Latam Insights — Steve Hanke Advocates Dollarization in Argentina, Bitcoin City Plans Unclear in El Salvador, Sunacrip Implicated in Venezuela Layoffs

Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of the most relevant crypto and economic development news from Latin America during the last week. In this issue, economist Steve Hanke calls to dollarize Argentina, Bitcoin City plans are still not formalized in El Salvador, and Venezuelan crypto watchdog Sunacrip is allegedly involved in mass layoffs. Steve Hanke … Read more

Disconnected Venezuelan Bitcoin Miners Might Resume Operations in 48 Hours

A group of Venezuelan Bitcoin miners that were disconnected from the power grid by regional authorities in the state of Carabobo might resume operations in the next 48 hours, according to the national cryptocurrency watchdog, Sunacrip. The institution met with affected miners on Wednesday and assured them it will make the necessary adjustments with regional … Read more

Venezuelan Guards Seize 76 Bitcoin Mining Rigs Due to ‘Inconsistencies’ in Transport Documents

The Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela (GNB) is known for having a tough stance against crypto mining rig counterfeits, as several operations have been assigned to combat the issues over the last few months. This time, the Venezuelan authorities seized 76 mining rigs after allegedly detecting inconsistencies in the transport documentation. Rigs Are Presumably ASIC … Read more

Panda Group’s Crypto Terminals Offer Venezuelans a Bridge to Economic Prosperity

Arley Lozano, founder of the cryptocurrency based startup Panda Group, recently explained how his firm is spreading cryptocurrency adoption throughout Colombia and Venezuela. Panda Group has deployed 10 hybrid cryptocurrency point-of-sale (PoS) terminals that also act as automated teller machines (ATM). Four of the machines are situated near the border of Venezuela, giving refugees from … Read more

Venezuela’s BTC Trading Volumes Hit Record Highs as Crypto Regulations Commence

As Venezuela begins regulating cryptocurrency, BTC trading volumes in the country hit record highs on several exchanges. Amid fast-growing crypto adoption, peer-to-peer trading platforms such as Localbitcoins and Paxful have reported significant increases in the number of BTC traded in Venezuela. Also read: Indian Supreme Court Moves Crypto Hearing, Community Calls for Positive Regulations Record BTC … Read more

Venezuelan Nonprofit Eatbch Celebrates First Anniversary Amidst Hyperinflation

On Sunday, Feb. 10, the creators of the charitable organization Eatbch, a nonprofit food drive powered by bitcoin cash, celebrated its one-year anniversary. Eatbch has come along way since its inception feeding Venezuelans thousands of meals alongside branching out to other less fortunate regions like South Sudan. Also read: BCH Avalanche Transactions Show Finality Speeds 10x … Read more

Singaporean and Eastern European P2P Markets Post Record BTC Volume

Several markets have seen spikes in peer-to-peer (P2P) volume, with the Kazakh and Singaporean Localbitcoins markets posting their second strongest weeks on record. Polish P2P trade also increased this past week, with volume reaching a 14-month high. Also Read: Leaked Documents Suggest Mt. Gox Trustee’s Bitcoin Sales Impacted Market Prices Singaporean P2P Trade Sees Spike The … Read more

Venezuela Begins Public Sale of National Cryptocurrency Petro

The Venezuelan government has opened up an exchange desk for the country’s national cryptocurrency at the headquarters of the Superintendency of Cryptoassets. According to the government, investors can now purchase the petro with a number of fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. Delegates from China have reportedly purchased some with yuan. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into … Read more

Venezuela Authorizes 6 Exchanges to Start Selling National Cryptocurrency Petro

Venezuela has authorized six cryptocurrency exchanges to start selling its national cryptocurrency, the petro, according to the government’s website. The petro, which recently became a Venezuelan national currency, can now be purchased at the six exchanges, local media report. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space Six Websites Authorized to Sell Petro The … Read more