BTC is not skyrocketing because ordinary Argentinians have no use for them. Argentinians use US Dollar as inflation hedge, store of value and de facto currency for all but smallest transactions since the default/depression of 2000.
Those who have pesos are trying to buy liquid and "safe" USD's or other hard/liquid assets, BTC being impractical/irrelevant to their daily survival routine.
Topic: Regards to Argentinian crisis - why isn't Btc skyrocketing? - page 2. (Read 5242 times)
What is the btc-ars exchange anyways? Localbitcoins is implying the prices are actually pretty high.
PayPal is too risky because of chargebacks.
You are right. I was selling to the same guy I dealt with in person down in Argentina. I trust the guy. Dealing with someone you haven't met would be unwise, unless you go through escrow.
Zip zap has an office in Buenos Aires. Wonder what effect that will have.
PayPal is too risky because of chargebacks.
I see comments on this thread which don't have much connection to reality. I've been to Argentina a couple of times and traveled around the country a little, and recently I attended the bitcoin conference in Buenos Aires. I've exchanged dollars for pesos at "blue" market cuevas in Mendoza and BA, and I've sold bitcoin in Argentina face-to-face. After I returned to the US, I sent some bitcoin to an Argy friend and he paid me through paypal. By the way, this is a good way to get btc to people in Argentina.
A theme I notice in this thread is that the Argentinians are somehow self-destructively passing up an obvious opportunity to escape financial disaster. But think: how many Argentinians have ever heard about bitcoin, let alone have a clue about it? I've met people here in the States who never heard the word "bitcoin" until I said it to them. As for myself, I first noticed news items about bitcoin several years ago, but I never thought much of it. Because really, why would I? Why would anyone? Someone can read a news item about bitcoin or hear it mentioned by a friend, but that doesn't mean they will understand it. It was not until about eight months ago that I started to see the power of bitcoin. And I am pretty well informed, I keep up with current events, I have an engineering degree, but it took me a long time to see. Keep that in mind when you feel like blaming people for not understanding about bitcoin. Everybody isn't a computer nerd.
If you are immersed in the culture of cryptocurrency, it's possible to develop a parochial mindset. You may see what others don't, but at the same time you are wearing blinders.
This^+1 A theme I notice in this thread is that the Argentinians are somehow self-destructively passing up an obvious opportunity to escape financial disaster. But think: how many Argentinians have ever heard about bitcoin, let alone have a clue about it? I've met people here in the States who never heard the word "bitcoin" until I said it to them. As for myself, I first noticed news items about bitcoin several years ago, but I never thought much of it. Because really, why would I? Why would anyone? Someone can read a news item about bitcoin or hear it mentioned by a friend, but that doesn't mean they will understand it. It was not until about eight months ago that I started to see the power of bitcoin. And I am pretty well informed, I keep up with current events, I have an engineering degree, but it took me a long time to see. Keep that in mind when you feel like blaming people for not understanding about bitcoin. Everybody isn't a computer nerd.
If you are immersed in the culture of cryptocurrency, it's possible to develop a parochial mindset. You may see what others don't, but at the same time you are wearing blinders.
I see comments on this thread which don't have much connection to reality. I've been to Argentina a couple of times and traveled around the country a little, and recently I attended the bitcoin conference in Buenos Aires. I've exchanged dollars for pesos at "blue" market cuevas in Mendoza and BA, and I've sold bitcoin in Argentina face-to-face. After I returned to the US, I sent some bitcoin to an Argy friend and he paid me through paypal. By the way, this is a good way to get btc to people in Argentina.
A theme I notice in this thread is that the Argentinians are somehow self-destructively passing up an obvious opportunity to escape financial disaster. But think: how many Argentinians have ever heard about bitcoin, let alone have a clue about it? I've met people here in the States who never heard the word "bitcoin" until I said it to them. As for myself, I first noticed news items about bitcoin several years ago, but I never thought much of it. Because really, why would I? Why would anyone? Someone can read a news item about bitcoin or hear it mentioned by a friend, but that doesn't mean they will understand it. It was not until about eight months ago that I started to see the power of bitcoin. And I am pretty well informed, I keep up with current events, I have an engineering degree, but it took me a long time to see. Keep that in mind when you feel like blaming people for not understanding about bitcoin. Everybody isn't a computer nerd.
If you are immersed in the culture of cryptocurrency, it's possible to develop a parochial mindset. You may see what others don't, but at the same time you are wearing blinders.
A theme I notice in this thread is that the Argentinians are somehow self-destructively passing up an obvious opportunity to escape financial disaster. But think: how many Argentinians have ever heard about bitcoin, let alone have a clue about it? I've met people here in the States who never heard the word "bitcoin" until I said it to them. As for myself, I first noticed news items about bitcoin several years ago, but I never thought much of it. Because really, why would I? Why would anyone? Someone can read a news item about bitcoin or hear it mentioned by a friend, but that doesn't mean they will understand it. It was not until about eight months ago that I started to see the power of bitcoin. And I am pretty well informed, I keep up with current events, I have an engineering degree, but it took me a long time to see. Keep that in mind when you feel like blaming people for not understanding about bitcoin. Everybody isn't a computer nerd.
If you are immersed in the culture of cryptocurrency, it's possible to develop a parochial mindset. You may see what others don't, but at the same time you are wearing blinders.
If they want bitcoin they can get it.
Even if they have a hard time wiring money they can pool small communities and hire a broker who has access to exchanges. They can get it if they want it; it's not like nobody's allowed outside of the country.
Even if they have a hard time wiring money they can pool small communities and hire a broker who has access to exchanges. They can get it if they want it; it's not like nobody's allowed outside of the country.
True - but all of this takes time to organize and do - I hope some are doing it as we speak.
If they want bitcoin they can get it.
Even if they have a hard time wiring money they can pool small communities and hire a broker who has access to exchanges. They can get it if they want it; it's not like nobody's allowed outside of the country.
Even if they have a hard time wiring money they can pool small communities and hire a broker who has access to exchanges. They can get it if they want it; it's not like nobody's allowed outside of the country.
ye, like their government would allow bitcoin ATMs.
if i was living there i'd either A) Move (if i had the money and opportunity) or B) get as much bitcoin as i can, no matter what the price is. and no matter how hard it is to get them.
if there's a will, there's a way.
if i was living there i'd either A) Move (if i had the money and opportunity) or B) get as much bitcoin as i can, no matter what the price is. and no matter how hard it is to get them.
if there's a will, there's a way.
Because there aren't any bitcoin vending / ATM machines in Argentina - that would have solved it 
Honestly, I don't know. The currency controls are severe, its not easy getting hold of bitcoins quickly if you can't wire money. People in countries with no restrictions complain about difficult it can be to "get started" getting bitcoins, imagine how hard it is in a country that won't let you wire money out.
Is there any evidence that it was actually Cypriots that bought loads of coins during their crisis? Or it was it just "another banking collapse" that encouraged bitcoiners round the world to purchase more coins?
Honestly, I don't know. The currency controls are severe, its not easy getting hold of bitcoins quickly if you can't wire money. People in countries with no restrictions complain about difficult it can be to "get started" getting bitcoins, imagine how hard it is in a country that won't let you wire money out.
Is there any evidence that it was actually Cypriots that bought loads of coins during their crisis? Or it was it just "another banking collapse" that encouraged bitcoiners round the world to purchase more coins?
Exactly, why aren't we seeing more bitcoin in Argentina? Even if bitcoin is volatile, are you afraid it will be worse then the peso?
If Argentinians don't see the value of Bitcoin, then the only way to help them is to teach them the value of bitcoin. If they don't learn, they are in for a very hard time. If they do learn, they will trade whatever they have for them. If you want something bad enough, you do whatever you have to do to get it. The poor trade their labor. the rich trade their assets. Many of us here would love to travel to that beautiful country if we could get a favorable exchange rate. And we mostly don't care if the exchange is legal or not. It would be win-win.
I don't think the Argentinians realize how bad off a situation they are in. There will be outright starvation at the margins unless some miracle happens. Think Venezuela without the oil revenues. Zimbabwe. Germany between the world wars. In Argentina under the present regime, wealth isn't just being stolen. It's being destroyed. The bitcoiners here would love to help convert some of that wealth to bitcoin, which is the best and possibly only way for them to keep it.
I don't think the Argentinians realize how bad off a situation they are in. There will be outright starvation at the margins unless some miracle happens. Think Venezuela without the oil revenues. Zimbabwe. Germany between the world wars. In Argentina under the present regime, wealth isn't just being stolen. It's being destroyed. The bitcoiners here would love to help convert some of that wealth to bitcoin, which is the best and possibly only way for them to keep it.
I find that so condescending. You think Argentinians aren't living this crisis 24/7? Watching their savings disappear and country fall apart. Get real. They are as intelligent as anyone else. Just stuck in a near impossible situation.
Then why aren't they offering to trade for bitcoin? I would be. I'd sell everything I could to buy it. I'd offer to trade anything I owned. I'd be offering any services or labor that people would be willing to pay bitcoin for. That's the whole damn point. It's difficult as hell, but it's not an impossible situation. The Cypriots were in a tough spot themselves. They did what they had to do. These are modern people. They have computers and cell phones. Net Access. The solution is right in front of them.
If Argentinians don't see the value of Bitcoin, then the only way to help them is to teach them the value of bitcoin. If they don't learn, they are in for a very hard time. If they do learn, they will trade whatever they have for them. If you want something bad enough, you do whatever you have to do to get it. The poor trade their labor. the rich trade their assets. Many of us here would love to travel to that beautiful country if we could get a favorable exchange rate. And we mostly don't care if the exchange is legal or not. It would be win-win.
I don't think the Argentinians realize how bad off a situation they are in. There will be outright starvation at the margins unless some miracle happens. Think Venezuela without the oil revenues. Zimbabwe. Germany between the world wars. In Argentina under the present regime, wealth isn't just being stolen. It's being destroyed. The bitcoiners here would love to help convert some of that wealth to bitcoin, which is the best and possibly only way for them to keep it.
I don't think the Argentinians realize how bad off a situation they are in. There will be outright starvation at the margins unless some miracle happens. Think Venezuela without the oil revenues. Zimbabwe. Germany between the world wars. In Argentina under the present regime, wealth isn't just being stolen. It's being destroyed. The bitcoiners here would love to help convert some of that wealth to bitcoin, which is the best and possibly only way for them to keep it.
I find that so condescending. You think Argentinians aren't living this crisis 24/7? Watching their savings disappear and country fall apart. Get real. They are as intelligent as anyone else. Just stuck in a near impossible situation.
If Argentinians don't see the value of Bitcoin, then the only way to help them is to teach them the value of bitcoin. If they don't learn, they are in for a very hard time. If they do learn, they will trade whatever they have for them. If you want something bad enough, you do whatever you have to do to get it. The poor trade their labor. the rich trade their assets. Many of us here would love to travel to that beautiful country if we could get a favorable exchange rate. And we mostly don't care if the exchange is legal or not. It would be win-win.
I don't think the Argentinians realize how bad off a situation they are in. There will be outright starvation at the margins unless some miracle happens. Think Venezuela without the oil revenues. Zimbabwe. Germany between the world wars. In Argentina under the present regime, wealth isn't just being stolen. It's being destroyed. The bitcoiners here would love to help convert some of that wealth to bitcoin, which is the best and possibly only way for them to keep it.
I don't think the Argentinians realize how bad off a situation they are in. There will be outright starvation at the margins unless some miracle happens. Think Venezuela without the oil revenues. Zimbabwe. Germany between the world wars. In Argentina under the present regime, wealth isn't just being stolen. It's being destroyed. The bitcoiners here would love to help convert some of that wealth to bitcoin, which is the best and possibly only way for them to keep it.
Most Argentinians are poor from what I've seen the few time times I've been there. If you don't have any money to begin with, how you gonna buy bitcoin? If Bitcoin had come along say ten, twelve years ago then yeah, maybe. Now not so much.
The majority of people in a lot of countries are "poor". Doesn't mean the country doesn't have great wealth, in the middle and upper classes. There must be a % of these people that would like to protect their ever-decreasing wealth .... it seems that bitcoin awareness is very low in South America at the moment.
My take is that BTC will find its way into Argentina via the "blue" or "unofficial" market as foreign visitors to Argentina will find it attractive to exchange small amounts of BTC for Argentine pesos in order to get the superior "unofficial" rate on their expenses while in Argentina. It is far easier to smuggle BTC into Argentina than USD or EUR. One of the characteristics of exchange controls is that foreign visitors are forced to sell the hard currency at the unfavourable official rate.
I made this thread for exactly this problem: how can we as a community actually get btc into Argentina?
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/wts-bitcoins-to-argentina-427605
Seriously, this is the situation that Bitcoin was created for, so if you have any ideas, let them fly!
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/wts-bitcoins-to-argentina-427605
Seriously, this is the situation that Bitcoin was created for, so if you have any ideas, let them fly!
How can i help you ?
It's pretty simple: can you think of anything that Argentinians might have that you know that
1. Has a pretty solid trade value, either on eBay or somewhere else
2. Isn't gold, silver or anything else that is obviously going to be confiscated at the border?
In all likelihood, the things we think of will be oddities that we only really know about because of our personal interests: that's why I know about Magic Cards for example. These are the things that will be easier to get through customs, and because of their trade value they actually have a worth for someone to pay BTC for, even if they don't know the ins and outs of the item itself.
We can ship stuff, but we can not receive anything. -
that's not a problem, bitcoin can be send anonymously, as long as you can send stuff of value (even if it's just something simple as MtG cards (or unopened packs) or something) and leave a bitcoin address, you can easily get bitcoin into Argentina. You can then use these bitcoins in your country instead of the worthless paper known as pesos, and you'll never have to worry about inflation again.
Would it be possible to send physical cash through the mail without getting confiscated? I assume the pesos are denominated into physical bills. Maybe they could send a get well soon card with physical cash inside the card to someone with access to a currency exchange in another country. I know this would be risky but so is leaving money in the bank. They could use a bitcoin escrow service to reduce risk.
Argentininan goverment is re-opening foreign currency exchange, with many restrictions, but still they are re-opening.
I don't think the enemy is more the goverment than it is the banks. Users need to realize they are being f*cked.
I don't think the enemy is more the goverment than it is the banks. Users need to realize they are being f*cked.
Article on the subject:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25877391
My favorite quote:
"Mr Capitanich said the government would reduce the tax rate on dollar purchases to 20% from the current 35%."
lol.
Argentininan goverment is re-opening foreign currency exchange, with many restrictions, but still they are re-opening.
I don't think the enemy is more the goverment than it is the banks. Users need to realize they are being f*cked.
I don't think the enemy is more the goverment than it is the banks. Users need to realize they are being f*cked.
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