During Bitcoin Design Week at Presidio Bitcoin, product designer and HRF grantee Erik Cativo joined the show to talk about designing the future of money. We get into his experiments with ecash and bitchat, the magic of bump-to-pay interactions, and how thoughtful UX can make bitcoin feel intuitive, private, and fun.
Erik also shares lessons from living in a nearly cashless society, ideas for building “throw-cash” experiences inside apps like Cash App, and why anyone can help design better bitcoin products simply by giving feedback.
FOLLOW:
Erik Cativo: https://x.com/uxerik_, https://www.erik.day/
Haley Berkoe: https://x.com/HBerkoe
Presidio Bitcoin: https://x.com/PresidioBitcoin
WATCH THE SHOW:
https://www.youtube.com/@PresidioBitcoin
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25:43
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25:43
21 in 21: Kyle Fletcher
Haley Berkoe is joined by Kyle Fletcher, Principal Design Director at Block, to explore the intersection of bitcoin, design, and culture. They discuss why artists and designers play a critical role in shaping bitcoin’s future, the sats vs. bitcoin denomination debate, and how thoughtful design can help bring bitcoin to the masses. Kyle also shares personal influences, dream projects, and why onboarding artists, local merchants, and creative communities is key to bitcoin adoption.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Intro & Kyle’s background at Block
01:01 State of Bitcoin brand creative
02:59 Designing future money: local and circular economies
05:55 The Intersection of art and bitcoin
08:19 The sats vs. bitcoin denomination debate
12:32 Design mentors, observation, and environment
15:39 Why Silicon Valley designers should care about Bitcoin
17:52 Dream projects: Bitcoin art galleries & philanthropy
22:11 Final thoughts: how creatives can get started with Bitcoin
23:13 Where to find Kyle online
FOLLOW:
Kyle Fletcher: https://x.com/kyleluvsew, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylefletcher/
Block/Cash App: https://x.com/blocks, https://x.com/CashApp
Haley Berkoe: https://x.com/HBerkoe, https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleyberkoe/
Presidio Bitcoin: https://x.com/PresidioBitcoin, https://www.linkedin.com/company/presidio-bitcoin
LINKS:
Presidio Bitcoin Design Week Summary: https://open.substack.com/pub/bitcoindesign/p/presidio-bitcoin-design-week?r=53cq2n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Kyle’s talk at Design Week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YArvqMYy6nI
Bitcoin Plushie: https://www.uncute.com/collections/everything-else/products/here-comes-bitcoin
WATCH THE SHOW:
https://www.youtube.com/@PresidioBitcoin
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23:42
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23:42
21 in 21: Christoph Ono
In this episode of 21 in 21, Haley is joined by Christoph Ono, co-founder of the Bitcoin Design Foundation and longtime contributor to the Bitcoin Design Community. They talk about Bitcoin Design Week in San Francisco, the effort to redesign the Bitcoin Core wallet, and why design plays such a critical role in shaping the future of money. Christoph also shares how newcomers can get involved in the Bitcoin Design Community and why making bitcoin feel magical matters.
Chapter Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Christoph’s background
01:05 Bitcoin Design Week in San Francisco
02:51 Designing future money
04:59 Why Silicon Valley designers should care about bitcoin
06:40 How to join the Bitcoin Design Community
08:44 Redesigning Bitcoin Core’s original wallet
11:51 Designers and developers working together
13:48 Impactful projects & community contributions
17:51 Inspirations, books, and design influences
23:03 Final thoughts: making bitcoin magical
23:43 Where to follow Christoph
FOLLOW:
Christoph Ono: https://x.com/GBKS, https://www.linkedin.com/in/germanysbestkeptsecret/
Bitcoin Design Community: https://x.com/bitcoin_design
Haley Berkoe: https://x.com/HBerkoe, https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleyberkoe/
Presidio Bitcoin: https://x.com/PresidioBitcoin, https://www.linkedin.com/company/presidio-bitcoin
LINKS:
Bitcoin Design 5 Year Report: https://five.bitcoin.design/
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud: https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Comics-Invisible-Scott-McCloud/dp/006097625X
Bitcoin Design Community: https://bitcoin.design/
Bitcoin Design Foundation: https://bitcoindesignfoundation.org/
Bitcoin Design Week: https://event.bitcoin.design/
Christoph speaking at Bitcoin Design Week: https://youtu.be/EbFCoVtJKEc?si=JEVxnLCTFJGX9NdL
Christoph’s Substack: https://gbks.substack.com/
WATCH THE SHOW:
https://www.youtube.com/@PresidioBitcoin
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24:34
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24:34
21 in 21: Conor Okus
In this episode, Haley Berkoe interviews Conor Okus, a Product Manager at Spiral. Conor shares his journey from playing football to becoming a grantee at Spiral and now managing the grant program. He addresses common misconceptions about bitcoin contributors, emphasizes the importance of user experience in promoting adoption, and discusses the emergence of user-friendly (easy) bitcoin addresses.
Conor also shares his thoughts on the intersection of AI and bitcoin, the ongoing debate about using "₿ " instead of "sats" to display bitcoin denominations, and offers valuable advice for newcomers to the bitcoin space.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Conor’s unique path: From footballer to bitcoiner
01:33 Becoming a Spiral grantee and joining the team full-time
03:53 What Spiral looks for in grant applications
05:08 Misconceptions about bitcoin contributors
07:15 First impressions of Presidio Bitcoin and the SF builder scene
08:25 Current focus: UX, BOLT12, and easy bitcoin addresses
12:04 The next wave of bitcoin innovation: Lightning and AI
14:38 How AI might leverage bitcoin for payments and micro-transactions
18:27 The sats vs. bitcoin ₿ display debate (BIP 177 and UX shifts)
22:37 Advice for aspiring bitcoin contributors
23:42 How to reach Conor & connect with Spiral
FOLLOW:
Conor Okus: https://x.com/ConorOkus, https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorokus/
Spiral: https://x.com/spiralbtc, https://www.linkedin.com/company/spiralbtc
Haley Berkoe: https://x.com/HBerkoe, https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleyberkoe/
Presidio Bitcoin: https://x.com/PresidioBitcoin, https://www.linkedin.com/company/presidio-bitcoin
LINKS:
Spiral Grant Guidelines: https://spiral.xyz/blog/square-crypto-grants-for-everybody/
Easy Bitcoin Address: https://easybitcoinaddress.me/
Bitcoin Design Week at Presidio Bitcoin: https://event.bitcoin.design/
Bitcoin Design Community: https://bitcoin.design/
Bitcoin Plushie: https://www.uncute.com/collections/everything-else/products/here-comes-bitcoin
WATCH THE SHOW:
https://www.youtube.com/@PresidioBitcoin
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24:45
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24:45
21 in 21: Mogashni Naidoo
Haley Berkoe sits down with Mogashni “Mo” Naidoo — UX researcher, designer, and co-founder of the Bitcoin Design Foundation. Mo shares her path into bitcoin design, why developers and designers need each other, and how the foundation supports designers across the ecosystem. She also talks about her UX Research Toolkit, the role of AI in product design, and previews Bitcoin Design Week in San Francisco in September.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 Introduction
01:35 The Bitcoin Design Foundation and Bitcoin Design Community, and how both support builders
03:23 Mo’s Journey into UX and bitcoin
05:26 Why Developers need designers
06:39 The Bitcoin Design Community’s projects and impact
07:51 Mo’s personal project to unify bitcoin UX research and how she uses AI to build tools
10:47 Bitcoin Design Week September 15–19 at Presidio Bitcoin
14:52 How better design can empower activists, the unbanked, and everyday users
16:50 Exploring AI-powered design tools, including the idea of a “Bitcoin Design Sidekick”
21:38 Ways to contribute time or resources to the Bitcoin Design Foundation
23:57 Closing thoughts
FOLLOW:
Mogashni “Mo” Naidoo: https://x.com/MouxDesign, https://www.linkedin.com/in/mogashninaidoo/
Bitcoin Design Community: https://x.com/bitcoin_design
Haley Berkoe: https://x.com/HBerkoe, https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleyberkoe/
Presidio Bitcoin: https://x.com/PresidioBitcoin, https://www.linkedin.com/company/presidio-bitcoin
LINKS:
Bitcoin Design Week at Presidio Bitcoin: https://event.bitcoin.design/
Bitcoin Design Community: https://bitcoin.design/
Bitcoin Design Foundation: https://bitcoindesignfoundation.org/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitcoin-design-foundation/
Bitcoin Design 5 Year Report: https://five.bitcoin.design/
Bitcoin Plushie: https://www.uncute.com/collections/everything-else/products/here-comes-bitcoin
WATCH THE SHOW:
https://www.youtube.com/@PresidioBitcoin
Haley Berkoe asks some of the biggest names in bitcoin and Silicon Valley 21 questions in 21 minutes, from the personalities you know and love to tech’s unsung heroes. A new episode drops when someone stops by Presidio Bitcoin. Reach out if you are or will be in the area and are interested in being on the show. presidiobitcoin.substack.com
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