An 87% approval rate in the El Salvador elections secures Bukele's presidency for another five years. While some label him a dictator, the sheer majority of votes he commands is the only aspect that, in my opinion, brings him close to that title.
El Salvador remained relatively unknown until recently, with Nayib's bold initiatives, such as cracking down on street gangs by confining them to prisons and embracing Bitcoin as legal tender. These moves brought international attention to a country that might otherwise have stayed under the radar.
Visiting El Salvador may now be a tempting prospect, considering the significant improvements in safety and governance. Gone are the days when open streets were ruled by ruthless gang members. The transformation within the last year has turned El Salvador into a completely different nation.
The country holds Bitcoin in its reserves and boasts a unique program known as the "Freedom Visa." This initiative has attracted over $150 million in internal investments, offering lifetime visas to investors committing a minimum of $1 million in BTC or USDT to any business in the country.
In contrast, the US recently allocated $68 billion in military aid for Ukraine and $20 billion for Israel. While the situation in Ukraine is uncertain, the US seems unwavering in its support for Israel, guided by influential figures who, coincidentally, happen to be Jewish. The ongoing conflicts involving Israel raise questions about what to anticipate in the near future.
Though I'm typically not fond of Bitcoin maximalists due to their often toxic behavior, I enjoy watching conferences featuring Antonopoulos, regardless of their age. His visionary insights contribute immense value to the crypto community, and if he were to achieve billionaire status through Bitcoin, he would undoubtedly deserve it.
Many individuals struggle to comprehend the nature of money, unable to discern what confers value upon it—often attributing value to banknotes approved by rulers or numbers on a screen. The intricacies of the current financial system, in their rigged state, remain elusive to many.
When the chairperson of the Federal Reserve, akin to the United States' money-printing engine with anonymous founders and owners, openly admits that the nation is indebting future generations by escalating its overall debt, a foul odor permeates the air.
Governments may pursue such a path out of either sheer incompetence or a calculated agenda to dismantle the existing financial system. The aim could be to usher in a new era, erasing any remnants of past monetary systems, forging novel financial avenues, and consolidating greater control over personal lives and assets in the hands of the elite.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) haven't met their demise yet. Even Donald Trump has voiced concerns about CBDCs, though his allegiance lies with the dollar rather than Bitcoin. Banks and major corporations share an aversion to Bitcoin because of its permissionless nature—it doesn't favor any particular entity.
While these institutions champion the longevity of the legacy system, anarchists, like myself, don't align with such convictions. In 2017, $1,000 could fetch either the latest iPhone or one Bitcoin. Now, over $1,000 is required for the former, while a whole Bitcoin commands around $42,000.
The value of our current currency has steadily eroded over the years. I'm uncertain about the future of business, the emergence of non-king-approved currencies driven by consensus, and the potential influence of AI. What's certain is that Bitcoin has firmly established itself as an asset class, despite its initial purpose as an alternative to cash. Blockchain technology is poised to revolutionize various industries, transforming businesses in unprecedented ways.
Picture a future where ride-sharing involves tokenized, fully autonomous vehicles—a prospect both exciting and challenging for Earth's inhabitants in the coming decades.
Thanks for your attention,
Adrian
And a 2017 iPhone can be sold today for a maximum of $30)
And hardly gets any buyer…
I don’t want to offend anyone, but in Africa someone might have bought it / but that’s not certain)
2017 saw the release of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. The iPhone 8 was introduced in September 2017 and the iPhone X in November 2017.
I googled and found that an iPhone 8 in my country costs $50 and an iPhone X costs $70 - maybe I live in Africa)
OK. You buy anyone, but how properly does it run after all these years, how much battery health does it still have left... Nevertheless, it looks like iPhones are more durable than Samsungs and they seem to be holding prices better too.
Yes, Samsung is definitely losing in the used phone market compared to the iPhone. The iPhone has always had status in Europe and Asia - status gives it +
True. It's unbelievable how expensive smartphones are lately. $2,000 for the latest and greatest S24 Ultra.