Argentina: We Don’t Trust, We Verify - Agustin Kassis | Ep. 117

Agustin Kassis is a Bitcoin developer, entrepreneur, and founder of La Crypta in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a self-taught programmer since age 11 and serial entrepreneur with seven startups, Agustin discovered Bitcoin in its first years. This conversation explores Argentina's unique position as a potential Bitcoin adoption leader, shaped by decades of currency destruction, hyperinflation, and distrust of government institutions.

We dive deep into the grassroots Bitcoin movement in Argentina, the role of La Crypta as an education and community hub, and how Argentinians' natural rebellion against monetary systems creates fertile ground for Bitcoin adoption. Agustin discusses the challenges of onboarding merchants and individuals, the competition with the crypto industry (including stablecoins), and the importance of maintaining Bitcoin's decentralized nature against capture. We also explore President Milei's impact on Argentina, the cultural shift happening in the country, and why he believes ideology and values matter more than technical knowledge & NGU when identifying true Bitcoiners.

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– LINKS –

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– CHAPTERS – 

• 00:00 - Coming Up

• 01:53 - Introduction of Augustin Kassis

• 03:30 - Argentinian’s Currency Failure History 

• 07:42 - Finding Bitcoin & Entrepreneurship 

• 10:35 - Programming Languages & Technology’s Role Today

• 16:00 - What Makes Someone a True Bitcoiner?

• 19:46 - Ad Break: Trezor & Abundant Mines

• 23:00 - Starting a Bitcoin Exchange

• 26:00 - Onboarding People to Bitcoin

• 32:11 - La Crypta's Mission: Education Through Experience

• 38:30 - Milei & Argentina's Transformation

• 43:00 - Black Markets, Cash & Dollar Stablecoins

• 46:51 - Ad Break: ExpatMoney & New Totalitarian Order Conference

• 49:40 - Being a Rebel & Milei Fan Simultaneously

• 58:00 - Argentina's Economic Stabilization & Future

• 01:01:20 - Understand Tech & Support Others 

• 01:05:15 - What Drives Augustine?

• 01:07:02 - Walk the Talk: Eat What You Cook