OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has praised Bitcoin (BTC) as a significant step in technological advancement that is free from government control and can help combat corruption. During an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast on October 6th, Altman expressed his excitement about Bitcoin, referring to it as a “super logical and important step on the tech tree.” He emphasized the idea of having a global currency that operates independently of any government’s influence.
Altman discussed various aspects of Bitcoin’s potential, including its role as a world reserve currency and his concerns regarding central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). As the founder of Worldcoin, Altman believes that embracing a technologically advanced world, which includes Bitcoin, can greatly reduce corruption.
Altman highlighted how digital payments, even when using Bitcoin, can be tracked, resulting in a reduction of corruption. He stated, “But in a world where payments, for example, are no longer like bags of cash but done somehow digitally and somebody, even if you’re using Bitcoin, can like watch those flows, I think that’s like a corruption reducing thing.”
While Altman showed a positive outlook on Bitcoin, Joe Rogan, the host of the podcast, also expressed his optimism for the cryptocurrency. Despite some skepticism towards the wider cryptocurrency industry, Rogan believes that Bitcoin has the potential to become a universal viable currency. He particularly finds its limited supply and decentralized mining process fascinating.
Altman’s support for Bitcoin predates his appearance on the podcast. In a blog post from a decade ago, Altman argued that a world transacting in Bitcoin would be more transparent, thereby reducing corruption. He expressed how financial transparency is crucial in curbing corruption and creating a more trustworthy system.
The discussion between Rogan and Altman also touched upon their concerns over CBDCs and the risk of the United States turning into a surveillance state. Both individuals expressed their strong opposition to CBDCs and the potential for governments to gain more control over people’s spending. Rogan feared the implementation of a social credit score tied to CBDCs and emphasized that the pursuit of CBDCs is driven by control, rather than the overall benefit to society.
Altman also expressed disappointment with recent actions by the U.S. government against the cryptocurrency industry, stating that the “war on crypto” was a concerning path for the country. He urged the importance of not giving up on the industry and highlighted the negative implications of attempting to control a technology that is meant to be decentralized and independent.
Altman’s views on Bitcoin and his concerns about CBDCs align with his broader vision of a technologically enabled world that prioritizes transparency, reduces corruption, and safeguards individuals’ financial freedoms. His endorsement of Bitcoin as a transformative force demonstrates the growing recognition of the cryptocurrency’s potential in reshaping the global economy.
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