Being a Company on the Bitcoin Standard: A Story of Belief and Action

# Being a Company on the Bitcoin Standard: A Story of Belief and Action 👋 *Yosh, mina'san!* We live in an era where Bitcoin has become a signal, a bold statement. You’re in this for a deep reason: to help build a more transparent, equitable, and censorship-resistant financial system. Adopting the “Bitcoin Standard” as a company isn’t just about holding Bitcoin on your balance sheet. It’s a way of thinking, a guiding philosophy, and—most importantly—a set of concrete actions that align you with the future Bitcoin is trying to create. Of course, I can’t begin this piece without giving a heartfelt shoutout to an absolute must-read: *The Bitcoin Standard* by Saifedean Ammous. This book is a game-changer, offering profound insights into the history of money, the principles of sound economics, and the transformative potential of Bitcoin. I highly recommend it to every company founder—not just as a guide to understanding Bitcoin, but as a lens through which to rethink value, innovation, and long-term thinking in business. Trust me, it’s worth your time. Check it out [here](https://saifedean.com/tbs). --- ### From Philosophy to Practice: The Bitcoin Standard Company Playbook > Experimental idea. Let me know if it's a good idea or not (after you finish reading this blogpost first!). If you’re eager to translate these ideas into real-world steps, check out the **[Bitcoin Standard Company Playbook](https://github.com/AbdelStark/bitcoin-standard-company-playbook)** (an open-source Companion Repo). It’s an evolving resource that outlines practical ways to integrate Bitcoin into your company’s treasury, operations, and culture. I hope it becomes a collaborative effort—so if you have insights, tools, or success stories to share, feel free to contribute! --- ## The Cypherpunk Spirit: Believing in a Better Future Bitcoin was born from a cypherpunk ethos: sovereignty, censorship-resistance and freedom. If you decide to put your company on the Bitcoin Standard, you’re essentially saying: 1. **We believe in self-sovereignty.** This means you’re not comfortable with the old system’s endless money printing, closed-door politics, and arbitrary rules. 2. **We’re here to create value, not just chase numbers.** You want to build something that lasts, something that can’t be easily undermined by inflation or corruption. I love this quote of [Jack Mallers](https://x.com/jackmallers): [No man should work for what another man can print.](https://x.com/jackmallers/status/1868676240988926046) 3. **We stand for integrity and transparency.** Just as Bitcoin’s blockchain is open and verifiable, your operations should follow suit. --- ## More Than a Treasury Play Sure, MicroStrategy made headlines by turning Bitcoin into a corporate strategy. They showed the world that Bitcoin isn’t just a speculative asset—it’s a way to protect against inflation and build a strong brand. But being on the Bitcoin Standard isn’t just about stashing Bitcoin in cold storage. *It’s about living it.* - **Paying Salaries in Bitcoin** Let employees opt into a portion of their salary in BTC. Why? It signals trust in the asset, encourages personal responsibility (“not your keys, not your coins”), and cultivates a culture that’s aligned with Bitcoin’s values. - **Accepting Bitcoin for Payments** If you can, let your customers pay you in Bitcoin. It’s not just another payment option—it’s a commitment to the idea of peer-to-peer digital currency. It shows you’re walking the walk, not just talking the talk. - **Run Your Own Bitcoin Node** Don’t rely on someone else’s node. Running your own reinforces the network and lets you verify transactions yourself. It’s a small but powerful way to say, “We believe in decentralization, and we’re helping to keep it alive.” - **Engage with the Bitcoin Community** Bitcoin thrives on collaboration and open-source innovation. Sponsor local meetups, contribute to open-source projects, or share what you’ve learned with others dipping their toes into Bitcoin. The community is what makes it all work. --- ## The MicroStrategy Bitcoin Playbook: Inspiration & Caution >“It might make sense just to get some in case it catches on. If enough people think the same way, that becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.” - Satoshi Nakamoto Michael Saylor’s approach—using convertible notes, leveraging equity, and pouring capital into Bitcoin—has become the stuff of legend. MicroStrategy is now one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin, and their stock often moves with Bitcoin’s price. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that’s either genius, madness, or a bit of both. But it shows that even traditional companies can pivot to embrace Bitcoin. **Key Takeaways from Their Playbook** - **Bitcoin as a Store of Value**: They chose Bitcoin over fiat or bonds as a long-term hedge against inflation. - **Leveraged Growth**: They borrow cheap capital to buy Bitcoin, which can lead to big gains—or big losses. - **Market Sentiment Matters**: Their strategy depends heavily on Bitcoin’s price, which can be a rollercoaster. **What This Means for You** - You don’t have to go all-in like MicroStrategy. Start small. Maybe allocate a percentage of your treasury to Bitcoin, or let employees take part of their salary in BTC. - Their story shows the potential rewards—and the reality that volatility is part of the deal. If you’re in, you’ve got to be ready for the ride. --- ## Why It Matters: “Fix the Money, Fix the World” Bitcoin isn’t just a currency; it’s a movement. When you make Bitcoin part of your company’s DNA, you’re saying you want to help build a financial system that’s honest, open, and free from censorship. - **You’re Supporting Freedom Technology** Bitcoin isn’t just code—it’s about empowering people and businesses to transact without middlemen or gatekeepers. - **You’re Encouraging Responsibility** Holding Bitcoin means learning about private keys, self-custody, and how the network works. This knowledge spreads to your team, helping them grow both financially and technically. - **You’re Part of the Next Financial Era** Even with its ups and downs, Bitcoin’s adoption keeps growing. By getting involved now, you’re not just hedging against inflation—you’re planting a flag in the future. --- ## Let’s Be Honest: It’s Not All Smooth Sailing) Of course, there *are* risks: - **Price Volatility**: Bitcoin’s price can swing wildly. You need to be prepared for the dips. - **Regulatory Uncertainty**: Laws around Bitcoin are still evolving. What’s allowed today might change tomorrow. - **Operational Challenges**: Managing wallets, private keys, and nodes isn’t as simple as dealing with a bank account. But if you believe in the future Bitcoin is building—if you think we can do better than the old corporate mindset of chasing quarterly profits—then these risks are just part of the journey. --- ## How to Get Started: Practical Steps 1. **Educate Your Team** - ``Not your keys, not your coins.`` Host “Bitcoin 101” sessions. Teach them about custody, seed phrases, and how transactions work. Knowledge is power. >💡 Check this [Bitcoin For Everybody by Saylor Academy](https://learn.saylor.org/course/view.php?id=468) to educate your team. This course covers the basics of Bitcoin including economics, investment, philosophy, history, as well as technical and practical components. It's tailored for beginners. 2. **Start Small** - `A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (Lao Tzu)` Begin with a small percentage of your treasury in Bitcoin, or let employees take part of their salary in BTC. > 💡 Check out the [MicroStrategy treasury reserce policy - open source documents](https://www.microstrategy.com/bitcoin/documents/treasury-reserve-policy). 3. **Run a Bitcoin Node** - `Running a full node is how you attain the strongest security model available to Bitcoin users and also strengthens the system as a whole. (Jameson Lopp)` Support the network by running your own node. It’s a tangible way to show your commitment to decentralization. > 💡 Check this [Bitcoin Full Node guide by Jameson Lopp](https://www.lopp.net/bitcoin-information/full-node.html). 4. **Accept Bitcoin Payments** - `That's the point of Bitcoin: be your own bank, receive your own payments so there is no intermediary to say 'no'. (Adam Back)` If you sell a product or service, let customers pay in Bitcoin. Don’t just convert it to fiat—hold it and be part of the Bitcoin circular economy. > 💡 Check this [Bitcoin for Businesses guide from bitcoin.org](https://bitcoin.org/en/bitcoin-for-businesses) to learn how to start. 5. **Get Involved in the Community** - `Like the Internet, Bitcoin will change the way people interact and do business around the world. (Erik Voorhees)` Sponsor Bitcoin projects, host meetups, or partner with Bitcoin-focused nonprofits. Contribute to the ecosystem’s growth. > 💡 Try connect and local meetups around you, for example on [meetup.com Bitcoin section](https://www.meetup.com/topics/bitcoin/). 6. **Build a Presence on Nostr** - `Nostr is to communication what Bitcoin is to money.` In addition to traditional social media and communication channels, consider building a presence on Nostr, a censorship-resistant communication protocol. Nostr aligns with the same principles of decentralization and freedom that Bitcoin embodies. It’s a way to ensure your company’s voice can’t be silenced by centralized platforms. > 💡 [Create a Nostr account](https://start.njump.me/?s=npub1hr6v96g0phtxwys4x0tm3khawuuykz6s28uzwtj5j0zc7lunu99snw2e29) and start building your presence on the Freedom of Speech Protocol. This is how you truly *live* the Bitcoin Standard. --- ## Final Thoughts: Become the Signal We’re at a crossroads. On one side, there’s the chaos of meme stocks, collapse of economy, random altcoins, and hype cycles that often recreate the very problems they claim to solve. On the other, there’s Bitcoin—a technology built on integrity, transparency, and freedom. By choosing the Bitcoin Standard, you’re making more than a business decision. You’re making a statement: *We want to fix the money, to help fix the world*. Yes, it’s bold. Yes, it comes with risks. But that’s what innovation looks like. It’s not about chasing the next quick win or turning your treasury into a gamble. It’s about standing firm in the belief that decentralized, censorship-resistant money is *worth* fighting for. **Join the movement. Be a signal, not noise.** *Fix the money, fix the world.* Let’s bring sovereignty back to the people—one sats stack at a time. --- Find me on Nostr: ```text npub1hr6v96g0phtxwys4x0tm3khawuuykz6s28uzwtj5j0zc7lunu99snw2e29 ``` Or just **scan this QR code** to find me: ![Nostr Public Key QR Code](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/SkAvwlYYC.png) ## Disclaimer *This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. The author is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Not Financial Advice (NFA).*