El Salvador’s Bitcoin ‘experiment’ leaves digital poor on the sidelines


A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest against Bukele and Bitcoin on Sept 15 in San Salvador, El Salvador. This month, El Salvador became the first to adopt bitcoin as legal tender alongside the US dollar, which has been the official currency for two decades. — Bloomberg

SAN SALVADOR/BOGOTA: Bertila Garcia has set up her snack stall on the same corner in El Salvador’s capital for four decades – never accepting anything other than cash as payment. Even as her country makes history by adopting Bitcoin, she has no plans to change.

This month, the Central American country became the first in the world to adopt the cryptocurrency as legal tender, but many ordinary Salvadorans, like Garcia, 65, are struggling to make sense of how the step could affect their livelihoods.

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

Instagram will let users reset their content recommendations
All Touch 'n Go eWallet users must complete eKYC verification by Dec 20 to maintain access
Microsoft unveils software to ease AI app development, model switching
Bitcoin breaches $94,000 for the first time
How to save your Google Maps location history
Kadokawa shares jump 16% after news of Sony talks
Some US shoppers are considering making big purchases like cars and iPhones before Trump's proposed tariffs. Is it necessary?
Qualcomm expects $12 billion in revenue from autos, PC chips in five years
Dell, Iron Bow settle charges they overcharged the Army, DOJ says
Senator says Trump cannot ignore law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok by next year

Others Also Read