The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking

In *The Bitcoin Standard*, economist Saifedean Ammous takes readers through the fascinating history of various forms of money. He explores what granted these different technologies their monetary status, how they lost it, what this teaches us about the desirable properties of money, and how Bitcoin aims to fulfill these criteria.

Ammous explains the economic, social, cultural, and political advantages of sound money, contrasting them with our current monetary system. This creates an expert discussion on the significant role Bitcoin could play in the future of the global economy. Rather than depicting Bitcoin as a currency for criminals or a cheap payment network for the masses, the book describes it as an emerging decentralized, politically neutral, and free-market alternative to national central banks. This alternative could have profound impacts on individual freedom and prosperity.

For anyone seeking a clear understanding of this new digital currency, *The Bitcoin Standard* is an essential read.