In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, co-founder and CSO of Ledn, a leading platform for Bitcoin-backed loans and financial services. Born in Venezuela, Mauricio experienced firsthand the chaos of chronic inflation and hyperinflation, which shaped his understanding of broken money systems and led him to Bitcoin as a tool for financial sovereignty.After witnessing his family's strategies to navigate economic distortions, Mauricio discovered Bitcoin through mining and founded Ledn to help users borrow against their Bitcoin without selling. Now a prominent advocate for sound money, Mauricio shares insights on turning inflation into a tailwind, the cyclical nature of inequality, and Bitcoin's role as a global reserve asset.Podcast Originally Recorded: August 23rd 2024TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Episode Introduction00:55 - Introduction and Mauricio's Bitcoin journey beginnings01:33 - Prehistory: Growing up in Venezuela's inflation-distorted economy07:24 - Realizing money is broken and using inflation as a tailwind13:02 - Living through hyperinflation and why risk tolerance matters21:51 - Wealth inequality, historical debasement, and societal cycles29:36 - First encounter with Bitcoin through mining36:21 - Bitcoin's potential in collapsing economies38:28 - Founding Ledn and the vision for Bitcoin-backed loans43:40 - How Bitcoin-backed loans work and benefits over selling47:24 - Managing volatility and risks in Bitcoin lending51:54 - Advice for new Bitcoiners54:15 - Closing thoughtsFollow Mauricio Di Bartolomeo:X: @cryptonomistaLedn website: https://www.ledn.io/Ledn on X: @hodlwithLednFollow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisory