# 21 in 21: Alex Pruden

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/21-in-21-7274084/21-in-21-alex-pruden
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/21-in-21-7274084/21-in-21-alex-pruden.md
Podcast: [21 in 21](https://stenobird.com/podcast/21-in-21-7274084)
Published: 2025-08-05T15:48:39+00:00
Episode link: https://feeds.fountain.fm/225QxxaXdKbEEjEXSha3/items/Tbd7OnjFdvoW4gcp3wsC/files/AUDIO---DEFAULT---d708e4cb-3bce-47d3-ba20-2975b2ea1903.mp3
Audio file: https://feeds.fountain.fm/225QxxaXdKbEEjEXSha3/items/Tbd7OnjFdvoW4gcp3wsC/files/AUDIO---DEFAULT---d708e4cb-3bce-47d3-ba20-2975b2ea1903.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/21-in-21-7274084/episodes/21-in-21-alex-pruden
Duration seconds: 1412

## Resource

This episode features Alex Pruden, the Chairman of Aleo and the CEO of Project Eleven, an applied R&D lab focused on the intersection of quantum computing and cryptography. In this conversation with Haley Berkoe, Alex discusses quantum computing, future-proofing bitcoin, user experience upgrades, and his journey from the Army Special Forces to becoming a cryptographer. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:50 Discovering bitcoin in the Middle East 01:42 Project Eleven & why quantum matters 02:46 What it means to be "quantum-resistant" 04:50 AI and cryptography 07:02 Learning cryptography from scratch 08:51 Book recommendation: Life and Fate 09:37 What self-sovereignty should look like 11:11 Zero-knowledge on bitcoin 14:05 Bitcoin’s price does not equal success 15:18 Bitcoin UX still needs love and innovation 19:39 Army lessons that shape his work 21:02 Final thought: celebrate, but contribute FOLLOW: Alex Pruden: @apruden08, https://x.com/apruden08 Project Eleven: @qdayclock, https://x.com/qdayclock Haley Berkoe: https://x.com/HBerkoe Presidio Bitcoin: https://x.com/PresidioBitcoin WATCH THE SHOW: https://www.youtube.com/@PresidioBitcoin

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## Transcript

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