Part 7/13:
He emphasized that Bitcoin’s core strength is its decentralization. Efforts to centralize control—through exchanges, identification requirements, or regulation—undermine its inherent security and consumer protection features. Notably, he pointed to failures like Mt. Gox as cautionary tales of centralization, advocating for approaches that preserve user control over private keys and digital assets.
Smart Contracts and the Future of Digital Ownership
Antonopoulos extended the discussion into the realm of smart contracts—programmable transactions that enable complex conditional operations. He illustrated how Bitcoin’s scripting language allows for multi-signature agreements, timed releases, and even transfer of ownership of physical and digital assets.