The Financial Fight for Freedom: A Conversation With Dusty Wunderlich

What happens when the outdoor industry collides with Wall Street, payment processors, and big tech censorship?

That’s exactly what Nic DeCastro, founder of LandTrust, explored in his conversation with Dusty Wunderlich—entrepreneur, strategist, and Chief Strategy Officer at Public Square. Dusty’s journey from a small town in Nevada to the frontlines of freedom-aligned fintech is one marked by conviction, controversy, and a lot of first-hand lessons.

This episode of the LandTrust Podcast: Outside’s Insiders series didn’t just talk shop—it unpacked some of the most pressing economic and cultural challenges facing the hook-and-bullet community today.

FinTech and Firearms Don’t Mix? Dusty Says Otherwise

When Dusty launched Credova, he wasn’t chasing the trend. He was filling a gap no one wanted to touch—offering point-of-sale financing for the firearms and outdoor industry. What he didn’t expect was how hard the system would push back.

“I mean, this is one of the few constitutionally protected products in America,” he told Nic. “Why is it not being serviced by the financial industry?”

Dusty wasn’t being rhetorical. His company lost banking partners simply because of the industry they served—not due to risk, not due to performance, but political pressure. The conversation turned toward Operation Choke Point, an initiative from the Obama-era FDIC that pressured banks to cut ties with “risky” industries—firearms, oil and gas, payday lenders.

“It was a quiet maneuver,” Dusty explained, “but devastating to legitimate businesses.”

The Bigger Picture: Culture Wars and Capital Suppression

As the discussion unfolded, Dusty painted a broader picture: this wasn’t just about gun sales or banking—it was about culture and control. When traditional legal routes couldn’t shut down industries, the financial system stepped in as an enforcement tool.

“You can’t win on legal grounds, so you de-bank, de-platform, and de-finance,” he said.

Nic echoed the sentiment from personal experience. LandTrust, while not a 2A business, has faced hesitation from investors and partners simply because it facilitates hunting. The presence of firearms—even when lawful and regulated—has a chilling effect.

And the implications are massive.

“The outdoor industry is artificially smaller than it should be,” Dusty said. “Because access to capital hasn’t been there.”

Tariffs, Inflation, and a Shift in Consumer Values

Midway through the episode, the conversation turned to trade and tariffs. It wasn’t a hot take—it was an education.

Dusty explained the long-term economic shifts that have devalued the dollar, from the end of the gold standard to massive increases in money supply. In his view, we’re entering a reset period where consumption slows and quality takes center stage.

“Consumerism is dying,” he told Nic. “People are craving quality and scarcity. Experiences over stuff.”

Nic agreed, pointing out that the digital outdoor economy is already moving that direction. Tools like LandTrust, Guidefitter, and OnX aren’t just about products—they’re about planning trips, building communities, and deepening relationships with the land.

Can Crypto Fix This?

It wouldn’t be a modern FinTech conversation without crypto. And Dusty, no surprise, was bullish.

He argued that cryptocurrencies—especially those with efficient payment rails like the Lightning Network—will soon offer real alternatives for industries like firearms that are blackballed by traditional payment processors.

“We’ll see people buying guns with crypto in the next five years,” he said confidently.

Nic wasn’t so sure about the timeline but shared the concern. “I value privacy,” he said, “and I don’t want my purchases tracked and flagged just because I bought ammo or a firearm.”

For Dusty, that’s exactly the point. The decentralized nature of crypto offers a path around institutional gatekeepers, one that gives consumers and merchants more freedom.

Land, Legacy, and the Private Market Solution

The conversation ended where it began—on the ground, with landowners and sportsmen.

Dusty shared how moving from Nevada to Montana gave him a firsthand look at the value of private land stewardship. He’s hunted on public and private land, but he’s come to deeply respect the knowledge and care multi-generational ranchers bring to managing wildlife.

“They know how to keep elk on the land, how not to pressure them, how to feed and protect them,” he said. “That’s conservation.”

Nic nodded in agreement. LandTrust was built on the idea that private lands aren’t the enemy—they’re the opportunity. They hold the key to maintaining access, encouraging stewardship, and building a viable future for outdoor recreation in the U.S.

A Look Forward

So what’s next?

If Dusty has it right, the next five years could bring a renaissance in outdoor business—led not by mass production, but by meaningful platforms. He sees consolidation on the product side, innovation on the tech side, and a rising demand for real, honest experiences.

He believes in digital platforms that help landowners, outfitters, and hunters connect more easily. He believes in a future where transactions aren’t monitored and weaponized. And most of all, he believes the outdoor industry is just getting started.

“The next billion-dollar companies in this space,” he said, “won’t be gear manufacturers. They’ll be digital.”

Where to Go From Here

You can listen to the full episode with Dusty Wunderlich as part of the Outsider Insiders series on the LandTrust Podcast.

🔗 Visit dustywunderlich.com
🔗 Explore publicsquare.com and grabagun.com

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Check out Field Notes for updates, trail camera photos, and firsthand insights from landowners across 1.4 million acres.

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