Bitcoin Magazine
Something is Brewing in Ireland: A Sound Punt Is Released, As Bitcoin Enters The National Conversation
For years, Bitcoin in Ireland has quietly simmered at the grassroots levelâdiscussed in pubs and meetups, debated in Telegram groups, and occasionally splashed across headlines with predictable suspicion. But recently, the temperature is beginning to rise. With the release of âA Sound Punt: The Case for Irelandâs Interest in Bitcoinâ by Bitcoin Network Ireland (BNI), and a weekend that sees both the Bitcoin Ireland Conference and AontĂșâs Ard Fheis, itâs clear momentum is building on the Emerald Isle.
The new paper, released today by Bitcoin Network Ireland, is a concise, accessible document crafted to cut through the noise and present the merits of Bitcoin to the general public and politicians alike. Its aim is straightforward: provide a rational, jargon-free entry point into why Bitcoin matters, especially in an era of euro debasement and rising living costs.
The name itself is a clever punâwhile it is a nod to both âsound moneyâ and Irelandâs former currency, the punt, it also playfully suggests that although the majority of people view it as associated with risk, this may be worth reevaluating. Itâs a signal that this is about more than technology: itâs about claiming monetary sovereignty and re-examining what makes money âgoodâ in the first place.
What BNI is attempting to accomplish is bridging an important gap in understanding, helping citizens seeking change and government officials looking for solutions to recognize that sound, stateless money has value for everyone. As Parker Lewis famously noted, âLike all successful monies, Bitcoin is money for enemiesââa neutral system that serves all participants regardless of their political stance.
To appreciate the significance of this moment, itâs worth noting that Irelandâs relationship with money has always been distinct from its European neighbors. While the Romans introduced coinage to Britain over a thousand years before it was adopted in Ireland. The native Irish resisted state-issued money, relying instead on barter and bullion well into the second millennium.
In ancient Ireland, the absence of coinage was a testament to a society that was stateless, highly decentralised, and it embraced a polycentric legal system varying between clans. The ideal of that society was that no man in society has rule over others, and even kings could be disposed of if they abused their power.
So itâs perhaps no coincidence that Ireland was the last European society to adopt coinage, as coinage gives power to rulers. Eventually, it was forced upon the land by the English crown in 1601, this period coincided with the final stages of the Nine Yearsâ War (1594-1603) and the increasing English control over Ireland. To this day, Ireland has never had its own free-floating currency; it has always been tethered to external powers: first the pound sterling, then the European Monetary System, and now the euro under the ECB. So it should come as no coincidence that in recent years, the EU is growing unabated in power and influence over Ireland.
âGive me control over a nationâs currency, and I care not who makes its laws.â â Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1743â1812)
Perhaps, given this historical context, Ireland is uniquely positioned to understand the value of sound, stateless money. Bitcoin represents a return to the monetary independence that preceded state-issued currencies, but with the technological advantages of the digital age. Where ancient Irish kingdoms used market goods that couldnât be manipulated by distant authorities, Bitcoin offers a modern equivalent: a system that canât be debased or controlled by any power, whether domestic or foreign.
This historical skepticism toward centrally-controlled currency is resurfacing in the present, as the Irish state and its citizens face a new wave of economic uncertainty via euro debasement and tariffs. Geopolitical and economic tensions have rarely felt less stable. Tariff disputes, renewed questions over Irelandâs foreign direct-investment model, and potential tech and pharma layoffs are sure to sharpen the focus on sovereignty and resilience. The release of âA Sound Puntâ is timely, inviting the nation to once again question the wisdom of tying its fortunes to distant monetary authorities.
Coinciding with the release of âA Sound Punt,â Dr. Niall Burkeâa respected academic and BNI memberâwill be putting forward two motions at the AontĂș Ard Fheis (party conference). AontĂș, the party that saw the largest surge in votes in the last general election, has shown itself to be receptive to Bitcoin and is opening its doors to conversations that, until recently, were relegated to the margins. That Bitcoin motions are being presented and accepted at a major party conference is a marker of how the conversation is turning.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Ireland Conference is gathering the countryâs growing community of plebs, builders, and advocates. These circles, once on the periphery, are now finding doors opening in political circles.
Itâs not just Bitcoiners who are seeking alternatives. Ireland is witnessing its largest public demonstrations since the post-GFC days of 2012. Recent marches have drawn in excess of 100,000 people to the streets of Dublin. These protests reflect deep frustration and a sense that the political establishment is no longer in alignment with its people.
Whatâs particularly striking is how Bitcoin could serve as common ground for seemingly opposing interests. For protesters, Bitcoin offers protection from inflation and defends against government overreach. For a government concerned about economic stability and growth, Bitcoin may be the very solution it needs, especially to protect pension funds and indeed the stateâs very own investment fundâISIF, from inflation over the coming decades. This is the paradox and promise of sound, stateless money. It serves everyoneâs interests because it enforces property rights, and canât be captured or controlled by any single faction.
Last, but not least, MMA star Conor McGregorâs foray into both politics and Bitcoin is something few would have predicted a year ago, but for those with an ear to the ground, this has been a developing story for some time. His proposal for a national Bitcoin reserve is emblematic of a broader national shift: Bitcoin is finally entering the Zeitgeist and perhaps he, like BNI, has a part to play in keeping it there.
Bitcoin is an open-source monetary protocol, and adoption comes from all quarters, irrespective of politics. Bitcoin is neutral, it supports no partisan cause. Whatâs perhaps not recognized enough is how empowering Bitcoin can be and we should focus on its ability to unite rather than divide, giving every Irish citizenâregardless of their political viewsâtools for individual liberty, inflation protection, as well as practical solutions for businesses.
The paper itself makes a compelling case for Irelandâs interest in Bitcoin:
No one expects the Irish government to announce a Bitcoin treasury next week, and itâs debatable whether it should establish one at all. But âA Sound Puntâ marks the beginning of a process that could, in time, help reshape Irelandâs approach to money and economic sovereignty.
This accessible primer is just the first step in Bitcoin Network Irelandâs broader educational mission. BNI plans to publish a much more comprehensive policy paper for policymakers in the coming months, which is currently going through the editing phase. While âA Sound Puntâ introduces the concepts to the general public, the forthcoming document will provide the detailed analysis and policy recommendations that decision-makers need.
As BNI works to elevate this conversation through both public education and policy analysis, the goal remains clear: helping all citizens recognize Bitcoinâs universal value proposition. Holding a modest strategic allocation of bitcoinâat either the individual or institutional levelâoffers some protection against uncertainty and hope in a time of growing concerns.
Download A Sound Punt: The Case for Irelandâs Interest in Bitcoin from the Bitcoin Network Ireland website.
This post Something is Brewing in Ireland: A Sound Punt Is Released, As Bitcoin Enters The National Conversation first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Conor Mulcahy.
Full story here:
Something is Brewing in Ireland: A Sound Punt Is Released, As Bitcoin Enters The National Conversation
For years, Bitcoin in Ireland has quietly simmered at the grassroots levelâdiscussed in pubs and meetups, debated in Telegram groups, and occasionally splashed across headlines with predictable suspicion. But recently, the temperature is beginning to rise. With the release of âA Sound Punt: The Case for Irelandâs Interest in Bitcoinâ by Bitcoin Network Ireland (BNI), and a weekend that sees both the Bitcoin Ireland Conference and AontĂșâs Ard Fheis, itâs clear momentum is building on the Emerald Isle.
A Sound Punt: A Paper for the Citizens of Ireland
The new paper, released today by Bitcoin Network Ireland, is a concise, accessible document crafted to cut through the noise and present the merits of Bitcoin to the general public and politicians alike. Its aim is straightforward: provide a rational, jargon-free entry point into why Bitcoin matters, especially in an era of euro debasement and rising living costs.
The name itself is a clever punâwhile it is a nod to both âsound moneyâ and Irelandâs former currency, the punt, it also playfully suggests that although the majority of people view it as associated with risk, this may be worth reevaluating. Itâs a signal that this is about more than technology: itâs about claiming monetary sovereignty and re-examining what makes money âgoodâ in the first place.
What BNI is attempting to accomplish is bridging an important gap in understanding, helping citizens seeking change and government officials looking for solutions to recognize that sound, stateless money has value for everyone. As Parker Lewis famously noted, âLike all successful monies, Bitcoin is money for enemiesââa neutral system that serves all participants regardless of their political stance.
Irelandâs Long and Complicated Relationship With Money
To appreciate the significance of this moment, itâs worth noting that Irelandâs relationship with money has always been distinct from its European neighbors. While the Romans introduced coinage to Britain over a thousand years before it was adopted in Ireland. The native Irish resisted state-issued money, relying instead on barter and bullion well into the second millennium.
In ancient Ireland, the absence of coinage was a testament to a society that was stateless, highly decentralised, and it embraced a polycentric legal system varying between clans. The ideal of that society was that no man in society has rule over others, and even kings could be disposed of if they abused their power.
So itâs perhaps no coincidence that Ireland was the last European society to adopt coinage, as coinage gives power to rulers. Eventually, it was forced upon the land by the English crown in 1601, this period coincided with the final stages of the Nine Yearsâ War (1594-1603) and the increasing English control over Ireland. To this day, Ireland has never had its own free-floating currency; it has always been tethered to external powers: first the pound sterling, then the European Monetary System, and now the euro under the ECB. So it should come as no coincidence that in recent years, the EU is growing unabated in power and influence over Ireland.
âGive me control over a nationâs currency, and I care not who makes its laws.â â Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1743â1812)
Perhaps, given this historical context, Ireland is uniquely positioned to understand the value of sound, stateless money. Bitcoin represents a return to the monetary independence that preceded state-issued currencies, but with the technological advantages of the digital age. Where ancient Irish kingdoms used market goods that couldnât be manipulated by distant authorities, Bitcoin offers a modern equivalent: a system that canât be debased or controlled by any power, whether domestic or foreign.
This historical skepticism toward centrally-controlled currency is resurfacing in the present, as the Irish state and its citizens face a new wave of economic uncertainty via euro debasement and tariffs. Geopolitical and economic tensions have rarely felt less stable. Tariff disputes, renewed questions over Irelandâs foreign direct-investment model, and potential tech and pharma layoffs are sure to sharpen the focus on sovereignty and resilience. The release of âA Sound Puntâ is timely, inviting the nation to once again question the wisdom of tying its fortunes to distant monetary authorities.
A Political Crossroads
Coinciding with the release of âA Sound Punt,â Dr. Niall Burkeâa respected academic and BNI memberâwill be putting forward two motions at the AontĂș Ard Fheis (party conference). AontĂș, the party that saw the largest surge in votes in the last general election, has shown itself to be receptive to Bitcoin and is opening its doors to conversations that, until recently, were relegated to the margins. That Bitcoin motions are being presented and accepted at a major party conference is a marker of how the conversation is turning.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Ireland Conference is gathering the countryâs growing community of plebs, builders, and advocates. These circles, once on the periphery, are now finding doors opening in political circles.
Public Discontent and a Call for Financial Autonomy
Itâs not just Bitcoiners who are seeking alternatives. Ireland is witnessing its largest public demonstrations since the post-GFC days of 2012. Recent marches have drawn in excess of 100,000 people to the streets of Dublin. These protests reflect deep frustration and a sense that the political establishment is no longer in alignment with its people.
Whatâs particularly striking is how Bitcoin could serve as common ground for seemingly opposing interests. For protesters, Bitcoin offers protection from inflation and defends against government overreach. For a government concerned about economic stability and growth, Bitcoin may be the very solution it needs, especially to protect pension funds and indeed the stateâs very own investment fundâISIF, from inflation over the coming decades. This is the paradox and promise of sound, stateless money. It serves everyoneâs interests because it enforces property rights, and canât be captured or controlled by any single faction.
Last, but not least, MMA star Conor McGregorâs foray into both politics and Bitcoin is something few would have predicted a year ago, but for those with an ear to the ground, this has been a developing story for some time. His proposal for a national Bitcoin reserve is emblematic of a broader national shift: Bitcoin is finally entering the Zeitgeist and perhaps he, like BNI, has a part to play in keeping it there.
Bitcoin is an open-source monetary protocol, and adoption comes from all quarters, irrespective of politics. Bitcoin is neutral, it supports no partisan cause. Whatâs perhaps not recognized enough is how empowering Bitcoin can be and we should focus on its ability to unite rather than divide, giving every Irish citizenâregardless of their political viewsâtools for individual liberty, inflation protection, as well as practical solutions for businesses.
Back to âA Sound Puntâ Paper
The paper itself makes a compelling case for Irelandâs interest in Bitcoin:
- Sound Money Principles: It evaluates Bitcoin against the six characteristics of âgood moneyââdurability, divisibility, uniformity, portability, verifiability, and scarcity.
- Store of Value: The document highlights Bitcoinâs fixed supply as protection against rising inflation and currency debasement.
- Practical Examples: It provides evidence of Bitcoinâs monetization, comparing the costs of buying a home in Euros vs. Bitcoin over the span of a decade.
- Common Concern Rebuttals: The paper addresses the most common objections to Bitcoinâenergy usage, volatility, criminal activity, undermining traditional currencies, and speculationâoffering balanced counterarguments to each.
- Action Steps: Rather than just theoretical arguments, the paper outlines specific actions for individuals, businesses, and the government to consider, from education to strategic Bitcoin reserves.
The Beginning of a Process
No one expects the Irish government to announce a Bitcoin treasury next week, and itâs debatable whether it should establish one at all. But âA Sound Puntâ marks the beginning of a process that could, in time, help reshape Irelandâs approach to money and economic sovereignty.
This accessible primer is just the first step in Bitcoin Network Irelandâs broader educational mission. BNI plans to publish a much more comprehensive policy paper for policymakers in the coming months, which is currently going through the editing phase. While âA Sound Puntâ introduces the concepts to the general public, the forthcoming document will provide the detailed analysis and policy recommendations that decision-makers need.
As BNI works to elevate this conversation through both public education and policy analysis, the goal remains clear: helping all citizens recognize Bitcoinâs universal value proposition. Holding a modest strategic allocation of bitcoinâat either the individual or institutional levelâoffers some protection against uncertainty and hope in a time of growing concerns.
Download A Sound Punt: The Case for Irelandâs Interest in Bitcoin from the Bitcoin Network Ireland website.
This post Something is Brewing in Ireland: A Sound Punt Is Released, As Bitcoin Enters The National Conversation first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Conor Mulcahy.
Full story here:
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