The atmosphere at Bitcoin Amsterdam, organised by Bitcoin Magazine, starkly contrasted with the real guts and heart of the movement headlined by Edward Snowden and Stella Assange, both lives have been profoundly impacted by the struggle against censorship. This isn’t to diminish the buzzing hope and optimism of the conference with over 2,000 attendees, rather, it amplified the urgency and gravitas that these key figures bring to the broader conversation on financial and informational freedom.

Hosted in the culturally vibrant Westerpark, a historic gas factory turned into an artistic hub, the conference was a masterstroke of planning and technology.

The tone for the event was set by an initial panel discussion questioning the readiness of Bitcoin to meet global financial challenges. This led to a charged debate on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), highlighting their potential to further erode financial privacy and freedom.

A common theme in these discussions was the observation that Bitcoin serves not just as a financial asset but also as a peaceful protest against a fractured financial system. This sentiment laid the groundwork for the keynotes that followed, particularly focusing on the theme of censorship.

Edward Snowden, appearing via a video link from Russia, captivating the audience with his insights into the need for decentralised systems. Snowden, who exposed widespread government surveillance, emphasised that existing structures aren’t merely flawed but designed to exploit. His call for decentralised, permissionless systems was a rallying cry against a world increasingly leaning towards authoritarianism.

Stella Assange amplified this message and spoke about the insidious nature of reality manipulation by powerful organisations. As the wife of Julian Assange, another whistleblower who remains captive, Stella’s words held immense weight. She cautioned that the quest for financial sovereignty couldn’t be separated from the broader struggle for truth and freedom.

Further discussions included the uneasy relationship between traditional banks and Bitcoin. Panellists dissected the banks’ reticence to accept Bitcoin as an alternative form of finance, attributing it to their love for inflatable fiat currencies, fear of competition, and the risk posed by Bitcoin to their monopoly over financial systems, particularly through its ability to serve the unbanked.

Adding a philosophical touch to the financial and technological debates were conversations about creating an inclusive system that serves not just a privileged few but everyone. The recurring theme was that Bitcoin could be a lifeboat in a sea of collapsing traditional structures.

Snowden’s talk emphasised the urgent need for transformation: “Acting in secret is not freedom, it’s not the goal”. He highlighted the absurdity of “contorting yourself to be able to fit to pass through the keyholes of the tyranny.”

His ultimate call to action was a stark reminder of the crossroads we find ourselves at: “We have two options, freedom and happiness or the grave.” Considering the widening wealth gap, decaying trust in institutions, and the looming spectre of CBDCs, this sentiment resonated deeply.

Snowden also discussed Nostr with the audience, a decentralised social network, highlighting its potential to counteract censorship and protect freedom of speech. He stressed the need for tools supporting decentralisation in finance and all aspects of digital life and asked the audience to build the needed solutions, saying:

‘’We need to recognise the challenges we face, and there is risk in the solutions we build. The system considers you to be its primary resource. Life isn’t valued by our governments. We need to recognise the challenges we face, and there is risk in building solutions. We are building tools governments won’t like. Bitcoin is one of our strongest levers.’’

The Bitcoin Amsterdam conference didn’t just spotlight the future of a new digital form of finance outside of governmental control; it illuminated the path toward greater financial and informational freedom. In a world on edge, plagued by manipulation and the centralisation of power, the insights from Snowden and Assange offered hope. The message was clear: In these tumultuous times, Bitcoin isn’t just an alternative; it’s becoming a necessity.

This is a guest post by Susie Ward. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.