Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro became the owner of the first cryptocurrency. He received 100,000 satoshis (0.001 BTC or $39.40). This was announced by former Blockstream chief strategic development officer and JAN3 CEO Samson Mow.
The President of Colombia is now a #Bitcoin HODLer for sure. 100,000 sats to be exact. ☕️?? pic.twitter.com/dKbnTRtcAI
— Samson Mow (@Excellion) December 1, 2023
“We are going to open several working groups in public administration and local communities, in associated worker cooperatives to strengthen them with new technologies,” Petro said.
According to the president, digital assets have already “paved the way” for the world and will continue to develop. He called the crypto industry “promising for people’s welfare”.
Thank you President @petrogustavo for the welcoming message. We’re excited help Colombia to move forward. And don’t lose your #Bitcoin! ?❤️?? pic.twitter.com/7HZNJeGgtr
— Samson Mow (@Excellion) December 1, 2023
The initiative could become the first step toward legalising Bitcoin as legal tender by a Latin American country. In autumn 2021, El Salvador enacted a law on recognition of the first cryptocurrency as legal tender.
Earlier, Vice President Félix Ulloa described the decision the most important element in exiting the crisis. According to him, the legalisation of Bitcoin attracted in El Salvador new investors and helped spark the tourism boom.