For years, Bitcoin in Ireland has cooking silently at the base level, discussion in pubs and meetings, discussed in groups of telegrams and occasionally splashed in the headlines with predictable suspicion. But recently, the temperature is beginning to increase. With the launch of “A sound clearing: the case of Ireland’s interest in Bitcoin“By Bitcoin Network Ireland (BNI), and a weekend that sees both the Bitcoin Ireland and the Ard Fheis de Aontú conference, it is clear that the impulse is being based on Esmeralda Island.
A sound clearance: an article for the citizens of Ireland
The new article, released today by Bitcoin Network IrelandIt is a concise and accessible document designed to cut the noise and present Bitcoin’s merits to the general public and politicians equally. Its objective is simple: to provide a rational entry point and without jargon on why Bitcoin is important, especially in an era of euro degradation and the increase in life costs.
The name itself is an intelligent word game, while it is a wink to both “solid money” and the old Ireland currency, the clearance, also suggests playfully that, although most people see it as associated with risk, it can be worth reevaluating. It is a sign that it is more than technology: it is about claiming monetary sovereignty and reexamining what makes money “good” first.
What BNI is trying to achieve is to close an important gap in understanding, help citizens seek changes and government officials looking for solutions to recognize that solid and stateless money has value for everyone. As Parker Lewis said: “Like all successful money, Bitcoin is money for enemies,” a neutral system that serves all participants, regardless of their political position.
Ireland’s long and complicated relationship with money
To appreciate the importance of this moment, it is worth noting that Ireland’s relationship with money has always been different from its European neighbors. While the Romans introduced coins in Britain for a thousand years before it was adopted in Ireland. The native Irish resisted the money issued by the State, trusting barter and ingots to the second millennium.
In ancient Ireland, the absence of coins was a testimony of A society that was statelessHighly decentralized, and adopted a polycentric legal system that varies between the clans. The ideal of that society was that no man in society has ruled over others, and even the kings could be eliminated if they abuse their power.
Therefore, it may not be coincidence that Ireland has been the last European society to adopt coins, since the currencies can power the rulers. Finally, the English crown forced the Earth in 1601, this period coincided with the final stages of the nine-year war (1594-1603) and the growing English control over Ireland. To this day, Ireland has never had its own free flotation currency; External powers has always been tied: first sterling, then the European monetary system, and now the euro under the ECB. Therefore, it should not coincide that in recent years, the EU is growing in power and influence on Ireland.
“Give me control over the currency of a nation, and I don’t care who makes its laws.” – Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1743–1812)
Perhaps, given this historical context, Ireland is in a unique position to understand the value of solid and stateless money. Bitcoin represents a return to monetary independence that preceded the currencies issued by the State, but with the technological advantages of the digital age. When the old Irish kingdoms used market goods that could not be manipulated by the distant authorities, Bitcoin offers a modern equivalent: a system that cannot be degraded or controlled by any power, whether national or foreign.
This historical skepticism towards the centrally controlled currency is resurfaceing in the present, since the Irish State and its citizens face a new wave of economic uncertainty through degradation and euro rates. Geopolitical and economic tensions have rarely felt less stable. Tariff disputes, renewed questions about the foreign direct investment model in Ireland and possible layoffs of technology and pharmaceuticals will surely sharpen the focus on sovereignty and resistance. The launch of “A Sound Punt” is timely, inviting the Nation to question once again the wisdom of linking its fortunes to the distant monetary authorities.
A political crossroads
Coinciding with the launch of “A Sound Punt”, Dr. Niall Burke, a respected academic and BNI member, will present two movements in the Accept ARD FHEIS (Party Conference). Aontú, the party that saw the greatest increase in votes in the last general elections, has proven to be receptive to Bitcoin and is opening its doors to conversations that, until recently, were relegated to the margins. That Bitcoin motions are presented and accepted at an important party conference is a marker of how the conversation is becoming.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Ireland Conference He is gathering the growing community of plebe, builders and defenders of the country. These circles, once on the periphery, are now finding doors that open in political circles.
Public discontent and a call to financial autonomy
Not only Bitcoiners are looking for alternatives. Ireland is witnessing its largest public demonstrations since the days after the 2012 GFC. Recent crops have taken advantage of more than 100,000 people in the streets of Dublin. These protests reflect the deep frustration and the feeling that the political establishment is no longer aligned with its people.
What is particularly surprising is how Bitcoin could serve as a common terrain for seemingly opposite interests. For protesters, Bitcoin offers inflation protection and defends against government overreach. For a government concerned with economic stability and growth, Bitcoin can be the solution it needs, especially to protect pension funds and, in fact, the State itself. Investment Fund: ISIFof inflation in the coming decades. This is the paradox and the promise of solid and stateless money. It serves everyone’s interests because it applies property rights, and cannot be captured or controlled by any faction.
Last but not least, the raid of the star of MMA Conor McGregor in politics and Bitcoin is something that few would have predicted a year ago, but for those with a ear on the ground, this has been a development story for some time. His proposal for a Bitcoin National Reserve is emblematic of a broader national change: Bitcoin is finally entering the spirit of the Zeitgeist and perhaps he, as BNI, has a role to play to keep it there.
Bitcoin is an open source monetary protocol, and adoption comes from all sectors, regardless of politics. Bitcoin is neutral, it is not compatible with the partisan cause. Perhaps what may not be recognized enough is how powerful Bitcoin can be and we should focus on their ability to unite instead of dividing, giving all Irish citizens, regardless of their political views, for individual freedom, the protection of inflation, as well as practical solutions for companies.
Back to paper “A Sound Punt”
The document itself presents a convincing case for the interest of Ireland in Bitcoin:
- Solid money principles: Bitcoin evaluates against the six characteristics of “good money”: durability, divisibility, uniformity, portability, verifiability and scarcity.
- Value warehouse: The document highlights Bitcoin’s fixed supply as protection against the increase in inflation and currency degradation.
- Practical examples: Provides evidence of Bitcoin monetization, comparing the costs of buying a house in euros vs. Bitcoin in the period of a decade.
- Concern refutations: The document addresses the most common objections A Bitcoin (use of energy, volatility, criminal activity, undermining traditional coins and speculation) offering balanced counterarguments to each.
- Action steps: Instead of only theoretical arguments, the document describes specific actions for people, companies and the government to consider, from education to Bitcoins strategic reserves.
The beginning of a process
No one expects the Irish government to announce a Bitcoin treasure next week, and it is debatable if you must establish one at all. But “a sound clearance” marks the beginning of a process that could, over time, help reorganize Ireland’s approach to money and economic sovereignty.
This accessible manual is only the first step in the broader educational mission of Bitcoin Network Ireland. BNI plans to publish a much more comprehensive policy document for policy formulators in the coming months, which is currently going through the editing phase. While “A Sound Punt” presents the concepts to the general public, the next document will provide detailed analysis and policy recommendations needed by decision makers.
While BNI works to raise this conversation through public education and policy analysis, the objective is still clear: to help all citizens recognize the universal value proposal of Bitcoin. Maintaining a modest strategic assignment of Bitcoin, either at the individual or institutional level, offers some protection against uncertainty and hope at a time of growing concerns.
Discharge A sound clearing: the case of Ireland’s interest in Bitcoin From the Bitcoin Network Ireland website.
