Writing forever Laura
Bitcoin has revolutionized our understanding of money to say the least. But did the (non-fiction) follow as a tool for that? Not quite. It seems bitcoin books move in the opposite direction, towards a marketing tool for other things than bitcoin.
The ever-growing collection of Bitcoin ((Disclaimer: I’m only talking about non-fiction here!) literature suffers from a significant problem: repetition. Most Bitcoin books recycle the same arguments, metaphors, and historical comparisons, making the space feel both overcrowded and lacking in fresh perspectives. If there are some fresh perspectives, they get copied and repeated immediately.
While carefully adapting, editing, and writing a book myself, I came to realize things change constantly, rapidly and it’s extremely time-consuming to try to get a hold of yourself. On top of that, whenever you speak about something, an idea that’s coming to fruition, it gets taken, copied and before you know it you hear your own quote or idea in a podcast or read it in someone else’s blog. They don’t blatantly copy, but everyone is so hungry for an idea, something genuine that it’s scooped up and made “their own” in no time. Giving credit is also a lost art it seems.
So publishing a Bitcoin book is like freezing ideas in time. The more I wrote myself, the more I came to realize a book is not the ideal medium for teaching about Bitcoin or making your voice heard. Bitcoin isn’t a diary from someone in a war from a few centuries ago, or the origin story of an invention from the Industrial revolution — no it’s a living, evolving story! And a fast one at that. So, a book on or about Bitcoin becomes outdated in less than six months while the properties of bitcoin never change.
Stacking Bitcoin books
Yet, despite all of this, I see new Bitcoin book announcements all the time. Week after week, people churn out Bitcoin books like it’s a new Oreo flavor. Everyone want to tell their perspective. Vying for attention within their niche of the market. While bitcoin is mover further and further away as the decorum.
Some example: books about how to live your life ‘but as a bitcoiner’, Bitcoin’s historical aspects (these are usually mildly interesting at least), books on the social behavior “but with bitcoin”, books on fighting communist ideas, books on how rotten fiat really is, books on privacy and a whole bunch on "blockchain" and shitcoin projects. Some of them were written (or at least their name is appearing on the cover) by so-called Bitcoiners who conveniently appear at every bitcoin (or even shitcoin events if you wait long enough) event to promote their own projects or deliver speeches at a nice speaker rate. Their motives are not always that fresh and orange colored.
Just like in that damned fiat world we all try to replace (and despise) we have our own set of rules and culture set. This bitcoin publishing space is a bit of the same as in fiat world: where sometimes local publishers wanting to “fill the gap” for this niche market, taking anyone with a bitcoin logo on their t-shirt (or gets enough network clout) to write about bitcoin (and usually blockchain or worse: sh-tcoins).
By now, it seems like everyone and their mother (who’s also in Bitcoin of course) has written a “Bitcoin book”. You can hire them as an expert, or click their referral link. They’re probably very proud if finally make it in life and be an author. Or scrap that… best selling author.
The same stories told again and again
Bitcoin books tend to follow predictable patterns, rehashing the same worn-out narratives :
The orange-pilled hero’s journey – The protagonist starts as a fiat slave, discovers Bitcoin, and achieves financial enlightenment while repeating elements from “The Bitcoin Standard”. (This is often just a part of such books, and hopefully not the centerpiece). The hero is usually someone who was smart enough to discover bitcoin, and fills a few pages with a backstory like there’s a character on Orange is the new black (pun intended)
Fiat is the enemy – Inflation, slavery, central banking failures, debt, war and why fiat is doomed. Essential reading? Maybe. But how many more ways can we restate the same core message? How does this evolve, how can we document how bitcoin relates to this in the real world?
Bitcoin fixes this – Every societal problem, from government overreach over personal health to social issues, all somehow finds its solution in Bitcoin. With the authors looking for arguments in different degrees of knowledge (or grasping at straws in some cases).
The Austrian economics mantra – A retelling of Mises, Hayek, and Rothbard applied to Bitcoin. With some authors also trying to be the net Ayn Rand. Important foundations, but overused and often more in-depth than most readers want or can handle.
Time preference and low time horizons – The classic pitch for delaying gratification and adopting a long-term mindset through Bitcoin. While valuable, this concept has been stretched across too many books as well.
Instead of pushing new intellectual boundaries, many Bitcoin books simply rearrange the same talking points in a slightly different order, added some emphasis on either personal freedom (and the author’s pet peeves or projects) or philosophical insights.
Some dive into other aspects and admittedly new grounds or going very in-depth on deflation or technical aspects (or specific lifestyles). But overall, there’s little to be blown away by or learn. That’s not bad, or good, it’s the way it is. Then why write a book that’s going to be forgotten in six months, or repeats someone else’s story and throughts?
A market flooded with inbred ideas
At conferences, I’ve seen at least 30 different Bitcoin titles being promoted. At local meetups, the same books keep getting passed around, resold, and gifted within the same circles. The freedom to sell these books outside of a traditional bookstore also help the messages go further. (the potential bitcoiner doesn’t need to go to the online or offline bookstore, the books come to them).
There’s also a cycle of recycled books that aren’t necessarily reaching new audiences but instead circulate among the already converted. This echo chamber effect limits the reach and impact of Bitcoin literature, making it feel like an insiders-only conversation rather than an evolving movement. Again, criticism against these books is hardly found within the bitcoin space. If someone publishes a second or third title with the same insights, no one dares to say “it’s ok, leave it there”.
There are exceptions of course, where authors manage to capture many subjects and blend them together in a coherent useful book, … these books aren’t perfect or “our bible”, but they at least are useful. Notably, Broken Money and The Bitcoin Standard come to mind. Writing forever
Bitcoin has revolutionized our understanding of money to say the least. But did the (non-fiction) follow as a tool for that?
Not quite.
It seems bitcoin books move in the opposite direction, towards a marketing tool for other things than bitcoin.
The ever-growing collection of Bitcoin ( (Disclaimer: I’m only talking about non-fiction here!) literature suffers from a significant problem: repetition.
Most Bitcoin books recycle the same arguments, metaphors, and historical comparisons, making the space feel both overcrowded and lacking in fresh perspectives. If there are some fresh perspectives, they get copied and repeated immediately.
While carefully adapting, editing, and writing a book myself, I came to realize things change constantly, rapidly and it’s extremely time-consuming to try to get a hold of yourself.
On top of that, whenever you speak about something, an idea that’s coming to fruition, it gets taken, copied and before you know it you hear your own quote or idea in a podcast or read it in someone else’s blog. They don’t blatantly copy, but everyone is so hungry for an idea, something genuine that it’s scooped up and made “their own” in no time. Giving credit is also a lost art it seems.
So publishing a Bitcoin book is like freezing ideas in time.
The more I wrote myself, the more I came to realize a book is not the ideal medium for teaching about Bitcoin or making your voice heard.
Bitcoin isn’t a diary from someone in a war from a few centuries ago, or the origin story of an invention from the Industrial revolution — no it’s a living, evolving story! And a fast one at that.
So, a book on or about Bitcoin becomes outdated in less than six months while the properties of bitcoin never change.
Not quite.
It seems bitcoin books move in the opposite direction, towards a marketing tool for other things than bitcoin.
The ever-growing collection of Bitcoin ( (Disclaimer: I’m only talking about non-fiction here!) literature suffers from a significant problem: repetition.
Most Bitcoin books recycle the same arguments, metaphors, and historical comparisons, making the space feel both overcrowded and lacking in fresh perspectives. If there are some fresh perspectives, they get copied and repeated immediately.
While carefully adapting, editing, and writing a book myself, I came to realize things change constantly, rapidly and it’s extremely time-consuming to try to get a hold of yourself.
On top of that, whenever you speak about something, an idea that’s coming to fruition, it gets taken, copied and before you know it you hear your own quote or idea in a podcast or read it in someone else’s blog. They don’t blatantly copy, but everyone is so hungry for an idea, something genuine that it’s scooped up and made “their own” in no time. Giving credit is also a lost art it seems.
So publishing a Bitcoin book is like freezing ideas in time.
The more I wrote myself, the more I came to realize a book is not the ideal medium for teaching about Bitcoin or making your voice heard.
Bitcoin isn’t a diary from someone in a war from a few centuries ago, or the origin story of an invention from the Industrial revolution — no it’s a living, evolving story! And a fast one at that.
So, a book on or about Bitcoin becomes outdated in less than six months while the properties of bitcoin never change.
Stacking Bitcoin books
Yet, despite all of this, I see new Bitcoin book announcements all the time. Week after week, people churn out Bitcoin books like it’s a new Oreo flavor. Everyone want to tell their perspective.
Vying for attention within their niche of the market.
While bitcoin is mover further and further away as the decorum.
Some example: books about how to live your life ‘but as a bitcoiner’, Bitcoin’s historical aspects (these are usually mildly interesting at least), books on the social behavior “but with bitcoin”, books on fighting communist ideas, books on how rotten fiat really is, books on privacy and a whole bunch on "blockchain" and shitcoin projects.
Some of them were written (or at least their name is appearing on the cover) by so-called Bitcoiners who conveniently appear at every bitcoin (or even shitcoin events if you wait long enough) event to promote their own projects or deliver speeches at a nice speaker rate. Their motives are not always that fresh and orange colored.
Just like in that damned fiat world we all try to replace (and despise) we have our own set of rules and culture set. This bitcoin publishing space is a bit of the same as in fiat world: where sometimes local publishers wanting to “fill the gap” for this niche market, taking anyone with a bitcoin logo on their t-shirt (or gets enough network clout) to write about bitcoin (and usually blockchain or worse: sh-tcoins).
Vying for attention within their niche of the market.
While bitcoin is mover further and further away as the decorum.
Some example: books about how to live your life ‘but as a bitcoiner’, Bitcoin’s historical aspects (these are usually mildly interesting at least), books on the social behavior “but with bitcoin”, books on fighting communist ideas, books on how rotten fiat really is, books on privacy and a whole bunch on "blockchain" and shitcoin projects.
Some of them were written (or at least their name is appearing on the cover) by so-called Bitcoiners who conveniently appear at every bitcoin (or even shitcoin events if you wait long enough) event to promote their own projects or deliver speeches at a nice speaker rate. Their motives are not always that fresh and orange colored.
Just like in that damned fiat world we all try to replace (and despise) we have our own set of rules and culture set. This bitcoin publishing space is a bit of the same as in fiat world: where sometimes local publishers wanting to “fill the gap” for this niche market, taking anyone with a bitcoin logo on their t-shirt (or gets enough network clout) to write about bitcoin (and usually blockchain or worse: sh-tcoins).
By now, it seems like everyone and their mother (who’s also in Bitcoin of course) has written a “Bitcoin book”.
You can hire them as an expert, or click their referral link.
They’re probably very proud if finally make it in life and be an author.
Or scrap that… best selling author.
You can hire them as an expert, or click their referral link.
They’re probably very proud if finally make it in life and be an author.
Or scrap that… best selling author.
The same stories told again and again
Bitcoin books tend to follow predictable patterns, rehashing the same worn-out narratives :
-
The orange-pilled hero’s journey – The protagonist starts as a fiat slave, discovers Bitcoin, and achieves financial enlightenment while repeating elements from “The Bitcoin Standard”. (This is often just a part of such books, and hopefully not the centerpiece). The hero is usually someone who was smart enough to discover bitcoin, and fills a few pages with a backstory like there’s a character on Orange is the new black (pun intended)
-
Fiat is the enemy – Inflation, slavery, central banking failures, debt, war and why fiat is doomed.
Essential reading? Maybe. But how many more ways can we restate the same core message? How does this evolve, how can we document how bitcoin relates to this in the real world? -
Bitcoin fixes this – Every societal problem, from government overreach over personal health to social issues, all somehow finds its solution in Bitcoin.
With the authors looking for arguments in different degrees of knowledge (or grasping at straws in some cases). -
The Austrian economics mantra – A retelling of Mises, Hayek, and Rothbard applied to Bitcoin. With some authors also trying to be the net Ayn Rand.
Important foundations, but overused and often more in-depth than most readers want or can handle. -
Time preference and low time horizons – The classic pitch for delaying gratification and adopting a long-term mindset through Bitcoin. While valuable, this concept has been stretched across too many books as well.
Instead of pushing new intellectual boundaries, many Bitcoin books simply rearrange the same talking points in a slightly different order, added some emphasis on either personal freedom (and the author’s pet peeves or projects) or philosophical insights.
Some dive into other aspects and admittedly new grounds or going very in-depth on deflation or technical aspects (or specific lifestyles).
But overall, there’s little to be blown away by or learn. That’s not bad, or good, it’s the way it is. Then why write a book that’s going to be forgotten in six months, or repeats someone else’s story and throughts?
Some dive into other aspects and admittedly new grounds or going very in-depth on deflation or technical aspects (or specific lifestyles).
But overall, there’s little to be blown away by or learn. That’s not bad, or good, it’s the way it is. Then why write a book that’s going to be forgotten in six months, or repeats someone else’s story and throughts?
A market flooded with inbred ideas
At conferences, I’ve seen at least 30 different Bitcoin titles being promoted.
At local meetups, the same books keep getting passed around, resold, and gifted within the same circles. The freedom to sell these books outside of a traditional bookstore also help the messages go further. (the potential bitcoiner doesn’t need to go to the online or offline bookstore, the books come to them).
There’s also a cycle of recycled books that aren’t necessarily reaching new audiences but instead circulate among the already converted.
This echo chamber effect limits the reach and impact of Bitcoin literature, making it feel like an insiders-only conversation rather than an evolving movement. Again, criticism against these books is hardly found within the bitcoin space. If someone publishes a second or third title with the same insights, no one dares to say “it’s ok, leave it there”.
There are exceptions of course, where authors manage to capture many subjects and blend them together in a coherent useful book, … these books aren’t perfect or “our bible”, but they at least are useful.
Notably, Broken Money and The Bitcoin Standard come to mind.
At local meetups, the same books keep getting passed around, resold, and gifted within the same circles. The freedom to sell these books outside of a traditional bookstore also help the messages go further. (the potential bitcoiner doesn’t need to go to the online or offline bookstore, the books come to them).
There’s also a cycle of recycled books that aren’t necessarily reaching new audiences but instead circulate among the already converted.
This echo chamber effect limits the reach and impact of Bitcoin literature, making it feel like an insiders-only conversation rather than an evolving movement. Again, criticism against these books is hardly found within the bitcoin space. If someone publishes a second or third title with the same insights, no one dares to say “it’s ok, leave it there”.
There are exceptions of course, where authors manage to capture many subjects and blend them together in a coherent useful book, … these books aren’t perfect or “our bible”, but they at least are useful.
Notably, Broken Money and The Bitcoin Standard come to mind.
Writing for credibility, not for Bitcoin
A major factor in this oversupply is that many authors don’t write Bitcoin books to contribute meaningful knowledge. Instead, they see publishing as a way to legitimize themselves. In many industries, writing a book establishes authority, gains a following, or opens up career opportunities. Bitcoin is no different. The shore to go through to get a book published and distributed is often an investment for them.
For many, being a “published author” is a ticket to being taken seriously—whether for speaking gigs, consulting work, or simply boosting their reputation.
The book becomes less about Bitcoin itself and more about the author’s personal validation. As a result, the space is filled with books that feel more like branding exercises than genuine contributions. Especially books from publishers outside of the finance, economics and bitcoin space fail here miserably. The local markets of traditional publishers are riddled with garbage books written by someone filling up the gap in their portfolio in order to make a name for themselves without giving a damn about bitcoin! In one particular case I’ve found a “bitcoin” book written by someone who placed a giant bitcoin logo at the cover, but then promotes every shitcoin under the sun on his YouTube channel and calls it “thinking further than bitcoin”.
The "I’m an author" badge
No matter how weak a book’s content might be, publishing one gives the author a form of legitimacy in the eye of the public. Even if someone scrapes together two original thoughts and some “borrowed” ideas from others (again, giving credit is a rarity in this space even in a footnote in their own book, their ego can’t deal with admitting the idea or quote came from someone else), such a book itself often serves as a passive source of income, be it fiat or Bitcoin, but more importantly, it’s a way to gain credibility among new people. A lot of fiat-minded “normies” are still looking at a book as some big achievement, a validation by a publisher. This is often the case in literature, but not in the non-fiction genre. You can just pay to get published. You can hire a ghostwriter, you can easily “be an author” if you care more about getting your name on a cover than the content of what you publish.
Someone who truly understands Bitcoin but hasn’t written a book, will often attract fewer views and listeners on podcasts or conference panels, compared to someone who can say, “I’m the author of the best-selling blah blah blah.”
There are only second bests
I also want to raise awareness on how every Bitcoin book that’s referenced by such authors is a so-called “best-seller.”
Someone I know very well, who works in publishing, explained me how this is done: release timing for a book can be manipulated or even gamed to guarantee a top-10 or higher spot on some book charts. The categories also matter “best sold book” in a niche like “Financial freedom” or something is not that difficult to capture. If that category doesn’t fit, they’ll put it even under other categories like “broad economy” or “technical innovations". Even if you were on that top-10 spot for 1 afternoon… you’re a hit wonder.
In bitcoin it’s even easier, the smaller the market segment the better you can score. Certainly when there are hardly any big publishers out there. If you want , you can fork out about 1500$ to 6000$ and be the next best-selling bitcoin author.
The result? Everyone is (or can name themselves) a best-selling author, even if they carry five of their self-bought books in a backpack to a local bar in order to sell them under the table.
For some, the “I’m an author now” badge is the only credential they’ll ever have to stay relevant in this space. They can impress potential partners at a conference by saying things like “It’s really been hard work writing that book, I’m still working on the next one… maybe you can come over to my place and brainstorm about it”. For others it opens the doors to a bitcoin job they see dangling in front of their face like a juicy carrot. And other just feel the need (like myself) to write a book because apparently that’s what bitcoiners do after a few years. (I wonder if I will).
In rare cases, these self-proclaimed experts and authors start by explaining Bitcoin (and shitcoins) in their book, only to use their newfound “authority” to push scams, drawing people into their own schemes or promote their company/courses/project.
That’s not that bad, but it’s often given a coat of higher enlightenment in bitcoin, while it’s just a fiat game, like all the other publishers do as well with their authors. Your author-status, in other words, need to become a source of income or marketing. Like Stan Lee (the Marvell comic book legend) being wielded from convention to bookstores in order to make a buck for his handlers.
Authors of a poetry bundle are mostly chosen to be promoted if they’re entertaining enough for the specific niche audience they’re targeting as part of their portfolio, not to “advance poetry” in general.
Most of the latest Bitcoin books (after 2022) alike, are hardly there to “advance bitcoin”, but usually just a vehicle to get a name out there or to support a company’s goals (marketing).
Therefor the number of Bitcoin authors who have genuinely written high-quality books is surprisingly small.
Who reads these books anyway?
Ask yourself: “How many Bitcoin books have you bought, and how many have you actually read in full?” Now ask the same question for people you know who have bought Bitcoin books.
The numbers for most people are dismal, I can tell you.
There are plenty of titles out there, but most contain just two or three insightful paragraphs—the rest is filler you’ve heard a thousand times before.
No wonder most books appear on the scene, get promoted very briefly to then disappear from the discussion forever.
Meanwhile, the author rides their “best-selling expert” status for years. I recently saw a shitcoin podcaster (someone who call himself bitcoiner on a regular basis when the price is right), calling himself a “best-selling author”. While his book has no traction and never even showed up at the local market bookstores where it was published for the local markets. It’s all fake most of the time (yes, there are exceptions).
But that’s their ticket to get interviews or being taken serious. (Hint: In order to achieve this, they could also earn credibility by avoiding the promotion of rug pulls :)
The bitcoin book market gives diminishing returns this way. Content is key here. If you have something to add or explain, by all means do it (you can do so online, like in a substack post where you try to make bitcoin better by poking holes in shams). This space lives and evolves… just throw your writings and “book” out there. You’re not that important. Your name is not a marketing tool.
But it’s unhealthy for a cultural space to have this way of publishing going on. If every dog with a hat can name themselves best selling author, after a while everyone who runs a serious media operation, podcast or conference will know it as an unreliable status to use as a measuring stick, as will the readers, buyers and bitcoiners.
No curation, no quality control
Bitcoin publishing also lacks serious curation, vetting of authors, and skilled editors. The publishing industry already suffers from a lack of good editors, and in Bitcoin books, this problem is even worse. As a result, many books feel like second drafts—poorly structured ideas strung together with some data and self-referencing fluff. Even the top-selling books in this space often contain major flaws. There’s also the fact that you can just pay to be published, then in essence buying your legitimacy outright. (Or return the favor to the publisher in some other way, …).
Just like in the movies, every book needs a sequal, or worse: a prequal. The quality often lacks after a while, because just like in the classical publishing world, you need to write at least two books to get yourself a status and the “goose with the golden egg” income.
You can write for example on some imaginary subject I make up here on the spot like: “bitcoin and fruit” (In a near-future world where Bitcoin has transformed the global economy, "Bitcoin and Fruit" follows orchard owner Satoshi DS as he adapts to life on his family’s fruit farm after the collapse of traditional banking systems).
After publishing that book, you’ll have to come up with new stuff like “bitcoin and fruit salads” and a third title (to sell out completely) “Bitcoin and cheese” or whatever you come up with to keep your name out there. (Following the events of Bitcoin and Fruitsalads, "Bitcoin and Cheese" finds our favorite bitcoiner expanding his rural empire into cheesemaking, using Bitcoin to fund a new dairy operation on the family farm. There will be milk.)
Admittedly, most bitcoiners would buy this book anyway, and the follow-up as well. Because they apparently want to support anyone publishing anything to help bitcoin. But do you really help bitcoin by buying empty books from empty shells? Are you helping bitcoin with that? Maybe you help bitcoin as much with that, than buying the fluffy stuffed animal or a bitcoin poster or t-shirt.
The scarcity property doesn’t apply there apparently, unless it’s an amenia of ideas.
A bitcoin book should justify itself over time
At this point, any new Bitcoin book needs to answer a critical question:
Does this book add something meaningful to the bitcoin conversations? If the answer is no, then does it add something to the factual understanding (historically, economically, technically) of Bitcoin?
If both answers are “no”, then you’re probably reading something that can be categorized as bookshelf fillers. (they can be well-written en even entertaining, that being said, I enjoyed one such a book myself, but it’s forgettable).
If it’s just another retelling of Bitcoin’s history, another breakdown of the 21 million supply limit, or another inflation/central banking critique,... then what’s the point?
A book should either introduce new research, present a unique viewpoint, or challenge existing ideas. Otherwise, it’s just noise in an already oversaturated market where people fight for exposure and reach.
We see the first fatigue in this space appear on that front, but also the first signs of the absolute sellout of the bitcoin books as an entity (even people who came into bitcoin like last year are writing books now, without adding much more than “I want to write a book, look at me, pay me te speak at your conference please”.
Bitcoin literature needs to evolve
Bitcoin is still in its early stages in my opinion, and its impact on the world is far from complete, the story is being written right now. We can record this history in smaller, more and faster incremental parts. Books are not the ideal solution for that at all, unless we update them every 6 months.
"Things change so fast in bitcoin. A paper book needs constant updates. The second edition was a 50% rewrite." A. Antonopoulos - December 30, 2017,
There are still plenty of stories to tell, just not the ones we’ve already read a dozen times. Instead of repeating the same arguments, Bitcoin books should explore:
New societal implications – How will Bitcoin change work, governance, and social structures in ways we haven’t considered yet?
Counter Arguments and critiques – A strong Bitcoin book could acknowledge and engage with the best arguments against it, or come up with counter arguments itself to advance progress and identify problems, instead of just ignoring or dismissing them. (the author of this piece belongs in this camp)
Deep dives into underexplored areas – Mining, privacy, second-layer solutions, attack vectors, and cultural shifts all deserve deeper discussion.
Historical case studies – Instead of broad economic theory, what can history teach us about similar monetary transitions or finding historical parallels that are meaningful and proven to be relevant?
Bitcoin books don’t need to stop being written at all, they just need to start being better.
Final thought: Don’t publish just to publish
A book should be written because it needs to exist, not just because there’s demand for another Bitcoin title or the author want the “I’m an author” badge to make ends meet.
If publishing is just a way to capitalize on demand in a local market or build personal credibility, then what’s really being contributed?
Bitcoin thrives on proof of work and routing around problems.
Maybe it’s time Bitcoin book authors did the same, and start routing around the biggest problems:
The fact that bitcoin books are not representing the bitcoin revolution as it happens, that, and of course the dismal way of some individuals for feeding the craving for self-verification.
AVB
Tip me here: link Writing for credibility, not for Bitcoin
A major factor in this oversupply is that many authors don’t write Bitcoin books to contribute meaningful knowledge.
Instead, they see publishing as a way to legitimize themselves.
In many industries, writing a book establishes authority, gains a following, or opens up career opportunities. Bitcoin is no different. The shore to go through to get a book published and distributed is often an investment for them.
Instead, they see publishing as a way to legitimize themselves.
In many industries, writing a book establishes authority, gains a following, or opens up career opportunities. Bitcoin is no different. The shore to go through to get a book published and distributed is often an investment for them.
For many, being a “published author” is a ticket to being taken seriously—whether for speaking gigs, consulting work, or simply boosting their reputation.
The book becomes less about Bitcoin itself and more about the author’s personal validation. As a result, the space is filled with books that feel more like branding exercises than genuine contributions.
Especially books from publishers outside of the finance, economics and bitcoin space fail here miserably.
The local markets of traditional publishers are riddled with garbage books written by someone filling up the gap in their portfolio in order to make a name for themselves without giving a damn about bitcoin! In one particular case I’ve found a “bitcoin” book written by someone who placed a giant bitcoin logo at the cover, but then promotes every shitcoin under the sun on his YouTube channel and calls it “thinking further than bitcoin”.
The book becomes less about Bitcoin itself and more about the author’s personal validation. As a result, the space is filled with books that feel more like branding exercises than genuine contributions.
Especially books from publishers outside of the finance, economics and bitcoin space fail here miserably.
The local markets of traditional publishers are riddled with garbage books written by someone filling up the gap in their portfolio in order to make a name for themselves without giving a damn about bitcoin! In one particular case I’ve found a “bitcoin” book written by someone who placed a giant bitcoin logo at the cover, but then promotes every shitcoin under the sun on his YouTube channel and calls it “thinking further than bitcoin”.
The "I’m an author" badge
No matter how weak a book’s content might be, publishing one gives the author a form of legitimacy in the eye of the public.
Even if someone scrapes together two original thoughts and some “borrowed” ideas from others (again, giving credit is a rarity in this space even in a footnote in their own book, their ego can’t deal with admitting the idea or quote came from someone else), such a book itself often serves as a passive source of income, be it fiat or Bitcoin, but more importantly, it’s a way to gain credibility among new people.
A lot of fiat-minded “normies” are still looking at a book as some big achievement, a validation by a publisher. This is often the case in literature, but not in the non-fiction genre.
You can just pay to get published. You can hire a ghostwriter, you can easily “be an author” if you care more about getting your name on a cover than the content of what you publish.
Even if someone scrapes together two original thoughts and some “borrowed” ideas from others (again, giving credit is a rarity in this space even in a footnote in their own book, their ego can’t deal with admitting the idea or quote came from someone else), such a book itself often serves as a passive source of income, be it fiat or Bitcoin, but more importantly, it’s a way to gain credibility among new people.
A lot of fiat-minded “normies” are still looking at a book as some big achievement, a validation by a publisher. This is often the case in literature, but not in the non-fiction genre.
You can just pay to get published. You can hire a ghostwriter, you can easily “be an author” if you care more about getting your name on a cover than the content of what you publish.
Someone who truly understands Bitcoin but hasn’t written a book, will often attract fewer views and listeners on podcasts or conference panels, compared to someone who can say, “I’m the author of the best-selling blah blah blah.”
There are only second bests
I also want to raise awareness on how every Bitcoin book that’s referenced by such authors is a so-called “best-seller.”
Someone I know very well, who works in publishing, explained me how this is done: release timing for a book can be manipulated or even gamed to guarantee a top-10 or higher spot on some book charts. The categories also matter “best sold book” in a niche like “Financial freedom” or something is not that difficult to capture. If that category doesn’t fit, they’ll put it even under other categories like “broad economy” or “technical innovations".
Even if you were on that top-10 spot for 1 afternoon… you’re a hit wonder.
In bitcoin it’s even easier, the smaller the market segment the better you can score. Certainly when there are hardly any big publishers out there.
If you want , you can fork out about 1500$ to 6000$ and be the next best-selling bitcoin author.
The result? Everyone is (or can name themselves) a best-selling author, even if they carry five of their self-bought books in a backpack to a local bar in order to sell them under the table.
For some, the “I’m an author now” badge is the only credential they’ll ever have to stay relevant in this space. They can impress potential partners at a conference by saying things like “It’s really been hard work writing that book, I’m still working on the next one… maybe you can come over to my place and brainstorm about it”.
For others it opens the doors to a bitcoin job they see dangling in front of their face like a juicy carrot.
And other just feel the need (like myself) to write a book because apparently that’s what bitcoiners do after a few years. (I wonder if I will).
Even if you were on that top-10 spot for 1 afternoon… you’re a hit wonder.
In bitcoin it’s even easier, the smaller the market segment the better you can score. Certainly when there are hardly any big publishers out there.
If you want , you can fork out about 1500$ to 6000$ and be the next best-selling bitcoin author.
The result? Everyone is (or can name themselves) a best-selling author, even if they carry five of their self-bought books in a backpack to a local bar in order to sell them under the table.
For some, the “I’m an author now” badge is the only credential they’ll ever have to stay relevant in this space. They can impress potential partners at a conference by saying things like “It’s really been hard work writing that book, I’m still working on the next one… maybe you can come over to my place and brainstorm about it”.
For others it opens the doors to a bitcoin job they see dangling in front of their face like a juicy carrot.
And other just feel the need (like myself) to write a book because apparently that’s what bitcoiners do after a few years. (I wonder if I will).
In rare cases, these self-proclaimed experts and authors start by explaining Bitcoin (and shitcoins) in their book, only to use their newfound “authority” to push scams, drawing people into their own schemes or promote their company/courses/project.
That’s not that bad, but it’s often given a coat of higher enlightenment in bitcoin, while it’s just a fiat game, like all the other publishers do as well with their authors. Your author-status, in other words, need to become a source of income or marketing. Like Stan Lee (the Marvell comic book legend) being wielded from convention to bookstores in order to make a buck for his handlers.
Authors of a poetry bundle are mostly chosen to be promoted if they’re entertaining enough for the specific niche audience they’re targeting as part of their portfolio, not to “advance poetry” in general.
Most of the latest Bitcoin books (after 2022) alike, are hardly there to “advance bitcoin”, but usually just a vehicle to get a name out there or to support a company’s goals (marketing).
Therefor the number of Bitcoin authors who have genuinely written high-quality books is surprisingly small.
That’s not that bad, but it’s often given a coat of higher enlightenment in bitcoin, while it’s just a fiat game, like all the other publishers do as well with their authors. Your author-status, in other words, need to become a source of income or marketing. Like Stan Lee (the Marvell comic book legend) being wielded from convention to bookstores in order to make a buck for his handlers.
Authors of a poetry bundle are mostly chosen to be promoted if they’re entertaining enough for the specific niche audience they’re targeting as part of their portfolio, not to “advance poetry” in general.
Most of the latest Bitcoin books (after 2022) alike, are hardly there to “advance bitcoin”, but usually just a vehicle to get a name out there or to support a company’s goals (marketing).
Therefor the number of Bitcoin authors who have genuinely written high-quality books is surprisingly small.
Who reads these books anyway?
Ask yourself: “How many Bitcoin books have you bought, and how many have you actually read in full?”
Now ask the same question for people you know who have bought Bitcoin books.
Now ask the same question for people you know who have bought Bitcoin books.
The numbers for most people are dismal, I can tell you.
There are plenty of titles out there, but most contain just two or three insightful paragraphs—the rest is filler you’ve heard a thousand times before.
There are plenty of titles out there, but most contain just two or three insightful paragraphs—the rest is filler you’ve heard a thousand times before.
No wonder most books appear on the scene, get promoted very briefly to then disappear from the discussion forever.
Meanwhile, the author rides their “best-selling expert” status for years. I recently saw a shitcoin podcaster (someone who call himself bitcoiner on a regular basis when the price is right), calling himself a “best-selling author”.
While his book has no traction and never even showed up at the local market bookstores where it was published for the local markets. It’s all fake most of the time (yes, there are exceptions).
But that’s their ticket to get interviews or being taken serious. (Hint: In order to achieve this, they could also earn credibility by avoiding the promotion of rug pulls :)
The bitcoin book market gives diminishing returns this way.
Content is key here. If you have something to add or explain, by all means do it (you can do so online, like in a substack post where you try to make bitcoin better by poking holes in shams).
This space lives and evolves… just throw your writings and “book” out there. You’re not that important. Your name is not a marketing tool.
But it’s unhealthy for a cultural space to have this way of publishing going on. If every dog with a hat can name themselves best selling author, after a while everyone who runs a serious media operation, podcast or conference will know it as an unreliable status to use as a measuring stick, as will the readers, buyers and bitcoiners.
Meanwhile, the author rides their “best-selling expert” status for years. I recently saw a shitcoin podcaster (someone who call himself bitcoiner on a regular basis when the price is right), calling himself a “best-selling author”.
While his book has no traction and never even showed up at the local market bookstores where it was published for the local markets. It’s all fake most of the time (yes, there are exceptions).
But that’s their ticket to get interviews or being taken serious. (Hint: In order to achieve this, they could also earn credibility by avoiding the promotion of rug pulls :)
The bitcoin book market gives diminishing returns this way.
Content is key here. If you have something to add or explain, by all means do it (you can do so online, like in a substack post where you try to make bitcoin better by poking holes in shams).
This space lives and evolves… just throw your writings and “book” out there. You’re not that important. Your name is not a marketing tool.
But it’s unhealthy for a cultural space to have this way of publishing going on. If every dog with a hat can name themselves best selling author, after a while everyone who runs a serious media operation, podcast or conference will know it as an unreliable status to use as a measuring stick, as will the readers, buyers and bitcoiners.
No curation, no quality control
Bitcoin publishing also lacks serious curation, vetting of authors, and skilled editors.
The publishing industry already suffers from a lack of good editors, and in Bitcoin books, this problem is even worse. As a result, many books feel like second drafts—poorly structured ideas strung together with some data and self-referencing fluff. Even the top-selling books in this space often contain major flaws.
There’s also the fact that you can just pay to be published, then in essence buying your legitimacy outright. (Or return the favor to the publisher in some other way, …).
Just like in the movies, every book needs a sequal, or worse: a prequal.
The quality often lacks after a while, because just like in the classical publishing world, you need to write at least two books to get yourself a status and the “goose with the golden egg” income.
You can write for example on some imaginary subject I make up here on the spot like: “bitcoin and fruit”
( In a near-future world where Bitcoin has transformed the global economy, "Bitcoin and Fruit" follows orchard owner Satoshi DS as he adapts to life on his family’s fruit farm after the collapse of traditional banking systems ).
After publishing that book, you’ll have to come up with new stuff like “bitcoin and fruit salads” and a third title (to sell out completely) “Bitcoin and cheese” or whatever you come up with to keep your name out there.
(Following the events of Bitcoin and Fruitsalads, "Bitcoin and Cheese" finds our favorite bitcoiner expanding his rural empire into cheesemaking, using Bitcoin to fund a new dairy operation on the family farm. There will be milk.)
The publishing industry already suffers from a lack of good editors, and in Bitcoin books, this problem is even worse. As a result, many books feel like second drafts—poorly structured ideas strung together with some data and self-referencing fluff. Even the top-selling books in this space often contain major flaws.
There’s also the fact that you can just pay to be published, then in essence buying your legitimacy outright. (Or return the favor to the publisher in some other way, …).
Just like in the movies, every book needs a sequal, or worse: a prequal.
The quality often lacks after a while, because just like in the classical publishing world, you need to write at least two books to get yourself a status and the “goose with the golden egg” income.
You can write for example on some imaginary subject I make up here on the spot like: “bitcoin and fruit”
( In a near-future world where Bitcoin has transformed the global economy, "Bitcoin and Fruit" follows orchard owner Satoshi DS as he adapts to life on his family’s fruit farm after the collapse of traditional banking systems ).
After publishing that book, you’ll have to come up with new stuff like “bitcoin and fruit salads” and a third title (to sell out completely) “Bitcoin and cheese” or whatever you come up with to keep your name out there.
(Following the events of Bitcoin and Fruitsalads, "Bitcoin and Cheese" finds our favorite bitcoiner expanding his rural empire into cheesemaking, using Bitcoin to fund a new dairy operation on the family farm. There will be milk.)
Admittedly, most bitcoiners would buy this book anyway, and the follow-up as well.
Because they apparently want to support anyone publishing anything to help bitcoin. But do you really help bitcoin by buying empty books from empty shells? Are you helping bitcoin with that?
Maybe you help bitcoin as much with that, than buying the fluffy stuffed animal or a bitcoin poster or t-shirt.
The scarcity property doesn’t apply there apparently, unless it’s an amenia of ideas.
Because they apparently want to support anyone publishing anything to help bitcoin. But do you really help bitcoin by buying empty books from empty shells? Are you helping bitcoin with that?
Maybe you help bitcoin as much with that, than buying the fluffy stuffed animal or a bitcoin poster or t-shirt.
The scarcity property doesn’t apply there apparently, unless it’s an amenia of ideas.
A bitcoin book should justify itself over time
At this point, any new Bitcoin book needs to answer a critical question:
* Does this book add something meaningful to the bitcoin conversations?
If the answer is no, then does it add something to the factual understanding (historically, economically, technically) of Bitcoin?*
If both answers are “no”, then you’re probably reading something that can be categorized as bookshelf fillers. (they can be well-written en even entertaining, that being said, I enjoyed one such a book myself, but it’s forgettable).
* Does this book add something meaningful to the bitcoin conversations?
If the answer is no, then does it add something to the factual understanding (historically, economically, technically) of Bitcoin?*
If both answers are “no”, then you’re probably reading something that can be categorized as bookshelf fillers. (they can be well-written en even entertaining, that being said, I enjoyed one such a book myself, but it’s forgettable).
If it’s just another retelling of Bitcoin’s history, another breakdown of the 21 million supply limit, or another inflation/central banking critique,... then what’s the point?
A book should either introduce new research, present a unique viewpoint, or challenge existing ideas.
Otherwise, it’s just noise in an already oversaturated market where people fight for exposure and reach.
We see the first fatigue in this space appear on that front, but also the first signs of the absolute sellout of the bitcoin books as an entity (even people who came into bitcoin like last year are writing books now, without adding much more than “I want to write a book, look at me, pay me te speak at your conference please”.
A book should either introduce new research, present a unique viewpoint, or challenge existing ideas.
Otherwise, it’s just noise in an already oversaturated market where people fight for exposure and reach.
We see the first fatigue in this space appear on that front, but also the first signs of the absolute sellout of the bitcoin books as an entity (even people who came into bitcoin like last year are writing books now, without adding much more than “I want to write a book, look at me, pay me te speak at your conference please”.
Bitcoin literature needs to evolve
Bitcoin is still in its early stages in my opinion, and its impact on the world is far from complete, the story is being written right now. We can record this history in smaller, more and faster incremental parts. Books are not the ideal solution for that at all, unless we update them every 6 months.
"Things change so fast in bitcoin. A paper book needs constant updates. The second edition was a 50% rewrite."
A. Antonopoulos - December 30, 2017,
A. Antonopoulos - December 30, 2017,
There are still plenty of stories to tell, just not the ones we’ve already read a dozen times. Instead of repeating the same arguments, Bitcoin books should explore:
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New societal implications – How will Bitcoin change work, governance, and social structures in ways we haven’t considered yet?
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Counter Arguments and critiques – A strong Bitcoin book could acknowledge and engage with the best arguments against it, or come up with counter arguments itself to advance progress and identify problems, instead of just ignoring or dismissing them. (the author of this piece belongs in this camp)
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Deep dives into underexplored areas – Mining, privacy, second-layer solutions, attack vectors, and cultural shifts all deserve deeper discussion.
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Historical case studies – Instead of broad economic theory, what can history teach us about similar monetary transitions or finding historical parallels that are meaningful and proven to be relevant?
Bitcoin books don’t need to stop being written at all, they just need to start being better.
Final thought: Don’t publish just to publish
A book should be written because it needs to exist, not just because there’s demand for another Bitcoin title or the author want the “I’m an author” badge to make ends meet.
If publishing is just a way to capitalize on demand in a local market or build personal credibility, then what’s really being contributed?
If publishing is just a way to capitalize on demand in a local market or build personal credibility, then what’s really being contributed?
Bitcoin thrives on proof of work and routing around problems.
Maybe it’s time Bitcoin book authors did the same, and start routing around the biggest problems:
The fact that bitcoin books are not representing the bitcoin revolution as it happens, that, and of course the dismal way of some individuals for feeding the craving for self-verification.
Maybe it’s time Bitcoin book authors did the same, and start routing around the biggest problems:
The fact that bitcoin books are not representing the bitcoin revolution as it happens, that, and of course the dismal way of some individuals for feeding the craving for self-verification.
AVB
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