FrancisMars
Francis Mars

@chainduel https://chainduel.net && @pubpay.me https://pubpay.me

Public Key

npub1t5atsakzq63h45asjn3qhlpeg80nlgs6zkkgafmddyvywdufv6dqxfahcl

NIP-05 Address

francismars@chainduel.net

NIP-57 Address

francis@minibits.cash

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs96w4cwmpqdgm66wcffcstlsu5rhel5gdpttyw5akkjxz8x7ykdxsf4lell

Author Public Key

npub1t5atsakzq63h45asjn3qhlpeg80nlgs6zkkgafmddyvywdufv6dqxfahcl

Show more details

Last Notes

2024-12-07 17:40:25

Carlos had spent most of his life chasing the immediate. Raised in a world of credit cards, instant loans, and one-click gratification, he thought little about the future. His life was a blur of impulse purchases, late-night takeouts, and fleeting relationships. The idea of saving for tomorrow seemed distant, even irrelevant. "What’s the point?" he often thought. After all, life was for living, not planning.
But then came the crash—the financial one and his own.
The Beginning of the Shift
It started with a friend handing him a book about Bitcoin. Carlos was skeptical, brushing it off as some get-rich-quick scheme. But curiosity got the better of him. As he read, he was struck not by the promise of wealth but by the philosophy behind it: the idea of limited supply, self-sovereignty, and a system that rewarded patience over haste. It was like staring into a mirror that reflected all his shortcomings—his lack of discipline, his disregard for tomorrow. He felt exposed but also strangely hopeful.
So he bought his first Bitcoin—not much, just a small amount to experiment. At first, he checked the price obsessively, watching every tick of volatility with anxiety. But over time, something changed. Carlos began to see Bitcoin not as a quick profit but as a long-term store of value, something to hold onto and nurture. It wasn’t just his finances that began to shift—his entire perspective on life started evolving.
Lesson One: Health
The first wake-up call came when Carlos realized he couldn’t enjoy his wealth if he didn’t have his health. Years of neglect—junk food, sleepless nights, and sedentary habits—had taken their toll. He saw his doctor for the first time in years, and the numbers weren’t good.
"Do you want to be around to see your future?" the doctor asked. The words struck like a hammer. Carlos thought about Bitcoin, about how it rewards the patient and the disciplined. He decided his health deserved the same respect.
Carlos started small. He walked every evening, traded processed snacks for fresh meals, and even took up strength training. It was painful at first—his body rebelled against the sudden change—but as months turned into years, he grew stronger, healthier. And with every milestone, he felt the same sense of accomplishment he got from watching his Bitcoin wallet grow.
Lesson Two: Family
Carlos hadn’t spoken to his father in months. They’d had a falling out years ago, and both were too stubborn to reconcile. But as Carlos dove deeper into the world of Bitcoin, he stumbled upon the idea of generational wealth. It wasn’t just about money—it was about legacy, about passing down lessons and values.
One night, Carlos picked up the phone. "Dad," he said, his voice shaky, "I want to talk." The conversation was awkward, but it opened a door. Over time, they rebuilt their relationship, sharing dinners and stories like they used to. Carlos even introduced his father to Bitcoin, and together they planned how to secure their family's future.
Carlos also started thinking about building his own family someday. The idea of being a father scared him, but it also filled him with purpose. He wanted to be someone his children could look up to—a man who embodied the values of patience, responsibility, and love.
Lesson Three: Life
Carlos used to live paycheck to paycheck, spending on things that brought fleeting joy but no real fulfillment. But as he embraced the philosophy of Bitcoin, he began to see the world differently. He downsized his life, selling off possessions he didn’t need and focusing on what truly mattered.
He started investing time in things that gave him lasting satisfaction: learning new skills, helping his community, and pursuing passions he’d long ignored. Carlos even began playing the guitar he’d bought years ago but never touched, finding solace in the quiet strum of strings.
One day, he looked around his modest apartment and realized he was happier than he’d ever been. His life wasn’t filled with flashy things, but it was rich in meaning. He had a growing savings, a healthier body, a renewed relationship with his family, and a vision for the future.
The Man He Became
Carlos often thought about the man he was before Bitcoin—impulsive, aimless, and trapped in a cycle of short-term thinking. That man seemed like a stranger now. Bitcoin hadn’t just changed his financial habits; it had rewired his brain, teaching him to value the long term in every aspect of life.
He began sharing his story, hoping to inspire others. He spoke about the lessons he learned, not in abstract terms, but in the raw, emotional journey he’d lived. People listened, not because Carlos was wealthy but because he was real. He’d walked the path from chaos to clarity, from consumption to creation.
And as he told his story, he always ended with a smile, saying, "Bitcoin taught me that the best things in life take time—whether it’s building wealth, strengthening relationships, or becoming the person you’re meant to be."
Carlos knew the journey was far from over, but for the first time, he was looking forward to the road ahead.
https://m.primal.net/Mpmf.jpg

2024-11-30 15:03:51

I used to think I had it all figured out. I was the kind of guy who measured success by the numbers in his bank account, the recognition of peers, and the comfort of feeling in control. My ego was my compass, steering me toward what I thought was power, status, and security. But deep down, I was restless. Something was missing, though I couldn’t put it into words. That’s when I discovered Bitcoin.
At first, it was about the price. I saw the headlines, the promises of wealth, the idea of being part of something revolutionary. Like so many others, I came for the gains. But Bitcoin doesn’t let you stay shallow for long—it challenges you, humbles you, and teaches you lessons you didn’t know you needed.
The first lesson came fast: control is an illusion. I watched Bitcoin’s price swing wildly, from euphoric highs to gut-wrenching lows. At first, I thought I could outsmart the market. I made trades, confident in my “skills,” only to lose more than I gained. Bitcoin didn’t care about my ego or my plans. It was a mirror, reflecting my arrogance and showing me just how little control I really had. Slowly, I learned to detach—to stop chasing the price and start appreciating the protocol for what it was: a system bigger than me, beyond my control, and yet profoundly fair.
Then came the lesson of responsibility. I’ll never forget the day I transferred my first significant amount of Bitcoin to my hardware wallet. The weight of it hit me like a ton of bricks: there was no help desk, no “reset password” button, no institution to call if I messed up. It was terrifying, but also liberating. For the first time, I realized what true sovereignty felt like. But with that sovereignty came a humbling truth: I had no one to blame but myself if I failed. Bitcoin forced me to take accountability for my actions—a lesson that spilled over into other areas of my life.
As I dug deeper, I started to understand Bitcoin’s incentives. Miners, Lightning nodes, developers—all acting in their self-interest, yet somehow creating a system that benefits everyone. It was a revelation. I began to see how my own ego had often blinded me to collaboration, to the idea that aligning individual goals with collective good could create something far greater than the sum of its parts. Bitcoin taught me that self-interest doesn’t have to be selfish. It can be channeled toward something meaningful, something that uplifts rather than tears down.
The hardest lesson, though, was letting go of my pride. Bitcoin doesn’t care who you are, how much money you’ve made, or what titles you hold. It operates on math, consensus, and immutable rules. The protocol humbled me in ways I didn’t expect, showing me that my worth wasn’t tied to external accolades but to my values, my integrity, and my ability to grow.
And grow I did. Bitcoin’s ethos of long-term thinking seeped into my mindset. I stopped chasing instant gratification—not just in investing, but in life. I began valuing patience, discipline, and the kind of legacy that takes years, even decades, to build. It wasn’t just about stacking sats anymore; it was about building a life rooted in principles that would outlast me.
Along the way, I started to see parallels between Bitcoin and life’s deeper lessons. Just as the protocol acknowledges human imperfection and channels it into something productive, I began to accept my own flaws. I learned to forgive—myself and others—because, like Bitcoin miners following incentives, we’re all just doing our best with the systems we’re in. I learned to love more openly, to let go of the petty need to always be “right,” and to find joy in contributing to something bigger than myself.
Today, Bitcoin is still part of my life, but it’s no longer just about the technology or the wealth it can generate. It’s a philosophy, a teacher, a constant reminder that while I’m only human, I can strive to be better. It taught me to let go of my ego, to embrace responsibility, to think long-term, and to align my self-interest with the greater good.
Bitcoin didn’t just change my finances—it changed me. And for that, I’m grateful.
https://image.nostr.build/883673bf696d52ba37be53a6d9f7f7885539023ea0a7eafdf1db0465b5c187b9.png

2024-11-03 12:42:23

GM 🇧🇷
https://m.primal.net/LrPG.jpg

2024-10-30 10:04:29

Chain Duel House 2.0 🔜🔜
#nevent1q…u283

2024-10-29 11:32:16

- reply

this is not a pubpay 😭🤣

2024-10-14 21:28:44

- reply

https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMWF3YXlkcmRrZjhkaHN2dDM1ZXBjandlbW1jbmY4eTY3b3M1Nzl0cSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/11Ph1yb20GoOOY/giphy.gif

2024-10-14 21:27:01

- reply

https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExbmxpM21ycG1yd3pxNzhwMmV6Z3U2NXJteHNlczJtdTF2bXF4YjJrdCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/B8ozpOCSLbAcM/giphy.gif

2024-10-14 19:00:44

My friend wants to visit Portugal so I drew him this map
https://image.nostr.build/21419d0562ae3d95a2f456cc71217fd653eb611c0960f13d36b38037757a4a01.png

2024-10-08 04:44:13

Not accepting Bitcoin is like not accepting email

2024-10-07 09:47:10

GM
It's OK to be optimistic

2024-10-04 14:42:01

this is how chatgpt imagines a dog
https://m.primal.net/LLEH.webp

2024-10-01 16:19:04

- reply

like so
https://m.primal.net/LHed.png

2024-10-01 15:10:46

according to chatgpt this is the map of Portugal
https://m.primal.net/LHbu.webp

2024-09-29 09:47:18

- reply

you had me at hello

2024-09-29 09:20:37

I've been writing my dissertation on overleaf, for free, for over six weeks.
Today, the day before the delivery, I can't compile the file unless I subscribe 😭
https://image.nostr.build/3693416b02c2dd53d3507b04c42d53b4f6281c1b987c99c18fefb5cf977e8647.png

2024-09-28 09:54:04

If a GM falls in a relay and no one is around to GM back, does it really GM?

2024-09-27 08:07:14

- reply

wen Mastering Cashu?

2024-09-25 12:56:29

Throughout the entire journey of Chain Duel, the game has been played by hundreds of people across various Bitcoin conferences and meetups, accumulating thousands of games. This experience has provided a unique perspective on how users from different geographic regions and technical backgrounds interact with the Lightning Network. Users' familiarity with Lightning often dictates their choice of tools. Many beginners and those less focused on maintaining complete control over their funds opt for easy-to-use solutions like Wallet of Satoshi because of its convenience and low fees. However, advanced users, particularly those concerned with neutrality, tend to prefer solutions like Phoenix or Zeus wallets. These wallets allow for more control over their funds by running a standalone node on their phone or connecting to their own remote Bitcoin payments infrastructure. Geography also play a significant role in shaping the experience. For example, both Wallet of Satoshi and Phoenix do not operate in the United States due to fears of possible regulations. This creates challenges for North American users at conferences, limiting their options and adding barriers to adopting and interacting with Chain Duel. Furthermore, many attendees at Bitcoin conferences arrive without a Lightning wallet at all. They often attend these events to learn more about the technology or because they view Bitcoin as an investment asset instead of an usable currency, with some attendees even expressing confusion or mistrust over how it works. Many users are unsure whether Lightning's fast and cheap transactions compromise the trustless nature of Bitcoin or how it fits within Bitcoin's broader goals of decentralization and censorship resistance. Some Bitcoin advocates criticize the Lightning Network itself. They argue that adoption is slow or they may see inherent flaws in the architecture that hinder scalability or neutrality. Such perspectives make the adoption of games like Chain Duel more challenging, as they rely on Lightning payments. However, they also highlight the importance of educating users on the protocol's technical merits and use cases. Chain Duel’s presence at these conferences has demonstrated not only the game's entertainment value but also its potential as a tool for educating the public about Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. Each player interaction is an opportunity to showcase the benefits of instant, low-fee payments that maintain neutrality in a fun, competitive environment. The challenges encountered reinforce the need for education, and through projects like Chain Duel, many are learning the practical applications of Bitcoin and Lightning in real time.

2024-09-25 07:22:15

- reply

those are rookie numbers

2024-09-23 11:18:30

- reply

exactly the vision for @npub1kd3…sdth and @npub1qf9…auu5

2024-09-23 11:16:22

- reply

This is way Bitcoin needs to be kept a permissionless and trustless protocol, that any user can access regarding of location or background.

2024-09-23 11:14:12

- reply

GM! What's this city?

2024-09-22 07:36:48

- reply

Do they have that but "Turn your Dissertation into a book" version?

2024-09-21 08:16:34

GM
https://m.primal.net/KwVe.jpg

2024-09-19 10:52:34

- reply

warning: no HTLCs were harmed during the making of this movie.

2024-09-19 10:26:09

Why does nobody know that when Bitcoin moves on Lightning it's called a payment and not a transaction? 🥲

2024-09-18 10:12:18

Bitcoin: Transaction Protocol
Lightning: Payment Protocol

2024-09-17 13:23:48

- reply

you should deposit your sats on wallet of satoshi and use them to play @npub1kd3…sdth

2024-09-16 12:18:03

- reply

GM
with an unrelated image taken from duckduckgo attached

2024-09-14 10:33:42

- reply

that's going to fixed soon! also, the zap receipt will be sent along with the payment webhook in the next release.
@npub13a5…4t9m

2024-09-14 10:32:15

- reply

v for vendetta
children of men

2024-09-14 10:31:38

- reply

looks like someone was playing @npub1kd3…sdth in the sky

2024-09-14 10:31:09

- reply

all ancient empires 🌼 🐝 me

2024-09-14 10:26:21

- reply

we're the Amish now

2024-09-14 10:10:32

Saturday mornings are P2P days. The people come out to the streets to exchange products, knowledge and experiences. The good weather blesses us with its warmth☀️
https://m.primal.net/KpaQ.jpg

2024-09-12 20:56:04

PAID!
#note14yr…05cg
#nevent1q…5vtr

2024-09-12 08:05:30

GM
https://image.nostr.build/4245430e449e444872974b5624064b11916d266697aca26c9ee826dfb8c2ca6f.png
POV you're having lunch in Santorini at @npub1kwc…f3xx's Halving Party 2024

2024-09-11 08:23:53

If anyone on NOSTR wants to sponsor the burgers we had for lunch at SATOSHI SEA CITADEL..
You can go to https://pubpay.me and try out the Public Payments feature.
By pressing PAY you automatically ZAP @npub1f2g…4ckf with the total amount spent for lunch and you will be displayed as the payer (unless you press the pay anonymous button)
https://image.nostr.build/419cd73c6f2144ea1600f35c35df146d7afa048d80d156487412360e4b8991e7.png
@npub1qf9…auu5 @npub1va4…da00
@npub1der…xzpc @npub1qny…95gx @npub1xts…kk5s @npub1cj8…rz4u please boost😄

2024-09-11 07:52:46

Seeing it as an investment is probably the most boring way of interpreting Bitcoin.

2024-09-10 12:01:40

- reply

@npub1cn6…wt8a thank you for the zap but this only works on pubpay.me 😁
check the raw tags 👀

2024-09-10 10:50:32

Testing new LNBITS lnurlp ZAP webhook feature

2024-09-10 09:15:57

GM
It's called the pursuit of happiness. Not the "sit-around-and-wait" of happiness.
https://image.nostr.build/20d8c8496ad783b944bd0a09fb12f7b6892d3547434763eb676d58be65cdc8cc.png
morning view from my bedroom in our villa near El Zonte @npub13nf…vn7c @npub1m0s…qp5h @npub1t0g…cd3n
#ElSalvador

2024-09-08 09:02:21

On our way to Satoshi Sea Citadel yesterday.
it's always a pleasure to hangout with like minded individuals and share good moments, ideas and food.
It was an wholesome Bitcoin event 🫂
Grateful for life and this community
https://m.primal.net/KjOp.mp4

2024-09-05 12:12:31

every key that can be used to sign a transaction is in custody of someone. when people say custodial bitcoin it doesn't mean anything to me 🥲
what's the opposite of self-custodial? I like to call it else-custodial but never heard anyone using that term

2024-09-04 11:12:19

- reply

Can't zap you because your LNURL server doesn't "allowsNostr":true

2024-09-04 10:49:21

Despite its growing popularity and utility, LNURL has faced criticism particularly concerning its alignment with Bitcoin’s foundational principles. Critics argue that LNURL's reliance on an internet server to facilitate the protocol incentivizes the use of custodial services, potentially introducing trusted parties into a system that is fundamentally designed to operate without them.
This reliance could be seen as a departure from Bitcoin’s ethos of providing a trustless form of money, sparking debate about the balance between enhancing usability and maintaining the decentralized, permissionless nature of Bitcoin.

2024-09-02 09:22:20

- reply

Compilers was my least favorite class at uni. Not that I don't find it fascinating but it gets really complex really fast

2024-09-02 08:32:57

- reply

I wanted to zap you but perhaps the hodl invoice of zeus pay is not working properly with alby .. ?

2024-09-02 08:13:27

My cat Tico is 19 years old and he's getting easily tired lately. I'm not sure I should take him to the vet or just let him rest.
I will miss this cat, it was the greatest animal bond I had in my life.
https://m.primal.net/KaFv.jpg

2024-09-01 21:12:42

- reply

thank you, Sir 🫡

2024-09-01 21:10:52

- reply

does the bitaxe runs its own full node or you just connect it to a pool? i never tried one

2024-09-01 20:35:30

Increasing the block size would increase the burden on node operators, as more resources are required to validate and store the ledger. This would likely lead to a decrease in the number of full nodes, further centralizing the network and undermining its security.
A prerequisite to prevent that kind of centralization from occurring requires the ability for bitcoin to be validated by a consumer level computer on a retail internet connection.

2024-08-11 15:19:02

- reply

it would make sense that nostr clients start watching the taproot addresses associated with users' respective NSECS, it has potential for interesting social use cases

2024-07-27 02:33:14

- reply

I was there when it happened and, I can assure you, you didn't zap first 😄😄

2024-07-16 18:41:03

- reply

These were not the expected players for this P2P game but thank you for sponsoring ahaha
https://image.nostr.build/09a455cb451f858c351c238b313da6ea1da0f756aeb2f7ba335ab364ec2b5874.jpg

2024-07-10 11:32:09

The future of zaps is here!
try it out at https://pubpay.me
#nevent1q…0uye

2024-07-01 23:38:22

If a kind0 pays a kind1 and no one publishes a signed receipt, does it make a zap?

2024-07-01 20:13:12

Zaps to this note will zap @npub1sg6…f63m

2024-07-01 19:58:16

- reply

I would Pub Pay you but the zap-lnurl you provided doesn't allowsNostr zaps

2024-07-01 19:35:27

- reply

Pubpay tags don't conflict with zap-goals.
They're complimentary uses cases.
We're going to implement zap-goals in https://pubpay.me soon 😎

2024-07-01 17:01:36

- reply

So... what did you have for lunch? 😄

2024-07-01 15:54:02

- reply

It was tested on mobile with nostrsigner (amber, for example) or nostr.window (firefox with @npub1get…0nfm extension or @npub1uq7…u0c2 Bravo)

2024-07-01 15:45:29

- reply

try with a zap-min tag as well 😉

2024-07-01 15:28:00

- reply

let me know when the problem is fixed so I can pub pay you 😊

2024-07-01 14:59:57

- reply

It should work on desktop\mobile with window.nostr (alby, for example) and with nostrsigner: on mobile as well (amber, per instance). it was also tested on mobile with fedi bravo and kiwi.
Some browsers don't allow the opening of the lightning wallet from a link lightning:

2024-07-01 14:50:06

- reply

you need to activate the cors or else I can't zap your zap-lnurl address 😉
and my server crashed because of that🥲
https://image.nostr.build/8b5ab25d847f9568d73208ad342c66adf9b0c9849ba8e2b6bc16e3a870b7d88f.png

2024-07-01 14:18:19

- reply

Try creating a pubpay with the zap-lnurl tag:
Insert a lighting address, that is not the one on your kind0

2024-07-01 14:12:16

- reply

You just press Pay 😉
When the note1 has reached zap-uses, the pay button gets deactivated
Since a public payment it's a normal kind1 with some extra tags, you can zap from any client.
For now, only pubpay.me is rendering the zap conditions
https://image.nostr.build/2db78a0a7c7bbf11e4a7aaebc4912bd17d21e684be0f86dfb892eb5268a3bde0.png

2024-07-01 13:39:24

#nevent1q…v8hx

2024-06-28 12:47:07

- reply

I'd have to write the code that calculates which zaps went to you and which ones came to me

2024-06-28 12:13:54

SEC-02 is concluded.
thank you @npub10p5…00zw, @npub1der…xzpc and @npub1l2v…ajft for making this happen.
thank you to the participants for all the knowledge gathered, shared and coded.
we're a purple family now 💜
if you'd like to test mine and @npub13nf…vn7c's nostr client for public payments: https://pubpay.net
have in mind that is still a prototype 😄
https://image.nostr.build/36376e5d67535cd853cfbd76d4ebfe744d252cdbda38e64b3ecede5aa6f541dd.jpg

2024-06-28 12:02:28

- reply

*if zappers use the correct client 😁

2024-06-28 09:59:11

These zaps go to Zoe

2024-06-28 09:53:28

Museum café doesn't have nostr! Can we still zap them?

2024-06-28 09:45:49

mda SEC-02 fund

2024-06-28 00:09:25

This note doesn't zap where you expect it to.

2024-06-27 16:22:45

Money for Beer

2024-06-19 15:39:43

We need some sort of LNURL that pays a Zap directly from a Lightning Wallet
@npub13nf…vn7c @npub1der…xzpc @npub1get…0nfm @npub13lj…cfhw

2024-06-14 11:27:13

- reply

Thank you for testing our new nostr integration https://image.nostr.build/ef0275ec82b29da57652b69bc2113b347dab00e413127bc5d2059357e052fde9.jpg @npub1hqa…t56s

2024-06-11 10:37:01

GM
The potential os nostr is still untapped

2024-06-07 11:16:10

- reply

wen multisig notes?

2024-03-25 18:55:33

The previous note blew up more than I expected! Thank you to all the boosts, quotes, likes and zaps. Feeling grateful for this community 🙏
- For the people asking about Chain Duel:
you can find more info on chainduel(.)net or nostr reposts in my profile
- I wish I asked for a comment or quote instead of just repost. It would've been much less work 😄
- Some people didn't have a lightning address set up so I couldn't send them the sats!
- if I missed your repost: it wasn't easy to handle at the notifications but I did my best to keep up.
Thank you all and hope to see you in the next bitcoin conference at the Chain Duel area 🐍 🎮
#nevent1q…zm3y

2024-03-24 23:27:02

Chain Duel was designed with bitcoin in mind.
Not only it's fun and competitive but and also an excellent tool for bitcoin adoption and education.
Find more on chainduel.net
#nevent1q…xvdm

2024-03-22 21:30:23

Hey there! I'm Francis, I created a lightning game called Chain Duel 🐍
I love Bitcoin and Nostr.
To spread the love, the first 100 people to repost this will get 210 sats each!
LFG

2024-03-19 16:08:11

- reply

There were blocks when the miner didn't claim the full reward, or any at all. Bitcoin is scarce af

2024-03-15 12:18:32

- reply

Another one zaps the dust

2024-03-14 17:20:18

Grateful for the opportunity to share such moments with friends 🙏
#note1u73…h5ej

2024-03-13 11:30:30

Bear Markets are for sitting down and building
Bull Markets are for building while dancing

2024-02-22 02:48:02

サ - Pronounced as "sa"
ト - Pronounced as "to"
し - Pronounced as "shi"
iykyk

2024-02-21 19:57:26

- reply

It's always GM somewhere 🙏

2023-07-08 00:44:15

Running primal.net