Disintermediation is a new model of relationship between individuals and finance. In the traditional system, almost every transaction goes through an intermediary, such as banks, clearing houses, payment circuits or money transfer companies. However, Bitcoin demonstrates that it is possible to transfer value globally without intermediaries, operating instead according to a peer-to-peer model as defined in the 2008 white paper. This involves: 1. Direct international payments: no SWIFT or correspondent banks required, with reduced costs. 2. Individual savings: wealth is no longer dependent on the operations of a central institution. 3. Reduction in transaction costs and settlement times. 4. Greater resilience: fewer centralised points of failure. 5. Global access to services, even in areas where the banking system does not reach. The BIS and the IMF recognise that this disintermediation raises questions of financial stability, particularly in emerging markets. However, they also acknowledge that Bitcoin's innovations are already influencing monetary policies and payment architecture, prompting many countries to consider CBDCs (unfortunately, providing another means of control). Bitcoin has indeed introduced a new principle: the ability to transfer value without a central authority. All other digital innovations in finance are a response to this discovery. Understanding disintermediation is key to understanding the future of finance. #disintermediation #distributed #bitcoin #finance #controll #system

Economic freedom and resistance to censorship: when Bitcoin becomes part of the civil infrastructure. In many countries, controlling money is a means of exercising power. Freezing accounts, blocking donations, limiting withdrawals and imposing currency restrictions are tools typically used by authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent and opposition. Bitcoin introduces a decisive technical feature: resistance to censorship. A valid transaction cannot be blocked, cancelled, or prevented by a central authority. This creates a space for economic freedom where none existed before. Gladstein's studies (HRF, 2025) document concrete cases: - Nigeria, during the #EndSARS protests, activists' accounts were frozen, but donations resumed thanks to Bitcoin and BTCPay Server. - Russia, Hong Kong and Belarus: independent media outlets and dissidents used Bitcoin to receive funds after being 'debanked'. - Ukraine, 2022: over $200 million was quickly received when banking channels were blocked or unstable. In all these scenarios, Bitcoin does not replace politics, but it does protect the economic capacity to act. It ensures operational continuity for NGOs, journalists, civic associations, and individuals under authoritarian pressure. Freedom is not abstract; it exists when you can act. #freedom #free #bitcoin #resistance #censor #civil #money #bank

Financial inclusion: Using Bitcoin as social infrastructure in unbanked countries. Today, over 1.4 billion adults do not have a bank account. This is due to a variety of structural causes, including high costs, missing documents, distance from branches, distrust of institutions, political instability and, above all, the inconvenience of traditional banking. Bitcoin offers an alternative: an open, global infrastructure. All you need to access the network is a smartphone. There are no status requirements, geographical barriers or accounts to open. This enables 'bottom-up' financial inclusion. Data shows that 16 of the top 20 countries for the adoption of alternatives to state currencies are emerging economies. In sub-Saharan Africa, usage grew by 52% in one year, with over 8% of transactions being for amounts under $10,000 — indicating everyday, non-speculative use. Nigeria is a prime example: around 36% of adults are unbanked, yet the country is a world leader in Bitcoin adoption via peer-to-peer. For many citizens, Bitcoin is the only effective means of accessing tools such as savings, remittances and international payments. However, it is not a universal solution; digital infrastructure, financial literacy and complementary policies are also required. However, as noted in reports by the World Bank and the IMF, Bitcoin has introduced a new standard of accessibility, capable of including even those who have never had access to the formal system. True inclusion comes when barriers are reduced, not when intermediaries are added. #financial #inclusion #unbanked #infrastructure #countries #bitcoin #social #good #asset #account #network