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If backed, El Salvador would be first in the world to formally adopt Bitcoin
If plan of El Salvador's president backed by congress, his country would be first in the world to formally adopt the digital currency. He twitted, "Bitcoin has a market cap of $680 billion dollars. If 1% of it is invested in El Salvador, that would increase our GDP by 25%. On the other side, Bitcoin will have 10 million potential new users and the fastest growing way to transfer 6 billion dollars a year in remittances." El Salvador
Bitcoin would be used alongside the US dollar, El Salvador's official currency.
According to BBC, president Nayib Bukele says Bitcoin will make it easier for Salvadorans living abroad to send payments home.
"In the short term, this will generate jobs and help provide financial inclusion to thousands outside the formal economy," Mr Bukele told a Bitcoin conference in Florida, adding that it could also boost investment to the country.
The president would send the legislation to congress next week. Should it pass, the move would open up financial services to the 70% of Salvadorans who do not have bank accounts, BBC quoting the president.
El Salvador's economy relies heavily on remittances, or money sent home from abroad, which make up around 20% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). El Salvador
More than two million Salvadorans live outside the country, but they continue to keep close ties to their place of birth, sending back more than $4bn (£2.9bn) each year.
Current services can charge fees for such transfers, which can take days to arrive and sometimes need to be picked up in person, according to the announcement.
The president did not give more details about how the policy would work, but said it will improve the lives of millions.
Bitcoin, a virtual asset with no direct connection to the real economy, has seen large fluctuations in value over the years.
Most of the world's central banks are looking into the possibility of creating their own digital currencies. In April, the Bank of England announced it was looking into creating a digital money that would exist alongside cash and bank deposits. El Salvador
Source: BBC
Image Source: REUTERS-BBC
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