KOL499 | “Why is Austrian Economics Important?” BTCHEL Helsinki

by Stephan Kinsella on September 26, 2026

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 499.

I was invited by Knut Svanholm months ago (I appeared on his show earlier this year; see KOL484 | Praxeology, Property Rights & Bitcoin: Bitcoin Infinity Show #192, with Knut Svanholm) to participate in the Nordic Bitcoin Conference, or BTCHEL (perma) in Helsinki. I appeared earlier this morning on the panel “Why is Austrian Economics Important?” [bio], along with Knut and Rahim Taghizadegan, moderated by Thomas Brand of Coinmotion. Our panel topic description:

Subjective value, time preference, and sound money: the Austrian ideas that keep surfacing in Bitcoin arguments. What the school actually claims, where it is genuinely contested including by other Austrians, and what any of it tells you about the money you are holding.

I recorded it on my iphone, so my audio sounds clearest; professional video and audio to be posted later.
***

More photos at Facebook.

with Adam Back

with Giacamo Zucco

Followup tweets:

It was a great panel. Unfortunately, it could have been a bit longer, but the program was tight, so there was no time for social chitchat or Q&A. 😅

It was “carefully” planned, and the perfect execution was just a matter of orchestrating human action. 😉

— Thomas ‘Brrr’ ₿rand (@thlbr) September 29, 2026

I spoke about the Austrian School, in a keynote and on a panel with @NSKinsella and @knutsvanholm. One of the rare panels without disagreement that was still stimulating enough to keep me from trolling. That is thanks to the excellent preparation of our moderator @thlbr.

— Rahim Taghizadegan (scholarium.at) (@scholarium_at) September 29, 2026

Despite conference inflation, I accepted the invitation to @btchelevent: Finland was the only European country I had not yet visited. My impression: it could represent the best of Europe. Unfortunately, on Bitcoin mining it makes mistakes as grave as other EU countries. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Ow705HcoJm

— Rahim Taghizadegan (scholarium.at) (@scholarium_at) September 29, 2026

Professionally organised by @btcbenchmark and @lukedewolf. Luke himself was absent for the best of reasons: he was securing the future of Bitcoin, as his child was born almost at the same time as the conference.

— Rahim Taghizadegan (scholarium.at) (@scholarium_at) September 29, 2026

And #BTCHEL had the best breakout sessions of any conference: in a real sauna. The Finnish weather was, unfortunately, well suited to them.

— Rahim Taghizadegan (scholarium.at) (@scholarium_at) September 29, 2026

On the last day I finally saw Helsinki in the sun. A few minutes from the city centre there is a beautiful sandy beach. Why is it completely empty on a sunny Sunday afternoon after a week of rain? Finnish culture remains a mystery. pic.twitter.com/5LYhT5V4m5

— Rahim Taghizadegan (scholarium.at) (@scholarium_at) September 29, 2026