The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous explains the history of money, from primitive systems like barter and shells to modern central banking and fiat currencies. It argues that sound money - money that maintains its value over time - is crucial for economic stability and prosperity. Ammous positions Bitcoin as the digital equivalent of gold, uniquely suited to act as sound money in the digital age. The book emphasizes Bitcoin’s resistance to inflation, censorship, and manipulation, making it a potential cornerstone of a decentralized, global financial system.

There is a conceptual link between The Bitcoin Standard and George Washington’s ideas, particularly regarding principles like independence, sound governance, and the prevention of centralized power abuses:

1. Decentralization and Sovereignty: Washington emphasized national independence and warned against foreign entanglements or centralized control. Similarly, The Bitcoin Standard advocates for individual and financial sovereignty through decentralized systems like Bitcoin, free from the control of central banks or governments.

2. Caution Against Factionalism: Washington’s warning about political factionalism aligns with Bitcoin’s potential to bypass divisive monetary policies that benefit certain groups at the expense of others.

3. Morality and Responsibility: Washington highlighted the role of morality in sustaining a stable society. Bitcoin, as discussed in the book, is presented as a technology that enforces financial discipline and transparency, reducing opportunities for corruption and moral hazards inherent in fiat systems.

Both promote the idea of long-term stability and accountability - Washington in governance, and Ammous in monetary policy. While Washington’s era predates Bitcoin, his warnings about the misuse of centralized power resonate strongly with the book’s critique of fiat currency and centralized banking systems.