Episode notes
Jeremy Rubin is the author of BIP 119 (OP_CTV, Check Template Verify) and co-author of BIP 348 (CSFS, Check Sig From Stack). More recently, he started working on Char: a decentralized shared sequencer for Bitcoin layer 2s.
In this episode, which we recorded at the LayerTwo Labs booth during the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas, we talk about the challenges involved in improving Bitcoin and why Jeremy chooses to be a relentless builder even in an adversarial environment.
Time stamps:
00:00:48 Podcast Introduction and Sponsors
00:03:02 Jeremy Rubin's Bitcoin Journey
00:03:24 Introduction to Check Template Verify (CTV)
00:04:44 The Philosophy Behind CTV
00:06:40 CTV for Congestion Control
00:07:57 CTV for Self-Custody Vaults
00:09:35 The Failed Activation of CTV
00:11:25 The "Technical Consensus" Debate
00:13:45 FUD and Misinformation Campaign
00:17:45 Blockstream's Role in Bitcoin Development
00:21:44 The Inevitability of CTV
00:26:04 The State of the Bitcoin Ecosystem
00:28:20 Bitcoin Maximalism and Cypherpunk Spirit
00:29:34 Learning from Other Projects
00:31:52 Bitcoin Cash's Technical Progress
00:35:39 The "Small Blocker" Paradox
00:37:34 Cultural Barriers to Building
00:39:24 The Future of Bitcoin and Freedom
00:43:08 Paul Sztorc's Ecash Fork
00:49:06 Confiscating Satoshi's Coins
00:58:51 The Problem with OP_CAT
01:01:56 Security Practices at Conferences
01:06:01 What Excites Jeremy About Bitcoin Today
01:09:01 On Being a "Difficult" Personality
01:12:20 Introduction to Char
01:15:04 Why Use Proof of Stake?
01:18:38 Final Thoughts on Agency and Freedom
In this episode, which we recorded at the LayerTwo Labs booth during the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas, we talk about the challenges involved in improving Bitcoin and why Jeremy chooses to be a relentless builder even in an adversarial environment.
Time stamps:
00:00:48 Podcast Introduction and Sponsors
00:03:02 Jeremy Rubin's Bitcoin Journey
00:03:24 Introduction to Check Template Verify (CTV)
00:04:44 The Philosophy Behind CTV
00:06:40 CTV for Congestion Control
00:07:57 CTV for Self-Custody Vaults
00:09:35 The Failed Activation of CTV
00:11:25 The "Technical Consensus" Debate
00:13:45 FUD and Misinformation Campaign
00:17:45 Blockstream's Role in Bitcoin Development
00:21:44 The Inevitability of CTV
00:26:04 The State of the Bitcoin Ecosystem
00:28:20 Bitcoin Maximalism and Cypherpunk Spirit
00:29:34 Learning from Other Projects
00:31:52 Bitcoin Cash's Technical Progress
00:35:39 The "Small Blocker" Paradox
00:37:34 Cultural Barriers to Building
00:39:24 The Future of Bitcoin and Freedom
00:43:08 Paul Sztorc's Ecash Fork
00:49:06 Confiscating Satoshi's Coins
00:58:51 The Problem with OP_CAT
01:01:56 Security Practices at Conferences
01:06:01 What Excites Jeremy About Bitcoin Today
01:09:01 On Being a "Difficult" Personality
01:12:20 Introduction to Char
01:15:04 Why Use Proof of Stake?
01:18:38 Final Thoughts on Agency and Freedom
