Part 6/15:
His stance is clear: monopolies are inherently harmful to liberty. Conversely, Peter presents a nuanced view, suggesting that some degree of natural monopoly may arise from high startup costs or network effects. He argues that in highly regulated sectors like finance, monopolies can be particularly pernicious, especially when government protections entrench them and block challengers.
Bitcoin as a Check on Centralized Power
The heart of the debate arrives with the role of Bitcoin in challenging monopoly power and restoring decentralization. Matt asserts that Bitcoin’s core virtue is its resistance to state and corporate control—its permissionless, permission-resistant network makes it inherently anti-monopoly and pro-liberty.