Is This The New Internet?

In this episode of "Is This The New Internet," Marvyn Paul sits down with Jerry Qian, a key figure in Toronto's crypto scene and founder of Bitcoin Bay, the city's longest-running crypto meetup series. Jerry shares his journey from a biology graduate who discovered Bitcoin during the Mt. Gox era to becoming a community builder and crypto wallet developer.

The conversation explores Jerry's vision for his OPTN wallet project that embraces both Bitcoin Cash and covenants as vital features, offering users unprecedented control over their crypto transactions. Jerry provides insight into the history of the Bitcoin/Bitcoin Cash split, the current limitations of wallet technology, and his philosophy of building tools that empower users rather than restricting them. Whether you're a crypto veteran or newcomer, this episode offers valuable perspective on community building, wallet development, and the practical utility of blockchain technology.

Show Notes
Introduction to Jerry Qian - Co-founder of Bitcoin Bay, Toronto's longest-running crypto meetup series with events downtown, Mississauga, and Richmond Hill
Jerry's crypto origin story - Discovering Bitcoin in 2013 after graduation and his journey through the Mt. Gox collapse
History of Bitcoin Bay - How Jerry and his team built the community from sometimes just one attendee to a thriving meetup series
The Bitcoin/Bitcoin Cash debate - Jerry's perspective on the split and why he chose Bitcoin Cash
Covenants and programmable money - How these features enable new transaction possibilities
OPTN Wallet - Jerry's project bringing advanced features to Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash users
Wallet development philosophy - Empowering users with tools rather than limiting functionality
Current wallet limitations - Why today's crypto wallets restrict capabilities and how OPTN addresses this
Nostr integration - How Bitcoin Bay is supporting decentralized social media development
Future of crypto adoption - Jerry's view that real adoption will happen in developing nations
Upcoming events - Bitcoin Bay's plans for Consensus and Toronto Blockchain Week

Jerry's Links & Socials
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-qian-4ba2a79a/
Twitter - https://x.com/Lightswarm
OPTN Labs Website - https://www.optnlabs.com/

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Jerry and Bitcoin covenants
04:00 - Marvyn's introduction and podcast supporters
06:00 - Jerry's background and first Bitcoin purchase
09:00 - The Cyprus banking crisis and early Bitcoin awareness
10:00 - Joining Toronto's early crypto meetups
13:00 - Starting Bitcoin Bay meetups
16:00 - Early Toronto crypto scene and businesses
19:00 - Bitcoin Bay's evolution and hosting philosophy
22:00 - Advice for starting your own crypto meetup
26:00 - Bitcoin Bay's vision and incremental adoption approach
30:00 - Bitcoin Bay coworking space
32:00 - Introduction to Nostr and decentralized social media
35:00 - Bitcoin network utility beyond store of value
39:00 - Bitcoin Cash vs Bitcoin Core development
43:00 - History of the Bitcoin block size debate
47:00 - Building applications on Bitcoin Cash
49:00 - Evolution of wallet functionality and limitations
53:00 - Adding DApp functionality to Bitcoin wallets
56:00 - UI/UX philosophy for crypto wallets
59:00 - Early user feedback on Opt-In wallet
01:02:00 - What real crypto adoption looks like
01:04:00 - Opt-In wallet development and resources
01:05:00 - Upcoming events and closing thoughts

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