Yang Haipo, CEO of ViaBTC, characterizes blockchain as a hardcore libertarian experiment, emphasizing its role in testing the limits of freedom without reliance on central authorities. In a recent discussion, Yang highlighted that blockchain's essence is not merely technological but fundamentally about decentralization and freedom. He pointed out that the 2008 financial crisis and the cypherpunk movement laid the groundwork for Bitcoin, which challenges traditional financial systems by replacing trust with cryptography. Yang also addressed the paradox of blockchain's evolution, noting that while it aims to bypass centralization, it often results in new centers of power and speculative cycles. He argued that the demand for blockchain is real but limited, serving niche needs like bypassing capital controls and enabling anonymous transactions. Despite this, Yang believes blockchain's ability to disrupt financial intermediaries is significant, offering a value transmission network that cannot be fully controlled or shut down.