On April 23, a New York Times podcast titled “A Bitcoin Evangelist Tries to Convert Me” aired a conversation between Ross Douthat and crypto proponent Anthony Pompliano. The discussion framed Bitcoin as a modern currency and a hedge against inflation, contrasting it with the dollar’s vulnerability in an era of relentless money printing for investors and policy makers.

Pompliano traced Bitcoin’s rise to 2025’s bull run, when prices peaked near $120,000 before sliding to about $70,000 today. He underscored the asset’s growing institutional bite, citing Morgan Stanley’s announcement to launch the first Bitcoin‑tracking ETF and Iran’s recent demand for crypto payments to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz for global trading and security.

The host framed Bitcoin as a digital store of value that mirrors traditional assets but escapes the central‑bank printing cycle. Pompliano warned that while Bitcoin can protect purchasing power during inflation, it remains volatile; he urged diversification, noting that the average investor should weigh crypto against stocks, real estate, and other inflation‑hedged instruments for portfolio.

For institutional players, the convergence of a Bitcoin ETF and state‑level crypto transactions marks a shift toward mainstream acceptance. Retail investors eye the asset’s dual role: a speculative play and a potential inflation safeguard. The episode concludes that Bitcoin’s future hinges on regulatory clarity and market maturity, not on hype alone for long‑term investors today.