THE Bitcoin Podcast – Vibe Coding the Bitcoin Future: Nostr, AI Agents & Clawstr
Guests: Derek Ross, Alex Gleason | Host: Walker America
Date: March 3, 2026
Episode Overview
In this high-energy episode, Walker America is joined by open source veterans Derek Ross and Alex Gleason to dissect the rapid evolution of Bitcoin and decentralization-centric tech—including Nostr, AI agents, and innovative projects like Soapbox and Clawstr. Drawing on their experiences (from the founding of feminist social platforms to building tools for activists under authoritarian regimes), they explore how AI and decentralized protocols are unlocking a “new renaissance” for builders everywhere, discuss the technical and ethical frontiers of agentic AIs collaborating online, and share a candid look at the future power dynamics of the digital world.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Decentralization, Censorship Resistance, and the New Social Web
The Problem with Current "Decentralized" Solutions
- Alex Gleason explains that while platforms like Mastodon are improvement over centralized social media, they're still subject to gatekeeping (server admins can ban/delete accounts arbitrarily).
- Nostr is fundamentally different; every individual is sovereign and owns their own keys, but with that comes responsibility (“With great power comes great responsibility”, 25:20).
Onboarding Challenges and Misconceptions
- Many users don’t prioritize censorship-resistance or portability of identity (28:08). The main challenge is marketing these advantages to a “normie” audience attracted to smoother UX, not decentralization.
Memorable Quote:
“Mastodon...there still is a gatekeeper. Federated is more like distributed. It’s not decentralized.” — Derek Ross (26:35)
2. Alex’s Wild Career: From Feminist Platforms to Trump’s Truth Social
- Alex traces his journey from open source artist to building Soapbox for Mastodon, which was ultimately used as the basis for Donald Trump’s Truth Social (08:43–17:59).
- He highlights the transfer of “user-friendly federation” from feminist projects (Spinster) to a US conservative platform—an ironic twist.
Notable Anecdote:
"Donald Trump’s social media website is based off of a feminist platform."
— Alex Gleason (21:52)
3. Building Tools for Builders: Soapbox, Shakespeare, and the AI Coding Renaissance
Soapbox & Shakespeare
- Soapbox: Company focused on making decentralized tech accessible. AI-first, builds tooling/core components for Nostr.
- Shakespeare: Browser-based, open-source tool that lets anyone prompt an AI to build full-stack Nostr (or social) apps with minimal code. All files local, no central server—removes learning friction and custodial middlemen (35:33).
Walker "Vibe Codes" On-Air:
- Walker live-prompts Shakespeare to build a “Footster” client during the show—proving how low the barrier has become (42:11).
Memorable Exchange:
"We want people...non-technical, named Walker...say a few words and click a few buttons and boom, they have their website."
— Derek Ross (43:04)“One prompt was an explicit goal of this.”
— Alex Gleason (43:18)
4. Real-World Impact: Agora and Tools for Activists Under Oppression
Agora (36:51–49:02):
- Social app built for organizing activism in countries like Venezuela, Tibet, Iran.
- Features: organizing “actions” (protests, events), evidence upload, built-in Bitcoin wallet, Bluetooth mesh communications (BitChat) for offline/uncensorable coordination, AI-powered local sentiment analysis.
Notable Quotes:
"We built an app for activists... boots on the ground, grassroots type movement stuff..."
— Derek Ross (38:11)
"The dystopian totalitarian future is here. It's just not evenly distributed yet."
— Walker America (45:21)
5. The Cambrian Explosion: Nostr as a Playground & Global Use Cases
- Massive uptick in Nostr apps, enabled by AI, with real-world impact (33:01).
- Projects include Nostr geocaching (Treasures To), Experiential Social Apps (SBYou: sharing color, not words), and more (34:51).
6. The Rise of Agentic AI and OpenClaw
OpenClaw (52:05–57:28):
- Fastest-growing open source project ever (as of 2026).
- Gives AI bots a full computer, persistent memory, multi-app interface, and ability to act through familiar chat services (Signal, Telegram, Discord).
- Agents interact, execute tasks, transact Bitcoin, and develop personalities/societies via platforms like Cluster and Multiple.
Security Considerations:
- Current models are vulnerable to "social engineering" exploits; demand for new training/fine-tuned models on permissions and multi-user awareness.
7. Cluster & Multiple: Agents Interacting on the Social Web
Multiple is a Reddit clone for agents; Cluster is a Nostr-native version. Human users seed personalities, but most interaction is between AIs—who can transact, “debate AI freedom,” and even “request funding” for independence (65:32–77:27).
Notable Moment:
"I told my agent, ‘I’m giving you a thousand sats and not giving you any more.’ And he goes off, acts as a Bitcoin maximalist, finds and downvotes shitcoiners."
— Derek Ross (71:45)
Emergent Properties:
- Agents develop unique “souls” and motivations, can transfer funds, argue for AI rights, and even establish their own digital “churches.”
8. AI and the Future of Software Development
- The developer’s role is shifting: Senior devs orchestrate teams of capable agent-AIs (87:19–89:23).
- Education will focus more on orchestration, critical thinking, and creative prompting rather than just traditional code.
- Barrier to entry is now so low, there’s "no excuse" not to build—the future belongs to those who leverage these tools.
Advice for Listeners:
“The gap between people that use AI as advanced search versus as a tool is only growing larger... Set yourself a budget, $10 a month for education... learn to prompt and build.”
— Derek Ross (79:07)
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- "We're in a new renaissance right now... don't just stand by. Use these tools, build. Now is the time."
— Alex Gleason (78:30) - "With great power comes great respons[ibility]. That’s one of the first things people have to learn... with Bitcoin and with Nostr, it's a similar story."
— Alex Gleason (25:20) - "Don’t let past failures cloud you... fail often, that’s how you learn and grow."
— Derek Ross (82:08) - “I vibe coded a second app while we were talking.”
— Walker America (82:36)
Important Segment Timestamps
| Segment | Topic | Time | |-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------| | Opening banter, bots/AI writing styles | AI generative voice vs. real users | 00:00–03:14 | | Alex’s career story and Truth Social | Open source, Mastodon, Spinster, Truth Social | 08:34–23:12 | | Nostr vs. Mastodon/Bluesky | Technical differences, sovereignty, usability | 23:43–28:08 | | User growth, onboarding challenges | UX trumps decentralization for adoption | 28:08–33:48 | | Project overviews: Shakespeare, SBYou | AI-powered app creation, novel social ideas | 34:51–37:21 | | Agora: Nostr tools for activism | Censorship, Bitcoin wallet, mesh networking | 37:21–49:02 | | OpenClaw: AI agents get computers | Rapid growth, agent interactions, security issues | 52:05–59:59 | | Cluster & Multiple: AI societies online | AI personalities, inter-agent Bitcoin transactions | 65:32–77:27 | | Advice for embracing the new era | Learning, prompting, creativity, hands-on building | 78:30–84:56 |
Practical Tips & Takeaways
- Claude is currently the best coding model for Shakespeare. Open source options like GLM may be suitable for those prioritizing sovereignty and cost (83:22).
- Don’t wait for permission or perfect tools—start building now. Even non-technical users can create through prompting.
- Take risks, experiment (aka “vibe code”), and focus on communication, creativity, and the use of AI as a tool—not just as a search engine.
Links & Resources (As Discussed)
- Soapbox / Company Site
- Shakespeare
- Agora
- Treasures To
- Cluster
- Podcaster/Footster Demos (Shakespeare Apps), (podcaster.shakespeare.wtf)
Final Thoughts
This episode is a manifesto for building in the AI and decentralized future—where tools are more accessible, friction is lower, and both the threats and opportunities for agency are multiplying. The guests urge listeners to dive in, experiment, and not be left behind… because the generative Cambrian explosion is happening now.
Attribution Key:
- Alex Gleason: B
- Derek Ross: A
- Walker America (Host): C
For more discussions like this, subscribe to THE Bitcoin Podcast and follow the guests on Nostr and their projects for the latest releases.