Bitcoin’s Lightning Network is evolving into a global payments system, with over 21,000 active nodes enabling fast, low-cost transactions. Tether’s integration of USDT via the Taproot Asset Protocol could disrupt traditional finance, lowering transaction costs and increasing efficiency. This shift challenges banks and payment networks like Visa and Mastercard, pushing the financial system toward Bitcoin-backed tokenization.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:00:00 - Intro03:04 - How the Lightning Network enhances Bitcoin’s role beyond a store of value.18:35 - How U.S. Treasuries and Bitcoin-backed tokenization are reshaping finance.19:38 - Why Tether’s adoption of the Taproot Asset Protocol is a game-changer for stablecoins.20:15 - The decentralization advantages of Lightning vs. other blockchain networks.23:10 - How Tether’s U.S. Treasury holdings impact the financial system.24:53 - The potential disruption of traditional banking and payment networks.31:42 - The long-term implications of Lightning’s growing adoption in payments.35:14 -Why banks may need to integrate Bitcoin-backed assets to stay competitive.Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences.BOOKS AND RESOURCES Luke’s X Account. Luke’s FFTT Newsletter. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Bitcoin Fundamentals Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORSSupport our free podcast