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The Satoshi Papers: Reflections on Political Economy After Bitcoin
The Satoshi Papers is the first book of its an open exchange of ideas among scholars about the relationship between money and state in a post-Bitcoin world. This compendium of ten original articles, written by leading researchers in monetary policy, economic theory, and other social sciences, takes new steps toward answering today’s most urgent political whether our legacy institutions still serve the goals of liberty and prosperity.
Edited by Texas Bitcoin Foundation director and Bitcoin Policy Institute fellow Natalie Smolenski, The Satoshi Papers was inspired by the eighteenth-century American debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Just as those papers constituted a forum for debate, the articles in this volume exhibit differing points of view emerging from different analytical frameworks. Nevertheless, they share a set of animating that respect for the freedom and privacy of the individual is the bedrock of a just and prosperous society; that power should be rigorously checked and limited; that human coordination happens first and foremost bottom up; and that technology is a critical engine for the progress of humanity.
“This is one of the most sophisticated treatments of Bitcoin and its political and economic implications to date. A masterpiece that should be read by every decision maker and that will stand the test of time."
—Lyn Alden, Macroeconomic Analyst and Author, Broken Money
Edited by Texas Bitcoin Foundation director and Bitcoin Policy Institute fellow Natalie Smolenski, The Satoshi Papers was inspired by the eighteenth-century American debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Just as those papers constituted a forum for debate, the articles in this volume exhibit differing points of view emerging from different analytical frameworks. Nevertheless, they share a set of animating that respect for the freedom and privacy of the individual is the bedrock of a just and prosperous society; that power should be rigorously checked and limited; that human coordination happens first and foremost bottom up; and that technology is a critical engine for the progress of humanity.
“This is one of the most sophisticated treatments of Bitcoin and its political and economic implications to date. A masterpiece that should be read by every decision maker and that will stand the test of time."
—Lyn Alden, Macroeconomic Analyst and Author, Broken Money
577 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 30, 2025
Since no one has gotten to the point of leaving a review on this one, I figured I'd do something a little extensive:
The Satoshi Papers is one of the most comprehensive and diverse collections of Bitcoin thought currently available. Positioned as a modern echo of The Federalist Papers, this volume succeeds in what it sets out to do: articulate Bitcoin’s relevance across law, finance, governance, human rights, and global strategy. It treats Bitcoin not as a speculative asset, but as a transformational tool that could help reorient civilization toward peer-to-peer sovereignty.
Having already explored many of these topics through books like Softwar, The Bitcoin Standard, The Genesis Book, etc., I found it valuable to see them reframed and expanded here. This is not just a rehashing of earlier arguments. It builds on them and presents new ideas that move the conversation forward from a policy focused perspective.
Several chapters stand out to me as a totally unique take on Bitcoin topics: Natalie Smolenski’s takedown of fiat as a post-thermodynamic illusion reframes money as a bottom-up tool for coordination that never required the state. Jack Watt’s discussion of Bitcoin and credit offers a potential roadmap for future institutional lending on Bitcoin rails. W. Aaron Daniel’s chapter on Bitcoin-based Dispute Resolution offers a fascinating look into how civil arbitration might evolve outside state control.
If the book has a limitation, it is that it assumes a baseline understanding of Bitcoin and the history of money. This is not a beginner’s guide, and if you are thinking of reading this without any Bitcoin knowledge, don't. It reads more like a graduate-level seminar. But that is exactly what makes it so compelling. It respects the reader enough to go deep.
The Satoshi Papers is not just a book about Bitcoin. It is a blueprint for a world beyond fiat. It asks serious questions about power, law, and truth in a digital age and suggests that the future of those systems may depend on protocols, not politicians. If you are interested in where money and governance are going in the 21st century, this book is essential reading.
If we look back at this book 50 years from now as a cornerstone in financial and political thought, we did something right.
The Satoshi Papers is one of the most comprehensive and diverse collections of Bitcoin thought currently available. Positioned as a modern echo of The Federalist Papers, this volume succeeds in what it sets out to do: articulate Bitcoin’s relevance across law, finance, governance, human rights, and global strategy. It treats Bitcoin not as a speculative asset, but as a transformational tool that could help reorient civilization toward peer-to-peer sovereignty.
Having already explored many of these topics through books like Softwar, The Bitcoin Standard, The Genesis Book, etc., I found it valuable to see them reframed and expanded here. This is not just a rehashing of earlier arguments. It builds on them and presents new ideas that move the conversation forward from a policy focused perspective.
Several chapters stand out to me as a totally unique take on Bitcoin topics: Natalie Smolenski’s takedown of fiat as a post-thermodynamic illusion reframes money as a bottom-up tool for coordination that never required the state. Jack Watt’s discussion of Bitcoin and credit offers a potential roadmap for future institutional lending on Bitcoin rails. W. Aaron Daniel’s chapter on Bitcoin-based Dispute Resolution offers a fascinating look into how civil arbitration might evolve outside state control.
If the book has a limitation, it is that it assumes a baseline understanding of Bitcoin and the history of money. This is not a beginner’s guide, and if you are thinking of reading this without any Bitcoin knowledge, don't. It reads more like a graduate-level seminar. But that is exactly what makes it so compelling. It respects the reader enough to go deep.
The Satoshi Papers is not just a book about Bitcoin. It is a blueprint for a world beyond fiat. It asks serious questions about power, law, and truth in a digital age and suggests that the future of those systems may depend on protocols, not politicians. If you are interested in where money and governance are going in the 21st century, this book is essential reading.
If we look back at this book 50 years from now as a cornerstone in financial and political thought, we did something right.
Displaying 1 of 1 review