Podcast Summary: "ORANGE PILLING WASHINGTON DC | Mads & Mills of Bitcoin Policy Institute"

Episode Details:

• Title: ORANGE PILLING WASHINGTON DC | Mads & Mills of Bitcoin Policy Institute
• Podcast: THE Bitcoin Podcast
• Host: Walker America
• Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction and Objectives

In this episode of THE Bitcoin Podcast, host Walker America welcomes Mads and Mills from the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) to discuss their mission of reshaping Bitcoin's public image and influencing policy in Washington D.C. The conversation delves into the challenges of changing public perceptions, the strategic goals of BPI, and the evolving political landscape surrounding Bitcoin.

Healing Bitcoin's Public Image

Mills opens the discussion by addressing the negative stereotypes often associated with Bitcoin, such as its early ties to illicit activities like Silk Road. She remarks:

"It's hard to supplant the first impression people have of Bitcoin as drug money or money laundering." (00:00)

Mills emphasizes the importance of rebranding Bitcoin as "freedom money" and highlighting its positive implications for financial autonomy.

Scaling Operations and Delegation

Mads shares his struggles with scaling responsibilities within BPI, contemplating the need to hire additional help without disrupting the established workflow:

"I do it like, pretty damn efficiently for like a single person workflow... is somebody else going to mess up that workflow?" (01:38)

Mills counters with advice on the necessity of delegation for growth:

"If you are the only one that is doing anything, you are fundamentally limiting your growth potential." (02:23)

They discuss the critical role of trust and empowerment in expanding BPI's operations to effectively influence policy.

Founding and Goals of the Bitcoin Policy Institute

Mills provides a personal narrative of her journey to BPI, highlighting the institute's foundational goals:

"BPI exists to demystify Bitcoin to a lot of people... to be the go-to source for any government official if they have a question about Bitcoin." (05:09)

Mads elaborates on BPI's mission to build foundational relationships with policymakers to ensure informed legislation that supports Bitcoin's growth and protects its users.

Political Landscape and Bitcoin's Positioning

The conversation shifts to the shifting political attitudes towards Bitcoin, particularly under the new administration. Mills notes a significant "vibe shift" with increased openness from politicians to engage with Bitcoin-related issues:

"There is an openness to discussing that I don't think has ever been the case." (24:24)

Mads expresses optimism about Bitcoin's alignment with American values of freedom and decentralization, arguing that supportive Bitcoin policies benefit both constituents and the nation.

Impact of the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Executive Order

A pivotal moment in the episode is the discussion of a recent executive order distinguishing Bitcoin from other cryptocurrencies. Mills shares her excitement about seeing BPI's language reflected in the order:

"The language of the Bitcoin strategic reserve Bill very clearly made a delineation between Bitcoin and crypto." (35:45)

This development underscores BPI's influence in shaping favorable policies and legitimizing Bitcoin within governmental frameworks.

Upcoming Bitcoin Policy Summit

Mads and Mills promote BPI's upcoming third annual Bitcoin Policy Summit scheduled for June 25th. They outline the event's features, including:

• Cocktail Party: A pre-summit networking event with live karaoke and interactive activities.
• Day on the Hill: An opportunity for attendees to meet with lawmakers, receive training on policy discussions, and engage directly with policymakers.

"It's going to be really cool this year to have an aspect where we get to go and actually talk to lawmakers and push Bitcoin." (41:31)

The summit aims to further educate and build relationships with officials to advocate for Bitcoin-friendly legislation.

Community Building and Outreach Efforts

Mills highlights BPI's efforts to cultivate a vibrant Bitcoin community in D.C., emphasizing the importance of grassroots engagement alongside policy lobbying:

"Having a community that has a presence physically is another solidifying force." (48:53)

They discuss monthly happy hours, family-friendly events like Pizza Day, and plans to establish BPI's physical offices through Pub Key DC, fostering a strong, localized Bitcoin network.

The Role of Social Media and Alternative Platforms

The episode also touches on the impact of social media on political discourse and community building. Mads and Mills express concerns about traditional platforms' addictive nature and discuss alternatives like Nostr for more mindful and open communication:

"Social media has allowed me to meet all of these incredible Bitcoiners... but it's also the way social media platforms have been constructed, like they are meant to just trigger dopamine hit after dopamine hit." (71:02)

They advocate for using social media tools consciously to maximize positive outcomes while minimizing negative effects.

Personal Anecdotes and Light-Hearted Moments

Towards the end, the hosts share personal stories, including Mills being de-platformed on Twitter after retweeting a controversial stance on Bitcoin prosecution:

"I have been de-platformed on Twitter... because I retweeted something about Bitcoin being misclassified as money transmitting." (57:00)

The conversation lightens with humorous exchanges about Joe Rogan's unexpected association with Fear Factor and playful banter about the individuals' identities.

Closing Remarks and Calls to Action

Mads and Mills conclude by encouraging listeners to attend BPI's events, use discount codes for summit tickets, and engage with the Bitcoin Policy Institute's initiatives:

"Use either of our codes for 21 off of your ticket price, and then if you use that code, we'll know that you are watching this." (85:54)

They emphasize the importance of collective effort in educating policymakers and building a supportive environment for Bitcoin's continued success.

Notable Quotes:

• Mills (00:00): "It's hard to supplant the first impression people have of Bitcoin as drug money or money laundering."

• Mads (02:23): "If you are the only one that is doing anything, you are fundamentally limiting your growth potential."

• Mills (05:09): "BPI exists to demystify Bitcoin to a lot of people... to be the go-to source for any government official if they have a question about Bitcoin."

• Mads (24:24): "There is an openness to discussing that I don't think has ever been the case."

• Mills (35:45): "The language of the Bitcoin strategic reserve Bill very clearly made a delineation between Bitcoin and crypto."

• Mads (41:31): "It's going to be really cool this year to have an aspect where we get to go and actually talk to lawmakers and push Bitcoin."

Final Thoughts: This episode offers an insightful look into the strategic efforts of the Bitcoin Policy Institute in Washington D.C., highlighting the importance of education, community building, and policy advocacy in advancing Bitcoin's role in the financial landscape. Mads and Mills provide valuable perspectives on navigating the political environment, fostering meaningful relationships with policymakers, and expanding Bitcoin's positive impact across the nation.

For more information on the Bitcoin Policy Summit and BPI's initiatives, visit btcpolicy.org or btcpolicysummit.org. Use discount codes "Mads21" or "Mills21" when applying for summit tickets.