A Brief Look at Bitcoin Maximalism
An insightful discussion about the origins and evolutions of Bitcoin maximalism.
Feb 13, 2022
Listen or watch all the new CoinDesk podcast episodes wherever you want.
ABOUT
On this episode of Speaking of Bitcoin, join hosts Adam B. Levine, Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Stephanie Murphy and Jonathan Mohan for a discussion about the origins and evolution of Bitcoin maximalism.
This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io.
Bitcoin maximalists – the self-described pro-Bitcoin, anti-altcoin faithful – have been around for longer than most modern crypto projects. The term was coined by Vitalik Buterin prior to Ethereum's release. Buterin intended the term to be a direct criticism of individuals with an unwavering view that Bitcoin was the only true option for cryptographic token use-cases.
In this episode as we explore the phenomenon's motivation and roots, we also draw from Speaking of Bitcoin's extensive library. It features the very first recorded explanation of why there should only be one cryptocurrency and why should be bitcoin as explained by Hashcash inventor and bitcoin developer Adam Back . That clip is excerpted from episode 77 (December 2013) before Adam became personally involved. It's a fascinating journey and one you won't want to miss.
Credits
Today’s show featured Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Jonathan Mohan, Stephanie Murphy and Adam B. Levine, with editing by Jonas and Adam B. Levine. Music for this episode was provided by Jared Rubens and Gurtybeats.com. Our episode art was created by Adam B. Levine/pixelmind.ai
Any questions or comments? Send us an email at adam@speakingofbitcoin.show
HOST
Adam B. Levine
Adam B. Levine joined CoinDesk in 2019 as the editor of its new audio and podcasts division. Previously, Adam founded the long-running Let's Talk Bitcoin! talk show with co-hosts Stephanie Murphy and Andreas M. Antonopoulos.
Finding early success with the show, Adam transformed the podcast's homepage into a full newsdesk and publishing platform, founding the LTB Network in January of 2014 to help broaden the conversation with new and different perspectives. In the Spring of that year, he would go on to launch the first and largest tokenized rewards program for creators and their audience. In what many have called an early influential version of "Steemit"; LTBCOIN, which was awarded to both content creators and members of the audience for participation was distributed until the LTBN was acquired by BTC, Inc. in January of 2017.
With the network launched and growing, in late 2014 Adam turned his attention to the practical challenges of administering the tokenized program and founded Tokenly, Inc. There, he led the development of early tokenized vending machines with Swapbot, tokenized identity solution Tokenpass, e-commerce with TokenMarkets.com and media with Token.fm. Adam owns some BTC, ETH and small positions in a number of other tokens.
EPISODES
Blockspace: Justin Sun vs. Trump, Blackrock’s BTC Income ETF, and Why AI Trading Agents Aren’t That Good (Yet)
Justin Sun has had enough with Trump-connected World Liberty Financial, and Blackrock has filed for a fund that pays ...
Apr 14, 2026
Blockspace: Bitcoin is Already Quantum Resistant?! Plus, Inside Iran’s $3B BTC Economy, and U.S. States Are Banning AI Data Centers
A new proposal for Bitcoin Quantum Computing resistance dropped this week, and we have an update on state-by-state da...
Apr 11, 2026
'Crypto vs. banks' is the wrong debate, CEO says
Will there be a stablecoin deal?
Apr 10, 2026
COINDESK SERIES
0 EPISODE
The Policy Protocol
The Policy Protocol is CoinDesk's regulation and policy show. This is your direct line to the crypto legislative engine, where we pull back the curtain on crypto in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
Apr 9, 2026
5 EPISODES
Public Keys at NYSE
Public Keys is a weekly show filmed at the New York Stock Exchange that explores the intersection of traditional finance, macroeconomics and digital assets. Hosted by CoinDesk Senior Anchor, Jennifer Sanasie, the program delivers a deep dive into how crypto is increasingly shaping – and being shaped by – the public markets.
Mar 16, 2026
0 EPISODE
The Mining Pod
Feb 10, 2025
1468 EPISODES
CoinDesk Podcast Network
The top stories and best shows in the blockchain world, delivered daily from the team at CoinDesk.
Dec 20, 2023
