In an age where personal freedom is increasingly threatened by digital control, financial surveillance, and political dependency, Alex Gladstein offers a powerful counternarrative: Bitcoin. In episode BTC231 of the well-known podcast Bitcoin Fundamentals, the Chief Strategy Officer of the Human Rights Foundation dives into the paradoxes of nation-state Bitcoin adoption and the subversive potential of Bitcoin as a tool for human rights.
Gladstein critically examines the global inequality of financial freedom—pointing out that citizens in Western democracies are often blind to the monetary oppression taking place across the Global South. For him, Bitcoin self-custody is more than a technical feature; it is the philosophical cornerstone of true financial sovereignty. Bitcoin, he argues, is not just digital money—it’s a Trojan Horse that undermines corrupt systems while opening up new opportunities for civil society, activists, and oppressed communities.
Particularly compelling are his insights into grassroots Bitcoin movements in countries like El Salvador, Nigeria, and Lebanon. Far from the speculative obsessions of Western investors, Bitcoin in these regions becomes a lifeline—used to fund medical aid, bypass repressive financial regimes, and maintain independence in the face of authoritarian control. Gladstein also warns of the tightening surveillance infrastructure—even in democratic countries—and urges listeners to reconsider their own financial privilege.
His new book project, he reveals, has further sharpened his perspective on resistance and systemic critique. The core message: Bitcoin is not merely a monetary network—it’s a global instrument to defend freedom, dignity, and human rights.
Conclusion:
This podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone who sees Bitcoin not just as an investment, but as a social and political tool. For those wanting to dive deeper, Gladstein’s books Check Your Financial Privilege and Hidden Repression, along with the documentary Princess of the Yen, offer essential perspectives. In a world of growing geopolitical tension and digital surveillance, Gladstein delivers insights that go far beyond the usual crypto narrative.
