ego-driven, emphasizing the logic behind DCA and long-term holding.
• Urges listeners to consider risk-adjusted returns and the ongoing uniqueness of Bitcoin’s opportunity—even at current high prices.
• The only real alternative to Bitcoin for storing wealth, Nico argues, is giving it to traditional finance—likely for inferior results.

El Salvador Transformation (05:48–14:40)

• Nico, originally from Venezuela and a veteran of Latin America, praises El Salvador’s radical improvement in safety.
  • Feels safer there than in "some American cities."
  • Critiques foreign media and outsiders for labeling president Nayib Bukele a dictator, ignoring context, and comparing unfairly to actual failed states.
  • Quote:

    "What Naim Bukele has achieved is a miracle ... I felt safer in El Salvador than I felt in some American cities. And no one's talking about that."
    — Nico (05:51)

• Western media is accused of projecting their own political failures onto Bukele.
  • “It embarrasses them that [Bukele] could do what they cannot, with less.” (14:22)
• Bukele’s policies praised for demonstrating that real government accountability is possible; he delivers on safety and private property protection.
• Tourist and economic boom driven by legal tender law and Bitcoin tourism.
• Comparison: Media focuses on thriving El Salvador, ignores failures in Venezuela, Cuba, etc.—a point of frustration and irony for both hosts.

Building Bitcoin Media: Lessons from Content Creation (19:45–28:45)

• Nico discusses the early days of Bitcoin content, evolving from hobby to influential, monetized shows:
  • There was almost no Bitcoin media—just a handful of pioneers.
  • Growth required iteration, persistence, constant evolution in content, and building a team.
  • Sustaining motivation through uncertainty, especially when the audience was tiny.
• Walker & Nico reflect on how entering the field felt “late” even in the early years—each new cycle brings a fresh wave of that FOMO.
• The unique culture of Bitcoin as a global movement; “if you’re a bitcoiner, you’re part of your own country.”

Censorship, Platforms, & The Necessity of YouTube (30:34–36:45)

• YouTube, despite its risks and censorship, remains essential for Bitcoin content discovery ("no choice but to post on YouTube").
• Algorithmic bans are now a "rite of passage" for Bitcoin creators; rescues often depend on having a strong following on X/Twitter to raise a ruckus for channel reinstatement.
• Diversification to Rumble & Nostr:
  • Rumble helps mitigate deplatforming risk; real fans follow content across platforms.
  • Nostr is seen as the "doomsday bunker"—uncensorable, permanent, but limited reach.
• Quote:

  "If you want to get your content out to the normies ... you have no choice but to post on YouTube. Like, you do not have a choice."
  — Nico (34:50)

Market Sentiment, Bull Markets & Wall Street Games (48:38–59:59)

• The current cycle (2025) is marked by sideways price action—dull, frustrating, but not negative.
  • “Bitcoin has gone sideways... stablecoin... very strange for bitcoiners." (48:25)
• Many bitcoiners are dopamine addicts for price parabolas; boredom leads to in-fighting within the community.
• Institutional (Wall Street) involvement has changed the rhythm of cycles—now, they may try to "bore you to death" into selling your stack.
• The infamous "Wall Street Cheat Sheet" (market psychology curve) referenced; this cycle hasn’t yet delivered true euphoria.
• Only a few days per year drive the majority of gains—consistent stacking beats trying to time the market.
• Paraphrasing: Even now, it still feels early. OGs also felt "late" at the time.

Bitcoin Zen: Mindset, Patience & Generational Wealth (59:04–64:01)

• Achieving “bitcoin zen”—calm, humble, consistent stacking, avoiding distractions (margin/leverage/shitcoins).
• Walker: “You’re excited when the price goes down ... it’s an opportunity to buy more.”
• Experienced HODLers don't obsess on price; focus is on long-term financial health and optimism.
• Even a small recurring buy compounds into life-changing gains over a decade.
• Quote:

  "Reaching this bitcoin zen where you literally don't care..."
  — Nico (59:04)

Orange-Pilling: Onboarding Friends, Family, & the Human Factor (74:08–82:37)

• Nico reflects on the futility of evangelism—people must open the “bitcoin door” themselves.
  • The most effective method: Plant the seed, let number go up, circle back when curiosity peaks.
  • Family and friends may ignore, even ridicule, but will eventually apologize once price appreciation proves the point.
• Not everyone is ready for orange-pilling; those not ready will sell early, possibly blaming you—patience and leading by example is key.
• “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it buy bitcoin.”

The Role of the State, Property, and the Fiat System (83:01–102:24)

• Profound discussion on the purpose of government:
  • Enforcement of the law; the law is collective defense of private property.
  • Modern states have flipped this, becoming plunderers via taxes, inflation, and monopolizing money.
• Bitcoin is the escape from the kleptocratic system—a way to “vote” with your money, time, and energy for a parallel, more just system.
• Bukele praised again for showing that effective, accountable government is possible; his success threatens those benefiting from status quo dysfunction.
• The future is a fork: Bitcoin ("peace, prosperity") vs. the dystopia of central bank digital currencies ("slavery").
• The US system, with its intended limits on government power, has been subverted by fiat money and unchecked spending.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• “It embarrasses them that [Bukele] could do what they cannot, with less.” —Nico (14:22)
• “Stay humble, stack sats, make sure you have more bitcoin than the day before, and life is going to be okay.” —Nico (00:00, 59:04)
• “If you're denominating in fiat, the American dream is dead. If you're denominating in bitcoin, the American dream is thriving.” —Nico (03:00)
• "You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it buy bitcoin." —Walker (80:21)
• “As bitcoiners, we inherently know that money can exist without the state. If money can exist without the state, what is the role of the state?” —Nico (83:00)
• “Do we want our kids to grow up in this dystopian fucking nightmare? Because that's what central bank digital currencies will enable.” —Nico (86:52)
• "Power needs the status quo ... We've separated money and state. Satoshi did that for us." —Walker (102:24)

Timestamps Quick Reference

• 00:00–03:00: Bitcoin opportunity, not “late”, risk-adjusted logic
• 05:48–14:40: El Salvador, Bukele, Western media bias
• 19:45–28:45: Early Bitcoin content, creator journey
• 30:34–36:45: Deplatforming, YouTube, Rumble, Nostr
• 39:02–45:38: OGs, market reflections, “being early”
• 48:22–55:47: Current cycle, boring market, Wall Street, vibe check
• 59:04–64:01: Bitcoin Zen, DCA, long-term psychology
• 74:08–82:37: Orange-pilling, friends, family, psychology
• 83:00–95:15: Purpose of the state, private property, fiat critique
• 95:15–104:53: El Salvador, government size, why Bukele triggers politicians

Episode Takeaways

• Bitcoin is still early—the psychological challenge of “I’m too late” is perennial.
• Stay humble, stack consistently. DCA and multi-year discipline pay off more than speculation.
• Bitcoin is about freedom, optimism, and a parallel society.
• El Salvador’s story offers hope and threatens status-quo elites; context matters.
• Government’s true purpose is the defense of property—not monetary plunder.
• Orange-pilling is about patience and timing, not force.
• Choose wisely: Bitcoin or digital serfdom. The next decade will be pivotal.

For more from Nico Moran, search Simply Bitcoin on your platform of choice.

For more from Walker America, subscribe to THE Bitcoin Podcast on your favorite podcast app, Fountain, Nostr, or at bitcoinpodcast.net.