Crypto, Regulation, Privacy & Freedom, How It All Connects. Last week, @gazza_jenks and I had a great conversation with Peter @valkenburgh of @coincenter. He broke down what’s really at stake in crypto policy. Not just markets. Not just tech. But freedom. Let´s break it down: Let’s start with U.S. crypto regulation. Peter explains that laws made in Washington don’t stay in Washington. They set the tone globally through bodies like FATF and the OECD. So when the U.S. cracks down or opens up, it ripples worldwide. At first, crypto was mostly ignored in D.C. Then feared. Now it’s political. Some see it as freedom tech. Others see it as a threat. The challenge now?: Balancing innovation with legitimate concerns, without crushing what makes crypto powerful. But crypto’s real power isn’t just in finance. It’s in decentralization. Peter makes the case: we live in a hyper-intermediated world. Everything goes through banks, platforms, and corporations. T That creates choke points for control. This brings us to privacy and surveillance. When every payment, message, or social interaction flows through centralized systems, we create a map of our lives that someone else owns. And that map may become a weapon in the wrong hands. Crypto offers an alternative: A world where people can transact directly, peer to peer, without needing permission from third parties. That’s not just a technical change. It’s a shift in power, from institutions to individuals. The vision: You should be able to send money, communicate, and prove who you are, without leaking your entire identity. That’s why privacy tools like zk-proofs matter. They offer cryptographic trust without exposure. (For example: “I’m over 18” without showing your birthdate or ID.) In other words: 🧱 Regulation sets the playing field. 🔒 Privacy protects individuals. ⚙️ Decentralization removes choke points. 🕊️ And crypto gives us tools to build a freer, fairer digital world. It’s all connected. Crypto isn't just about coins. It’s about shaping the digital infrastructure of the future, one that reflects democratic values, not just corporate ones. And policy decisions made today will determine whether that future is open or closed. The takeaway? - Regulation matters. - Design matters. - And values matter most. If we get this right, crypto can be more than finance. It can be freedom tech. 🎧 Full episode: Clear Crypto Podcast Ep.15 with Peter Van Valkenburgh 👇