Saifedean Ammous

The Palestinian-Jordanian economist and author Saifedean Ammous is one of the world’s most clear-sighted advocates of the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. “Bitcoin’s suitability as the sound money of the digital age may catch naysayers by surprise”, he writes.

Ammous was born in Nablus in Palestine. He began his academic career as an assistant professor of economics at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. His research focused mainly on standard economics. But, over time, he became increasingly critical of fiat money systems and worn-out economic thinking. That led him to become a passionate advocate of the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin.

In 2018, he published The Bitcoin Standard, which has since been translated into 38 languages. It places Bitcoin within the broader context of monetary history. In limited supply and liberated from ordinary gatekeepers of finance, Saifedean Ammous argues that Bitcoin represents one of the most advanced forms of money in history and an alternative to inflation-prone fiat currencies. US Congressman Warren Davidson praised it as “one of the best books in recent memory”, further cementing Ammous’ reputation.

In 2022, Ammous published Principles of Economics, a theory of economics based on the actions of the individual person. Ammous was also appointed as an economic advisor to the government of El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. Ammous personally advised the country’s president and its Bitcoin Office.

Additionally, Saifedean Ammous speaks at international conferences, teaches courses on Bitcoin and economics, and makes podcast appearances. He is one of the world’s most vocal critics of central banking, which has, he believes, proved unsustainable.