Podcast: Laura Vidiella on Crypto Myths & Technologies

In this episode of The Sazmining Podcast, Will Szamosszegi sits down with Laura Vidiella, Operations Manager at LedgerX, to discuss the future of Bitcoin mining, crypto myths, and the technological and regulatory hurdles facing the industry. Laura shares her fascinating journey into the world of crypto and blockchain, the challenges and opportunities for Bitcoin miners, and the innovative financial products LedgerX is offering to hedge risk and encourage adoption.

The Journey into Crypto: From Finance to LedgerX

Welcome to The Sazmining Podcast. At Sazmining, we bring you into conversations with blockchain and crypto industry leaders. Our goal is to improve understanding and encourage adoption by giving you an insider’s perspective into the world of blockchain technology.

Today, we’re excited to welcome Laura Vidiella, who began her career as an ethical information analyst and eventually made her way to LedgerX, a U.S.-regulated Bitcoin options exchange. Laura’s career path, filled with exploration, ambition, and purpose, is nothing short of inspiring.‍

Laura: "Thanks, Will! I’m thrilled to be here. My path into crypto wasn’t linear, but looking back, every step makes sense—it’s like connecting the dots in hindsight.”‍

Early in her career, Laura envisioned a future in investment banking, drawn by its fast pace and the idea of building wealth in traditional financial systems. But like many ambitious individuals with a broader worldview, she also considered a completely different path: international diplomacy.‍

“At one point, my dream was to become a Spanish ambassador,” Laura recalls with a smile. “Representing my country on a global scale and contributing to international organizations seemed like a meaningful way to make a difference."

‍Her academic background and early work experience reflected this dual interest in finance and global systems. But over time, real-world experiences exposed her to global challenges that traditional systems struggled to address effectively—chief among them were corruption and inefficiency.‍

“You don’t really see the flaws until you’re up close,” Laura explains. “The systems we rely on for governance and finance can be flawed. Funds aren’t always allocated where they’re supposed to go, and the lack of transparency makes it difficult to hold people accountable.”‍

Growing up in Spain, Laura witnessed these inefficiencies firsthand. Corruption scandals, mismanaged public funds, and bureaucratic red tape were more than just headlines; they were part of the social and political reality. It planted a seed of curiosity: What technologies could fix these problems?

“I started asking myself: How do we build systems that people can trust? How do we eliminate the middlemen that create unnecessary complexity?”‍

Laura’s growing frustration with broken systems was paired with another personal passion: technology. She had always been fascinated by how innovation could reshape industries and societies. So when she came across blockchain technology, everything clicked.

• Blockchain wasn’t just a buzzword—it was a solution.
• It offered transparency through its public ledger.
• It reduced opportunities for corruption by removing intermediaries.
• It empowered individuals to verify information independently, without relying on centralized authorities.‍

‍“For me, blockchain felt like a revelation. It wasn’t just an abstract concept—it was a practical tool that could solve problems I cared about,” Laura explains. “Especially coming from a place where trust in institutions has been broken time and again, blockchain’s promise of transparency felt revolutionary.”‍

Laura’s discovery of blockchain marked a turning point in her career. It was no longer about climbing the traditional corporate ladder or sticking to the status quo. She began to see technology as the bridge between ambition and impact—between solving problems and creating something meaningful.

While her journey wasn’t linear, every step, from ethical analysis to consulting, brought her closer to the industry that would align her values with her work.

Discovering Bitcoin in 2013

Laura vividly recounts her unexpected first encounter with Bitcoin in 2013, a moment that seemed minor at the time but would later prove to be pivotal.‍

“I was in business school back in Spain, just a regular day. I walked into one of the campus restaurants to withdraw some euros. I saw this ATM machine and didn’t think twice about it—until the person there stopped me and said, ‘You can’t withdraw euros here. This is a Bitcoin ATM.’"‍

At that point, Bitcoin was still a niche concept, largely unknown to the general public. Curious but skeptical, Laura asked the obvious question: “What’s Bitcoin?”‍

The explanation she received was as simple as it could be—“It’s a virtual currency, not controlled by banks or governments. Decentralized, peer-to-peer.” It sounded intriguing, but what really caught her attention was when she asked, “How much does it cost?”

“The person told me it was trading at €300. I couldn’t believe it. As a student living on a tight budget, €300 for something I couldn’t even touch or fully understand seemed ridiculous. My first thought was, ‘There’s no way people are buying this.’”‍

It’s a reaction many early observers of Bitcoin shared—a mix of disbelief and skepticism. At the time, Bitcoin felt like an abstract experiment, a curiosity at best.

Laura brushed it off that day, continuing with her studies. But as the years passed, Bitcoin and the technology behind it—blockchain—began to crop up more frequently in discussions and news headlines.

Rediscovering Crypto in Boston

Fast forward to a few years later: Laura had moved to Boston to pursue her master’s degree. This time, Bitcoin wasn’t just an ATM or a fleeting conversation—it was a growing movement. Boston, with its vibrant tech and startup culture, introduced Laura to a thriving crypto community.‍

“Boston is a really interesting place for crypto. It’s not a huge community, but it’s a very tight-knit and passionate one. There were meetups, conferences, and events happening all the time.”‍

These gatherings became her gateway to a deeper understanding of blockchain and Bitcoin. She wasn’t just reading about it anymore; she was engaging with the people building it.

Laura began to attend events and network with professionals in the space. The passion, innovation, and sense of community stood out to her.‍

“Everyone I met was so driven and excited about the future of blockchain. It was contagious. You could tell this wasn’t just a trend—it was a movement.”

Overcoming Hesitation and Jumping In

Despite her growing interest, Laura hesitated to jump into the industry right away.‍

“At first, I kept telling myself, ‘I don’t know enough yet.’ Blockchain and Bitcoin seemed so complex, and I felt like I needed to study more, learn more before I could work in the industry.

‍This hesitation is common for newcomers to emerging technologies. The learning curve feels steep, and the fear of not knowing enough can be paralyzing. But as Laura continued to immerse herself in the community, her perspective changed.‍

“Eventually, I realized there’s no better way to learn than by actually being in the industry. You can study forever, but the best education is hands-on experience. You make mistakes, you learn as you go, and you grow faster than you ever could on the sidelines.”

That realization was the tipping point.‍

“So I pulled the trigger. I stopped overthinking, trusted my instincts, and made the leap into crypto. It turned out to be the best decision I could have made.”

For Laura, the journey from a skeptical student in Spain to a key player at a regulated Bitcoin exchange was defined by moments of curiosity, hesitation, and ultimately, action. Her experience serves as a reminder to anyone considering a career in crypto or blockchain:

• You don’t need to have all the answers before you start.
• Learning happens in the trenches, not on the sidelines.
• Surrounding yourself with passionate people can inspire you to take that leap.‍

“Looking back, that first encounter with the Bitcoin ATM was a funny moment—but it’s also a perfect example of how innovation starts as something unbelievable. What seems outrageous today might be revolutionary tomorrow.”‍

Laura’s rediscovery of Bitcoin in Boston marked the beginning of a deeper journey into the world of crypto and blockchain—one that would lead her to LedgerX, where she now helps bridge the gap between retail and institutional investors in the crypto financial market.

Myths About Bitcoin and Crypto

Myth 1: Bitcoin is Used for Criminal Activity

One of the biggest myths out there is that Bitcoin is only used for criminal activity. It’s something we’ve heard repeated time and again, but is it really true?

Laura responds with a mix of clarity and conviction, immediately debunking this long-standing misconception. “Exactly. It’s such a common misunderstanding, but the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Bitcoin is actually far more traceable than cash—much more transparent than most people think.”

At the heart of this myth lies a misunderstanding of how Bitcoin works. While many people still picture Bitcoin as an untraceable digital currency used in dark corners of the internet, the opposite is true.

Laura explains the key factor that separates Bitcoin from traditional cash: the public blockchain ledger.

“Every single Bitcoin transaction is recorded on the blockchain. It’s all there—permanently—and anyone can see it. If you use Bitcoin for something illegal, every step of the process is time-stamped and traceable, from one wallet to another.”

Why Cash is Harder to Trace

For comparison, Laura highlights the opacity of traditional cash transactions.‍

“With physical cash, it’s different. You can hand someone a briefcase of money, and there’s no record—nothing to trace where it came from or where it went.

‍Once cash changes hands, it becomes almost impossible to track. It’s precisely this anonymity that makes fiat currency the preferred choice for illegal activity.‍

“If you’re a criminal and you truly want to avoid leaving a trace, you’re far better off using cash than Bitcoin.”

Law Enforcement Success Stories

Laura points out that far from enabling crime, Bitcoin has actually helped law enforcement catch major criminal operations.

“Because the blockchain is so transparent, law enforcement can follow the trail of transactions and uncover networks that might otherwise remain hidden. If a criminal tries to convert Bitcoin back into fiat—like dollars or euros—that’s the moment their identity can be exposed.”

She recalls a case where Bitcoin played a critical role:

• Authorities used blockchain analysis to track illicit transactions.
• By tracing the flow of funds, they were able to identify the wallets connected to illegal activity.
• Once those wallets converted Bitcoin to fiat currency, investigators tied the funds to real-world identities and made arrests.‍

‍“This has happened multiple times—criminal rings busted, networks dismantled—because Bitcoin made it easier, not harder, to follow the money.”

Why the Myth Persists

So, if Bitcoin is so transparent, why does the myth persist? Laura believes it stems from Bitcoin’s early days, particularly its association with platforms like Silk Road, which operated on the dark web.‍

“Back then, Bitcoin was still new, and people associated it with the few illegal uses they’d heard about. But the reality is, Bitcoin is just a tool—like cash, like credit cards. It’s how people use it that matters.”

Today, as Laura points out, the narrative is shifting. Institutions, governments, and businesses are realizing the power of blockchain transparency. Instead of hiding transactions, blockchain technology makes them more visible and permanent than ever before.‍

“If you’re doing something illegal, the last thing you want is a permanent, public record of your activity. That’s exactly what Bitcoin provides.”

Myth 2: Bitcoin Mining is Bad for the Environment

Another common argument against Bitcoin revolves around its energy consumption. It’s one of the most repeated criticisms, with headlines often painting Bitcoin mining as an energy-hungry villain. However, Laura Vidiella believes it’s critical to take a more nuanced and data-driven view of the topic.‍

“Yes, Bitcoin mining consumes energy—no one’s denying that—but it absolutely needs to be put into perspective. When you compare Bitcoin’s energy use to other industries, the numbers start to look a lot different.”‍

To illustrate her point, Laura uses a striking comparison :‍

“Think about cruise ships. A single cruise can consume the energy equivalent of 327 million cars running for an entire day. Let that sink in—just one cruise!”

Energy Consumption in Perspective

The conversation about Bitcoin mining often lacks context. Critics focus on its raw energy usage but ignore other major industries that consume vastly more energy with far less value to show for it. Laura points out that Bitcoin, at its core, is building something transformative:

1. ‍A global decentralized monetary network.
2. A secure and transparent system of record-keeping.
3. A tool for financial inclusion worldwide.
   

Compared to industries like:

• ‍Gold mining, which consumes enormous amounts of energy while creating environmental degradation.‍
• Traditional banking, which requires countless data centers, physical infrastructure, and transportation.‍

“Bitcoin mining isn’t just consuming energy for the sake of it—it’s creating value by building a better financial system. And compared to industries like gold mining or even data-heavy tech industries, the energy use is far more justified.”

The Role of Innovation in Energy Efficiency

Beyond the comparisons, what often gets overlooked is how rapidly the Bitcoin mining industry is innovating to become more energy-efficient. Laura highlights that many mining operations are actively seeking out cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

“This is the part that doesn’t get talked about enough—how much innovation is happening within the industry to reduce its environmental impact.”

Mining companies are now prioritizing:

‍Renewable energy:

• Many miners are turning to solar, wind, and hydropower to fuel their operations.
• Countries with abundant renewable resources, like Iceland (geothermal) and Canada (hydropower), are becoming hubs for mining activity.

Excess power or curtailed energy:

• Bitcoin miners often set up operations near power grids that generate more energy than can be consumed.
• Instead of letting that power go to waste—known as curtailment—miners use it productively to secure the Bitcoin network.‍

“I know of miners who partner with energy companies to tap into power that would otherwise be flared or wasted. This turns an environmental problem into a solution—Bitcoin mining effectively monetizes energy that no one else can use.”

A Catalyst for Renewable Energy Investment

Laura also highlights a less-discussed point: Bitcoin mining can serve as a catalyst for renewable energy development.‍

“Mining is incredibly flexible. You can build a Bitcoin mining facility in remote areas where other industries might not be feasible. This encourages investment in renewable infrastructure in places that otherwise wouldn’t have access to energy markets.”

‍Here’s how:‍

• ‍Stabilizing energy grids: Miners can adjust their energy usage to match grid demands, helping stabilize grids during times of surplus or peak use.‍
• Funding renewable projects: By offering a reliable source of revenue, Bitcoin miners incentivize the construction of solar farms, wind projects, and other renewable energy infrastructure.‍

“When miners operate in partnership with renewable projects, it’s a win-win: clean energy gets funded and Bitcoin becomes greener. It’s a cycle of innovation that benefits both the environment and the network.”

The Future of Green Bitcoin Mining

As the industry matures, Laura believes we’ll see even more breakthroughs in energy efficiency and sustainability. Bitcoin miners, driven by both economic and public pressure, are exploring creative solutions:

• ‍Advanced hardware: Newer mining rigs are significantly more energy-efficient than older models.‍
• Recycling heat: Some miners are repurposing the heat generated by mining rigs for practical uses, such as heating homes or greenhouses.‍
• Off-grid solutions: Innovations in off-grid renewable energy allow mining operations to function in previously unused areas without straining public grids.

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