**Bitcoinism** is an emergent philosophy, embodying a consistent set of many values:

- fair issuance

- austrian economics

- cheap validation (accessibility)

- voluntary opt-in (no coercion)

- individual self-reliance

- appreciation for strong property rights

- libertarianism

These are not *features* of Bitcoin - they are Bitcoin.

The values **are** the system, [the code simply **automates** the values](https://2minutebitcoin.org/blog/unpacking-bitcoins-social-contract-2018). Bitcoiners are serious about retaining the foundational properties because to alter them is **to kill the system**.

Alternative projects hold their values very weakly - they pride [innovation over consistency](https://time.com/6223034/ethereum-merge-sanctions-flashbots/).