– In today’s world of dominant neoliberal capitalism, inequality and the rule of power and not justice, why is Bitcoin important in your opinion?<\/strong><\/p>\n Neoliberal capitalism, along with the fiat monetary system, plays by the rules of those in positions of power because they control monetary policy. Thus, the fiat system allows the rich to get richer and the poor to become even poorer. Only those who are politically connected or who have privileged relations with the bank get new money. They have a chance to use the money before the price increases, while those at the bottom of the social ladder will suffer the consequences of inflation. This is characteristic of the Cantillon effect, a well-studied and widely accepted economic phenomenon caused by central banking.<\/p>\n As a result of this unfair advantage, inflation encourages short-term growth more than saving and economic long-termism. Constant inflation forces underprivileged people to take away from the future and shift all focus to the present without the option of saving for tomorrow. Often having no other choice, people are condemned to spend rather than save.<\/p>\n With Bitcoin, everyone plays by the same rules. The person with the most Bitcoins is equal to the person with the least. Bitcoin is nothing but information, text, math, something like a 1+1=2 equation that no one can change. The rules of Bitcoin cannot be changed. It will play a big role in correcting inequality in the world.<\/p>\n – What is your professional orientation and what connection does Bitcoin have with your work?<\/strong><\/p>\n I am currently working as a portfolio manager. The company I work for had no connection to Bitcoin, until recently. They are currently opening a fund to invest in companies that have touchpoints with Bitcoin. It’s interesting because some of the people running this fund teased me a few years ago when they found out I was interested in Bitcoin. Some of their arguments were that Bitcoin mining is bad for the environment, that it is a scam, that it is a pyramid scheme, and other baseless claims. Then ExxonMobil broke the news that it was mining Bitcoin to improve its ESG score, and that shut them up. Now things have changed a bit so they are the ones who follow Bitcoin related companies.<\/p>\n Considering my approach to and belief in Bitcoin, I plan to work to increase knowledge, acceptance and awareness around Bitcoin, both locally and globally.<\/p>\n – In the show Evening with Ivan Ivanovi\u0107<\/em> , you mentioned that it is necessary that “as a people, we should take money from the states”. Why does the state tend to have a monopoly over money? Do you think it is important that citizens have the same rights as the state when it comes to money?<\/strong><\/p>\n Central banks, guided by Keynesianism, created sovereign money that has done more harm to human civilization than anything else. The idea that one central entity decides fiscal policies and money creation for millions of people is insane. States want an absolute monopoly on money because it allows them to print money instead of directly taxing the people (which doesn’t stop them from doing both). Printing money is easier, more subtle and more profitable than direct taxation.<\/p>\n Fundamentally, we are talking about private property rights here. The money a person earns and saves is his private property, not the state’s. The role of the state is to protect private property, not to steal it. Centralized power, which continually destroys your hard-earned money by printing new money, is both morally and ethically wrong. Every individual should have the right to turn their work into savings they can rely on in the future.<\/p>\n – Some of the greatest scientists in the world came from this very area. As you mentioned, Serbia is a tech savvy country. Do you think that Serbia (Serbian people and Serbian companies) can contribute to the Bitcoin ecosystem and in what way?<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of the greatest minds in the history of civilization come from Serbia. I like to say that Tesla would be a Bitcoiner. I want to meet Bitcoiners in Serbia who are actively working on Bitcoin or contributing to the progress of Bitcoin. Some of them work for Serbian companies, some for foreign companies, and some of them work independently.<\/p>\n Serbia’s perspective, taking into account its history, can indicate in what way and how Bitcoin should be valued. Our wisdom can contribute to the quality of the industry because we know how important it is to make things as functional as possible. It can inspire other nations that have had similar problems in the past.<\/p>\n – This year you participated in the Bitcoin conference. On it, you mentioned that 10% of any citizen’s salary should go to a Bitcoin pension fund. As a portfolio manager, what are the reasons for such an attitude?<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite popular opinion, Bitcoin is not a risky asset. Bitcoin is the most secure asset ever discovered. Only with Bitcoin can people store their private key and thus be secure in their savings, without the option of any middleman or third party stealing them with levies or even hyperinflation.<\/p>\n That 10% pension in Bitcoin is just the beginning; if you can transfer more then do so. I mention this because I believe the standard %\/40% pension model is broken. I would even venture to say that the assets that make up the average pension fund are about to explode. Fixed income, the supposedly safe part of a retirement fund, is no longer so safe. In this system of negative interest rates, fixed income has no value. Bitcoin will sooner or later take over the world of fixed income and bonds.<\/p>\n And stocks are always at risk of falling. Yes, they had the biggest jumps in history since the last great crisis in 2008, but that’s because of the synthetic liquidity that was pumped up just as a result of those negative interest rates, quantitative easing and various financial stimulus. The company’s shares, although falling recently, are still incredibly high. The fundamentals that form the basis of the stock market are not what they once were. They fall apart. This is all very unsustainable, and if we look through history, another decline is inevitable. Millions of people lost their pensions during the 2008 crisis. years. I feel that a new crisis is very close, maybe even bigger than the one during 2008.<\/p>\n However, I personally feel more relaxed knowing that my earned savings are in Bitcoin, the best and only savings technology ever discovered.<\/p>\n – In what way can Bitcoin help Serbia, the Serbian economy and the citizens of Serbia?<\/strong><\/p>\n Serbia can offer a lot to Bitcoin and Bitcoin can offer a lot to Serbia. It is common knowledge that Serbia and the region have problems with brain drain. I am not satisfied with the new crypto regulations that Serbia adopted last year. I talked to Serbian Bitcoiners and they told me that it is extremely difficult for new companies to start a business, and for old ones to get a license. Despite that, I believe that Serbia can be a great Bitcoin country.<\/p>\n Bitcoin will do many good things for our economy and our people. We need more education and awareness about it. When people research and understand Bitcoin, they often become more humble. The deflationary nature of Bitcoin, with its limited supply of a maximum of 21 million Bitcoins, encourages us to save rather than spend. Their sense of time and the future changes because when they put that money away they know it will be there tomorrow and its value will increase instead of decrease. They will feel more confident about starting a family knowing that their savings are secure for the future. They will engage in productive jobs and activities. As a result, more jobs will be created, the economy will be localized, and people will be happier and less stressed. An economy based on Bitcoin will be completely independent of foreign monetary powers like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank. The Bitcoin economy focuses on creating real long-term value. Serbia, with the Bitcoin economy, will encourage Serbs around the world to return.<\/p>\n I will work with local Bitcoiners on education. I will also work to raise awareness among influencers as much as I can. It is important to let the state know that if we create an unfavorable environment for Bitcoin, the fastest growing industry in the world will find its place elsewhere.<\/p>\n – If Bitcoin were to be introduced as a legal means of payment in Serbia today, what problems would most often appear?<\/strong><\/p>\n The main problem would be the technological barrier. Older people already struggle with smartphones. For an easy transition, the introduction of Bitcoin as legal tender would probably be done over an existing currency. Over time, people will become familiar with Bitcoin. In the meantime, Bitcoin technology will continue to move in a direction that will result in more user-friendly services.<\/p>\n The general problem is that people have to interact with the Bitcoin network in order to understand it. New users will realize upon use that Bitcoin is more affordable than they originally imagined. They will begin to understand the advantages of using Bitcoin and the lightning network instead of traditional financial services. They will be surprised that it is often, if not always, more accessible and easier to use. And they will finally be able to feel what it’s like to have Bitcoin and how the value of their savings grows instead of falling. All this stimulates people to collect more and more Bitcoins.<\/p>\n – You mentioned that Serbia needs a better Law on digital (crypto) assets. What changes would you suggest and what effects would those changes have on the development of the Bitcoin ecosystem in Serbia?<\/strong><\/p>\n Serbia definitely needs better crypto regulations. I would say it would be a good idea to start planning from scratch.<\/p>\n In an ideal world, regulations should not reduce decentralization and the open market. This means that regulations should naturally develop by creating jurisdictional mechanisms depending on the goals we want to adopt. The focus should be on local laws and regulations that would eliminate potential problems at the state level. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done in today’s monopoly of central banks and financial institutions.<\/p>\n The ideal and most reasonable approach would be to modernize the current regulatory system by introducing public hearings and debates. Regulators would be helped by industry experts to understand exactly what is happening and what problems exist within their industries, be it private banks, Bitcoin, casinos, digital currencies, etc. These public forums would allow for two-way communication between the legislature and the executive. After that, all regulations would be explicit and clear both for legislators and for the economy, which would be directly affected. This should improve the quality and enforceability of regulations. Some would argue that this would further slow down the process of developing the industry, which may have happened at first. But the truth is that the interpretation of laws and regulations that are currently in force takes a long time and that simplifying them would be more effective and applicable for today’s businesses. If all the pieces were put together, everyone would ultimately benefit from it without fear of innovation.<\/p>\n Some of the important suggestions are:<\/p>\n – Protecting the right of Bitcoiners to own their key and their Bitcoin node<\/p>\n – Protecting Bitcoin developers to freely write any code<\/p>\n – Eliminating capital gains tax, because people should not be penalized for saving<\/p>\n Following the aforementioned regulatory proposals, I would like to mention that Bitcoin will soon make the public rethink what private property really is. Many bitcoiners have discussed this. Bitcoin is an asset in the pure form of information, nothing more than text or math. So a very important philosophical question is raised: is it even okay to regulate or even ban information?<\/p>\n – The story mentions that the high volatility of the price is the main disadvantage of Bitcoin. We are witnessing that the shares of Facebook, Netflix and Amazon are in decline, and even the Russian ruble due to the war. Why is there a tendency to attribute the negative aspect of these economic indicators to Bitcoin alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n For the simple reason that Bitcoin is new, and is presented as a threat to the current financial system. Those who control the media present Bitcoin exclusively through a negative narrative. I see this as a positive thing. If any other thing had to suffer the amount of attacks that Bitcoin suffered, it probably wouldn’t be around today. However, the nature of Bitcoin is such that it becomes stronger after every attack, not only media but also systemic, such as the ban on mining in China in 2021. Things like this only make Bitcoin stronger. Bitcoin is the best example of durability.<\/p>\n Yes, Bitcoin price is in constant ups and downs. It is a property that is only 10 years old. It’s still in the pricing stage, but what can’t be disputed is that its price is going up more than it’s going down. Volatility is what makes Bitcoin interesting for investors and savers. If it is not volatile, it would mean that it has stabilized and has already found its equilibrium. Those with a long-term focus, which should be all of us, can benefit from the opportunities it opens up.<\/p>\n And why not take advantage of that price volatility? I will use the popular DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging) method, by buying Bitcoin every first of the month, or every week regularly, you can have a good entry price. This method is also not subject to stresses like trading. You’ll sleep soundly knowing you’re gradually and slowly accumulating the world’s safest assets.<\/p>\n – At the Bitcoin conference in Miami this year, you had the opportunity to talk with some of the world’s biggest Bitcoin names like Stacey Herbert, Samsun Mow, etc… What are those acquaintances like and how would you describe the world’s Bitcoin community?<\/strong><\/p>\n My life changed after the show at Ivan Ivanovic’s. A 3-minute long clip of me talking about Bitcoin has gone viral on Twitter. Not long after that I started talking to people I admire like Saifedean Ammous, the author of Bitcoin Standard. This was followed by my first appearance on Daniel Prince’s podcast (The Once Bitten Podcast), which was followed by many guest appearances. I was invited to the Bitcoin Conference in Miami where I had the opportunity to not only meet some of the biggest names in the Bitcoin world but also amazing Bitcoiners in general. It was a huge honor. I met a lot of intelligent, friendly, smart and funny people. But the most interesting thing of all is that each of them was extremely humble. No one showed any signs of arrogance. This is something I could not claim when it comes to the traditional financial sector.<\/p>\n – How do other royal families view cryptocurrencies, primarily Bitcoin?<\/strong><\/p>\n Honestly, I’m not sure. I am one of the first, if not the first, to openly talk about Bitcoin. I hope that more will appear over time. I will take every opportunity where possible to mention and explain Bitcoin to the other royal families. I will explain to them that Bitcoin leans on monarchist principles and that both ideologies encourage investing in the future instead of focusing solely on the present.<\/p>\n I would like to add that Hans-Adams II, the reigning prince of Liechtenstein, is an intellectual and libertarian with a keen understanding of the Austrian economy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he owns Bitcoin.<\/p>\n – How do you see the impact of Bitcoin on monarchies around the world? How does Bitcoin, both as a monetary system and as a supranational ideological concept, relate to monarchical systems?<\/strong><\/p>\n Monarchy in the 21st century. century may seem strange to most people, so let me try to explain.<\/p>\n While most people view monarchies through the prism of historical tyranny and tabloid headlines, Linhenstein provides a good example of what a modern monarchy can look like and function in symbiosis with the people. And I think Bitcoin fits perfectly into that story. Prince Hans-Adam II presented his vision that the state in the third millennium should be a company providing services. A monarchy would manage the affairs of the state, focusing on serving its citizens by doing what it does best. One of the areas would be, for example, foreign policy. Citizens in Liechtenstein have the freedom to hold a referendum at any time and to separate themselves from the current system, but they still do not decide to do so. In turn, Liechtenstein is one of the countries with the highest GDP in the world, low tax rates and other indicators of an extremely successful society.<\/p>\n In such a model, it can be concluded that the best monarchical systems can govern in a way that would encourage thinking about the future when it comes to governance. On the other hand, the monarchy is hereditary and passed down through the family. Therefore, there is a sense of ownership within such a system rather than short-term control or concern. On the other hand, a monarchy retains power only if it satisfies the needs of its citizens. Therefore, there is an incentive to make decisions that have long-term consequences in mind. In order to increase the value of their property, monarchs must make decisions that have a positive long-term impact on their citizens. Thus, Liechtenstein created an incredibly successful economy for such a small nation. They have low taxes, strong laws when it comes to private property, AND the state only focuses on what it is meant to do when it comes to governance. In contrast, most democracies in the world today continually increase taxes and levies, reduce private property rights, and meddle in every pore of society.<\/p>\n With all of this in mind, I hope it’s clearer, albeit counter-intuitively, that a well-placed monarchy would actually be perfect for developing private property laws, individual civil liberties, and long-term economic plans, just like Bitcoin.<\/p>\n Thus, a modern monarchy would have an interest in Bitcoin because it would itself have a need for a certain type of savings. They would have the same reason to save as everyone else. With Bitcoin, instead of focusing on the next four years or ten years, monarchs would have the opportunity to focus on making financial decisions that would affect future generations. This would allow their descendants to inherit the property without any worries, which would also be worth more.<\/p>\n The Bitcoin Monarchy would thus be able to focus on real economic growth, provide long-term services to itself and its citizens, and not engage in short-term monetary policies that would ultimately be paid for by citizens in the long-term. With better private property laws naturally comes better protection of monetary sovereignty. For this reason, Liechtenstein’s banking sector is one of the most recognized in the world. In such an environment, people can think about wealth across multiple generations.<\/p>\n Because of these things, the Bitcoin Monarchy would be even more independent which would further allow for freer trade under fairer conditions, and therefore would be able to resist the “fiat game” imposed by other states.<\/p>\n Although it is still not a popular opinion, I believe that the monarchy and Bitcoin could work together to create peace and prosperity in the 21st century. century and beyond, with strong laws on private property, civil liberties and economic progress.<\/p>\n