Nation – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:12:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Nation – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Thai Banks Lock Accounts as Scam Fight Sweeps the Nation https://earlybirdsinvest.com/thai-banks-lock-accounts-as-scam-fight-sweeps-the-nation/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/thai-banks-lock-accounts-as-scam-fight-sweeps-the-nation/#respond Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:12:08 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/thai-banks-lock-accounts-as-scam-fight-sweeps-the-nation/

Bank customers in Thailand are discovering that their accounts have been frozen, part of a government effort to disrupt financial fraud.

The operation, which began in August, has led to the freezing of approximately three million accounts. These actions target accounts suspected of being used by scammers to move stolen funds, but many people with no connection to such crimes have also been affected.

According to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, recent tactics used by scammers have made it harder for authorities to identify fraudulent accounts.

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As a result, some small business owners and online sellers have seen their access to funds restricted. This has led to delays in payments, limited transactions, and disruption to daily business activities.

To stop the flow of criminal money, banks have also introduced a daily transfer limit of 50,000 baht (roughly $1,570). These restrictions apply to all customers, not just those under investigation.

The Bank of Thailand has warned that more freezes may be necessary as investigations expand. However, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, banks can suspend funds for up to three days, and police may extend this to seven while checks are carried out.

The situation has sparked renewed interest in digital currencies, such as Bitcoin
BTC


$114,705.55

. Investor Daniel Batten and Bitcoin advocate Jimmy Kostro have pointed to the crackdown as a reason to consider alternatives to traditional banking.

Meanwhile, Evgeny Masharov, a member of Russia’s Civic Chamber, recently proposed launching a crypto-based financial institution. What did he say? Read the full story.


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Everything You Need to Know About Nitro Nation: World Tour https://earlybirdsinvest.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-nitro-nation-world-tour/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-nitro-nation-world-tour/#respond Sun, 13 Jul 2025 08:33:58 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-nitro-nation-world-tour/

Nitro Nation: World Tour (NNWT) launched onto the mobile gaming scene in October 2023, delivering a high-octane drag racing experience with deep car customization for enthusiasts.

This free-to-play title includes officially licensed cars from prestigious manufacturers such as McLaren, Aston Martin, and Jaguar.

NNWT introduced a unique take on digital ownership—blending traditional mobile gameplay with optional NFT elements that let players truly own their virtual cars.

This guide covers everything from the game’s origins to its core mechanics and what to expect in the future.

Key Insights

  • NNWT combines classic mobile drag racing with optional blockchain elements
  • Players can race cars from iconic manufacturers like McLaren, Aston Martin, and more
  • The game was created by Creative Mobile in collaboration with Mythical Games
  • Races focus on timing rather than steering, making gameplay quick and accessible
  • Upcoming expansions will introduce new manufacturers, game modes, and more
Nitro Nation: World Tour Drag Race
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

What is Nitro Nation: World Tour’s History?

Beginnings and Collabs

Nitro Nation: World Tour was created through a collaboration between Creative Mobile (CM Games), the longtime developers of the Nitro Nation franchise, and Mythical Games, known for their blockchain expertise.

Together, they aimed to merge Creative Mobile’s racing game experience with the Mythos blockchain platform.

Nitro Nation Racing: Release Timeline

The game’s development and rollout progressed across 2022 and 2023:

  • October 2022: Mythical Games revealed the first teaser for NNWT
  • February 2023: Early supporters gained access via a “Founders Edition” presale
  • June 2023: A broader NFT car presale opened
  • July 2023: Closed beta testing launched
  • August 2023: A soft launch for “Season 0” (called “Head Start”) began
  • October 5, 2023: Official global release on Android and iOS
Nitro Nation: World Tour Volkswagen Gold GTI
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

Notable Launch Partnerships

The launch drew attention thanks to high-profile collaborations:

  • McLaren Automotive headlined Season 1, showcasing their luxury car lineup
  • Electronic music icon Deadmau5 partnered on in-game events and featured NNWT visuals during his 2023 tour

Blockchain Gets Involved

NNWT took a hybrid approach to blockchain by integrating with the Mythos ecosystem. This allowed players to own in-game cars and workshops as digital collectibles.

Importantly, the game does not require interaction with NFTs or cryptocurrency—players can enjoy the full experience without ever touching blockchain elements. This aligns with Mythical’s “gamers-first” philosophy.

Nitro Nation: World Tour NFTs
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

How do you play Nitro Nation: World Tour?

Nitro Nation Racing Gameplay Basics

At its core, NNWT is about fast, straight-line races that test timing and vehicle performance. Races are brief, making them ideal for quick play sessions.

Gameplay mechanics are intentionally streamlined:

  • No steering is required
  • Winning depends on perfect gear shifts and nitrous use
  • Pre-race burnouts improve tire grip
  • Tap timing is essential to acceleration
  • Nitrous becomes more powerful as vehicles are upgraded

Victory relies on both car performance and player timing. While the controls are simple, the impressive graphics and realistic effects help deliver a strong sense of speed and immersion.

What game modes does NNWT have?

The game offers a mix of modes to keep players engaged:

  • Campaign “Festival” mode provides tiered challenges with increasing difficulty
  • Real-time PvP duels match players of similar skill levels
  • Ghost races offer asynchronous play against recorded runs
  • Tournaments and special events rotate regularly to keep gameplay fresh
  • Daily challenges reward ongoing participation

Seasonal content adds new themes and updates, with Season 1 focused on McLaren and Deadmau5.

Nitro Nation: World Tour Mobile Racing Game
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

Car Collections, Upgrades, and Customization

The game offers an in-depth customization system:

Players progress from basic D-class vehicles to top-tier S-class models. Cars can be upgraded to improve acceleration, top speed, grip, and boost power. Fine-tuning allows for adjustments to grip balance and nitrous output. Cosmetic customisation includes paint jobs, decals, body kits, neon lights, and coloured smoke effects.

NFT cars offer slightly higher base stats but still need to be upgraded to remain competitive. A car loan system also lets friends try out vehicles they don’t own.

NNWT Multiplayer and Social Features

Social Clubs are the foundation of the game’s multiplayer features:

Progress within clubs unlocks bonuses for all members, and advanced upgrades are tied to club workshops. Workshop NFTs provide benefits such as reduced upgrade costs. The game also supports cross-platform play between Android and iOS users. Leaderboards track top racers across various categories.

Nitro Nation: World Tour Racing Game
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

How well was Nitro Nation: World Tour received?

Critics Chime In

Reviews for NNWT were mixed but noted several strengths. The casual-friendly gameplay was praised for being accessible to newcomers, whilst car enthusiasts enjoyed the detailed customization and licensed vehicle lineup.

The optional NFT integration received credit for staying unobtrusive for those not interested in blockchain. Visual fidelity and authentic car models also earned high marks.

However, criticisms were significant. Many reviewers highlighted how progression could become a grind, pushing players toward spending real money. Some argued that stats mattered more than skill, reducing the importance of player ability.

Online play drew complaints for lag and long matchmaking times. NFT car prices also raised concerns, especially when some digital cars cost more than real-world used vehicles.

Nitro Nation: World Tour Digital Collectibles
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

What’s next for Nitro Nation: World Tour?

Future Updates and Support

Mythical Games continues to treat NNWT as a live-service title, regularly updating the game to address feedback. Major changes have been made to the tuning and upgrade systems, offering more control to players. The user interface has been refined, and technical issues like performance bugs have been fixed.

Seasonal content and limited-time events also help keep the game fresh.

Development Roadmap

The team plans to expand the game with new car brands, game modes, and special events. Existing systems will likely receive further refinement as feedback rolls in. The strong reception to multiplayer and social features suggests these will continue to grow.

Nitro Nation: World Tour In-Game Screenshot
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

Long-Term Direction

Rather than releasing yearly sequels, the developers aim to evolve NNWT as a long-term platform. The “World Tour” name hints at future updates with new locations and race types beyond drag racing.

Deeper integration into the Mythos ecosystem seems likely, especially as blockchain features become more user-friendly. Competitive events like leagues or esports tournaments may also emerge. The in-game economy will likely expand to support more ownership and trading options—whether or not players choose to use NFTs.

The team has repeatedly emphasized community features, suggesting a strong focus on player creativity, trading, and cooperative play. Combined with the game’s solid foundation, this direction gives NNWT strong potential for long-term success.

Nitro Nation: World Tour Drag Strip
Source: Nitro Nation: World Tour

Looking Ahead to the Future

Nitro Nation: World Tour offers fast-paced racing with enough depth to satisfy tuning and customization fans. Its approach to digital ownership allows for blockchain integration without alienating traditional players.

Despite mixed reviews and monetization concerns, the game’s strong core systems and developer support signal long-term potential. Whether you’re chasing quick races or building your dream garage, NNWT offers a fresh take on mobile racing.

As updates continue to roll out, NNWT could serve as a model for how traditional games might successfully incorporate blockchain technology—and reshape the future of the mobile racing genre.

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Pakistan’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: Steps to Pill the Orange Nation? https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pakistans-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-steps-to-pill-the-orange-nation/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pakistans-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-steps-to-pill-the-orange-nation/#respond Sun, 15 Jun 2025 12:33:13 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pakistans-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-steps-to-pill-the-orange-nation/

Pakistan’s relationship with Bitcoin has been characterized by contradictions and confusion over the past few years. Initially, the country banned Bitcoin trading entirely in 2018, citing concerns over fraud, money laundering and lack of regulation. But over time, their stances eased, and regulators began exploring the technology behind Bitcoin in courts that even questioned the legality of the ban. Eventually, citizens were allowed to hold Bitcoin, but the transactions were vague and unregulated. This before and after approach created a confused environment in which Bitcoin exists in legal gray areas. Although technically permitted, it is not fully accepted or regulated, reflecting the state’s struggle to balance innovation and control.

This confused relationship with Bitcoin appears to have turned the corner in recent weeks as Pakistan Crypto Council head Bilal bin Saqib announced that the country is moving to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Additionally, he announced the allocation of 2,000 megawatts of excess energy to Bitcoin mining and high-performance computer data centers. The Treasury has also asked to establish an entirely new institution to oversee digital asset regulations that could lead to a less opacified legal framework regarding the ownership and use of Bitcoin in daily transactions.

Critics argued that this was nothing more than a comfortable attempt for Trump in the aftermath of Pakistan’s recent skirmish with India. After all, saqib did When Pakistan spoke at the recent Las Vegas Bitcoin Conference, he said he was inspired by the Trump administration. Others argue that Pakistan is only trying to build resistance against future sanctions over support for terrorist groups. I believe that such geopolitical focused critiques overlook the deeper economic realities that have looked at Pakistan for many years.

I wrote an article in a Pakistani newspaper about a year ago. There, the country argued that economically, it was located on its own to use Bitcoin to unlock the benefits associated with adoption. Pakistan suffers from rampaging inflation, stagnant capital formation, depleted foreign reserves, inefficient bureaucracy and excessive reliance on remittances from overseas. These systematic issues erode citizens’ beliefs in the traditional financial system, disillusion many Pakistanis, and seek alternative ways to protect wealth and economic autonomy.

Thus, nurturing a culture of adoption in Bitcoin could go a long way in alleviating many of these economic illnesses and empowering citizens to control their economic future. By acquiring and trading in the form of currency, which is essentially deflation, Pakistanis can protect themselves from the shortcomings of macroeconomic trends that have destroyed the living standards of the country they once proud of. Adoption of Bitcoin could transform the country’s vibrant remittance sector, with recipients holding more money sent. It also allows people to be freed from inefficient banking systems that drain people. Unauthorized transactions can empower plagued minorities who often struggle to achieve financial freedom.

Announcement of a strategic Bitcoin Reserve and committing to implementing pro-Bitcoin regulations and mining strategies is a step in the right direction. They are changing moods, indicating that the country is beginning to seriously look at the only real digital currency in the town. These steps also demonstrate a much broader and global change in attitudes towards Bitcoin. Especially in countries where hyperinflation is a daily reality and where banking systems struggle to meet the needs of their citizens.

However, true change will only occur if Pakistan fully legalizes Bitcoin as a digital currency and takes steps towards large-scale adoption. only after that Can ordinary Pakistani citizens trade freely with people all over the world without having to rely on the local banking system? only after that Is financial autonomy achievable goal for people living far from the metropolitan bank-based cities? only after that Can women make money, store and trade freely with digital currencies that resist cultural barriers?

The creation of a national strategic reserve simply shows that the country believes Bitcoin as an asset with the potential to provide reliable returns. It does not indicate that the country has adopted digital currency as a way to overcome obstacles imposed by Fiat. Strategic national reserves also accumulate bitcoin and even if digital currencies are designed to be hedges, they’re too close to the state Against State-run money. As such, reserves do not unlock the true potential of Bitcoin, which acts as a buffer against domestic inflation, currency devaluation and troublesome banking systems.

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a step in the right direction for Pakistan. But only mass adoption that truly unlocks the huge potential Bitcoin locks that can be offered to a country like Pakistan has a long way to go before it becomes a reality.

In my view, strategic preparation is not the purpose of Bitcoin, but I hope this is just the first step in the nation’s long and prosperous journey to orange pipping.

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Pirate Nation Launch New PvE Mode Infinite Tides https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pirate-nation-launch-new-pve-mode-infinite-tides/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pirate-nation-launch-new-pve-mode-infinite-tides/#respond Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:44:37 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pirate-nation-launch-new-pve-mode-infinite-tides/

On-chain RPG Pirate Nation has launched a brand-new PvE mode titled Infinite Tides, a roguelite experience that gives players an exciting new challenge.

Available now, Infinite Tides sees players face 25 waves of increasingly-powerful enemies to defeat in their classic turn-based strategy format. With only one ship at your disposal and persistent health after each wave, shrewd use of the post-wave rewards will be critical in making it to the end.

Players that defeat wave 25 will get their hands on a limited-edition skin: Hanzo the Samurai – the first pirate to surpass the Infinite Tides.

Key Insights

  • Pirate Nation have launched Infinite Tides, a brand-new roguelite PvE mode
  • Players face 25 waves of increasingly tougher opponents, with only one ship at their disposal
  • Defeating each wave gives the player a choice of rewards that are crucial for progression
  • Complete all 25 waves to unlock the limited-edition Hanzo the Samurai skin
  • The limited-edition skin is only available until June 11
Pirate Nation Infinite Tides - PvE Mode
Source: Pirate Nation

What is Pirate Nation?

Pirate Nation is an on-chain RPG, built on Arbitrum, and available on browser for PC.

Developed by Proof of Play, players set sail to explore the seas, minting your very own character, improving your ship and battling adversaries at every turn. The game features a turn-based combat system, where forward-thinking and strategic nous are key to victory.

As the game progresses, players can join one of a number of factions, with each faction pitted against each other for domination of the seas. Build your fleet, sink your enemies and loot a wide variety of NFT assets and rewards – your journey is yours to create.

Pirate Nation Infinite Tides - Hanzo the Samurai
Source: Pirate Nation

What is the Infinite Tides mode?

Infinite Tides is a brand-new roguelite PvE mode within Pirate Nation.

To start, head to the navigation panel on the left side of the screen to find the Infinite Tides icon. Playing this mode requires an Infinite Tides key; 3 are provided for free every 24 hours, whilst 3 additional keys can be purchased for 50 Gems.

Players must choose one pirate and one ship to begin their journey, and the game will provide you with 11 cards at the start. With each victory, you can choose 1 of 3 cards to add to your arsenal – or 1 of 4 cards if you’re a Pirate Nation VIP.

Completing all 25 waves in one run will reward you with the limited-edition Hanzo the Samurai skin – available until June 11. Dedicated leaderboards for the Infinite Tides mode are expected to arrive in future, helping you to see how you stack up against your fellow pirates.

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First In The Nation: New Hampshire Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve https://earlybirdsinvest.com/first-in-the-nation-new-hampshire-establishes-strategic-bitcoin-reserve/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/first-in-the-nation-new-hampshire-establishes-strategic-bitcoin-reserve/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 20:50:19 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/first-in-the-nation-new-hampshire-establishes-strategic-bitcoin-reserve/

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

In a major development for the broader digital asset adoption in the US, New Hampshire legislators have approved a bill to create the first state-level Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency reserve in the United States. 

New Bitcoin Reserve Legislation 

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced the decision on social media X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, stating, “New Hampshire is once again First in the Nation!” This new legislation allows the state to invest up to 5% of its public funds into precious metals and digital assets, including Bitcoin.

The bill, known as “HB 302,” positions New Hampshire ahead of federal efforts to establish a national Bitcoin reserve. While the Trump administration proposed a reserve that would utilize existing government-owned Bitcoin, it failed to promise additional purchases. 

In contrast, New Hampshire’s legislation reflects a proactive approach, aligning with advocates who believe that stockpiling BTC can serve as a hedge against inflation and financial instability.

Crypto Reserve Bills Stall In Multiple States

Bitcoin enthusiasts have long advocated for both federal and state governments to accumulate the cryptocurrency, arguing that doing so could stabilize the economy and enhance the asset’s value. 

The recent passage of the crypto reserve bill not only marks a significant achievement for New Hampshire but also underscores the state’s commitment to embracing innovative financial solutions.

Conversely, bills aimed at establishing crypto reserves have stalled in jurisdictions such as Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. Florida also recently withdrew its own reserve bill.

Bitcoin
The 1D chart shows BTC’s price consolidation. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com

At the time of writing, BTC trades at $95,100, attempting to establish this level as key support for a potential move toward the $100,000 milestone, the cryptocurrency’s most important resistance wall. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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El Salvador Dispatch: How Bitcoin Taught a Nation to Dream https://earlybirdsinvest.com/el-salvador-dispatch-how-bitcoin-taught-a-nation-to-dream/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/el-salvador-dispatch-how-bitcoin-taught-a-nation-to-dream/#respond Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:33:02 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/el-salvador-dispatch-how-bitcoin-taught-a-nation-to-dream/

This article is part of a four-piece series on El Salvador. You can find the previous dispatch, a story on El Zonte, here.

There was formidable energy at this year’s Plan B conference in El Salvador.

The event, which took place on Jan. 30-31, was historic for many of its 2,500 attendants. It was the first Bitcoin forum in the Central American nation to have a full dual-language agenda — meaning sessions in both English and Spanish.

For Roman Martínez, a Salvadoran co-founder of Bitcoin Beach, Plan B was a dream come true, because it enabled ordinary Salvadorans to make sense of their country’s Bitcoin experiment and ponder their own place within it. “Up until now, every Bitcoin conference was geared towards foreigners,” he told me on the first day, in Spanish. “Not everybody knows English. It’s already hard to learn a complex topic in your own language. In another, it’s three times harder.”

Martínez was involved in organizing the event. The expectation, he said, was for maybe 100 to 150 Salvadorans would show up — but more than 1,500 tickets were sold to Spanish speakers. “I’ve never seen so many Salvadoran faces at a Bitcoin conference,” he said. “We’re arriving at a point where Salvadorans are realizing that Bitcoin isn’t going anywhere, and either we learn to become part of it right now, or we’re going to be left behind.”

I could feel it too.

The English-speaking area, located at the Sheraton Presidente San Salvador Hotel, had crypto celebrities on stage including Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, and OGs like Samson Mow, Jimmy Song, Blockstream CEO Adam Back and early Bitcoin developer Peter Todd. “We are witnessing a battle between centralized and decentralized systems!” Walker America, host of THE Bitcoin Podcast, shouted at the conference’s opening panel.

Yet that side of the conference felt somewhat formulaic compared to the Spanish-speaking zone, held at the Museum of Arts of El Salvador, which was absolutely electric. Over there, Salvadorans of all stripes outlined plans to help their country develop — from providing new educational opportunities, to mixing Bitcoin with dental care, to discussing the government’s strategy with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Many of the panel speakers, young Salvadorans themselves, had fire in their eyes.

“We are in the right place in the world at the right time in history,” Gerardo Linares, co-founder of Bitcoin Berlín (the initiative behind the nation’s second Bitcoin circular economy) said to a completely bewitched audience. “It’s all happening right here, in El Salvador.”

A conference for Salvadorans

I was struck by the Spanish area’s demographic makeup. Crypto conferences are famously male-dominated; participants often complain of having to navigate a sea of dudes. The English-speaking zone was like that — maybe 90% male and 10% female.

The Spanish side was much more balanced, with a ratio of approximately 60% men and 40% women. While the majority of attendants sported black and orange Bitcoin T-shirts, you also saw middle-aged Salvadoran couples wearing elegant Salvadoran outfits, and twenty-something university students with turtlenecks and notepads.

A panel, moderated by Roman Martínez (left), comparing various Bitcoin circular economies in El Salvador, Costa Rica and Peru. Evelyn Lemus is on the right. (Credit: Tom Carreras)

A panel, moderated by Roman Martínez (left), comparing various Bitcoin circular economies in El Salvador, Costa Rica and Peru. Evelyn Lemus is on the right. (Credit: Tom Carreras)

I asked Evelyn Lemus and Patricia Rosales, two of the Salvadorans who spearheaded the Bitcoin initiative in Berlín, what they thought of the female attendance rate. They didn’t seem surprised. “There is a new generation of Salvadoran women who do not depend on men,” Rosales, a single mother herself, told me.“

In El Salvador, most of the time, it’s women who manage family finances,” Lemus said. “That’s why they come to events like this: To see how they can manage and invest the family money. It’s one of the reasons we really wanted to have the conference in Spanish.”

Bitcoin shouldn’t be reserved to the nation’s elite, but should make everyday life easier for ordinary Salvadorans, Lemus said. That concern influenced her action plan for Bitcoin Berlín. “We wanted to push back on this notion that Salvadorans don’t use Bitcoin — that only expats use it. Now, if you go to Berlín, you’ll see working class people using Bitcoin.”

Making sense of El Salvador’s situation

There was an overall feeling that El Salvador is on the cusp of entering a new phase in its Bitcoin experiment.

The last four years have seen the Central American nation, once known as the homicide capital of the world, rebrand itself into Bitcoin Country. President Nayib Bukele, by locking up MS-13 and Barrio 18 and putting an end to gang warfare, had given El Salvador a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reorganize itself and attain prosperity — at least that’s how most of the people at the conference seemed to see it.

A lot of conversations revolved around the pick-up in Bitcoin adoption. For years, despite bitcoin becoming legal tender in 2021, you could only pay for stuff with the cryptocurrency in El Zonte, the small surfing village also known as Bitcoin Beach. In 2023, 88% of Salvadorans did not use the digital coin, according to a survey by the Central American University.

But now a second Bitcoin circular economy has been implemented in the town of Berlín, up in the mountains, and other initiatives are reportedly growing elsewhere, like in Santa Ana, the second largest city in the country.

Martínez, Lemus and Linares were all eager to share tips and advice. The secret sauce to adoption, they said, is to mix Bitcoin initiatives with social work. “If the way to get people to use Bitcoin was to make hamburgers instead of doing social work, then I would be making hamburgers,” Linares told me. “Whatever works. People like social stuff, so that’s what we’re doing.”

A mesmerizing Bitcoin animation, right next to an art gallery. (Credit: Tom Carreras)

A mesmerizing Bitcoin animation, right next to an art gallery. (Credit: Tom Carreras)

Stablecoin giant Tether’s decision to relocate its headquarters to El Salvador was also perceived as a massive win. Tether reported $143.7 billion in assets, including $94.5 billion in Treasury bills, in the last financial quarter of 2024. For comparison, El Salvador’s GDP was estimated at $34 billion in 2023 by the World Bank.

Tether has become the largest company (by far) to be based in El Salvador — and other crypto firms are bound to follow in its footsteps, taking advantage of the nation’s advanced crypto regulatory framework and increasingly skilled workforce. For Salvadorans, that means more career opportunities, higher salaries and the possibility that the country may become a tech hub in its own right.

“El Salvador should not only be known for being the first to implement bitcoin as legal tender,” Darvin Otero, CEO of tiianki Technology, said on stage. “Let’s change the lives of the young folks here and create the next leaders of this tech movement.”

“We have a small territory, but we can have a big dream,” Alejandro Muñoz, a Salvadoran lawyer, said. “We can provide a big service. … Good lawyers will attract good investors and filter the scammers out. Bitcoin education needs to happen in the legal industry; steps are being taken already in that direction.”

Bright future ahead

The conference occurred only days after the government, as part of a recent multi-billion dollar deal with the IMF, rescinded bitcoin’s status as legal tender — meaning that businesses aren’t obliged to accept bitcoin payments anymore. While some members of the Bitcoin community have accused Bukele of caving to the IMF, none of the Salvadorans at Plan B seemed to see it that way. In their view, nothing has changed on a practical level, since the vast majority of businesses didn’t use Bitcoin to begin with.

In fact, a number of people welcomed the deal. “El Salvador locked in long-term funding to finish the reforms needed,” Mike Peterson, an American expatriate who lives in El Zonte and co-founded of Bitcoin Beach, posted on X recently. “The IMF loan puts the country on track to get the BBB credit rating that most sovereign wealth funds require to invest in a country.”

That’s the big difference between Salvadorans and Bitcoiners. Hardcore Bitcoiners prioritize global adoption; they want the cryptocurrency to eventually supplant government-issued currencies, like the U.S. dollar. For them, El Salvador is a stepping stone, the first nation to initiate hyperbitcoinization, but certainly not the last.

Salvadorans don’t have the same priorities. For them, Bitcoin is simply a tool, a means to an end. Their goal is to develop Salvadoran society.

“Salvadorans have always been proud of being Salvadoran. But there was a lot of pessimism. We were never the first in anything positive, only in negative things,” Linares told me. “Now people come from all parts of the world to listen to what we have to say. Bitcoin has a lot to do with that.”

“There are a lot of projects here in El Salvador that invest so much time and resources and get almost nothing in return — except tremendous pride in being able to give back to the community and support everyone else. This feeling needs to expand throughout the country. We’re in a moment of great change. You can feel it in the air.”

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