STEP 1: FUD the Scaling
The network that was meant to be the foundational difference from fiat was deemed unworkable. A Layer 2 solution was promoted as the only way.
STEP 2: Introduce the Red Herring
In order to hold off on-chain scaling, the Lightning Network was introduced. Just wait 18 more months. It’ll be ready and it will be amazing!
STEP 3: Jack Up Fees
Use Ordinals to jack fees high enough that no one can afford to self-custody, let alone use the main layer for anything normal.
STEP 4: Introduce Custodial L2
Liquid hung out in the background while Lightning was promoted. When Lightning broke because of crazy high fees, Liquid was quick to slide in as a solution.
STEP 5: Bridge from Exchanges Straight to L2
Now Banksters use Ordinals to jack fees to force everyone to withdraw directly to the permissioned L2. A host of exchanges can bridge to and from Liquid, and this is promoted as the ultimate solution.
Coinbase conveniently shuts off functionality for most payment coins on its merchant app. This funnels people into “trusted” KYC L2s.
Congratulations, most crypto users are now permanently stuck in a permissioned, custodial system, unable to afford actually controlling and owning their own money on permissionless networks.
Satoshi is rolling in his grave, but the Banksters are happy. What an amazing coincidence!
(plagarized from Joel Valenzuela @TheDesertLynx)
You’re right, Bitcoin has not fulfilled the promise that early supporters wanted. That said, I already disagree when you talk about FUD the scaling. Bitcoin did not support quick and easy transactions, one of the main selling points that brought people in. That’s not FUD. Generally when people talk about FUD it’s because the fundamental value/functionality isn’t enough to overcome the audience’s concerns.
Bitcoin could have easily been adjusted to support fast and cheap transactions as the network and usage grew. It started with “safe” initial parameters to guard against spam attacks. The bankers infiltrated and made sure it stayed crippled and unusable so their inferior controlled solutions would look useful.