This short video was taken from Andreas' April 2023 Q&A for patrons, in response to a question about the effects of CBDCs on privacy and the freedoms promised by open finance tools, like bitcoin.

Video summary:
Today, we're stepping into the world of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, CBDCs are centrally controlled, and they come with strings attached. They will be used to implement anti-money laundering controls. But these controls aren't about stopping big players from making controversial purchases - they're more likely to prevent everyday folks like us from buying Bitcoin.

But CBDCs are more than just digital money. They're an integrated system of command, control, and surveillance. Money has traditionally been seen as a means of exchange, a store of value, and a unit of account, but with CBDCs, we see the emergence of a fourth aspect - money as a means of control. This shift could have significant implications, marking a kind of 'Nirvana' or dystopian end, depending on how you see it, in the evolution of money.

If you'd like to learn more about this topic, take a look at a longer talk from Andreas entitled: Money as a System of Control:    • Cryptocurrency Explained: Money as a ...   This talk is featured in The Internet of Money volume 3, which can be purchased in multiple languages in paperback, ebook, or audiobook: https://aantonop.com

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