Chokepoint 2.0

Killing the competition.

Two recent, connected podcasts, where I discuss Operation Chokepoint 2.0: the government’s coordinated takedown of private sector technology & alternative money, Bitcoin and Crypto.

First I spoke with Caitlin Long, founder of Custodia, a financial institution anchored in Bitcoin, sound money, and safe banking. Long has been fighting an ongoing battle with the most powerful institutions in the world. She is suing the Federal Reserve.

We discuss the importance of economic freedom in a rapidly centralizing world, the philosophy that shapes Long’s decisions, and the implications of the Fed denying Custodia's application for membership. We dive into the Fed's balance sheet, fractional reserve banking, and the link between Austrian economics and Bitcoin. She explains why she sees Bitcoin as so important, and how it is linked to both personal and economic freedom. We also touch on the history of the banking system, bank failures, central banks, and CBDCs. This is a real-life David vs. Goliath tale, and Caitlin Long is fighting for all of our economic and personal freedoms.

The second podcast is with AIER’s Thomas Hogan, who was an insider while Operation Chokepoint 1.0 was happening, during the Obama administration.

Tom explains how government regulators have been pressuring banks not to lend to politically unpopular industries, such as firearms, payday lenders, and crypto companies, even though there are no laws against lending to them. He also notes that the regulators' power has increased over time, with unelected bureaucrats making and enforcing regulations that circumvent the democratic process. The current aggressive stance of regulators may be due to the appointment of more aggressive leaders by the Democrats and the inability to pass laws through the legislative process. Tom also draws parallels between Operation Chokepoint and the New Deal's creation of regulatory agencies.

If you prefer audio podcasts, you can listen to Liberty Curious across podcast platforms.