Tony Yazbeck didn’t just witness Lebanon’s economic inferno—he was incinerated by it. Out of that fiery collapse rose The Bitcoin Way: a battle-tested blueprint for true sovereignty where self-custody keys unlock borders, cybersecurity armor deflects state overreach, and ironclad inheritance plans defy systemic failure.
One ordinary day in 2019, the “Paris of the Middle East” imploded: bank accounts frozen overnight, life savings vaporized, a currency in freefall turning bread into gold and middle-class stability into dust.
From entrepreneur to destitute, Yazbeck found himself in a nation where hyperinflation would soon send gas prices soaring and force families to barter plumbing work for groceries. In the ashes, he discovered bitcoin wasn’t a speculative asset—it was an ark. 
This is the manifesto of a man who stared into the abyss of fiat betrayal—and came back holding a torch for the unbreakable.
Origins
- What personal experience or realization forced you to confront the shortcomings of traditional finance and custody, ultimately leading to the creation of The Bitcoin Way? Was there a specific event?
Yes. The 2019 banking collapse in Lebanon changed everything for me. One day, I had a secure future: savings, plans, stability. The next, all of it was gone. Bank accounts were frozen, money seized. No warning. No recourse. I went from comfortable to homeless overnight.
That was my wake-up call. It was the moment I truly understood that if you don’t control your money, you don’t own it. Bitcoin became more than just an idea. It became survival. It gave me hope, strength, and a way to rebuild. That’s why The Bitcoin Way exists. Not theory. Not hype. Just a tool for freedom, because I’ve lived the alternative and barely made it out.
- You offer a unique suite beyond just custody (Residency, Inheritance, Cybersecurity). How did you identify these interconnected needs as essential pillars of true bitcoin sovereignty? What’s the common thread?
When I lost everything in Lebanon, I realized custody was just the start. Owning bitcoin meant nothing if I couldn’t protect it, pass it on, or use it freely. That’s where the deeper needs came in.
Residency is about freedom of movement. Inheritance secures your legacy. Cybersecurity protects your sovereignty. These aren’t extras. They’re essentials. The common thread is control. Real bitcoin sovereignty means being untouchable across borders, across generations, and against threats. We built The Bitcoin Way around that truth because I lived what happens when you don’t.
- How do you define “success” for a client of The Bitcoin Way? Is it just securing keys, or something deeper?
Success isn’t just about securing keys. That’s the foundation, not the finish line. Real success is when a client feels free in every way: financially, digitally, and physically.
It means they understand what they hold, can move when needed, protect what’s theirs, and pass it on without fear. It’s peace of mind. Confidence. Control. When a client no longer depends on anyone to access or defend their wealth, that’s success at The Bitcoin Way.
Self-Custody Deep Dive
- “Not your keys, not your coins” is a mantra, but why is self-custody non-negotiable for anyone serious about bitcoin, especially after events like FTX, Celsius, etc.? What risks persist even now?
”Not your keys, not your coins” is not just a slogan. It’s a warning. If someone else holds your bitcoin, it’s not yours. It’s theirs with your name on it, until it’s gone.
FTX, Celsius, and others proved how fast it can vanish. Promises mean nothing when platforms collapse or get hacked. Even now, many still trust middlemen. That’s the risk. Centralized custody brings hidden exposure, legal seizure, theft, and censorship.
Self-custody removes the weak link. It puts you in control. No one can freeze, steal, or lose what they don’t hold. If you’re serious about bitcoin, self-custody isn’t optional. It’s the whole point.
- What are the TOP paralyzing fears people express when considering self-custody for the first time? How does The Bitcoin Way systematically dismantle these fears?
The top fears are:
- “What if I lose my seed phrase?”
- “What if I mess up the setup?”
- “What if someone hacks me?”
- “What if something happens to me and my family can’t access it?”
These fears are valid. But they come from not knowing how to do it right.
At The Bitcoin Way, we guide people step by step. We remove guesswork. We help them build secure backups, strong inheritance plans, and personal threat models. We teach them how to protect their setup and stay calm under pressure.
Fear fades with knowledge and confidence. That’s what we give them.
- Multisig vs. Singlesig? Hardware wallets, passphrases, metal backups? Can you give us a quick, practical “hierarchy of needs” for setting up a robust self-custody solution suitable for different stack sizes
Sure.
1. Beginner (small stack):
- Singlesig
- One hardware wallet
- Basic metal backup
- No passphrase needed yet
- Clear inheritance plan
2. Intermediate (growing stack):
- Singlesig with a passphrase
- Secure metal backup of seed and passphrase
- Add decoy wallet if privacy is a concern
- Airgapped setup preferred
- Clear inheritance plan
3. Advanced (serious stack):
- Multisig (2-of-3 or 3-of-5)
- Multiple hardware wallets, each stored separately
- Distributed backups
- Clear inheritance plan
- Threat model reviewed
Start simple, stay safe, and scale as your stack grows. The Bitcoin Way helps you build the right setup for where you are and where you’re going.
- Cybersecurity is paramount. Beyond the tech, what are the most common human errors that jeopardize bitcoin security? What’s your #1 piece of behavioral advice?
The biggest threat isn’t the tech. It’s human error.
Common mistakes:
- Reusing passwords
- Storing seed phrases digitally
- Clicking phishing links
- Oversharing online
- Getting too comfortable
The number one rule: Slow down. Most mistakes happen when people rush, panic, or act on impulse. Take your time. Double-check everything. Think before you click or share.
Discipline beats tools and we train people to become their own strongest link.
- Walk us through the absolute bare minimum disaster recovery plan every bitcoiner MUST have in place. (e.g., seed phrase storage, inheritance access).
At the bare minimum, every bitcoiner needs:
1. Secure seed phrase storage:
- Stamped or engraved on metal
- Stored in a safe, fireproof location
- Never saved digitally
2. Clear access plan:
- Know exactly where your wallet and backup are
- Test your recovery process at least once
3. Inheritance setup:
- Trusted person knows how to access it, not where it is
- Instructions are simple, written, and stored securely
- Optional: use a dead man’s switch or time-locked letter
Without these, your bitcoin can vanish in an accident, theft, or death.
Legacy & Holistic Sovereignty
- Why is geographical diversification (“Plan B Residency”) becoming an increasingly critical component of a comprehensive Bitcoin strategy, beyond just financial hedging? How does bitcoin facilitate this?
Plan B Residency is about freedom, not just finances. Governments can freeze assets, lock borders, or change laws overnight. If your life is tied to one country, you’re exposed.
Geographical diversification gives you options. A second residency means you can leave, rebuild, or protect your wealth when things go wrong. It’s personal security.
Bitcoin makes this possible. It’s borderless, portable, and doesn’t rely on banks. You can carry your entire net worth in your head or move it across the world in minutes.
The Bitcoin Way helps people align their financial freedom with physical freedom. One without the other is a weak strategy.
- Bitcoin inheritance planning is notoriously tricky. What are the biggest pitfalls in traditional inheritance methods when applied to bitcoin? How does The Bitcoin Way approach this to ensure smooth, secure, and private transitions?
Traditional inheritance doesn’t fit bitcoin. Wills can be exposed. Lawyers can leak info. Courts can delay or deny access. And if the heirs don’t understand bitcoin, it’s easy to lose everything.
The biggest pitfalls:
- No clear instructions
- Trusted people don’t know what to do
- Private info stored in unsafe places
- Relying on 3rd parties who don’t understand Bitcoin
The Bitcoin Way fixes this with a tailored plan. We help clients:
- Create clear, private instructions
- Use secure, distributed backups
- Train trusted heirs or set up multi-step access
- Avoid any digital trail that exposes their setup
The goal is simple: when the time comes, it works. Quietly, safely, and without chaos.
- How do self-custody, cybersecurity, residency planning, and inheritance solutions synergize at The Bitcoin Way to create a comprehensive “sovereignty shield” for clients? Can you share a conceptual example?
Self-custody gives you power and control. Cybersecurity protects that control. Residency planning gives you mobility. Inheritance ensures it all survives beyond you.
Here’s a simple example:
A client holds bitcoin in a multisig setup. The keys are stored in separate countries where they have residency. Their devices are secured with strong opsec and threat modeling. Their heirs are trained and have access to a sealed inheritance plan stored offline. Even if one location is compromised or one person is lost, the system still works.
No single point of failure. No blind trust. Just full control, for life and beyond. That’s real sovereignty.
Navigating the Trenches
- What’s the single most significant systemic or educational barrier preventing wider adoption of proper self-custody practices today? How is The Bitcoin Way tackling this?
The biggest barrier is fear of doing it wrong. Most people were never taught how to take full responsibility for their money. They’re afraid of losing access, making a mistake, or getting hacked.
The system trains people to trust others with their wealth. Self-custody flips that completely. It’s not just technical. It’s psychological.
The Bitcoin Way solves this by making it simple, personal, and hands-on. We guide clients step by step, build confidence through education, and tailor setups to their needs. Once they understand it, the fear fades. Control replaces doubt.
- Share a story (anonymized, of course!) of a client who had a major breakthrough or avoided a potential disaster thanks to implementing your guidance. What was the key lesson?
One client had a sizable bitcoin stack sitting on an exchange. He thought it was safe because the platform was “regulated” and had been around for years.
We walked him through self-custody. He moved everything to a secured air-gapped wallet with proper backups and an inheritance plan. Just weeks later, that exchange froze withdrawals due to legal trouble.
He avoided disaster by days.
The key lesson: trust is not a security model. Ownership means custody. If you wait until trouble hits, it’s already too late. He took action in time and now he screams at others to do the same lol.
- What’s the most pervasive and dangerous misconception about bitcoin security or sovereignty that you constantly have to correct?
The most dangerous misconception is that buying bitcoin is enough.
People think holding it on an exchange or a phone app means they own it. In reality, they’ve just swapped one middleman for another.
Until you control the keys, you don’t own bitcoin. And until you secure those keys properly, you’re still exposed.
The Bitcoin Way exists to break that illusion. Real sovereignty isn’t just buying bitcoin. It’s taking full control of it, safely, privately, and with a plan.
Future of Sovereignty, The Bitcoin Way
- Where do you see the next frontier of threats to Bitcoin self-sovereignty emerging (e.g., regulatory pressure on self-custody tools, sophisticated phishing, state surveillance)?
The next wave of threats is already taking shape.
Regulatory pressure on self-custody tools is rising. Some governments want to ban or limit non-custodial wallets. At the same time, phishing attacks are getting smarter and harder to detect. Add growing state surveillance and data tracking, and the risks are no longer just technical. They’re political.
The biggest threat is being forced back into dependence. Tools may still exist, but access could be restricted or criminalized.
That is why The Bitcoin Way focuses on education, privacy, and resilience. Sovereignty means staying ahead of the curve, not reacting when it is too late.
- How is The Bitcoin Way evolving its services and education to stay ahead of these emerging threats and challenges?
The Bitcoin Way is constantly adapting to stay ahead.
We track new threats, test tools in real-world conditions, and update our methods as risks evolve. Our services go beyond setup. We offer ongoing support, training, and threat modeling tailored to each client’s needs.
Education is key. We simplify complex topics, teach critical thinking, and build habits that strengthen over time. As laws, tools, and attack surfaces change, so do we.
Staying sovereign is not a one-time action. It is a mindset. The Bitcoin Way is built to grow with you.
- Looking 5-10 years out, what does a truly “sovereign” individual look like in your vision? How central is Bitcoin to that picture?
A truly sovereign individual in 5 to 10 years is mobile, self-reliant, and untouchable by failing systems. They control their wealth, identity, and data. They can move across borders without fear and pass on their legacy without interference.
Bitcoin is central to that picture. It is the foundation that makes financial independence possible. But it is more than money. It is a gateway to privacy, freedom of movement, and long-term security.
The sovereign individual of the future is not just surviving. They are thriving outside the system. Bitcoin makes that possible.
- For someone feeling overwhelmed after listening – what is the ONE concrete, immediate step you urge them to take towards securing their Bitcoin future?
Start with one simple step: move your bitcoin off the bloody exchange.
Buy a hardware wallet, set it up offline, and transfer a small amount. Learn the process. Feel the difference when you hold the keys yourself.
That first action builds confidence. Everything else flows from there. The Bitcoin Way can guide you the rest of the way, but it starts with taking control.
- How can the global bitcoin community support your mission?
Spread the message. Help people understand that self-custody is not optional. It is the core of bitcoin.
Share real stories, not just charts. Talk about freedom, not just price. Encourage others to take control, ask questions, and seek help when needed.
Prior to 2008, one can argue that we had no choice. After 2008, I argue that you have no excuse.
The global bitcoin community can support our mission by making sovereignty the standard, not the exception. The more people take ownership, the stronger we all become.
We are all bitcoin and together, we can and must write this next chapter.
