A recent Cripto Latin Fest conference brought together leading figures in the cryptocurrency world. They met on August 22nd at the Jardín Botánico de Medellín. Discussions focused on Bitcoin’s future in Latin America. Experts explored its value, how big institutions are getting involved, and how more people can use it.
The “Bitcoin: Adoption and Usability in LATAM” session featured five well-known speakers. Juliana Matiz, Juan Galt, Aníbal Garrido, Jerónimo Ferrer, and Johan Godoy shared their views. They talked about rules, how companies are joining in, price changes, and the role of education.
Governments, Rules, and Global Impact
The speakers began by discussing how clear rules and international laws help Bitcoin grow. Aníbal Garrido highlighted El Salvador’s experience. President Nayib Bukele’s actions marked a turning point, he said. The country’s Bitcoin reserves and public digital wallet changed how governments and big companies see the digital currency.
Michael Saylor and his company, Strategy, also set a new trend. They created a corporate treasury model using Bitcoin. This even influenced figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump. He has now taken a stand to support Bitcoin’s regulation and adoption, encouraging local market involvement.
Johan Godoy stressed the importance of regulations for Bitcoin to spread. He named El Salvador, Switzerland, and Gibraltar as early adopters. Godoy believes the United States will play a key role eventually. However, he warned that countries that do not act quickly might see their economies suffer. They could lose out on competition. He compared this shift to the move from Blockchain to the Swift system.
Juan Galt noted that big institutions have shown interest in Bitcoin. But for many years, there was no easy way for them to buy large amounts. The arrival of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) changed this. Companies like Fidelity and BlackRock opened new doors. Still, Galt criticized some governments for selling their Bitcoin reserves at low prices. He believes this could cause political problems down the road.
Jerónimo Ferrer brought up the social and global aspects. He reminded everyone that Bitcoin adoption started small, with enthusiasts trading tiny sums. It then grew to businesses, corporations, and finally, governments. In El Salvador, Ferrer said, people feel direct improvements in safety and their daily economy because of Bitcoin. He also mentioned that trade tensions, like U.S. tariffs, are pushing more countries to consider Bitcoin as a smart alternative.
The Big Debate: Is Bitcoin a Store of Value?
A main point of the discussion was simple: Is Bitcoin truly a way to hold value? Juliana Matiz explained that, in theory, Bitcoin does not tick all the boxes. However, she pointed to three different situations. For investment funds, it is a risky asset. For everyday investors, it acts as a valuable asset. And for people in unstable economies, it can be a safe place from local currency inflation.
Ferrer argued that, despite its price swings, Bitcoin does serve as a store of value. Galt questioned how stable traditional money really is. He said that savings in traditional currencies lose value over time. Bitcoin, on the other hand, has shown steady growth. He suggested that a long-term mindset is the real secret.
Godoy offered an analogy. He said work and effort are measured in dollars. But Bitcoin works like a “black hole.” It absorbs those resources and returns a more stable money unit. Garrido agreed. He said the idea of a store of value needs to be looked at over years, not just days. He compared Bitcoin’s potential future growth to how gold has performed over time.
Education and Rules: Working Together
The final part of the talk focused on how education and regulation connect. Matiz noted that regulators move slowly. But she recognized that financial firms are showing more interest. She also stressed the need for clearer rules to create more chances for investing and getting involved.
Galt pushed for more education and fewer official roadblocks. Godoy argued that when lawmakers have good information and understand these topics, it leads to better rules.
Garrido ended the debate by saying education must reach three groups: leaders, rule-makers, and citizens. He put special focus on people learning for themselves. He believes combining these efforts will help Latin America build a strong plan for Bitcoin’s future.