El Salvador One Year of Bitcoin – Bitcoin Magazine
This is an opinion piece by Renata Rodrigues, Head of Global Community and Education at Paxful.
El Salvador made history last year when the country adopted Bitcoin as legal tender. The decision gave legitimacy to what many of us have known for a long time – that Bitcoin is a permissionless technology that was built for the masses. Although this milestone was a big step forward for the country, many knew that it could not succeed without education. And with a population of over six million people, tackling this problem would be a huge task. That’s why the efforts of organizations like Bitcoin Beach and Mi Primer Bitcoin have been crucial to adoption in the region, and why Paxful has dedicated so much of our time on the ground – as the first international company to arrive with a nationwide Bitcoin education program launched a year ago.
When we launched La Casa del Bitcoin earlier this year, we had a front row seat to the action. It is clear that Salvadorans are open to change and eager to learn about how Bitcoin can change their lives. Within the country, we have trained over 4,000 people and 32 companies and public institutions, and organized over 350 workshops for both novice and experienced Bitcoiners. Here’s what we learned:
● Bitcoin is for everyone. Bitcoin has no borders and it does not discriminate. Take Alejandro for example. As he collected his pension, Alejandro found himself worried about the future. Like so many others, he was skeptical of Bitcoin, but was interested in learning about the ways he could use it to his advantage. After attending a number of courses at La Casa del Bitcoin, he now uses Bitcoin as an investment tool to save for the future.
● Bitcoin can open doors. With the new law, citizens of El Salvador could use Bitcoin to pay for goods and services, easily transfer money to friends and relatives abroad, and ultimately achieve financial freedom. Take La Casa del Bitcoin – which provides free and accessible learning opportunities around Bitcoin to build financial inclusion. The center is helping to drive the next wave of Bitcoin mass adoption while giving small merchants and local businesses the tools they need to connect with customers and grow their revenue.
● Bitcoin can help communities. In developing countries, Bitcoin has the power to bridge the financial gap and connect the unbanked to the global economy. Initiatives like Bitcoin Beach have shown the world that we can build sustainable communities using Bitcoin – and most importantly, that it can work. And that’s why what the Built With Bitcoin Foundation (BWB) is doing around the world is so important. Building schools and communities with Bitcoin donations, BWB has shown how Bitcoin can be used for social good. Earlier this year, Bitcoin Magazine helped fund the repair of a school and fund a boat on a remote island in El Salvador called Isla Tasajera. Thanks to Bitcoin, society can give their children a better education and find creative ways to build a stronger financial future.
When I arrived in El Salvador last year to run Lightning Diaries, I discovered that many small businesses in rural areas were already accepting Bitcoin. I remember visiting Santa Ana, a small and vibrant city, and being amazed by the handwritten signs accepting bitcoin. Salvadorans are known as “business rose,” which is an adaptation of “entrepreneur” — it is no surprise that they are discovering how to conquer global entrepreneurship through Bitcoin.
This is a guest post by Renata Rodrigues. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc. or Bitcoin Magazine.
