Summary
The article suggests that in situations where two parties do not trust each other, a neutral and mutually trusted asset is needed as an intermediary. Gold and oil have limitations, while small neutral countries may face pressure. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is seen as a suitable solution due to its design and capabilities.
Key Points
1) Gold and oil have historically served as neutral and mutually trusted assets, but they have limitations in terms of convenience, cost, and divisibility.
2) Small neutral countries like Switzerland could potentially act as intermediaries, but they may face excessive pressure from larger centers of power.
3) Bitcoin is well-suited for the role of a neutral and mutually trusted asset, as it overcomes the limitations of physical assets and can function as a decentralized intermediary.