100 episodes

Insightful. Balanced. Provocative.Brave enough to leverage the market? Bold enough to challenge the status quo? Join Alex Chizhik @MrEbitda and @ShimonLazarov as they bring their 15+ years business experience to a data-driven debate. From Bitcoin to the NASDAQ, Government Regulations to Real Estate Trusts, Facebook to Moderna. If you care about the economy, finance, or investing this podcast is for you.

Dollar Auction Show Shimon Lazarov and Alex Chizhik

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 19 Ratings

Insightful. Balanced. Provocative.Brave enough to leverage the market? Bold enough to challenge the status quo? Join Alex Chizhik @MrEbitda and @ShimonLazarov as they bring their 15+ years business experience to a data-driven debate. From Bitcoin to the NASDAQ, Government Regulations to Real Estate Trusts, Facebook to Moderna. If you care about the economy, finance, or investing this podcast is for you.

    Bitcoin crashes by $10,000 but we're happy!

    Bitcoin crashes by $10,000 but we're happy!

    Summary

    In this episode, Alex and Shimon discuss Bitcoin's power law and its implications for the future of the cryptocurrency. They explain the concept of power law and how it differs from previous models of Bitcoin's price. They also draw parallels between power law in nature and Bitcoin's price corridor. The hosts highlight the significance of the power law model and its rigorous analysis compared to previous models. They conclude by exploring the potential of AI and robotics, showcasing a demo of a robot interacting with Chad GPT-4. The conversation covers various topics related to AI, including the power of AI chips, the potential increase in energy demand, the importance of open-source AI, and the need for trust and transparency in AI development. The intersection of crypto, AI, and open source is also discussed, highlighting the role of cryptographic proof and on-chain data. The dangers of concentrated power in AI and the importance of societal input in shaping AI values are explored. The hosts express disappointment with a podcast interview style that lacks depth and critical questioning.


    Takeaways
    * Bitcoin's price follows a power law, which is a mathematical model that predicts a straight line on a log-log scale graph.
    * The power law model provides a more rigorous and accurate analysis of Bitcoin's price compared to previous models.
    * Power law is a common phenomenon in nature, seen in the relationship between body mass and metabolic rate in animals.
    * The power law model suggests that Bitcoin's price will continue to grow over time, with a predicted floor price and a slower rate of growth in the future. AI chips are becoming increasingly powerful and are driving advancements in AI technology.
    * The use of AI will likely lead to an increase in energy demand, which could lower the cost of energy and benefit industries like Bitcoin mining.
    * Open-source AI allows for innovation and collaboration, ensuring that AI development is not controlled by a single company or entity.
    * The intersection of crypto, AI, and open source has the potential to create more transparent and trustworthy AI systems.
    * Concentrated power in AI development poses risks, and it is important to involve society in shaping AI values and decision-making.


    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Bitcoin's Power Law
    02:45 Understanding Power Law and Bitcoin's Price
    07:59 Power Law in Nature and Bitcoin's Price Corridor
    13:00 Implications of Power Law for Bitcoin's Future
    22:05 Predictions and Investment Potential
    22:56 Exploring AI and Robotics
    26:47 Reflection on Performance
    27:11 The Power of AI Chips
    27:40 Nvidia's AI Chip Innovations
    28:29 AI at the Chip Level
    29:18 Increased Energy Demand
    30:17 Energy Consumption and Efficiency
    31:04 The Excitement of Using More Energy
    31:23 Open Source AI and Innovation
    32:19 Genetic Algorithms and Open Source AI
    37:39 The Intersection of Crypto, AI, and Open Source
    42:32 The Importance of Open Source AI and Trust
    43:28 The Need for Cryptographic Proof and On-Chain Data
    45:47 The Dangers of Concentrated Power in AI
    46:16 The Role of Society in Shaping AI Values
    47:58 Disappointment with Interviewing Style
    50:09 The Dollar Auction Show and Strong Opinions

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    • 51 min
    $70K Bitcoin and the AI Revolution

    $70K Bitcoin and the AI Revolution

    Summary


    In this conversation, Shimon and Alex discuss the all-time high of Bitcoin and the excitement surrounding it. They also delve into the role of technology in various industries and the exponential growth of tech advancements. The conversation then shifts to Tesla's full self-driving algorithm and the value of edge cases in machine learning. They touch on media manipulation and the biased portrayal of Bitcoin in the media. Finally, they highlight notable Bitcoin critics and the impact of their opinions. In this conversation, Alex and Shimon discuss various topics related to Bitcoin, AI, and energy. They criticize financial experts who have made inaccurate predictions about Bitcoin and housing affordability. They explore the impact of Bitcoin and AI on energy demand and the need for low latency in AI and Bitcoin transactions. They also discuss the role of nuclear power in meeting energy demand and the potential for renewable energy to shape the future of energy markets. The conversation concludes with a celebration of Bitcoin's success and the potential for its continued growth.
    Takeaways


    Bitcoin reaches an all-time high, generating excitement among investors.Technology is infiltrating every industry, leading to exponential growth and advancements.Tesla's full self-driving algorithm demonstrates the value of edge cases in machine learning.Media manipulation can shape public perception of Bitcoin and other topics.Chapters


    00:00
    Introduction and All-Time High
    00:41
    Bitcoin Price Update
    02:26
    Bitcoin Trading Strategies
    03:01
    The Purpose of the Podcast
    04:05
    Technology in Every Industry
    05:12
    Bitcoin and Technological Advancements
    06:10
    Understanding Tech and Exponential Curves
    06:30
    Deep Dive into Tech Podcasts
    07:24
    Tesla's Full Self-Driving Algorithm
    08:22
    The Value of Edge Cases in Machine Learning
    09:18
    The Scalability of Tesla's Self-Driving Model
    10:31
    Media Manipulation and Bitcoin Critics
    15:12
    Bitcoin as the Cockroach of Investments
    16:11
    The Media's Influence on Perception
    19:24
    Engagement Farming and Bitcoin Critics
    20:20
    The Impact of Bitcoin Critics
    20:52
    Criticism of Financial Experts
    22:13
    Bitcoin and AI's Impact on Energy Demand
    23:40
    The Role of Nuclear Power in Meeting Energy Demand
    28:02
    The Need for Low Latency in AI and Bitcoin
    30:02
    Renewable Energy and the Future of Energy Markets
    32:05
    The Geopolitical Implications of Energy Independence
    35:12
    Bitcoin's Role in Increasing Energy Demand
    36:21
    Bitcoin's Price Action and the Impact of ETFs
    39:14
    The Future of Bitcoin Cycles
    41:29
    Barriers to Bitcoin Adoption
    42:00
    Celebrating Bitcoin's Success

    Apple Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/36u8fmbr
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    Hardcorefinanceshow.com

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    @ShimonLazarov
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    • 43 min
    It's Just-isms

    It's Just-isms

    In this conversation, Alex and Shimon discuss various topics related to AI and its impact on society. They explore the concept of 'justisms' in AI, where people downplay advancements by saying it's 'just' a certain capability. They also discuss the level of artificial intelligence that would be considered 'actual intelligence' and the challenges of defining intelligence on a linear scale. The conversation delves into tokenization and predicting the next token as a measure of intelligence, as well as the perception of time and power law. They speculate on the future of work in a world with advanced AI and the potential shift towards jobs that require empathy and human touch. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of accomplishment and the need for new paradigms in a society where basic needs are met by AI. The conversation explores the potential for advancing humanity on Earth through technological advancements, such as AGI and incremental improvements. It discusses the rapid pace of technological change and the uncertainty it brings. The goal of achieving universal basic needs and the changing path of careers are also examined. The conversation delves into the requirements for technological breakthroughs and the potential of AI and replicas. It concludes by addressing the impact of technology on society and the challenge of maintaining emotional connection.




    Apple Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/36u8fmbr
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    @ShimonLazarov
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    • 48 min
    Google's AI Debacle and What It Means For China

    Google's AI Debacle and What It Means For China

    In this conversation, Shimon and Alex discuss the recent Google Gemini launch debacle and the challenges of AI alignment. They also explore the issue of trust in Google's AI and the potential impact on the company's future. Additionally, they delve into the importance of understanding and avoiding the spinning of information. The conversation covers topics such as the Hunter Biden scandal and Russian interference, concerns about AI bias, the impact of AI bias on Google's stock, the need for cryptographic proof in AI, China's AI and digital assets, the challenge of ensuring unbiased AI, the arms race of AI, the role of blockchain in open source AI, the difficulty of obtaining objective information from Google, and the disruption of established companies.

    Takeaways

    The Google Gemini launch debacle highlights the challenges of AI alignment and the potential unintended consequences of bias correction.
    Trust in Google's AI may be compromised due to the perceived biases and limitations of the system.
    The future of Google's AI depends on its ability to address these issues and provide more accurate and unbiased results.
    Understanding and avoiding the spinning of information is crucial in ensuring the dissemination of truthful and unbiased content. Former US spies warned in 2020 that the Hunter Biden scandal had Russian fingerprints, and recent developments have vindicated their claims.
    The Justice Department confirmed that an informant invented a story about $5 million bribes paid to Joe and Hunter Biden, further supporting the Russian interference narrative.
    The disconnect between the Hunter Biden laptop and the Russian interference allegations highlights the need for careful analysis and critical thinking when consuming news.
    The bias in AI systems, such as Google's, raises concerns about the potential manipulation of information and the need for cryptographic proof to ensure transparency and accountability.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Bitcoin
    01:40 Google Gemini Launch Debacle
    06:22 AI Alignment
    09:27 Trust in Google's AI
    14:44 Google's Future
    24:40 The Hunter Biden Scandal and Russian Interference
    25:10 The Justice Department's Statement
    25:25 Confirmation of Russian Involvement
    26:16 The Disconnect from the Hunter Biden Laptop
    27:11 Concerns about AI Bias
    28:08 The Impact of AI Bias on Google's Stock
    29:36 The Need for Cryptographic Proof in AI
    31:24 China's AI and Digital Assets
    32:30 The Challenge of Ensuring Unbiased AI
    33:39 The Arms Race of AI
    36:17 The Role of Blockchain in Open Source AI
    39:22 The AI Arms Race: Western AI, Chinese AI, and Pirate AI
    45:03 The Difficulty of Obtaining Objective Information from Google
    47:15 The Disruption of Established Companies



    Apple Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/36u8fmbr
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    Hardcorefinanceshow.com

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    @ShimonLazarov
    Support the show

    • 48 min
    CIA deep dive with Ken Egan - how to track and stop illicit finance

    CIA deep dive with Ken Egan - how to track and stop illicit finance

    In this conversation, Ken Egan, a retired CIA officer, shares his insights on Bitcoin and its implications within the intelligence community. He discusses how Bitcoin is viewed as a tool and emphasizes that it is not optimized for illicit activity. Ken also highlights the importance of educating lawmakers about Bitcoin and the need for a broader perspective in the discussion of its future. He addresses the idea of imposing restrictions on US miners and emphasizes the role of other tools in combating ransomware. Ken concludes by expressing his excitement about Bitcoin's potential to modernize energy grids and protect wealth. In this conversation, Ken discusses the fundamental use case of Bitcoin and why he believes it is important for Americans to own and use it. He emphasizes that Bitcoin provides a safety net and can bring a sense of calm to society in times of crisis. The conversation also touches on the lack of war and financial strife in the US, the resilience of the country, and the role of Bitcoin in making the nation more resilient. Ken and the hosts express their passion for Bitcoin and the need for education about investing in alternative assets. They discuss the volatility and uncertainty in the US and the potential for social and financial strife. The conversation concludes with Ken sharing his experiences and insights from his career in intelligence and the freedom to explore new opportunities and perspectives.
    Takeaways


    Bitcoin is viewed as a tool within the intelligence community and is not optimized for illicit activity.Educating lawmakers about Bitcoin is crucial to ensure a balanced and informed approach to regulation.Bitcoin has the potential to modernize energy grids and provide economic opportunities in developing countries.Imposing restrictions on US miners may not effectively address the issue of non-OFAC compliant transactions.Bitcoin can serve as a means of protecting wealth in times of financial calamity. Bitcoin provides a safety net and can bring a sense of calm to society in times of crisis.Owning Bitcoin can make a nation more resilient and less susceptible to financial and social strife.There is a need for education about investing in alternative assets like Bitcoin.The US is currently facing volatility and uncertainty, and there is a potential for social and financial strife.Chapters


    00:00
    Introduction and Guest Introduction
    02:34
    Views on Bitcoin within the Intelligence Community
    08:27
    Bitcoin as a Tool for Illicit Activity
    10:03
    Bitcoin and Financial Sovereignty
    16:28
    Traceability of Bitcoin Transactions
    18:19
    Educating Lawmakers about Bitcoin
    24:18
    The Threats to Dollar Dominance
    26:15
    Implications of OFAC Compliance for Miners
    29:18
    Miners and Non-OFAC Compliant Transactions
    36:36
    The Positive Potential of Bitcoin
    40:51
    The Fundamental Use Case of Bitcoin
    41:20
    The Importance of Bitcoin in Times of Crisis
    41:53
    The Lack of War and Financial Strife in the US
    43:17
    The Resilience of the US and the Role of Bitcoin
    44:42
    Passion for Bitcoin and the Need for Education
    45:40
    The Volatility and Uncertainty in the US
    46:05
    The Potential for Strife and the Arrogance of Westerners
    47:50
    The Resilience of the System and the Role of Statesmen
    48:15
    The Chaos and Charm of Living in Developing Countries
    50:13
    The Unique Experiences and Insights of a Career in Intelligence
    55:01
    The Freedom to Explore New Opportunities and Perspectives
    55:27
    How to Connect with Ken


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    • 56 min
    Bitcoin and the CIA

    Bitcoin and the CIA

    In this episode, Alex and Shimon discuss various topics including the intelligence community's interest in Bitcoin, the impact of regulation on markets, Elizabeth Warren's misunderstanding of interest rates, concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities, Putin's unhinged interview, India's potential, and the situation in Gaza. The conversation discusses the challenges and potential solutions in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It highlights the difficulties in conquering the city of Ra'afah, where terrorists, hostages, and leadership are located. The conversation also mentions the problem of IEDs on the border with Egypt and the fear of creating holes in the fence. However, the speaker believes that these problems are solvable. The conversation ends with a hopeful note, expressing the desire for an end to the suffering and a return to normalcy for the people in Gaza.

    Takeaways
    * Intelligence agencies have a long history of using encryption, making it unsurprising that they are interested in Bitcoin.
    * Regulation can distort markets and create inefficiencies, hindering innovation and hurting investors.
    * Elizabeth Warren's misunderstanding of interest rates highlights the need for policymakers to have a strong understanding of economics.
    * Biden's cognitive abilities have raised concerns, and there are rumors that the Democratic Party may consider a replacement.
    * China's demographic challenges and India's entrepreneurial culture may impact their future trajectories.
    * The situation in Gaza is ongoing, with surgical operations targeting terrorists and an increasing number of surrenders.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Format Change
    01:19 Feedback and Audience Engagement
    03:47 Intelligence Agencies and Bitcoin
    06:18 Bitcoin Inflows and Regulatory Distortions
    07:36 Regulation and Market Inefficiencies
    15:12 Elizabeth Warren's Misunderstanding of Interest Rates
    19:31 Biden's Cognitive Abilities and Potential Replacement
    22:21 Putin's Unhinged Interview
    26:35 India's Potential and China's Demographic Challenges
    37:40 Conclusion and Recap of Gaza Situation
    42:06 Challenges in Conquering Ra'afah
    43:05 Solutions to the Challenges
    44:00 Hope for an End to the Conflict


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    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

Investing ninja ,

Finally a deep dive show that dares to be different

There is a wall of noise in the podcast-o-sphere and the Hardcore Finance Pod is a diamond in the rough. It goes deep, explores topics beyond the typical talking points, and dares to be intellectual. My favorite new pod.

will mccormick ,

Deep dive into finance but easily understandable

The guys focus on the hot finance topics of the day but have a great way of breaking it down so anyone with a basic understanding of finance can fully understand.

Alex and Shimon often have friendly disagreements to give both sides of a topic so you can make your own decision with the information they give you.

I love it and it’s on my regular podcast rotation

JohnOommen ,

Objective thoughts galore!

It’s hard to find a single platform where investment professionals aren’t pushing their own books to move markets. It is great to have this forum that covers various topics simply to raise awareness and engage in some much needed objective debate. It feels like an open dialog without an agenda. Thanks guys!

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