In this episode, Nik welcomes back Matt Pines, executive director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, for a sweeping analysis of today’s geopolitical storm—and what it means for Bitcoin, global power, and monetary realignment. From Israel–Iran brinkmanship to China’s Belt and Road, Pines explains how great-power conflict is redrawing trade routes, testing U.S. strategy, and accelerating the search for neutral assets. As the world fragments, Bitcoin is emerging as the reserve hedge for a new monetary era—one not built by consensus, but by necessity.📚 Bitcoin Age is here, order yours today: https://a.co/d/5gau08H📊 The Bitcoin Layer is a bitcoin and global macroeconomic research firm.▶️ Subscribe and turn on notifications for TBL on YouTube.📚 Subscribe to TBL’s research letter: https://thebitcoinlayer.com/subscribe🎧 Subscribe to The Bitcoin Layer on your favorite podcast platform.📱 Follow TBL on X: https://twitter.com/TheBitcoinLayer📩 Join the official TBL channel on Telegram: https://t.me/thebitcoinlayerofficial🧢 Use code TBLYT10 for 10% off all The Bitcoin Layer Merch at http://TheBitcoinLayer.com/merch⛓️ ₿lock Height 901931⚡ Contribute to The Bitcoin Layer via Lightning Network: thebitcoinlayer@zbd.ggNik Bhatia's Twitter: https://twitter.com/timevalueofbtc](https://twitter.com/timevalueofbtc)Creative Director Matthew Ball's Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewrballResearcher Demian Schatt's Twitter: https://x.com/demianschatt The Bitcoin Layer and its guests do not provide investment advice.