Versión Español
By Jon Buck
In recent months, news about Bitcoin being widely purchased and mined in Venezuela has led to a number of rumors regarding the growth and demand of the cryptocurrency there. An interview with Daniel Osorio of Andean Capital Advisors on CNBC indicates that the country may soon ‘Bitcoinize’ completely.
Osorio, who spends about a week per month in the South American country, was interviewed regarding the hyperinflation problems that Venezuelans are facing. During the interview, he explained that a simple lunch costs upward of 200,000 Bolivars, or about $8-$10.
Bitcoin only
In order to pay for lunch, locals are beginning to accept only Bitcoin or money wires of foreign currencies. The problem, according to Osorio, is that unlike Zimbabwe and other nations where hyperinflation has taken its toll, Venezuela does not have access to enough dollars to manage the economy.
Locals have, therefore, turned completely to Bitcoin in order to function economically. Since Bitcoin is independent of the black market for Bolivars, it represents a fixed exchange platform for business. Near the end of the segment, Osorio says:
“We may well be witnessing the first ‘Bitcoinization’ of a sovereign state.”
- Read More: Yet Another American Company Has Pulled out of Venezuela Due to Economic Collapse
- Read More: Venezuelan Opposition Calls Off Talks with Nicolás Maduro Regime in Dominican Republic
Cryptocurrency lovers would argue that this is just the first of many, as liquidity and access increase exponentially.
Jon is an International Sales Consultant for Questa Labs in Delhi, India. He’s been fascinated by Bitcoin and Blockchain technology since first hearing about it in 2012. Born in the US, he loves technology, culture, and palak paneer. This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.
