21 in 21: Alex Pruden

This episode features Alex Pruden, the Chairman of Aleo and the CEO of Project Eleven, an applied R&D lab focused on the intersection of quantum computing and cryptography. In this conversation with Haley Berkoe, Alex discusses quantum computing, future-proofing bitcoin, user experience upgrades, and his journey from the Army Special Forces to becoming a cryptographer.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:50 Discovering bitcoin in the Middle East

01:42 Project Eleven & why quantum matters

02:46 What it means to be "quantum-resistant"

04:50 AI and cryptography

07:02 Learning cryptography from scratch

08:51 Book recommendation: Life and Fate

09:37 What self-sovereignty should look like

11:11 Zero-knowledge on bitcoin

14:05 Bitcoin’s price does not equal success

15:18 Bitcoin UX still needs love and innovation

19:39 Army lessons that shape his work

21:02 Final thought: celebrate, but contribute

FOLLOW:

Alex Pruden: @apruden08, https://x.com/apruden08

Project Eleven: @qdayclock, https://x.com/qdayclock

Haley Berkoe: https://x.com/HBerkoe

Presidio Bitcoin: https://x.com/PresidioBitcoin

WATCH THE SHOW:

https://www.youtube.com/@PresidioBitcoin