In Argentina, Bitcoin adoption is surging, in contrast with the more gradual approach observed in El Salvador. Argentinians are driven to use Bitcoin by the country’s political and economic challenges, including the increasing inflation rate, which is projected to reach 147%.
Fertile Ground for Bitcoin Adoption in Argentina
The economic conditions in Argentina have motivated citizens to look for alternative ways to protect their assets. Cryptocurrency has become a desirable option due to its decentralized system that is outside of the traditional banking regulations. Moreover, the rise of Javier Milei, a presidential candidate with a positive stance on Bitcoin, has also contributed to the growing interest. After his success in the primaries, the price of Bitcoin rose by over 20% in one day, demonstrating the potential influence of politics on the cryptocurrency market.
El Salvador’s Mixed Relationship with Bitcoin
In 2021, El Salvador made headlines by granting Bitcoin the status of legal tender. Despite the initial enthusiasm, its adoption has been slow. According to Angela Dalton, CEO of Signum Growth Capital, “awareness is high, yet usage is still low”. El Zonte’s Bitcoin Beach is an exception, as it is a tourist-heavy area where cryptocurrency is accepted more widely. David Puell from Ark Invest attributes the nation’s cautious attitude towards Bitcoin to its preference for the U.S. dollar, as well as the volatility of the cryptocurrency.
Barriers to Widespread Bitcoin Use
The global banking community has expressed interest in Bitcoin, but concerns remain. Carlos Alfaro of Koibanx, a firm specializing in blockchain solutions, observed that bankers are hesitant to embrace Bitcoin, fearing potential repercussions from their global partners. Additionally, El Salvador’s economy relies heavily on remittances, and local banks are reluctant to risk such a substantial part of their operations. Moreover, integrating the Bitcoin network into existing infrastructure is complicated, and self-custody is difficult for Salvadoran financial institutions with little influence on Wall Street.
The cases of Argentina and El Salvador demonstrate how economics and politics can shape a nation’s relationship with cryptocurrency. While Argentinians are exploring the potential of Bitcoin as a refuge from economic uncertainty, El Salvador is taking a more cautious approach.
