I've been in crypto full-time since 2016 and this keynote from @ErikVoorhees is absolutely a Top-3 video on "why we are here". & For those who'd prefer to read, here's a summary by @PodFast_: In his speech, Erik Voorhees, the founder of ShapeShift, talks about why the crypto industry is a rebellion against the traditional financial system. He starts by asking the audience why they are there, jokingly mentioning free coffee and Lambos. But then he gets to the heart of the matter - he asks if anyone is there for a rebellion, and some hands go up. He explains that crypto is a rebellion because it is permissionless. With the invention of Bitcoin, permissionless money was created, allowing people to transact without anyone's approval. And with the invention of smart contracts on Ethereum, an entirely permissionless financial system could be built. Voorhees uses metaphors to explain why this rebellion is important. He compares the traditional financial system to chains that bind us, granting us permission to exist only if we follow certain rules set by strangers in power. He argues that we shouldn't accept this subservience, and that the permission to build our own lives and transact freely should not be taken away from us. He points out that throughout history, the state has gradually imposed more restrictions and permissions on its citizens. He asks why we should respect leaders who often have questionable character and motives. He calls them out as "Lords" who have no right to control or restrain us. Voorhees emphasizes that crypto is a technology of individual freedom and a declaration of financial independence. It allows any two people to trade value without permission, and this scares some people. However, he argues that it is not chaos that we seek, but rather objective and transparent rules. He compares code-based rules, which are scientifically sound and enforced 100% of the time, to the subjective rules of the traditional financial system that are often unclear and selectively enforced. He concludes by stating that the laws of math and code have meaning and should be respected. He calls out the double standard of persecuting projects like Uniswap that enforce rules objectively and transparently, while traditional financial institutions are often under-resourced and selectively enforce their own rules. In summary, Erik Voorhees passionately argues that the crypto industry is a rebellion against the permissioned and opaque nature of the traditional financial system. He believes in the power of permissionless technology and the importance of objective and transparent rules in building a more free and just society. In this passionate speech, Erik compares traditional regulators and politicians to dinosaurs, while highlighting the power and importance of decentralized finance and open-source collaboration in the crypto world. Erik argues that while regulators may claim the moral high ground, they are actually the agents of chaos, printing money and impeding progress. In contrast, those involved in crypto are building a superior technology for rules and order within society. Vorhees urges listeners to embrace the wild and romantic spirit of crypto, standing tall against bureaucratic interference and embracing the nobility of being pioneers in this new financial landscape. They emphasize the transparency and voluntary nature of crypto, contrasting it with the compliance and submission demanded by traditional systems. Erik contends that the power of capital will ultimately flow to decentralized finance, as individuals seek out respect and freedom. Despite facing setbacks and opposition, Erik remains optimistic, believing that the ethical arguments and natural flow of capital will lead to the triumph of decentralized finance.