In this episode, I chat with Eric Yakes, author and founder of Epoch Ventures, about his Epoch Ventures 2026 Bitcoin Ecosystem Report, covering 21 predictions for Bitcoin's evolution this year. We tackle Bitcoin's path to taking gold's market share, the rotation trade catalyst that could drive prices to $150K+, and how Bitcoiners are accidentally FUDing themselves with quantum computing concerns. The conversation also explores the failure of crypto's "fat protocol thesis," Bitcoin's growing mainstream media acceptance, and the rise of application-layer adoption through projects like chat. PARTNERS & DISCOUNTS: LEDN: Bitcoin-backed lending. Go to ledn.io/walker and unlock liquidity WITHOUT selling your bitcoin. BLOCKSTREAM JADE: Head to https://store.blockstream.com/ to automatically get 21% off every Blockstream Jade hardware wallet, no code needed, through the end of 2025. Use coupon code WALKER for an extra 10% off! BDIC™ is building an insurance marketplace on the bitcoin standard. Sign up for the waitlist at: http://bdic.io/walker Buy Bitcoin with River: http://partner.river.com/walker GET FOLD ($10 in bitcoin): https://use.foldapp.com/r/WALKER FOLLOW Eric: X: https://x.com/ericyakes Epoch' Ventures' X: https://x.com/epochvc_ JOIN THE SUBSTACK TO GET NEW EPISODES DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX: https://walkeramerica.substack.com/ If you enjoy THE Bitcoin Podcast you can help support the show by doing the following: FOLLOW ME (Walker) on @WalkerAmerica on X | @TitcoinPodcast on X | Nostr Personal (walker) | Nostr Podcast (Titcoin) | Instagram Subscribe to THE Bitcoin Podcast (and leave a review) on Fountain | YouTube | Spotify | Rumble | EVERYWHERE ELSE