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Digital Gold

Digital Gold

Written by: JohnPaul Baric
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 Join JP Baric, CEO and founder of Aurum Capital Ventures, as he dives into the world of cryptocurrency and explores how digital currency is changing the way the world thinks about money through conversations with thought-leaders in the space.2020 Aurum Capital Ventures Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • The Infrastructure Race: Bitcoin Mining Meets AI with Taylor Towler and Bill Schneider

    The Infrastructure Race: Bitcoin Mining Meets AI with Taylor Towler and Bill Schneider
    Oct 9 2025
    This episode goes deep into the future of Bitcoin mining and AI-driven data centers with Taylor Towler of Solomon Data Systems and Bill Schneider, a global sourcing and energy strategist. Together with JohnPaul, they unpack the real economics behind power, infrastructure, and policy, from scaling megawatt projects to navigating utility politics and the coming AI energy crunch. Expect straight talk on grid congestion, demand response, modular power, and why being “behind the meter” might be the only way to stay sovereign in the next computing revolution.00:00 Intro & Guest BackgroundsJohnPaul introduces Taylor Towler (CEO, Solomon Data Systems) and Bill Schneider (energy sourcing expert). Quick overview of their backgrounds and experience scaling large-scale data centers and Bitcoin operations.02:00 Taylor’s Leap into Bitcoin MiningTaylor shares how he quit his day job during COVID, dove headfirst into Bitcoin, and landed his first consulting deal by mastering utility rate sheets.05:00 The First Big Win: 16,000 ASICs in 30 DaysInside Taylor’s first massive project , how a small team scaled overnight, built a warehouse from scratch in Montana, and learned the art of execution under pressure.09:00 The Entrepreneur’s MindsetWhy chasing fulfillment and sovereignty beats a 9–5. Taylor reflects on lessons from early risk-taking and what drives him beyond financial success.11:00 From 1MW to 250MW: Scaling SmartBreaking down the realities of large-scale infrastructure builds, load studies, land options, utility negotiations, and how to de-risk the process at each stage.15:00 The AI Shift: Data Centers Meet BitcoinWhy 90% of Solomon’s business now serves traditional data centers and how AI workloads are transforming grid demand, infrastructure design, and cooling tech.18:00 Bill’s Energy History LessonBill explains how decades of flawed policy, subsidies, and “phantom capacity” have distorted U.S. grid economics and why dispatchable power is the new oil.24:00 The Coming Power CrunchAI demand, grid instability, and the politics of electricity, how behind-the-meter generation and private infrastructure are becoming critical for reliability.27:00 The Consumer SqueezeWhy everyday energy bills are rising inflation, policy missteps, and capital misallocation, and how Bitcoin and AI are unfairly scapegoated.36:00 Utilities, Incentives, and the Broken ModelDeep dive on utility economics, asset base growth, and the hidden costs ratepayers shoulder as monopolies prioritize mega clients.48:00 Building Community TrustHow data center developers can win local support through early engagement, transparency, and direct community benefit, not PR spin.55:00 Modular Generation & Nuclear DebateThe future of decentralized power: SMRs, gas turbines, and why cost, regulation, and reliability will shape the next phase of compute growth.1:03:00 Market Outlook: AI, Mining & Capital FlowsAre we in an AI bubble? JohnPaul, Taylor, and Bill dissect Nvidia’s circular capital loop and debate whether we’re in a 1999-style hype cycle or early innings.1:14:00 Final TakeawaysBill and Taylor share closing advice: control your own power, build relationships early, stay nimble, and always bet on yourself.Enjoyed the episode?If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylortowler/https://solomondatasystems.com/linkedin.com/in/billschneider937 Follow JohnPaul BaricX / Twitter: @baricjohnpaulX / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management Bitcoin Mining Hosting that deliversMiningstore HostingEarn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Power, Politics, and Progress: Building America’s Bitcoin Infrastructure with Matt Prusak

    Power, Politics, and Progress: Building America’s Bitcoin Infrastructure with Matt Prusak
    Sep 18 2025

    Dive into this conversation with Matt Prusak as he walks through his journey from USBTC and Hut 8 to launching ABTC. We cover strategy, treasury, risks, and why “maximizing Bitcoin per share” is the new gold standard for mining. Here are episode timestamps:

    00:00:00 Intro and ABTC mission
    00:01:00 Matt’s background and shift to Bitcoin mining
    00:03:00 USBTC to Hut 8 to Ionic and Cedarville turnaround
    00:04:00 Why launch American Bitcoin and how Hut 8 enables 25 EH scale
    00:06:00 Bitcoin per share focus and running lean with fewer than five FTE
    00:09:00 Dual engine strategy mining plus treasury accumulation
    00:10:00 Capital allocation and the 2.1 billion facility
    00:12:00 Countercyclical discipline and timing liquid cooling
    00:15:00 Hosting economics shared services and gigawatt pipeline with Hut 8
    00:19:00 Going public via Gryphon and fast listing timeline
    00:23:00 Why NASDAQ and the institutional adoption lens
    00:26:00 Disclosure cadence and never selling sats
    00:27:00 When not to add hash and blockspace upside
    00:30:00 Three risks energy capital markets policy
    00:34:00 Partnership with Eric Trump and company formation
    00:37:00 Brand and marketing beyond crypto audiences
    00:42:00 Rapid fire picks reading robotics travel cooking
    00:47:00 Advice to younger self strengths and operating speed
    00:49:00 One word for 2025 track record and wrap

    Enjoyed the episode?
    If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.
    Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.

    https://x.com/MattPrusak
    https://www.abtc.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattprusak/

    Follow JohnPaul Baric

    X / Twitter: @baricjohnpaul

    X / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X

    Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:

    Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management

    Bitcoin Mining Hosting that delivers
    Miningstore Hosting

    Earn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:

    To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution

    Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:

    Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Bitcoin on the Big Screen with Lauren Sieckmann

    Bitcoin on the Big Screen with Lauren Sieckmann
    Sep 4 2025

    Dive into this episode with filmmaker Lauren Sieckmann, co-director of Unbanked, as she shares her journey from Nebraska to directing a global Bitcoin documentary. Use the timestamps below to jump straight to the moments that matter most.

    00:00 – Intro: JP introduces Lauren Sieckmann, co-director of Unbanked, and her journey into Bitcoin filmmaking.
    02:00 – Nebraska beginnings: Lauren shares how her father introduced her to Satoshi Nakamoto and The Bitcoin Standard, sparking her fascination with Bitcoin and money.
    05:00 – Writing the first script: The story behind Lauren’s first attempt at a Satoshi feature film and her early struggles breaking into the film industry.
    10:00 – Finding funding and a co-director: How networking on Clubhouse led to support from Jason Williams and her collaboration with David Kuhn.
    15:00 – Interviewing Bitcoin’s leaders: Behind-the-scenes stories from interviews with Michael Saylor, Jack Dorsey, Adam Back, and Ted Cruz.
    20:00 – Themes of Unbanked: Lauren explains why Bitcoin is for everyone, across politics and geography, and how the film showcases real-world use cases.
    25:00 – Financial literacy and sovereignty: Why Bitcoin’s biggest contribution may be sparking global financial education and individual empowerment.
    30:00 – Distribution and screenings: Plans for festival showings, streaming availability, and how to host private or theater screenings through Gather.
    35:00 – Lightning round: Quick questions with Lauren on her first Bitcoin purchase, favorite films, AI tools for filmmaking, and dream cameos.
    38:00 – Personal reflections: Lauren and JP reflect on filming in Austin and Iowa, capturing meaningful moments, and the importance of art in Bitcoin storytelling.
    41:00 – Closing thoughts: Lauren shares her hope that Unbanked leaves audiences inspired, empowered, and eager to explore Bitcoin further.
    Enjoyed the episode?
    If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.
    Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.

    @LaurenSieckmann
    @UnbankedMovie
    www.unbankedmovie.com
    http://bit.ly/Unbanked_Watch_Here

    Follow JohnPaul Baric

    X / Twitter: @baricjohnpaul

    X / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X

    Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:

    Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management

    Bitcoin Mining Hosting that delivers
    Miningstore Hosting

    Earn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:

    To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution

    Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:

    Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
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