El Salvador becomes first country to make bitcoin legal tender
10 September 2021 |
11:38 am
On 7 September 2021, El Salvador became the first country to embrace bitcoin as legal tender. Consumer demand saw its brand-new cyber wallet system crash on its first day of use as the currency's value seesawed against the US dollar. While thousands of Salvadorans are already using the cryptocurrency for everyday transactions, hundreds have taken to the streets to protest with concerns about the safety and legitimacy of the cyber currency.
Related
7 Nov 2022
As kickoff for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar approaches, a gay Qatari doctor with asylum in the U.S. is speaking out against the host country’s record on LGBT rights.
6 Dec 2022
El Salvador's president is waging war on gang violence. But human rights advocates tell DW that waves of mass arrests in the Central American country have swept innocent people into a violent, and deadly, prison system.
18 Dec
Early on in the war on Ukraine, Russia passed laws making it illegal to criticise the invasion, the military or even to describe the war as such. Along with thousands of arrests for anti-war protests, several high-profile opposition activists face lengthy prison sentences for speaking out against the war. Russian artist Alexandra Skotchilenko is among them.
18 Dec
"The Satoshi Mystery" tells the thrilling story of how Bitcoin came to be. Examining blockchain technology from the perspective of its secretive creator, the film seeks answers about one of the most mysterious figures in the crypto world. But is "Satoshi Nakamoto really just one person? No one is certain.
15 Dec
Since March 27, El Salvador has been living under a state of emergency imposed by controversial young leader Nayib Bukele. The move aims to deal a blow to the criminal gangs who have made the small Central American country one of the most dangerous in the world.
27 Dec
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other ministers praised the project as showing the new "speed" of Europe's biggest economy. But the floating terminal's high-profile opening was sharply criticized by environmental groups.
26 Dec
Security forces in El Salvador surrounded Tutunichapa, a poor neighborhood of the nation's capital, after a vow from President Nayib Bukele to root out drug gangs.
28 Dec
The photography biennale in Bamako, Mali is one of the most important arts events in Africa. Many young artists hope to launch an international career at the event.
4 Feb
"May he convert the hearts of those who carry out brutal atrocities, which bring shame upon all humanity," the 86-year-old said. He added that the conflict in mineral-rich eastern Congo was driven by greed, at the expense of innocent victims, and called on combatants to lay down their arms.
19 Feb
In September 2021, El Salvador became the first country to make bitcoin legal tender, requiring all businesses to accept the cryptocurrency. In an attempt to popularize and regularize its use, the government gave citizens financial incentives to download a special cryptocurrency app.
13 Feb
Located near the Spanish border, France's Basque Country has no fewer than twelve Michelin-starred restaurants, born of the marriage between local produce and the know-how of top Basque chefs. In Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, regular market-goers easily recognise chef Philippe Arrambide.
14 Feb
Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.
Latest
3 hours ago
The Odisha train crash has put a fresh spotlight on safety as the government modernizes the country's extensive railway network and infrastructure.
3 hours ago
On the weekend, German band Rammstein responded to testimonies by women that they were recruited to have sex with the band's lead singer, Till Lindemann.
4 hours ago
It's a feat that hasn't been repeated by a French player since 1983. It's been exactly forty years since Yannick Noah thrilled the crowds at Roland Garros – and audiences across France – when he beat Sweden’s Mats Wilander in the final of the French Open. Our guest for Perspective is Benjamin Rassat, director of the documentary "Noah-ed", which features testimony from the seven competitors the then-23-year-old beat to become France's last home champion for decades.
4 hours ago
The Oscar-nominated "Juno" actor and star of "The Umbrella Academy" is Hollywood's most prominent trans man: Elliot Page explores the story of his life in his memoir, "Pageboy."
5 hours ago
Apple launches $3500 augmented reality headset as interest in metaverse wanes. Watch. Apple unveils its first new piece of hardware in nearly a decade: the $3,500 Vision Pro augmented reality goggles come as interest in the metaverse has been surpassed by buzz around artificial intelligence.
5 hours ago
It’s one of the most iconic motor races in the world. The "24 hours of Le Mans" race marks a centenary this year. Seven auto manufacturers will be fighting for overall victory with 16 teams represented. The unique race tests its participants' reliability and endurance and encourages innovation. The 13,626km track attracts hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world every year.