Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode, Nik Bhatia and TBL Research Associate Demian Schatt unpack how the Federal Reserve actually influences the financial system—and who it serves. They discuss what happens mechanically when the Fed changes rates, why bond market expectations matter more than policy statements, and how the entire credit system is structured to resist deflation. Nik shares insights on the origins of the 2% inflation target, the fragility of the banking system, and how Bitcoin fits into a world built on rolling debt and central bank intervention. The conversation also touches on Larry Lepard’s The Big Print and the growing call for sound money in an era of frequent financial crises.
📚 Bitcoin Age is here, order yours today: https://a.co/d/5gau08H
📊 The Bitcoin Layer is a bitcoin and global macroeconomic research firm.
🔓 The Bitcoin Layer is proud to be sponsored by Unchained, the leader in Bitcoin financial services. Unchained empowers you to take full control of your Bitcoin with a collaborative multisig vault, where you hold two of three keys, and benefit from a Bitcoin security partner. Purchase Bitcoin directly into your cold storage vault and eliminate exchange risks with Unchained's Trading Desk. Unchained also offers the best IRA product in the industry, allowing you to easily roll over old 401(k)s or IRAs into Bitcoin while keeping control of your keys. Don’t pay more taxes than you have to. Talk to us today.
Visit thebitcoinlayer.com/unchained and use code TBL for $100 off when you create an account.
🔨 Try Stamp Seed, a DIY kit that enables you to hammer your seed words into a durable plate of titanium using professional stamping tools. Take 15% off with code TBL. Get your Stamp Seed today! stampseed.com/shop/titanium-seed-phrase-storage-kits.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
🕊️ The Human Rights Foundation promotes freedom through Bitcoin by supporting developers, educating activists, and defending civil liberties worldwide.
Join thousands of readers who care about human rights, sound money, and financial sovereignty — subscribe for free at financialfreedomreport.org.
📡 Blockstream delivers cutting-edge Bitcoin infrastructure. Discover the top-rated Blockstream Jade hardware wallet for secure offline storage, and explore the Blockstream Satellite for a seamless offline Bitcoin node experience — all available at the Blockstream Store. Visit: store.blockstream.com/discount/TBL for 10% off entire order.
▶️ Subscribe and turn on notifications for TBL on YouTube.
📚 Subscribe to TBL’s research letter: thebitcoinlayer.com/subscribe
🎧 Subscribe to The Bitcoin Layer on your favorite podcast platform.
📱 Follow TBL on X: 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 TheBitcoinLayer.com/merch
⛓️ ₿lock Height 895999
⚡ Contribute to The Bitcoin Layer via Lightning Network: thebitcoinlayer@zbd.gg
Nik Bhatia's Twitter: twitter.com/timevalueofbtc
Creative Director Matthew Ball's Twitter: twitter.com/matthewrball
Researcher Demian Schatt's Twitter: https://x.com/demianschatt
❗ The Bitcoin Layer and its guests do not provide investment advice.
Chapters:
00:05:10 Preventing Market Panic and Unemployment
00:10:24 The Debate on Sound Money vs. Credit System
00:15:40 The Inflation Target Dilemma
00:20:52 Understanding the Impact of Stock Prices on Financial Power
00:26:42 The Fed's Dual Stakeholders: Banks versus People
00:31:35 Bitcoin's Impact on the Credit System
00:37:01 Understanding Credit Creation and Treasury Bills
00:42:23 The Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet Dilemma
00:47:33 Understanding Bitcoin as a New Asset Class
In this episode, Nik Bhatia and TBL Research Associate Demian Schatt unpack how the Federal Reserve actually influences the financial system—and who it serves. They discuss what happens mechanically when the Fed changes rates, why bond market expectations matter more than policy statements, and how the entire credit system is structured to resist deflation. Nik shares insights on the origins of the 2% inflation target, the fragility of the banking system, and how Bitcoin fits into a world built on rolling debt and central bank intervention. The conversation also touches on Larry Lepard’s The Big Print and the growing call for sound money in an era of frequent financial crises.
📚 Bitcoin Age is here, order yours today: https://a.co/d/5gau08H
📊 The Bitcoin Layer is a bitcoin and global macroeconomic research firm.
🔓 The Bitcoin Layer is proud to be sponsored by Unchained, the leader in Bitcoin financial services. Unchained empowers you to take full control of your Bitcoin with a collaborative multisig vault, where you hold two of three keys, and benefit from a Bitcoin security partner. Purchase Bitcoin directly into your cold storage vault and eliminate exchange risks with Unchained's Trading Desk. Unchained also offers the best IRA product in the industry, allowing you to easily roll over old 401(k)s or IRAs into Bitcoin while keeping control of your keys. Don’t pay more taxes than you have to. Talk to us today.
Visit thebitcoinlayer.com/unchained and use code TBL for $100 off when you create an account.
🔨 Try Stamp Seed, a DIY kit that enables you to hammer your seed words into a durable plate of titanium using professional stamping tools. Take 15% off with code TBL. Get your Stamp Seed today! stampseed.com/shop/titanium-seed-phrase-storage-kits.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
🕊️ The Human Rights Foundation promotes freedom through Bitcoin by supporting developers, educating activists, and defending civil liberties worldwide.
Join thousands of readers who care about human rights, sound money, and financial sovereignty — subscribe for free at financialfreedomreport.org.
📡 Blockstream delivers cutting-edge Bitcoin infrastructure. Discover the top-rated Blockstream Jade hardware wallet for secure offline storage, and explore the Blockstream Satellite for a seamless offline Bitcoin node experience — all available at the Blockstream Store. Visit: store.blockstream.com/discount/TBL for 10% off entire order.
▶️ Subscribe and turn on notifications for TBL on YouTube.
📚 Subscribe to TBL’s research letter: thebitcoinlayer.com/subscribe
🎧 Subscribe to The Bitcoin Layer on your favorite podcast platform.
📱 Follow TBL on X: 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 TheBitcoinLayer.com/merch
⛓️ ₿lock Height 895999
⚡ Contribute to The Bitcoin Layer via Lightning Network: thebitcoinlayer@zbd.gg
Nik Bhatia's Twitter: twitter.com/timevalueofbtc
Creative Director Matthew Ball's Twitter: twitter.com/matthewrball
Researcher Demian Schatt's Twitter: https://x.com/demianschatt
❗ The Bitcoin Layer and its guests do not provide investment advice.
Chapters:
00:05:10 Preventing Market Panic and Unemployment
00:10:24 The Debate on Sound Money vs. Credit System
00:15:40 The Inflation Target Dilemma
00:20:52 Understanding the Impact of Stock Prices on Financial Power
00:26:42 The Fed's Dual Stakeholders: Banks versus People
00:31:35 Bitcoin's Impact on the Credit System
00:37:01 Understanding Credit Creation and Treasury Bills
00:42:23 The Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet Dilemma
00:47:33 Understanding Bitcoin as a New Asset Class
