December 15 after school I worked on some outside content for my project.
I worked on Sunday December 14 for three hours from 5-10pm
1. I finished summarizing Chapter 10 of The Bitcoin Standard Book
2. I found people in the Bitcoin space (see below) and added their content Since Bitcoin is so new I did not know of anyone to interview so I added two people who I watch their posts: Natalie Brunell and Michael Saylor
I provided pictures and links to their content -see them below
3. I added a section on smart contracts and how they work and how they differ from Bitcoin
4. I added a post about EL Salvatore since it was the first country to make Bitcoin legal tender
5. I added a page that explained the basic process and steps to buy bitcoin.
Here is the Chapter 10 Summary and then below that are the people in the bitcoin space:
- Chapter 10 Summary: Bitcoin Questions/The Bitcoin Standard
Is Bitcoin Mining a Waste?
Bitcoin mining is often criticized as a waste of electricity, but this view misunderstands its purpose. Mining secures the bitcoin network and makes it resistant to manipulation. The energy used replaces trust in governments and banks with proof through computation. Without this energy cost, bitcoin would lose its decentralization and security. Mining is therefore the price paid for sound, independent money.
Why Nobody Can Change Bitcoin
Bitcoin cannot be easily changed because it operates on consensus rules that all users voluntarily follow. No government, developer, or company controls the network. Changes require widespread agreement, and users can reject any update they do not support. This resistance to change protects bitcoin from political interference and corruption.
Antifragility
Bitcoin is anti-fragile, meaning it grows stronger through stress and attacks. Failed hacks, regulation attempts, and criticism have improved its security and increased confidence in the network. Each challenge bitcoin survives strengthens its credibility and resilience.
Can Bitcoin Scale?
Bitcoin does not scale by centralizing control. Instead, it uses layers. The base layer prioritizes security and decentralization, while second-layer solutions like the Lightning Network handle faster, smaller transactions. This preserves bitcoin’s core principles while allowing growth. The Lightning Network allow for speed initially, while the slower settlement layer is on Bitcoin later.
Is Bitcoin for Criminals?
Bitcoin is often associated with crime, but all forms of money are used illegally. Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public ledger, making large-scale crime easier to trace than cash. Criminal use is a small portion of overall activity and does not define bitcoin. Bitcoin’s immutable ledger makes criminal activity reversible as funds can be followed and tracked.
Altcoins and Blockchain Technology
Many alternative cryptocurrencies claim to improve bitcoin or apply blockchain elsewhere. Most rely on centralized control or trusted authorities. Blockchain without a decentralized currency lacks proper incentives and becomes inefficient. Bitcoin remains the only successful application. All other alt-coins are not as trustless and decentralized (without human control) as Bitcoin.
Conclusion
Bitcoin answers key questions about money, trust, and power. Mining secures the network, consensus prevents arbitrary changes, and challenges make bitcoin stronger. It scales through layers, is not primarily used by criminals, and stands apart from alternative blockchains.
2. PEOPLE IN THE BITCOIN SPACE
Since Bitcoin is emerging, I didn’t know of anyone to interview or talk to about it. Therefore, instead of interviewing people, I found some prominent people in the Bitcoin space and included their knowledge.
1. Natalie Brunell
2. Michael Saylor
- Natalie Brunell
About Natalie Brunell: Coin Stories Host: #1 Show For #BitcoinFinancial Education | Author, Bitcoin is for Everyone | Awarded Journalist | First Generation
Natalie Brunell interviews influential people in the Bitcoin and money space. She just authored her first book called Bitcoin is For Everyone.
In this video and picture, Natalie Brunell talks about how she used to think taxing the rich and redistributing wealth was a good idea. However, she feels this approach is too invasive and she has since studied money and bitcoin. She feels that if we fix the money (can’t inflate it) we fix the world. Her thinking aligns with what I learned in The Bitcoin Standard book where, when humans have sound money, they flourish. Bitcoin and Natalie’s dress reflect the idea of sound money and Bitcoin’s role.
Her dress was inspired by US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).
2. Michael Saylor
@saylor
#Bitcoin is
Founder & Chairman | bio
michael.com | $MSTR $STRC $STRD $STRE $STRF $STRK
Miami Beach, FLstrategy.com
About Michael Saylor:
- MicroStrategy: Saylor co-founded MicroStrategy in 1989, which initially focused on business intelligence software. The company became widely known in 2020 when Saylor spearheaded a major corporate strategy shift to convert the firm’s cash reserves into Bitcoin, which he views as a hedge against inflation and a superior store of value.
- Bitcoin Advocacy: Saylor has since become one of the most influential and vocal advocates for Bitcoin, promoting its adoption by corporations and individuals.
- Saylor Academy: Saylor established the non-profit Saylor Academy (formerly the Saylor Foundation) in 1999, which offers free, online university-level courses to students worldwide.
Post on·
Strategy has acquired 10,624 BTC for ~$962.7 million at ~$90,615 per bitcoin and has achieved BTC Yield of 24.7% YTD 2025. As of 12/7/2025, we hodl 660,624 $BTC acquired for ~$49.35 billion at ~$74,696 per bitcoin. $MSTR $STRC $STRK $STRF $STRD $STRE
He always wears an orange tie. He is the ultimate “orange pilled” person. He believes deeply in Bitcoin and has put a lot of money behind his conviction.
Largest Corporate Holder: Strategy (MSTR) is the undisputed #1 public company by Bitcoin holdings, with around 650,000 BTC by late 2025.
The anonymous Bitcoin founder -Satoshi Nakamoto, is the only other with more and has approx. 1.1 million Bitcoins that can be seen unchain (and these coins have not been moved or touched since the inception of Bitcoin).
I went back to my original outline and polished up content about El Salvatore and how to buy bitcoin, smart contracts. See website tabs
My next steps are to polish up my presentation.
I am going to orange pill everyone!!
Reflections for week 12 is the Orange Pill Plan.
Time spent on Monday December 15 from 6-9 pm
Overview-From Beginning of my website. Concepts Answered.
HISTORY OF BITCOIN
Bitcoin was created in 2008 by an unknown person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto, and it officially launched in 2009. It was introduces as a response to the 2008 financial crisis, aiming to reduce reliance on banks and governments. Bitcoin is b based on blockchain proof of work technology, which records transactions on a public, decentralized ledger. Over time, Bitcoin has grown from a niche experiment into a globally recognized digital financial asset. Today, it is used for investing, payments and as a store of value.
STATUTE OF SATOSHI NAKAMOTO IN LUGANO, SWITZERLAND
On one angle you can see him, on another he disappears.
Source: The image and excerpt below is from www.satoshigallery.com.
The excerpt and the statue, highlight the importance of the creator of Bitcoin and also the elusiveness/anonymity of this person.
Here is the excerpt:
This statue is a tribute to the mysterious person behind the Bitcoin protocol.
The statue itself aims to give the viewer a sense of disappearance — the feeling that the inventor remains between the lines. As of today, Satoshi exists within the lines of the Bitcoin code, enabling humanity to have the first decentralized payment system.
It represents a hacker in his stereotypical pose, sitting with a laptop on his legs, and serves as a tribute to all the developers and programmers around the world who helped build the Bitcoin ecosystem, fighting for transparency and freedom.
When the observer places themselves behind the statue, they become Satoshi.
Because “We are all Satoshi“.
Bitcoin is for everyone.
ADVANTAGES OF BITCOIN (SECURITY, INDEPENDENCE AND LIMITED SUPPLY)
Bitcoin offers strong security through cryptography and a transparent blockchain that prevent tampering or double-spending. It allow individuals to control their own money without depending on financial institutions (decentralized) increasing personal financial independence. Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, which protects it from inflation caused by excessive money printing. It can enable fast and low-cost transactions across borders compared to traditional systems. These features make Bitcoin valuable as a payment network and a long-term store of value.
DISADVANTAGES OF BITCOIN
One of the main challenges of Bitcoin is its price volatility which can make it difficult to us a a stable everyday currency. However, over time and with growth and adoption Bitcoin is expected to stabilize in price. Bitcoin mining also raises environmental concerns because it requires significant energy use. However, the industry is increasingly shifting toward renewable energy sources and is being used to capture otherwise wasted energy, such as excess hydro, astral gas flaring, and off-grid power. Unlike many industries, Bitcoin mining can operate anywhere and turn stranded energy into economic value. As a result, environmental impact is becoming an area of innovation rater than a fixed weakness.
THE FUTURE OF CRYTPOCURRENCY IN GLOBAL FINANCE
Cryptocurrency is becoming an increasingly important part of the global financial system as adoption and regulation continue to develop. Bitcooin is often compared to digital gold due to its scarcity and resistance to censorship. Governments, financial institutions, and corporations are integrating cryptocurrencies due to their low transaction costs and speed.
Orange pilled
Source: d74fc96f-0d5f-4338-9ee5-07aba7f00732_1440x1075.jpeg
For my presentation I am going to hand out a paper to everyone that looks like an orange pill
I will define the main features and workings of bitcoin and blockchain.
I will present my summary of bitcoin
I will talk about what is currently going on with Bitcoin and how nation states and the U.S are integrating it.
I will give useful links on the paper for people to look and learn more