A Block with Mir

About A Block with Mir

Can I invite you to spend a Bitcoin block with me and the best Bitcoin personalities? What you can expect: 10 minutes (on average) interview my infamous Italian accent\ 1 personal question, 3 serious questions, 1 random question That's it, that's all! Arrivederci! :)

Publisher

Mir_Btc

Category

business · business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 May 2026

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   How to Hack Institutions from the Inside - A Block with Jaromil

   What does it really mean to be a hacker? For Jaromil, it begins with curiosity: refusing to accept that a box simply works without looking inside, understanding its mechanisms, and learning how to change it. In Episode 16 of A Block with Mir, I sit down with Jaromil (Denis Roio), hacker, activist, founder of Dyne.org (http://Dyne.org), and scientific director of the Plan ₿ Foundation, to discuss hacker culture, free and open-source software, privacy, public institutions, and the future of Lugano’s Bitcoin ecosystem. Jaromil explains why hackers possess a form of intellectual wealth that comes with responsibility. Knowledge should not be guarded or abandoned, it should be shared, allowing more people to understand and shape the systems surrounding them. Rather than imposing a new direction on Lugano, Jaromil sees his role as that of a facilitator: mapping the ecosystem, structuring collaboration, and helping good ideas become concrete proposals. Another block has been mined. Subscribe for more raw conversations, personal stories, Bitcoin, purpose and a little Rock ’n’ Roll.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Beyond Lightning: Building New Layers on Bitcoin - A Block with Tiero

   Bitcoin’s base layer was designed to prioritize security and decentralization. So how can we expand what Bitcoin can do without giving up the ability to return to the base layer without asking for permission? In Episode 15 of A Block with Mir, I sit down with Tiero, CEO of Ark Labs, to discuss Ark, Arkade, Bitcoin scalability, programmability, and the work required to transform experimental technology into useful products. We explore why Bitcoin needs additional layers, how Ark-based infrastructure aims to enable new applications and business models, and why the next generation of Bitcoin companies will need more than highly technical engineers. Tiero introduces one of his favorite distinctions: “keyboard people” and “people people.” The first group concentrates on making the technology work; the second asks who it helps, what problem it solves, and why anyone should care. Successful early-stage companies need both. And Tiero is someone who really values and really ships. Another block has been mined. Subscribe for more raw conversations, personal stories, Bitcoin, purpose, Italian accent and a little Rock ’n’ Roll.

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   How to Escape Your Fiat Job and Build a Bitcoin Career with Dušan Matuška

   Can you leave your fiat job and build a real career around Bitcoin? In Episode 14 of A Block with Mir, I sit down with Bitcoin educator Dušan Matuška during the Plan ₿ Summer School in Lugano. Before discovering Bitcoin, Dušan taught subjects ranging from mathematics and physics to English, dance, and sailing. Although his roles changed, education remained the common thread and eventually became the foundation of his Bitcoin career. We discuss why working in Bitcoin is rarely about finding an existing position. As pioneers in a developing ecosystem, people often have to create their own roles, develop transferable skills, communicate their ideas clearly, and learn by doing. Dušan also shares practical public-speaking advice: slow down, use pauses, vary your voice, make your message easy to follow, and never waste the opening moments of a presentation. From teaching communication skills to building in Bitcoin-friendly jurisdictions, this conversation is about creating the knowledge, courage, and conditions required to live a Bitcoin life. Another block has been mined.

4. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Bitcoin Changed His Life, now He Gives Back - A block with Brad Mills

   A conversation about Bitcoin, personal growth, protecting your attention, and building a Citadel mind and body. IN THIS EPISODE: 🧠 Building a Citadel mind 💪 Proof of work for your body 📵 Keeping spam out of your mental block space 🎮 Turning productivity into a rewarding game 📅 Making your calendar reflect your priorities ❤️ Investing in marriage and family 🚀 Becoming strong enough to keep up with Bitcoin ⚡ Investing in Bitcoin startups 🏆 Judging the first edition of ⁨@Cyphertank⁩ (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCysBxJPADZTfp_McXCZmZXA) Bitcoin may be inevitable, but becoming the person who can keep up with it takes proof of work.

5. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Trading Bitcoin Hash Rate Without Mining - A block with Matteo Spinosa

   ucture? In Episode 12 of A Block with Mir, I sit down with Matteo Spinosa of Doefin, the second-place winner of ⁨@cyphertank (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCysBxJPADZTfp_McXCZmZXA) selected from 159 applicants. Matteo explains how Doefin is building a platform for trading hash rate on-chain, without counterparty risk. The goal is to create a market where miners can protect themselves, investors can take exposure to hash rate, and market makers can manage the associated risk. We discuss what happened after Cypher Tank, the progress made by Doefin, fundraising, product development, and the importance of having the right network when building a startup… and Lugano… and comics :) Another block has been mined. Subscribe to the channel for more blocks!

6. 

   19 Aug 2026

   How Bitcoin Could Change Human Behavior - A Block with Roy Sheinfeld

   What if Bitcoin’s greatest potential isn’t simply replacing fiat payments but transforming the way humans transfer value? In Episode 11 of A Block with Mir, I sit down with Roy Sheinfeld to explore Bitcoin’s utility, the evolution of Lightning, and the new experiences that permissionless value transfer could unlock. Roy shares his journey from a successful career in the fiat world to working full-time on Bitcoin. We discuss the moment that changed his direction, the relationship between meaningful work and personal purpose, and why the Bitcoin ecosystem needs more than developers, it also needs designers, product thinkers, business builders, and people willing to create roles that do not exist yet. We also explore: ⚡ Why Lightning could become Bitcoin’s common language 🔄 The difference between payments and value transfer 🧠 How Bitcoin could create entirely new human behaviors 💼 Building your own career and role in Bitcoin ❤️ Illness, purpose, and personal reinvention 📱 Breez, Misty Breez, and the evolution of Lightning wallets 📍 Teaching Bitcoin’s utility in Lugano As Roy puts it, Bitcoin has the potential to do for value what the internet did for information. Another block has been mined. Subscribe for more raw Bitcoin conversations, plenty of blocks are coming!

7. 

   12 Aug 2026

   Kevin Loaec: Vaults, Miniscripts & the Future of Bitcoin Self-Custody

   In this block, I sit down with Kevin Loaec in Lugano to talk about Bitcoin culture, technical conferences & self-custody, Kevin and I go back many years in the Bitcoin space, from early events and technical conferences to the culture, memes, T-shirts, and debates that shaped Bitcoin history. We talk about what it was like organizing conferences such as Breaking Bitcoin, Building on Bitcoin, and smaller technical gatherings like BTC Azores, and why deep technical conversations are still so important in Bitcoin. Then we dive into Liana, one of the most interesting Bitcoin wallets in the self-custody space. Kevin explains why building a Bitcoin wallet is a terrible idea… but why it is still worth doing. We discuss open-source software, trust minimization, Miniscript, timelocks, inheritance, backup keys, multisig, vaults, and how Liana is designed to help people avoid losing access to their coins without trusting a third party. We also talk about UX, naming problems in Bitcoin, why users do not read, why the “shiniest button” matters, and how to make advanced Bitcoin tools more understandable without removing important security and privacy features. A block about Bitcoin culture, self-custody, technical depth, and building tools that help people keep their coins safe. Subscribe for more conversations with Bitcoiners redefining life, value, and success.

8. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Chat Control Is Coming: Why Privacy Must Be Defended Every Day - A block with Lyudmyla Kozlovska

   In this block, I sit down with Lyudmyla Kozlovska, President of the Open Dialogue Foundation, to talk about privacy, human rights, Bitcoin, digital authoritarianism, and why defending freedom in the digital world is no longer optional. Lyudmyla has spent years working on human rights campaigns, political prisoners, abuse of legal systems, financial surveillance, and the weaponization of data by authoritarian regimes. In this conversation, she explains why privacy is not just a technical topic or a personal preference: it is the foundation of human rights. We talk about how governments and institutions can legally collect data, and how that same data can later be weaponized against individuals, families, companies, activists, entrepreneurs, journalists, and political opponents. Her message is clear: Privacy is not a given. You have to defend it every day. We also discuss how difficult it is for NGOs and civil society organizations to choose where to focus when there are so many emergencies, and why strategy, limited resources, health, discipline, follow-up, and strong networks are essential for activism. Lyudmyla shares why private communication and private payments were essential for her own survival and work, and why Bitcoin matters deeply in the fight for freedom. Without privacy in communication and transactions, many people would not be able to defend themselves, organize, or support others. We also explore the situation in Europe, where privacy advocacy is often more isolated than in the United States, and why places like Lugano and the Plan ₿ community are rare and important. This conversation is a reminder that privacy is not something abstract. It is your ability to think freely, speak freely, transact freely, travel freely, organize freely, and live without fear that your life can be turned against you. Privacy is like brushing your teeth. You do not defend it once. You defend it every day.

9. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Who Funds Bitcoin Builders? Abubakar on Core Devs, Grants & Proof of Work

   In this block, I sit down with Abubakar in Lugano during the Plan ₿ Summer School. We start with football Roma, Argentina, and a special FC Lugano jersey with “Satoshi” and the number 21 on the back, but quickly move into Bitcoin, philosophy, development, grants, and what it really means to build in this space. Abubakar is a Bitcoin Core contributor, board member at BitTrust, and someone deeply involved in supporting Bitcoin developers and companies. In this conversation, we talk about how Bitcoin Core contributions actually work, from day-to-day pull request reviews to focusing on specific areas of the codebase. We also discuss what it means to wear many hats in Bitcoin: developer, CEO, board member, investor, and teacher. Abubakar shares how discipline, time management, structure, and priorities are essential when you are contributing to different parts of the ecosystem at the same time. A big part of the conversation is about funding Bitcoin developers. Through BitTrust, Abubakar helps support people and projects that are already showing real proof of work. The goal is not to dictate what people should build, but to enable contributors who already have the grit, hunger, and commitment to work on Bitcoin. We talk about grants, open applications, starter funding, long-term contributions, and why supporting developers is one of the most important things we can do for the future of Bitcoin. Finally, we compare the Bitcoin ecosystems of Nigeria and Lugano. Abubakar reflects on what Nigerians can learn from Lugano, slowing down, taking life at a steadier pace, and what Lugano can learn from Nigeria: hunger, hustle, and the drive to keep building. We cover: football, jerseys, and the number 21 Bitcoin Core contributions PR reviews and open-source work wearing many hats in Bitcoin discipline, structure, and time management BitTrust and developer grants proof of work as a selection principle funding Bitcoin contributors Bitcoin companies and capital allocation building for real users Nigeria and Lugano as different Bitcoin ecosystems hustle, focus, and staying grounded Bitcoin is built by people who show proof of work before anyone gives them permission. This conversation is about supporting those people, funding real builders, and creating the conditions for Bitcoin to keep growing.

10. 

    24 Jun 2026

    A Block with Knut Svanholm: Bitcoin, Purpose, Praxeology and Rock’n’Roll

    In this block, I sit down with Knut Svanholm in Lugano during the Summer School week. Knut is a writer, educator, musician, rockstar, and one of the most recognizable voices in Bitcoin. In this conversation, we talk about what his life looked like before Bitcoin, how he moved from traditional “fiat jobs” into a Bitcoin-focused life, and what changed along the way. Before Bitcoin, Knut worked at sea, first on a tall ship sailing around the Atlantic, and later in the offshore industry, taking technicians to wind turbines in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Eventually, he moved into an office role as an HR manager, responsible for hundreds of employees. That was the moment when stress, lack of flexibility, and the inability to switch off pushed him toward writing. With spare time, limited internet, and a growing interest in Bitcoin, he started writing articles… and the rest is history. We talk about: life before Bitcoin leaving the 9-to-5 to work 24/7 in Bitcoin why Bitcoin gives people purpose building your own rhythm as a Bitcoiner creativity, writing, and deep work morning routines and avoiding interruptions Plan ₿ Summer School music, rock bands, and Satoshi Rockamoto Knut also gives a preview of his Plan ₿ Summer School lecture: a deep dive into praxeology, ethics, natural law, and first-principles thinking. His main point is that Bitcoin is not only about technology or money. It is also about human action, incentives, morality, and the refusal to aggress or steal. Bitcoin is a way to rethink how we live and work.

11. 

    17 Jun 2026

    A Block with Mir & Walter Maffione (Cypher Tank winner with Kaleidoswap)

    In this block, I sit down with Walter Maffione, who leads the Kaleidoswap team, winner of the Cypher Tank (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCysBxJPADZTfp_McXCZmZXA) Walter is building Kaleidoswap, a Bitcoin product focused on swaps across Bitcoin layers. We talk about how the project started from a real need, how the team came together through a hackathon, and why interoperability may become one of the most important challenges for the next generation of Bitcoin products. We also discuss RGB, Lightning, Bitcoin layer 2s, Turin’s growing Bitcoin scene, BitPolito, Satoshi Spritz, Bitcoin Torino, Italy’s first BitDevs, and what it means to actually build and ship in Bitcoin. In this episode: ⚡ The story behind Kaleidoswap 💡 Starting from a real need, not just an idea 🔁 Building a Bitcoin DEX across layers 👥 Finding the right team through a hackathon 🏆 Winning Cypher Tank 🔗 Interoperability across Bitcoin layers ⚡ Lightning as a common language 📍 BitPolito, Satoshi Spritz, Bitcoin Torino 🧑💻 Italy’s first BitDevs 🎧 The soundtrack of a startup journey A block about building, Bitcoin layers, community, and shipping. Subscribe to the channel for more conversations with Bitcoiners redefining life, value, and success.

12. 

    10 Jun 2026

    A Block with Mir & Giacomo Zucco (yes, we're married and we do a podcast together)

    In this very special block, I sit down with Giacomo Zucco… Bitcoin educator, entrepreneur, Cypher Tank judge, and, yes, my husband. This conversation is personal, funny, chaotic, and deeply connected to Bitcoin history. We start by looking back at some of the most meaningful “blocks” we have shared together since 2001, both in our personal life and in Bitcoin. Giacomo recalls one of the most important moments: the 2016 meeting in Milan that brought together several Lightning Network startups and implementations. That meeting helped lead to the BOLT specifications, also known at the time as the Milan Protocol, a key moment in the history of Lightning Network interoperability. We also talk about one of our latest adventures together: Cypher Tank. We discuss the origin & the future of Cypher Tank We also reflect on Lugano and the next four years of the Plan ₿ initiative. Giacomo explains what it feels like to be part of a city where Bitcoin is openly supported, where institutions are willing to listen, and where the community has grown from a handful of people to hundreds gathering around Bitcoin culture, education, and entrepreneurship. Finally, the conversation gets more personal and random… As always, of course. This episode is about Bitcoin history, building things before they are perfect, working with your partner, creating formats from scratch, and being part of something much bigger than yourself.

13. 

    3 Jun 2026

    A Block with Mir & Preston Pysh

    In this episode, I sit down with Preston Pysh, another incredible Bitcoiner who needs no introduction. Funny enough, we recorded this podcast while I was on a very long sabbatical from my own podcast. Now I’m back, and Preston is the one taking a break from his. It’s a beautiful conversation about: how people react when you go all-in on Bitcoin conviction and career change Bitcoin jobs Ego Death Capital Bitcoin education funding Bitcoin founders Bitcoin treasury companies humility in the Bitcoin space open-source thinking and, of course, Lugano! Enjoy! :)

14. 

    27 May 2026

    A Block with Mir & Blake Kaufman (Blitz Wallet)

    In this episode, we sit down with Blake, the founder of Blitz Wallet and one of the standout builders from Cypher Tank. After placing third out of 149 applicants, Blake became one of the most talked-about participants of the format, not only because of the product, but because of the vision behind it: making Bitcoin easier to use without compromising what makes it powerful. We talk about his journey into Bitcoin, the family values that shaped his mindset, and the surreal moment when Brad Mills personally offered to invest in Blitz Wallet (followed shortly after by Willy Woo). Blake also shares how Blitz Wallet has evolved since Cypher Tank, including new features like Bitcoin gifts, designed to make onboarding smoother, and payment pools, which help groups collect and track funds directly inside the wallet. This is a conversation about Bitcoin, entrepreneurship, user experience, word of mouth, product-led marketing, and building tools that people actually want to use… and of course Italian randomness brought to you by me :) and don't forget: “Simplicity does not mean featureless"

15. 

    20 May 2026

    A Block with Mir & Efrat Fenigson

    Are you ready for another block? Or maybe even 2 or 3? :) The amazing @efenigson and I had so many topics to discuss! She is a constant personal inspiration to me as a podcaster and a marketing pro I deeply admire. One fil rouge that emerged from our conversation was the importance of professional proof of work. In the Bitcoin world, titles and credentials matter less than your ability to demonstrate value through action, integrity, communication, and authenticity. In Bitcoin, your real résumé is your proof of work. So let’s check it out. You’re not going to regret spending a few blocks joining this conversation.

16. 

    15 May 2026

    A Block with Mir & Jack Mallers

    A Block with Mir is back!!! With one of my favourite people in the space and he doesn't need any intro: JACK MALLERS! Not a new podcast… a comeback, actually. I started this in 2016. 10 years, 3 businesses, 2 kids, and 1 new country later, I promised myself I’d bring it back. 10-minute episodes, on average. Just like a Bitcoin block. Raw interviews. Personal stories. Randomness. Italian accent included. The common thread? My passion for Bitcoiners. Every guest has redefined life, value, and success in their own unique way. Every conversation has been so inspiring. . Subscribe to my podcast and come join us, 24 more episodes are already lined up

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.