Bitcoin Beach Reality Check: Almost Nobody Uses It
block #832050
synopsis
Season 3 premiere. Ian went to Bitcoin Beach (El Zonte) in El Salvador solo and reports back. The big revelation: there aren't many Bitcoiners in El Salvador. Most locals don't know El Zonte is called "Bitcoin Beach." Ian explains why — the Chivo wallet rollout was botched, Bitcoin is perceived as a government thing (opposite of how Americans see it), and Bukele's one-term limit created uncertainty. He meets characters like Ronnie and Jamie at the Bitcoin Hardware Store, Oliver the Canadian restaurant owner, and Napoleon the Bitcoin taxi driver.
quotes
"I've literally paid for everything in this town with Bitcoin."
"I didn't have a hotel. I literally bought my ticket at 2 a.m. I got on a 5 a.m. flight."
"It is too hot in El Zonte. Like it is. Oof. Oof. Oof."
"Bitcoin is an international word. It's not an English word. It's not a Spanish word."
"You're here because of Bitcoin." — to a tourist who didn't know she was at Bitcoin Beach
"Everyone I talked to voted for him [Bukele]. Like everyone."
"This thing will never work — they are so wrong. So wrong. So wrong."
topics
Bitcoin Beach (El Zonte) — reality vs. expectationsVery few actual Bitcoiners in El SalvadorChivo wallet rollout failure — buggy app, lost money, nepotism accusationsBitcoin perceived as government initiative (opposite of US anti-government framing)Bukele's controversial reelection and one-term rule changeBitcoin Hardware Store (Ronnie and Jamie) — first of its kindNapoleon / BitDriver — Bitcoin taxi company competing with Uber at half the priceOliver — Canadian who opened a restaurant, became a Bitcoiner by accidentSurfing culture and Bitcoin culture as parallel movementsKubo Plus meetups — educating El Salvadorians about Bitcoin"Bitcoin" as a handshake word — establishing connection instantlyLiving entirely on Bitcoin during the trip (no dollars spent)