Part 10/12:
Throughout his speech, Antonopoulos advocates for understanding that blockchain isn’t just a ledger; it’s the foundation of a decentralization revolution. He clarifies that while the concept of a ledger has existed for thousands of years, decentralization—the ability for anyone to participate and verify transactions without a central authority—is what makes Bitcoin revolutionary.
He criticizes attempts by financial institutions to adapt blockchain superficially—adopting the technology but maintaining centralized control structures. This approach defeats the purpose and risks limiting Bitcoin's transformative potential.
Decentralized networks allow for permissionless, open participation—"becoming your own bank"—which is at the core of Bitcoin’s disruptive power.