Bitcoin Magazine has published a new video interview with philosopher Troy Cross exploring whether Bitcoin can truly separate money and state — and why he believes "number go up" may be the answer to Bitcoin's marketing problem. Bitcoin's struggle to define its own brand apart from the wider crypto industry runs through the entire conversation.

Cross offers a grounded answer to the separation question. He does not expect governments to stop printing money anytime soon, but argues that Bitcoin places a check on endless monetary expansion because people will take refuge in it — a pragmatic framing of one of Bitcoin's most debated propositions. He also explains why he believes academics will be the last group to come around to Bitcoin, following innovators, finance, and journalists.

On the marketing side, the interview cites a "Getting Bitcoin" campaign in the Wall Street Journal and readers clicking Bitcoin essays at 4–6x normal rates, and it frames price action itself as the "universal language" of adoption — with the "crossing the chasm" challenge of reaching the 82% of non-Bitcoiners presented as the road ahead. The survey segments, including whether Bitcoin is becoming partisan and the 2026 survey's "normalizing while polarizing" picture, together with the discussion of the Clarity Act — the U.S. digital asset market-structure bill — give viewers concrete data points and policy threads to follow next.

The full interview is organized into the following chapters:

• 0:00 – Troy Cross on the Clarity Act's Failure and Why Bitcoin Continues On
• 1:20 – The Getting Bitcoin Campaign in the Wall Street Journal
• 2:32 – Why Readers Are Clicking Bitcoin Essays at 4–6x Normal Rates
• 4:10 – Why Academics Will Be the Last to Get Bitcoin
• 5:51 – Nakamoto Project Survey: Is Bitcoin Becoming Partisan?
• 7:52 – The 2026 Survey: Bitcoin Normalizing While Polarizing
• 10:08 – Bitcoin's Brand Problem and Confusion With Crypto
• 11:44 – Price Action, Education and Why Number Go Up Is the Universal Language
• 13:39 – Crossing the Chasm to Reach the 82% of Non-Bitcoiners
• 16:55 – Separation of Money and State: Why Bitcoin Keeps Governments Honest

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BTC Inc., Bitcoin Magazine, or any affiliated entities. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Nothing contained in this show constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. Viewers should consult their own advisors before making financial or business decisions.

This article, "Troy Cross: Number Go Up – The Solution to Bitcoin's Marketing Problem?," first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and was written by Patrick Green.