The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking

An absolute must read for people interested in free markets and monetary policy. Even for people with no prior interest, this book will open your eyes to how governments impoverish their citizens (while increasing the wealth of a few) by continuously printing money, and actually have little idea what they are doing. The difference between hard and soft money, time preference etc. and how these have affected the prosperity of civilizations in the past is amazing. Now we live in a world obsessed with consumption and continuous growth. People have stopped saving. But it is saving which creates capital and prosperity. This book explains beautifully how Bitcoin fixes this. 日本語版は、まだ出版されていませんが、来年に出るようです。日本の友達などにあげるのを楽しみにしています。

In the first half of the book the author reviews the history of money from early civilization to modern times, all to prepare you for his excellent education on Bitcoin. This is easily the best book I've read this year and I am buying 10 more copies to hand out to friends!

bitcoinがドルや円など政府の都合により発行される通貨と違い金貨と同質のものであり、インフレによっては減価しないものだと言うことがよく説明されている。bitcoinはちこれから各国中央銀行が発行する通貨と対比されて、それらに代わって世界の人々に利用されて行くだろう。その昔貝殻や石が通貨であった頃からの通貨の歴史から、bitcoinの仕組みまでかなりくわしく、わかりすやく、説得力ももって書かれており、いいbitcoinの教科書といえる゜日本政府がbitcoinを暗号資産とした意味もうなずける゜なお中央銀行発行の通貨の本質については Ｆ．William Engdahl 著 Ｇods of Ｍoney など読むといい。bitcoinのことがよりよく理解できる。

The condition of this book upon arrival is unacceptable.

The author has very extreme opinions. He claimed that abandoning the gold standard was the root cause of all problems including the number of death of the 1st and 2nd world war. He portraits Keynes as an ignorant wannabe economist with questionable moral values and sexual preferences. And he does not save Milton Friedman too. He calls Mark Rothko's work "trash" because it takes few hours to paint his works but they are valued millions on the market. So be ready to frown an eyebrow every couple of pages. Other than that the book is thought-provoking so it worth the reading. Even if it could have been at least 50% shorter since he repeats the same concept for 9 chapters out of 10.

Such an easy read. Makes money simple for commoners. Once you read this, you can’t go back to trusting fiat

Great read! Recommend to anyone starting their journey into understanding Money and thus Bitcoin’s value proposition. The technology era will only survive and thrive with a currency that is unique and positioned to travel over the internet at the speed of the internet with unique verifiable digital signatures. My perspective has changed about Bitcoin and Money after reading this. Recommended literature for your collection.

En bibel för alla som är intresserade av ekonomi och finans!

Three months ago, I embarked on a journey to unravel the complexities of financial technology, and “The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous was the first book I chose. What an extraordinary starting point it turned out to be! This book, now a cornerstone in my collection of over twenty titles on the subject, easily secures a spot in my top three for its clarity, depth, and transformative insights. As I sit down to write this review today, I am struck by how profoundly it shaped my understanding of money, economics, and the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin. Ammous masterfully combines historical analysis, economic theory, and forward thinking vision to craft a compelling case for Bitcoin as a decentralized, sound money system. The book begins with a captivating exploration of money’s evolution from primitive barter systems to gold, backed currencies laying a foundation that makes the concept of Bitcoin accessible even to newcomers like I was at the time. Ammous doesn’t just explain what Bitcoin is; he illuminates why it matters, dissecting the flaws of fiat currencies with surgical precision. His discussion of inflation, central banking, and the erosion of purchasing power was an eye opener, making me question assumptions I would never thought to challenge. What sets “The Bitcoin Standard” apart is its ability to weave technical detail with broader philosophical and economic implications. Ammous dives into Bitcoin’s mechanics its fixed supply, proof of work, and decentralized ledger without overwhelming the reader. His writing is clear and engaging, balancing academic rigor with a passionate advocacy for financial sovereignty. I was particularly struck by his concept of “time preference,” which illustrates how sound money like Bitcoin incentivizes long term thinking and savings over reckless consumption. This idea alone reshaped how I view personal finance and societal priorities. The book’s historical parallels, from the gold standard to the rise and fall of empires, added a rich context that made Bitcoin feel not just innovative but inevitable. Ammous argues persuasively that Bitcoin’s design as a deflationary asset could restore economic stability and individual freedom in a world plagued by monetary mismanagement. I found its laser focus on Bitcoin’s unique properties refreshing. It’s not a broad fintech primer but a deep dive into why Bitcoin stands alone. Reading “The Bitcoin Standard” was like being handed a map to navigate the chaotic world of modern finance. It’s rare for a book to be both a page turner and a profound education, but Ammous delivers exactly that. For anyone curious about financial technology, economics, or the future of money, this book is a must read. It didn’t just teach me about Bitcoin it gave me a new lens to see the world. Three months and twenty books later, its lessons remain as powerful and relevant as ever. Highly recommended!