In a recent interview with Joe Rogan on October 6th, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, expressed his views on Bitcoin as a global reserve currency and his concerns regarding central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Altman, who is also the founder of Worldcoin, believes that the transition to a “tech-activated world,” including the use of Bitcoin, could significantly reduce corruption.
Embracing Bitcoin’s Potential
“I’m very excited about Bitcoin,” Altman told Joe Rogan during a podcast episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. Altman’s optimism stems from the belief that the shift to a technology-driven world, including Bitcoin, could mitigate corruption.
“One of the things I’ve observed, as clear as many others have, is that corruption has become a significant hindrance to anything in society,” Altman noted.
“In a world where transactions, for example, are no longer in physical cash but conducted in the digital realm, even when using Bitcoin, someone can trace those flows,” he added.
Meanwhile, Joe Rogan, while expressing some skepticism about the cryptocurrency industry, believes that Bitcoin has the potential to become a “common currency.”
“That’s what’s really appealing to me. I like that it’s been implemented,” Rogan added.
Altman has long held a supportive stance. In a blog post a decade ago, Altman argued that a world where we transact with Bitcoin would be much more transparent.
“A world where we transact with Bitcoin would be much more transparent, and financial transparency is fantastic. It’s perhaps the most effective way to combat corruption,” Altman emphasized.
However, both Altman and Rogan expressed strong opposition to CBDCs and concerns about the United States becoming a surveillance state through this means.
Altman also expressed his disappointment with how the U.S. government has recently handled the cryptocurrency industry.
“There are many things I’m disappointed about in how the U.S. government has dealt with cryptocurrencies recently. It’s something that makes me quite sad about this country,” he stated.
Conclusion
Sam Altman’s enthusiasm for Bitcoin as a means to combat corruption and increase financial transparency is clear. He believes that the transition to a digital, technology-driven world could provide much-needed clarity in financial transactions and help reduce corruption. While there are ongoing debates and concerns surrounding cryptocurrencies, Altman’s perspective highlights the potential for positive change in the financial landscape.
