Jeff Park: Bitcoin is in a bear market with broken liquidity correlations, US policy is shifting towards centralization, and the importance of ‘peacetime’ vs. ‘wartime’ Bitcoin | The Pomp Podcast
Bitcoin is currently in a bear market, and more accommodative policies might not trigger a bull market. The historical correlation between global liquidity and Bitcoin's performance has been disrupted. Global liquidity is currently around $170 trillion and continues to rise.
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin is currently in a bear market, and more accommodative policies might not trigger a bull market.
- The historical correlation between global liquidity and Bitcoin’s performance has been disrupted.
- Global liquidity is currently around $170 trillion and continues to rise.
- Accommodative monetary policies may not be the catalyst for a Bitcoin bull market.
- The current US administration is attempting to take economic control from the Federal Reserve.
- There is a concept of ‘peacetime Bitcoin’ and ‘wartime Bitcoin’ reflecting different economic conditions.
- US crypto policy is trending towards centralization, opposing the original decentralization ideals.
- Bitcoin’s importance will grow as the world becomes more fragmented and oppressive.
- Bitcoin’s original mission emphasizes censorship resistance and decentralization.
- Kevin Warsh is seen as a figure with the courage and expertise to challenge financial norms.
- The future of Bitcoin is tied to societal changes and the geopolitical climate.
- The evolving regulatory landscape in the US is moving towards centralization, impacting crypto’s future.
Guest intro
Jeff Park is a Partner and Chief Investment Officer at ProCap Financial. He previously served as Head of Alpha Strategies and Portfolio Manager at Bitwise Asset Management. He holds a B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Stanford University and is a CFA charterholder.
Bitcoin and the bear market
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We are likely in a bear market for Bitcoin, and accommodative policies may not catalyze a bull market.
— Jeff Park
- Accommodative policies may not be the catalyst for a bull market in Bitcoin.
- The bear market has persisted for quite some time, challenging the notion that monetary policy will boost Bitcoin.
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I think we’re in a bear market and I think we have been in a bear market for quite a bit.
— Jeff Park
- Understanding the current economic environment is crucial for navigating the crypto markets.
- The bear market challenges the assumption that monetary policy will positively influence Bitcoin prices.
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Having more accommodative policies may in fact actually not be the catalyst to help us go into a bull market.
— Jeff Park
- The bear market requires a new perspective on how monetary policy affects Bitcoin.
Global liquidity and its impact
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The correlation between global liquidity and Bitcoin’s performance has been broken.
— Jeff Park
- Global liquidity is around $170 trillion and has been steadily increasing.
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I would say it has been going up pretty steadily in 2025… I think we are now around $170,000,000,000,000.
— Jeff Park
- The broken correlation between liquidity and Bitcoin suggests a shift in market dynamics.
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The truth is that’s been broken for quite some time.
— Jeff Park
- Understanding global liquidity trends is essential for analyzing market conditions.
- The increase in global liquidity provides a factual basis for market trend analysis.
- The shift in correlation could affect investment strategies in the crypto space.
US economic control and the Federal Reserve
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The current administration is attempting to wrest control of the economy away from the Federal Reserve.
— Jeff Park
- The administration uses deregulation, tax cuts, tariffs, and attempts to weaken the US dollar.
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It does feel like the current administration in the United States is trying to wrestle control of the economy away from the Federal Reserve.
— Jeff Park
- This shift impacts monetary policy and the broader economic landscape.
- Understanding the political and economic landscape is crucial for grasping these changes.
- The administration’s actions reflect a significant shift in economic control dynamics.
- The impact of these policies on the economy and crypto markets is profound.
- The relationship between government policy and central banking is evolving.
Peacetime Bitcoin vs. wartime Bitcoin
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There is a distinction between ‘peacetime Bitcoin’ and ‘wartime Bitcoin’ that reflects different economic conditions and policy influences.
— Jeff Park
- Wartime Bitcoin suggests that monetary policy is not the driving factor for growth.
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Wartime means it’s actually not monetary policy that is driving the future outlook for how we’re thinking about growth.
— Jeff Park
- This framework provides a unique perspective on Bitcoin’s value proposition.
- Understanding the geopolitical and economic climate is essential for this analysis.
- The concept highlights Bitcoin’s role in varying economic contexts.
- Peacetime vs. wartime Bitcoin reflects different policy influences on the asset.
- This distinction is crucial for analyzing Bitcoin’s potential in different scenarios.
Centralization trends in US crypto policy
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The trend in US crypto policy is moving towards centralization, which contrasts with the original ideals of decentralization in the crypto space.
— Jeff Park
- This shift could impact the future development and adoption of crypto.
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If you really look hard at what’s been happening here in the US as well from a crypto policy perspective it’s moving towards a model of centralization.
— Jeff Park
- Understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial for navigating the crypto industry.
- The trend towards centralization contrasts with the original decentralization ideals.
- This shift represents a significant change in the crypto industry’s trajectory.
- The impact of centralization on crypto’s future is a critical consideration.
- The evolving regulatory landscape poses challenges and opportunities for crypto.
Bitcoin’s future relevance
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Bitcoin will gain importance as the world becomes more fragmented and oppressive.
— Jeff Park
- The geopolitical climate influences Bitcoin’s role as a financial asset.
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These are the energy that I think re drives the importance of Bitcoin.
— Jeff Park
- Understanding societal changes is crucial for predicting Bitcoin’s future relevance.
- Bitcoin’s importance is tied to its ability to respond to societal fragmentation.
- The future of Bitcoin is linked to geopolitical and societal shifts.
- The relevance of Bitcoin is driven by its role in a fragmented world.
- This prediction highlights Bitcoin’s potential in response to global changes.
Bitcoin’s original mission
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The original mission of Bitcoin is about censorship resistance and decentralization, not just regulatory clarity.
— Jeff Park
- Bitcoin’s foundational principles emphasize freedom and decentralization.
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It’s about censorship resistance, it is about decentralization and it’s about freedom money.
— Jeff Park
- Understanding Bitcoin’s core values is crucial amidst evolving market structures.
- The original mission contrasts with current regulatory discussions.
- Bitcoin’s mission emphasizes its role as a tool for financial freedom.
- The focus on decentralization and censorship resistance remains central.
- This perspective highlights the enduring values of Bitcoin in the crypto space.
Kevin Warsh and financial innovation
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Kevin Warsh has the courage and expertise to challenge the status quo in financial systems.
— Jeff Park
- Warsh’s potential impact on financial innovation and reform is significant.
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He really represents somebody who has great domain expertise about how things work.
— Jeff Park
- Understanding Warsh’s role is crucial for anticipating changes in financial systems.
- Warsh’s expertise positions him as a key figure in financial reform.
- His ability to challenge norms is essential for future innovation.
- Warsh’s influence could shape the future of crypto and financial systems.
- This insight highlights the importance of expertise in driving financial change.