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Jeff Park: Bitcoin is in a bear market with broken liquidity correlations, US policy is shifting towards centralization, and the importance of ‘peacetime’ vs. ‘wartime’ Bitcoin | The Pomp Podcast

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Key Takeaways

  • Bitcoin is currently in a bear market, and more accommodative policies might not trigger a bull market.
  • The historical correlation between global liquidity and Bitcoin’s performance has been disrupted.
  • Global liquidity is currently around $170 trillion and continues to rise.
  • Accommodative monetary policies may not be the catalyst for a Bitcoin bull market.
  • The current US administration is attempting to take economic control from the Federal Reserve.
  • There is a concept of ‘peacetime Bitcoin’ and ‘wartime Bitcoin’ reflecting different economic conditions.
  • US crypto policy is trending towards centralization, opposing the original decentralization ideals.
  • Bitcoin’s importance will grow as the world becomes more fragmented and oppressive.
  • Bitcoin’s original mission emphasizes censorship resistance and decentralization.
  • Kevin Warsh is seen as a figure with the courage and expertise to challenge financial norms.
  • The future of Bitcoin is tied to societal changes and the geopolitical climate.
  • The evolving regulatory landscape in the US is moving towards centralization, impacting crypto’s future.

Guest intro

Jeff Park is a Partner and Chief Investment Officer at ProCap Financial. He previously served as Head of Alpha Strategies and Portfolio Manager at Bitwise Asset Management. He holds a B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Stanford University and is a CFA charterholder.

Bitcoin and the bear market

  • We are likely in a bear market for Bitcoin, and accommodative policies may not catalyze a bull market.

    — Jeff Park

  • Accommodative policies may not be the catalyst for a bull market in Bitcoin.
  • The bear market has persisted for quite some time, challenging the notion that monetary policy will boost Bitcoin.
  • I think we’re in a bear market and I think we have been in a bear market for quite a bit.

    — Jeff Park

  • Understanding the current economic environment is crucial for navigating the crypto markets.
  • The bear market challenges the assumption that monetary policy will positively influence Bitcoin prices.
  • Having more accommodative policies may in fact actually not be the catalyst to help us go into a bull market.

    — Jeff Park

  • The bear market requires a new perspective on how monetary policy affects Bitcoin.

Global liquidity and its impact

  • The correlation between global liquidity and Bitcoin’s performance has been broken.

    — Jeff Park

  • Global liquidity is around $170 trillion and has been steadily increasing.
  • I would say it has been going up pretty steadily in 2025… I think we are now around $170,000,000,000,000.

    — Jeff Park

  • The broken correlation between liquidity and Bitcoin suggests a shift in market dynamics.
  • The truth is that’s been broken for quite some time.

    — Jeff Park

  • Understanding global liquidity trends is essential for analyzing market conditions.
  • The increase in global liquidity provides a factual basis for market trend analysis.
  • The shift in correlation could affect investment strategies in the crypto space.

US economic control and the Federal Reserve

  • The current administration is attempting to wrest control of the economy away from the Federal Reserve.

    — Jeff Park

  • The administration uses deregulation, tax cuts, tariffs, and attempts to weaken the US dollar.
  • It does feel like the current administration in the United States is trying to wrestle control of the economy away from the Federal Reserve.

    — Jeff Park

  • This shift impacts monetary policy and the broader economic landscape.
  • Understanding the political and economic landscape is crucial for grasping these changes.
  • The administration’s actions reflect a significant shift in economic control dynamics.
  • The impact of these policies on the economy and crypto markets is profound.
  • The relationship between government policy and central banking is evolving.

Peacetime Bitcoin vs. wartime Bitcoin

  • There is a distinction between ‘peacetime Bitcoin’ and ‘wartime Bitcoin’ that reflects different economic conditions and policy influences.

    — Jeff Park

  • Wartime Bitcoin suggests that monetary policy is not the driving factor for growth.
  • Wartime means it’s actually not monetary policy that is driving the future outlook for how we’re thinking about growth.

    — Jeff Park

  • This framework provides a unique perspective on Bitcoin’s value proposition.
  • Understanding the geopolitical and economic climate is essential for this analysis.
  • The concept highlights Bitcoin’s role in varying economic contexts.
  • Peacetime vs. wartime Bitcoin reflects different policy influences on the asset.
  • This distinction is crucial for analyzing Bitcoin’s potential in different scenarios.

Centralization trends in US crypto policy

  • The trend in US crypto policy is moving towards centralization, which contrasts with the original ideals of decentralization in the crypto space.

    — Jeff Park

  • This shift could impact the future development and adoption of crypto.
  • If you really look hard at what’s been happening here in the US as well from a crypto policy perspective it’s moving towards a model of centralization.

    — Jeff Park

  • Understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial for navigating the crypto industry.
  • The trend towards centralization contrasts with the original decentralization ideals.
  • This shift represents a significant change in the crypto industry’s trajectory.
  • The impact of centralization on crypto’s future is a critical consideration.
  • The evolving regulatory landscape poses challenges and opportunities for crypto.

Bitcoin’s future relevance

  • Bitcoin will gain importance as the world becomes more fragmented and oppressive.

    — Jeff Park

  • The geopolitical climate influences Bitcoin’s role as a financial asset.
  • These are the energy that I think re drives the importance of Bitcoin.

    — Jeff Park

  • Understanding societal changes is crucial for predicting Bitcoin’s future relevance.
  • Bitcoin’s importance is tied to its ability to respond to societal fragmentation.
  • The future of Bitcoin is linked to geopolitical and societal shifts.
  • The relevance of Bitcoin is driven by its role in a fragmented world.
  • This prediction highlights Bitcoin’s potential in response to global changes.

Bitcoin’s original mission

  • The original mission of Bitcoin is about censorship resistance and decentralization, not just regulatory clarity.

    — Jeff Park

  • Bitcoin’s foundational principles emphasize freedom and decentralization.
  • It’s about censorship resistance, it is about decentralization and it’s about freedom money.

    — Jeff Park

  • Understanding Bitcoin’s core values is crucial amidst evolving market structures.
  • The original mission contrasts with current regulatory discussions.
  • Bitcoin’s mission emphasizes its role as a tool for financial freedom.
  • The focus on decentralization and censorship resistance remains central.
  • This perspective highlights the enduring values of Bitcoin in the crypto space.

Kevin Warsh and financial innovation

  • Kevin Warsh has the courage and expertise to challenge the status quo in financial systems.

    — Jeff Park

  • Warsh’s potential impact on financial innovation and reform is significant.
  • He really represents somebody who has great domain expertise about how things work.

    — Jeff Park

  • Understanding Warsh’s role is crucial for anticipating changes in financial systems.
  • Warsh’s expertise positions him as a key figure in financial reform.
  • His ability to challenge norms is essential for future innovation.
  • Warsh’s influence could shape the future of crypto and financial systems.
  • This insight highlights the importance of expertise in driving financial change.