From El Zonte to Victoria Falls: How Bitcoin is Changing Lives Around the World | Adam Cowperthwait

Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, in this episode, I sit down with Adam Cowperthwait, a passionate Bitcoiner who's on a mission to spread Bitcoin adoption in unique and underserved communities. Adam shares the story of how his visit to El Zonte in 2022 inspired him to create Bitcoin Victoria Falls in Zambia and launch a new project in Montserrat, a small island in the Caribbean.

We dive into the challenges and successes of building circular Bitcoin economies, from teaching locals about Bitcoin to onboarding merchants and even tackling big issues like energy shortages. Adam talks about the power of combining grassroots education with tourism to bring Bitcoin into these communities sustainably.

He also gives us a glimpse into his plans for the future, including scaling the Victoria Falls project and launching the Montserrat initiative, where he sees huge potential for a Bitcoin revival thanks to the island’s geothermal energy and small, tight-knit population.

If you’re curious about how Bitcoin can transform communities and want to hear about some exciting real-world adoption stories, this episode is for you. Don’t miss it!

- Mike

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Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

0:00 - Introduction

0:42 - What inspired Adam Cowperthwait to visit El Salvador and explore Bitcoin?

1:36 - How did early experiences in El Salvador shape Bitcoin Victoria Falls?

2:07 - Who is Adam Cowperthwait, and how did he get started with Bitcoin?

5:23 - What is Bitcoin Victoria Falls, and how did it start?

6:30 - Why was Zambia’s Victoria Falls chosen for a Bitcoin circular economy project?

7:32 - What challenges do NGOs face when integrating Bitcoin?

10:05 - How can tourism and local economies work together to grow Bitcoin adoption?

11:06 - What progress has Bitcoin Victoria Falls made in its first year?

12:35 - How does Mi Primer Bitcoin educate communities about Bitcoin?

13:29 - Why are locals in Zambia interested in learning about Bitcoin?

15:00 - How many businesses in Victoria Falls are accepting Bitcoin?

16:49 - How is Bitcoin being used for payments in Zambia’s Victoria Falls?

18:09 - What is Bitcoin Montserrat, and how can Bitcoin help this Caribbean island?

20:52 - What makes Montserrat’s geothermal energy and history perfect for Bitcoin revival

22:47 - How does Bitcoin Victoria Falls plan to focus on specific areas for growth?

26:15 - What’s next for Bitcoin Victoria Falls and Montserrat projects?

Live From Bitcoin Beach