Bitcoin mining is both one of the coolest and most unique aspects of the Bitcoin system, and it's also one of the most deeply misunderstood parts of it. In my effort to make this crazy thing make some amount of sense, I toss my hat into the ring to explaining why mining is actually one of the most profound, and fascinating parts of Bitcoin, that make it a truly revolutionary discovery. So... Why is Bitcoin mining even a thing? Check out the BitKit wallet if you want a simple and intuitive wallet with on-chain and lightning built in, where you are in control of your own keys. If you are in the US, do NOT use a VPN set to Europe to make lightning work without any friction. That would not be advised to get a service like NordVPN, or Mullvad, and get around that very easily. But you should get a VPN anyway because it will help protect your privacy, but will also protect you from man-in-middle attacks and wifi spoofing attacks. (Link: Bitkit.to)   Check out our awesome sponsors! Ledn: Need fiat but don’t want to sell your Bitcoin? Ledn offers secure, Bitcoin-backed loans with no credit checks, flexible repayment, and fast turnaround—often within 24 hours. With $10B+ in loans across 100+ countries and transparent Proof of Reserves, Ledn is a trusted option for unlocking liquidity without giving up your Bitcoin. (Link: https://learn.ledn.io/audible) HRF: The Human Rights Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. Subscribe to HRF's Financial Freedom Newsletter today. (Link: https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter) OFF: The Oslo Freedom Forum is a global human rights event by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), uniting voices from activism, journalism, tech, and beyond. Through powerful stories and collaboration, OFF advances freedom and human potential worldwide. Join us next June. (Link: https://oslofreedomforum.com/) Pubky: Pubky is building the next web, a decentralized system designed to put control back in your hands. Escape censorship, algorithmic manipulation, and walled gardens by owning your identity and data. Explore the Pubky web and become the algorithm today. Don't forget to find me on my Pubky ID here: pk:5d7thwzkxx5mz6gk1f19wfyykr6nrwzaxri3io7ahejg1z74qngo. (Link: https://pubky.org) Chroma: Chroma is dedicated to advancing human performance and well-being through cutting-edge light therapy devices and performance eyewear. Their miss