---
product_id: 62037385
title: "The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking"
price: "€ 39.66"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.pt/products/62037385-the-bitcoin-standard-the-decentralized-alternative-to-central-banking
store_origin: PT
region: Portugal
---

# The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking

**Price:** € 39.66
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- **What is this?** The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking
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## Description

A comprehensive and authoritative exploration of Bitcoin and its place in monetary history When a pseudonymous programmer introduced “a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party” to a small online mailing list in 2008, very few people paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications. While Bitcoin is an invention of the digital age, the problem it purports to solve is as old as human society itself: transferring value across time and space. Author Saifedean Ammous takes the reader on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems of trading limestones and seashells, to metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt. Exploring what gave these technologies their monetary role, and how most lost it, provides the reader with a good idea of what makes for sound money, and sets the stage for an economic discussion of its consequences for individual and societal future-orientation, capital accumulation, trade, peace, culture, and art. Compellingly, Ammous shows that it is no coincidence that the loftiest achievements of humanity have come in societies enjoying the benefits of sound monetary regimes, nor is it coincidental that monetary collapse has usually accompanied civilizational collapse. With this background in place, the book moves on to explain the operation of Bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way. Bitcoin is a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, thus allowing its users to utilize the Internet to perform the traditional functions of money without having to rely on, or trust, any authorities or infrastructure in the physical world. Bitcoin is thus best understood as the first successfully implemented form of digital cash and digital hard money. With an automated and perfectly predictable monetary policy, and the ability to perform final settlement of large sums across the world in a matter of minutes, Bitcoin’s real competitive edge might just be as a store of value and network for the final settlement of large payments―a digital form of gold with a built-in settlement infrastructure. Ammous’ firm grasp of the technological possibilities as well as the historical realities of monetary evolution provides for a fascinating exploration of the ramifications of voluntary free market money. As it challenges the most sacred of government monopolies, Bitcoin shifts the pendulum of sovereignty away from governments in favor of individuals, offering us the tantalizing possibility of a world where money is fully extricated from politics and unrestrained by borders. The final chapter of the book explores some of the most common questions surrounding Bitcoin: Is Bitcoin mining a waste of energy? Is Bitcoin for criminals? Who controls Bitcoin, and can they change it if they please? How can Bitcoin be killed? And what to make of all the thousands of Bitcoin knockoffs, and the many supposed applications of Bitcoin’s ‘block chain technology’? The Bitcoin Standard is the essential resource for a clear understanding of the rise of the Internet’s decentralized, apolitical, free-market alternative to national central banks.

Review: “The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous - Three months ago, I embarked on a journey to unravel the complexities of financial technology, and “The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous was the first book I chose. What an extraordinary starting point it turned out to be! This book, now a cornerstone in my collection of over twenty titles on the subject, easily secures a spot in my top three for its clarity, depth, and transformative insights. As I sit down to write this review today, I am struck by how profoundly it shaped my understanding of money, economics, and the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin. Ammous masterfully combines historical analysis, economic theory, and forward thinking vision to craft a compelling case for Bitcoin as a decentralized, sound money system. The book begins with a captivating exploration of money’s evolution from primitive barter systems to gold, backed currencies laying a foundation that makes the concept of Bitcoin accessible even to newcomers like I was at the time. Ammous doesn’t just explain what Bitcoin is; he illuminates why it matters, dissecting the flaws of fiat currencies with surgical precision. His discussion of inflation, central banking, and the erosion of purchasing power was an eye opener, making me question assumptions I would never thought to challenge. What sets “The Bitcoin Standard” apart is its ability to weave technical detail with broader philosophical and economic implications. Ammous dives into Bitcoin’s mechanics its fixed supply, proof of work, and decentralized ledger without overwhelming the reader. His writing is clear and engaging, balancing academic rigor with a passionate advocacy for financial sovereignty. I was particularly struck by his concept of “time preference,” which illustrates how sound money like Bitcoin incentivizes long term thinking and savings over reckless consumption. This idea alone reshaped how I view personal finance and societal priorities. The book’s historical parallels, from the gold standard to the rise and fall of empires, added a rich context that made Bitcoin feel not just innovative but inevitable. Ammous argues persuasively that Bitcoin’s design as a deflationary asset could restore economic stability and individual freedom in a world plagued by monetary mismanagement. I found its laser focus on Bitcoin’s unique properties refreshing. It’s not a broad fintech primer but a deep dive into why Bitcoin stands alone. Reading “The Bitcoin Standard” was like being handed a map to navigate the chaotic world of modern finance. It’s rare for a book to be both a page turner and a profound education, but Ammous delivers exactly that. For anyone curious about financial technology, economics, or the future of money, this book is a must read. It didn’t just teach me about Bitcoin it gave me a new lens to see the world. Three months and twenty books later, its lessons remain as powerful and relevant as ever. Highly recommended!
Review: Probably the most important book of my generation - This book was very helpful to me and I highly recommend. Bitcoin is admittedly an extremely obscure and abstract concept, but once understood, is almost unfathomably enlightening. When one looks at the world around them and sees all the ills and craziness, it's often possible to trace the underlying issue back to a bad incentives created by bad money. This bad money regime is enabled by an ever-present, yet often unseen, handful of individuals who single-handedly possess the ability to take from some to give to others (often in the form of taking from those on the margin and giving to those whose needs are already met). This book is in laymen's terms and is suitable for most everyone, regardless of prior experience with finance, money or business. The book answers a question most have never thought to ponder, "What is money, exactly?". The book provides a great overview of the history of money, lays out the characteristics that make for both good and bad money and finishes with an overview of how Bitcoin was created as a potential solution to some of the negative aspects present in today's fiat money system. Lastly, the book concludes with a balanced pros/cons discussion and highlights potential scenarios that would lead to both Bitcoin working and not working. Though it sounds hyperbole, this book completely changed the way I view money, finance, business, free markets and the world as a whole. Bitcoin provides a plausible avenue to a better world. As the quip from the famous Charlie Munger ironically goes, "show me the incentive, I'll show you the outcome". Bitcoin represents a paradigm shift and realignment in the underlying incentive structure driving outcomes in the world we live in. Cheers and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #15,564 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #3 in Bitcoin & Cryptocurrencies #5 in E-Commerce (Books) #10 in Money & Monetary Policy (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 8,570 Reviews |

## Images

![The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71jDLpPMdFS.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous
*by D***K on August 8, 2025*

Three months ago, I embarked on a journey to unravel the complexities of financial technology, and “The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous was the first book I chose. What an extraordinary starting point it turned out to be! This book, now a cornerstone in my collection of over twenty titles on the subject, easily secures a spot in my top three for its clarity, depth, and transformative insights. As I sit down to write this review today, I am struck by how profoundly it shaped my understanding of money, economics, and the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin. Ammous masterfully combines historical analysis, economic theory, and forward thinking vision to craft a compelling case for Bitcoin as a decentralized, sound money system. The book begins with a captivating exploration of money’s evolution from primitive barter systems to gold, backed currencies laying a foundation that makes the concept of Bitcoin accessible even to newcomers like I was at the time. Ammous doesn’t just explain what Bitcoin is; he illuminates why it matters, dissecting the flaws of fiat currencies with surgical precision. His discussion of inflation, central banking, and the erosion of purchasing power was an eye opener, making me question assumptions I would never thought to challenge. What sets “The Bitcoin Standard” apart is its ability to weave technical detail with broader philosophical and economic implications. Ammous dives into Bitcoin’s mechanics its fixed supply, proof of work, and decentralized ledger without overwhelming the reader. His writing is clear and engaging, balancing academic rigor with a passionate advocacy for financial sovereignty. I was particularly struck by his concept of “time preference,” which illustrates how sound money like Bitcoin incentivizes long term thinking and savings over reckless consumption. This idea alone reshaped how I view personal finance and societal priorities. The book’s historical parallels, from the gold standard to the rise and fall of empires, added a rich context that made Bitcoin feel not just innovative but inevitable. Ammous argues persuasively that Bitcoin’s design as a deflationary asset could restore economic stability and individual freedom in a world plagued by monetary mismanagement. I found its laser focus on Bitcoin’s unique properties refreshing. It’s not a broad fintech primer but a deep dive into why Bitcoin stands alone. Reading “The Bitcoin Standard” was like being handed a map to navigate the chaotic world of modern finance. It’s rare for a book to be both a page turner and a profound education, but Ammous delivers exactly that. For anyone curious about financial technology, economics, or the future of money, this book is a must read. It didn’t just teach me about Bitcoin it gave me a new lens to see the world. Three months and twenty books later, its lessons remain as powerful and relevant as ever. Highly recommended!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Probably the most important book of my generation
*by A***S on March 29, 2023*

This book was very helpful to me and I highly recommend. Bitcoin is admittedly an extremely obscure and abstract concept, but once understood, is almost unfathomably enlightening. When one looks at the world around them and sees all the ills and craziness, it's often possible to trace the underlying issue back to a bad incentives created by bad money. This bad money regime is enabled by an ever-present, yet often unseen, handful of individuals who single-handedly possess the ability to take from some to give to others (often in the form of taking from those on the margin and giving to those whose needs are already met). This book is in laymen's terms and is suitable for most everyone, regardless of prior experience with finance, money or business. The book answers a question most have never thought to ponder, "What is money, exactly?". The book provides a great overview of the history of money, lays out the characteristics that make for both good and bad money and finishes with an overview of how Bitcoin was created as a potential solution to some of the negative aspects present in today's fiat money system. Lastly, the book concludes with a balanced pros/cons discussion and highlights potential scenarios that would lead to both Bitcoin working and not working. Though it sounds hyperbole, this book completely changed the way I view money, finance, business, free markets and the world as a whole. Bitcoin provides a plausible avenue to a better world. As the quip from the famous Charlie Munger ironically goes, "show me the incentive, I'll show you the outcome". Bitcoin represents a paradigm shift and realignment in the underlying incentive structure driving outcomes in the world we live in. Cheers and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brain Upgraded to the 'Satoshi Standard'
*by M***S on April 27, 2025*

Before reading The Bitcoin Standard, my understanding of money was pretty basic: you earn it, you spend it, and sometimes the number in your bank account goes up or down seemingly at random. Bitcoin? That was just that confusing internet money thing people argued about online. Saifedean Ammous didn't just explain Bitcoin; he took me on a journey through the history of money itself, from primitive seashells to gold standards to the current fiat system. And let me tell you, that journey is eye-opening. He makes a compelling case for why Bitcoin isn't just another digital fad, but a potential paradigm shift in how we think about value, scarcity, and freedom from centralized control. This book is incredibly well-researched and argued. Ammous has a knack for explaining complex economic concepts in a way that's both rigorous and surprisingly readable. It's not just for the crypto-bros; it's for anyone who's ever wondered why prices keep going up, or what gives money its value in the first place. Reading this book felt like getting a fundamental upgrade to my understanding of the world's financial plumbing. It challenged my assumptions and gave me a completely new perspective on economics and technology. If you want to move beyond the headlines and understand the fundamental principles behind Bitcoin and why it matters, The Bitcoin Standard is an essential read. It's insightful, thought-provoking, and might just change the way you view money forever. Highly, highly recommended!

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*Product available on Desertcart Portugal*
*Store origin: PT*
*Last updated: 2026-06-09*