Bitcoin Policy: White House Report, SBR, Samurai Plea, CLARITY & Stablecoins vs CBDCs @zackbshapiro of @btcpolicyorg w/@WalkerAmerica In this episode of THE Bitcoin Podcast, Walker America hosts Zack Shapiro from the Bitcoin Policy Institute for an in-depth conversation on the rapidly evolving landscape of Bitcoin policy in Washington, D.C. They cover the recent plea deal in the Samurai Wallet case and its implications for non-custodial software developers, the ongoing Tornado Cash trial, and the need for legislative clarity through bills like the Clarity Act to protect peer-to-peer Bitcoin tools. The discussion dives into the White House's newly released 168-page Digital Assets Report, highlighting positive shifts in government tone toward Bitcoin, endorsements of non-custodial protections, stablecoin regulations, rejection of CBDCs, and support for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Additional topics include tax reforms for Bitcoin miners and users, the interplay of Bitcoin with emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing, and BPI's new fellowship program to place Bitcoin experts in congressional offices. The episode emphasizes education, policy advocacy, and building to ensure Bitcoin's resilience against regulatory threats. Chapter Timestamps 0:00:00 - Intro: Bitcoin Policy Institute's Work in DC and Community Reactions 0:03:59 - Samurai Wallet Plea Deal: Details, Implications, and Legal Analysis 0:11:41 - Tornado Cash Trial and Precedent Risks for Software Developers 0:14:58 - The Clarity Act: Protecting Non-Custodial Tools and Self-Custody Rights 0:23:47 - Politics of Passing the Clarity Act: Challenges and Strategies 0:26:03 - Education Gaps in Policy: Separating Bitcoin from Crypto and Meme Coins 0:29:58 - White House Digital Assets Report: Key Highlights and Tone Shift 0:32:55 - Report Deep Dive: Insurance, Developer Protections, and Mixer Definitions 0:36:07 - Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: Government Holdings, Acquisition Theories, and Footnotes 0:39:52 - Bank Secrecy Act, Patriot Act, and Sanctions on Digital Assets 0:43:54 - OFAC Sanctions: Addresses vs. Coins, Tornado Cash Case Explained 0:49:00 - Policymaker Challenges: Age Gaps, Education Needs, and Rights Protection 0:53:15 - Stablecoins vs. CBDCs: Liberty, Dollar Dominance, and Geopolitical Roles 1:01:53 - Stablecoins' Impact: Treasury Demand, Genius Act, and Tether's Future 1:05:31 - Bitcoin Tax Reforms: De Minimis Exemptions and Mining Treatment 1:11:08 - Illicit Finance Myths and Government Acknowledgment in the Report 1:13:33 - BPI's Focus: SBR, Non-Custodial Protections, AI/Quantum, and Fellowships 1:21:05 - Closing Thoughts: Cypherpunk Roots, Building, and Bitcoin's Inevitability