Barroque Innovation: Cryptocurrency Policy in Latin America

Andrés Arauz

Summary
This session will discuss the policy - and the politics - of cryptocurrency in Latin America.
Talk
English
Conference

Bitcoin as legal tender? No, chivo-xenobitcoins are.

Cryptos are adopted by libertarians? No, socialists did it first.

Heard of digital euros? Digital central bank ecua-xenodollars were first.

Latin America has a versatile monetary technological agenda, with barroque combinations that open the door for innovation. It is a region that has long been skeptical of banks and bankers, and is always willing to experiment with financial alternatives: from small rural cooperatives to scammers posing as fintech. We will discuss the policy - and the politics - of cryptocurrency in Latin America.

re:publica would like to thank its cooperation partner Robert Bosch Stiftung for making this session possible. 

Photo of Andres in a blue suit
Ecuadorean presidential runner-up, research fellow in finance and technology