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The foundation of each Bitcoin Circular Economy is distinct.
The aims of Bitcoin Circular Economies are varied and, as they expand, the initiatives cultivate their individual identity: education, P2P, transactions, wallets, etc. The journeys of their champions frequently influence the inception of each, with traits and requirements that characterize them. The originators, who opt to embark on this social, technical, and financial journey, embody the essence of the initiative. The Bitcoin Jungle project emerged in the depths of the Costa Rican rainforest, where a lively community of expatriates and digital nomads from around the globe strives to foster a more mindful way of coexisting with nature.
Two individuals sparked the creation of Bitcoin Jungle. As time progressed, others joined the cause, but two were the driving forces that unified to initiate this endeavor. One was a developer and serial entrepreneur; the other a journalist, retired educator, and advocate for democracy.
Both held two deeply ingrained convictions in their hearts. Firstly, Costa Rica is the prime location in the world to reside. Secondly, Bitcoin is a transformative technology that can guide humanity towards a more tranquil and enlightened existence.
Richard Scotford resided in Hong Kong for over 20 years. He served as an instructor and freelance journalist for various news organizations, primarily as a political commentator. Richard witnessed firsthand the peaceful demonstrations that initiated there in 2014 with the “Umbrella Movement,” which later symbolized resistance. Unreservedly, Richard backed Hong Kong’s struggle for democracy against the Chinese Communist Party, which enforced an electoral system where the populace could only select from candidates chosen by the party. Through his writings, Richard became an integral part of Hong Kong’s political landscape, and when his friends and coworkers began facing imprisonment, he realized it was time to redirect his life.
At that moment, Richard was unaware of Bitcoin and acknowledges that he eliminated from his memory the numerous errors that cryptocurrency users commonly make prior to discovering Bitcoin.
“We were duped, we lost money until mid-2018 when we began to comprehend the distinctions between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.”
The epiphany regarding Bitcoin and the significant influence it could exert on the world arrived during a notably special phase in the lives of Richard and his spouse.
“We were ensnared in the middle-class dilemma, where we had everything we required. All we could do was acquire more or superior possessions. A better vehicle, a more upscale boat, a larger residence, or join a more exclusive club. I term it a dilemma because there was nothing additional to possess. It was evident that our joy would not enhance by acquiring more or better items. We sought to undertake something fundamentally different and that’s how we found ourselves in Costa Rica.”
Initially, the couple investigated the various climates and terrains of the nation. They discovered numerous parallels with the jungles of Hong Kong, relished the volcanic beaches of the Pacific Ocean as well as those of the Caribbean. It wasn’t simple to wow the new arrivals, who were well accustomed to the Asian beaches. It was not until Christmas 2019 that Richard would uncover a fresh meaning to his purpose in Costa Rica.
“We took part in an ayahuasca ceremony in the rainforest. Suddenly, three distinct concepts merged in my mind. On one hand, I sensed a calling to delve deeply into jungle medicine, which is essential to Costa Rican culture. On the other hand, all my thoughts about Bitcoin converged. At that moment, I was precisely falling down the rabbit hole, examining and absorbing as much as possible.”
“It all converged during discussions about the best ways to educate our daughter.”
“Everything aligned: I was an instructor in Hong Kong, so naturally, it was apparent for me to engage with a local primary school. Soon thereafter, the notion of establishing our own secondary school in 2020 emerged.”
Before long, the aspiration of launching his own school became a reality. “I informed my wife: ‘We will create the first school in Costa Rica to accept bitcoin. And we’re going to educate their children and our children about Bitcoin.’ The only thought in my mind was to send a message to the Bitcoin community stating, ‘We are a school in Costa Rica, we desire to accept Bitcoin. How can we accomplish this?’”
Many individuals replied to Richard’s appeal for assistance, including Nicholas Burtey, co-founder of Galoy and the Bitcoin Beach wallet, now known as Blink. Nicholas proposed that the optimal method to begin accepting small payments was via a Bitcoin Lightning wallet and offered his assistance. He encouraged them to create a fork of their own wallet, utilizing the open-source repository of the Bitcoin Beach wallet.
That marked the first instance Richard realized he wasn’t solitary. “That’s when everything began to take form. We aimed to develop our own wallet to streamline payments at the school, and simultaneously enable Bitcoin adoption in Uvita, the town we selected to reside in. The challenge was that we lacked the technical abilities required to fork the Galoy repository and construct it.”
The universe expertly orchestrates the meetings of individuals who require one another. Just when Richard was hindered by his deficiency of technical expertise to launch a localized version of the wallet tailored to Uvita’s requirements, he encountered Lee Salminen, a software developer and serial entrepreneur from Boulder, Colorado. Lee is an upbeat, optimistic individual who perceives potential in every challenge. The fusion of his technical aptitude, his enthusiasm for Bitcoin, and his life’s mission made him the ideal candidate to initiate a Bitcoin Circular Economy. Richard and Lee seamlessly synchronized like pieces of a puzzle.
“Lee is another core founder of Bitcoin Jungle. He breathed life into the project. He duplicated Galoy’s wallet over a weekend, completely unsupported. Even the people at Galoy were astonished by how swiftly we accomplished it,” Richard reminisces.
“Bitcoin serves as a tool to transform the world, to elevate the consciousness of humanity.”
At that moment, the inaugural edition of the Adopting Bitcoin conference was occurring in El Salvador. Richard traveled to the neighboring nation, while Lee remained in Costa Rica refining the wallet. “Embarking on that trip to El Salvador was illuminating. No one recognized who I was. Just a straightforward English individual wandering the halls, attempting to forge connections, saying, ‘Hi, we want to undertake something akin to Bitcoin Beach in Costa Rica — can you assist us?’”
The Sats Were Already in This Circular Economy
Viewed from the outside, Bitcoin Jungle’s strategy appeared unfeasible. Cloning the source code of a wallet over a weekend, without any technical guidance from the original creators, was an enormous challenge. Then initiating an adoption campaign without a substantial amount of sats to contribute and commence the endeavor.
However, Richard was aware that a Bitcoin Circular Economy in Costa Rica possessed potential for one straightforward reason. “The sats were already present! I recognized that Costa Rica was different. There were numerous individuals around me who possessed bitcoin. It was teeming with expatriates. All we needed was to establish the payment channels to activate them. The funds were already here, we merely required venues to utilize it.” Richard speaks plainly and gets straight to the point.
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because he believes he has a message to convey:
“You must know your community. Comprehend and provide the services they require. It’s crucial to learn from other circular economies, but often the keys to success lie in the distinctions.”
Upon Richard’s return from El Salvador, Lee had already activated his wallet. The enthusiasm within the volcanoes of the Costa Rican jungle was beginning to incite the initial tremors.
The Circular Economy Initiative: Begin Modestly
From the outset, the creators of Bitcoin Jungle chose to concentrate their efforts in a relatively small region known as The Golden Triangle, defined by the towns of Dominical, Uvita, and Tinamaste. Rather than dispersing efforts throughout the nation, they opted to hone in on this specific area, marked by spiritual seekers, surfers, and individuals with a profound bond to nature.
“While Bitcoin Jungle is radiating throughout Costa Rica, initially we had no intentions of a large-scale effort to adopt it nationwide. It has always focused on being small, local, within our personal networks. The region between Dominical, Uvita, and Tinamaste is home to numerous healers, natural medicine practitioners, and alternative thinkers. It possesses a distinctive energy that is difficult to articulate, yet simple to feel. This expansive area is filled with expatriates who earn income from abroad and need to spend it in Costa Rica.”
Govinda dresses in yoga apparel and speaks in a soothing tone, embodying much of the atmosphere of this community of expatriates who have made Costa Rica their new abode. Govinda is another pivotal figure in Bitcoin Jungle: He manages the holistic center Awake, a sustainable hotel offering yoga and meditation activities.
Awake also serves as the venue for many Bitcoin gatherings and training sessions regarding the Bitcoin Jungle wallet. This center was also the site of the Nostrica conference in 2023. This exceptional community has embraced Bitcoin as an additional instrument for seeking the elevation of human consciousness and synchronicity with nature. In their quest to promote this balance, earning trust within the community was essential for integrating this groundbreaking technology into their daily routines.
“The success of the initiative relied heavily on having founders like Lee and Richard,” Govinda elucidates. “At the project’s inception, many cryptocurrency scams were circulating, and they could convey to the store owners in Spanish the distinctions of Bitcoin, along with the technical elements of the wallet in straightforward terms. They were instrumental in fostering confidence in the project and its supporting team.”
Due to its scarcity, digital nature, and transparency, bitcoin begins to reveal its advantages, addressing challenges for various individuals. It’s worth examining the profiles of the primary users of Bitcoin Jungle. They encounter a different issue compared to the exiled families in El Salvador who send remittances back home.
Indeed, both projects align in how they shaped their target influence area, aiming to concentrate the volume of Bitcoin transactions per store, enhance user experience and economic gains, with the intention of maintaining a steady relationship between visitor numbers and the extent of the store network. Nevertheless, the Golden Triangle community shares something in common that other Bitcoin Circular Economies do not. As Richard likes to express,
“Most individuals in the Bitcoin Jungle community have already completed the groundwork.”
He indicates that many residents in Uvita and Dominical are already familiar with holding virtual currencies, and several utilize bitcoin as a means of value retention. The team only needed to provide them with a direct payment system to spark the virtuous circular cycle. Rather than relying on high-fee credit cards and the ongoing necessity to transfer funds into the country from overseas, users could merely load their Bitcoin Lightning wallet and purchase whatever they desired.
“Our primary aim was quite straightforward; we were dedicated to minimizing the friction of utilizing bitcoin for those visiting and residing in Costa Rica,” Richard elaborates on the conclusion he reached after refining the purpose that had emerged from his spiritual journey. All that was left was to create an adoption strategy and promote Bitcoiner tourism.
Bitcoin Circular Economies as New Social Contracts
Costa Rica is renowned globally for its idyllic beaches, misty jungles, exotic wildlife, volcanoes, and surfing. It tends to be an extremely appealing destination for tourism in the Central American corridor. Combine this with its political stability, high security measures, and its motto “Pura vida” (pure life) as an expression of respect for nature and the disbandment of its military. The outcome not only captured the attention of tourists within the ecosystem but also of the digital nomad community, who began to choose it as one of their permanent residences.
The community continues to flourish, with an increasing percentage of visitors and families opting to settle down. The majority are foreigners from the United States, Canada, and Europe, some in search of an escape from excessive monitoring and escalating government oppression.
“Numerous individuals arrived here seeking a new social contract, one that benefits all and isn’t enforced from a top-down perspective,” Govinda emphasizes before pausing, inhaling deeply, and clarifying the unwritten yet community-adopted manifesto. “We advocate for freedom, peace, and prosperity, values that are profoundly aligned with Bitcoin. We resist being dictated to. This is why I hold strong hopes for the rapid expansion of the Bitcoin Jungle community.”
Nonetheless, the initial years of these initiatives, which evolve into a Bitcoin Circular Economy, are challenging. Founders frequently establish boundaries. There are numerous pathways to engage in the Bitcoin ecosystem, and considering the characteristics of the Costa Rican community, various models were contemplated in the early stages. A large community of tech-savvy expatriates, with bitcoin available for spending, poses either a temptation or an opportunity — depending on one’s perspective — to create a prosperous business.
One of the early contributors to the initiative was keen on pursuing this direction, while the other founders aspired to develop a nonprofit community-driven project. “At the onset, there was an intriguing situation, as one of the early founders attempted to commercialize it and generate profit. All the other founding members were more inclined for it to remain a community-driven effort. This resulted in a very constructive division around 2021, and what is now recognized globally as Bitcoin Jungle is the nonprofit project we decided to proceed with,” Govinda clarifies, inviting contemplation with raised eyebrows.
Numerous Bitcoin enterprises worldwide embody conscious efforts of social responsibility. However, there is a rationale behind why Bitcoin Circular Economies are firmly rooted as nonprofit community initiatives. Govinda discusses while gesturing with his hands. The more he shares his insights, the closer he resembles a shaman who perceives the inner essence of those who cross his path.
“People can perceive it. The energy is utterly different if there is someone behind it who seeks profit versus if it comes
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from a heartfelt and authentic concern for the welfare of individuals and humanity. These nuanced energies foster initiatives with a distinctly different essence. We were not pursuing this for financial gain.”
Govinda speaks assertively about principles. When the aim is to demonstrate that a new social agreement is achievable, his words remain steadfast. “We have faith in Bitcoin and we have faith in Costa Rica. We envision it as a convergence between technology and nature to elevate consciousness. We are prepared to invest some of our time and effort to realize this as a contribution to our community and the world.”
“Bitcoin strives to alter the power dynamics of finance, to liberate us from oppressive forces that bind us, and to reclaim our liberty to choose without constraint.”
Nostr in the Bitcoin Jungle
Bitcoin Jungle successfully forged its own identity. A distinctive aspect of this Bitcoin Circular Economy is its connection to Nostr, the open-source communication protocol ideal for establishing decentralized social networks. These platforms can seamlessly integrate with the Bitcoin Lightning Network and introduce micro-donations, termed “zaps,” for content creators.
Due to its unrestricted access design and resilience against censorship, Nostr serves as an excellent platform for fostering freedom of expression amidst societal control and governmental censorship. Jack Dorsey, the founding figure of Twitter, has resided in Costa Rica for a considerable time and has closely monitored and supported the expansion of Bitcoin Jungle. He is a significant advocate for Nostr, has financed several initiatives within the ecosystem, and played a crucial role in organizing the inaugural international conference on this technology.
“Jack was among the initial followers of our Twitter account, although we had no personal interaction. One day, he tweeted that a Nostr conference should take place in Costa Rica and that he would be willing to fund it provided the community facilitated it.”
Pride fills Richard’s face as he recounts the behind-the-scenes of Nostrica, the event they orchestrated together. After all, Richard had experienced social control during his years in Hong Kong. “We all embraced the concept because decentralized social networks are greatly needed today. So, we reached out to him and offered our entire infrastructure and business ecosystem to streamline payments for attendees.” The union of the world’s first Nostr conference with the potential to energize the Bitcoin Jungle circular economy felt like an ideal pairing. Jack Dorsey approved.
The Nostr protocol has numerous philosophical parallels with Bitcoin and, as a result, there exists a considerable overlap between their communities. Govinda, as anticipated, advocates for individual liberties alongside inner tranquility. “This new communication protocol has the promise to facilitate social networking with absolute freedom of expression — we could construct a decentralized Twitter or Facebook! We can converse and share ideas or images without surveillance. It’s cryptographic and decentralized, just like Bitcoin.”
Since its inception by anonymous user @fiatjaf in 2020, the Nostr protocol has experienced a swift rise in usage, primarily propelled by the Bitcoin community. The team insisted to Jack that the event be held in Uvita to optimize and invigorate the Bitcoin circular economy. As it turned out, the Nostrica conference was a triumph. With over 50 speakers and 300 attendees, it considerably heightened international recognition of Bitcoin Jungle.
“It truly established us as a destination for numerous Bitcoin enthusiasts,” Richard reminisces. “We already provided one of the finest user experiences for spending sats and enjoying Bitcoin, but many had not heard of us prior to the event.” The circular economy that Nostr currently shares its strongest bond with is Bitcoin Jungle, which has borne many positive outcomes. Not only did it boost the endogenous tourism of the ecosystem, the unexpected success of the conference also generated the first financial gain for Bitcoin Jungle.
“Up until this event, all expenses had been self-funded. The devices we provide to the shops, the support costs for users, the education, the node on which the wallet operates, and so forth. We don’t charge anyone, not for transactions within the node; everything is entirely free,” Richard modestly shares.
“Moving forward, we intend to continue organizing festivals annually to further our community mission, so everyone is welcome to the Freedom Festival in February 2025!”
The Spiritual Connection: Why Bitcoin and Costa Rica Were Made for Each Other
Costa Rica is an exceptionally unique locale. Many individuals who aspire to make a positive impact on the world seem magnetically drawn to this nation. The bond between these global spiritual seekers and Costa Rica has fostered a distinctive community worldwide, merging innovation, yoga, nature, ayahuasca, and technology.
In hindsight, it is reasonable to understand why this atmosphere became fertile ground for perhaps the most crucial Bitcoin Circular Economy globally. This transcendent aspect resides in the thoughts and hearts of those involved in Bitcoin Jungle. Richard, who previously was a journalist dedicated to truth and democratic transparency, continues to undergo a personal transformation, albeit without losing his core essence. “I would say my primary objective is the spiritual elevation of consciousness regarding Bitcoin. I believe Bitcoin is an essential element of this new world we aspire to build, which is why we established Bitcoin Jungle. It’s our contribution to a more aware and liberated future for humanity.”
Those who are deeply attuned to Gaia often notice the cyclical nature of all phenomena in our universe. Human evolution has also demonstrated to follow recurring patterns. Numerous Bitcoin advocates have been indicating for over a decade that we might be on the brink of a significant paradigm shift. This feeling of hope is tangible throughout the Bitcoin Jungle community. There exists a profound collective belief there that following the inevitable downfall of fiat currencies under the burden of their own debt, a new beginning will emerge.
“There exists a substantial community of international seekers here. They champion freedom, peace, and prosperity. Values that are deeply resonant with Bitcoin’s ethos. They comprehend how money printing and inflation foster poverty and inequality. They recognize how conventional institutions and governments extract value from laborers. All of us champion the sovereignty of individuals and the strength of decentralized communities. This is the reason why Bitcoin and Costa Rica are perfectly aligned.”
Govinda no longer speaks as a shaman; he now articulates himself like the leader of a movement. He likely embodies a bit of each role. Regardless, both he and Richard are clear in their intentions. “We’re not merely pursuing this because we adore Bitcoin. We’re undertaking this because we aspire to transform the world. However, to accomplish that, it’s crucial that we also undergo internal change. It’s a melding of our spiritual journey, a new philosophy of life and…
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a technology that enables it. There is no way we can sustainably elevate human awareness unless we free the means by which we store and exchange value among ourselves,” Richard wraps up.
When individuals lack control over the stability and ownership of their finances, their essential energy can be exploited and manipulated. This is also pertinent to sovereign nations that witness their foreign currency reserves being diminished by the issuers of those fiat currencies. With Bitcoin, both individuals and nation-states become genuinely sovereign entities, capable of safeguarding their assets from potential seizure.
“Bitcoin secures your energy in a manner that no one can tamper with,” Govinda expresses enthusiastically. “Prior to Bitcoin, we were only genuinely free in our spirits. We possess energy sovereignty as spiritual entities, but on a tangible level, we were entirely dominated by the elites, their policymakers, and their forces. Now Bitcoin has broadened our liberty into the physical realm — that alters everything! It also fosters sovereignty, the celebration of existence, and healing on a global scale.”
“Bitcoin signifies the emancipation of humanity from historical oppression.”
lower individuals’ time preference and elevate human awareness.
A Circular Economy Network
In the case of Bitcoin Jungle, similar to all other Bitcoin Circular Economies, their initial contact at the project’s inception was with the supporters of Bitcoin Beach. Beyond that initial motivating journey to El Salvador and the chance to utilize their wallet code, both groups maintain a constant communication channel to collaborate and exchange ideas. On the educational front, Bitcoin Jungle has also benefitted from My First Bitcoin.
“We share an excellent rapport with Mike and the Bitcoin Beach crew. We are also immensely thankful to Napoleon from My First Bitcoin,” Richard details his mental compilation of partnerships. “I personally implement his materials for the children here at school. Whenever we gather at any conference, we make an effort to arrange a dinner among the circular economies. Thankfully, that table expands more and more each time. Bitcoin is truly potent.”
The Bitcoin Circular Economies occupy a distinctive position in the ecosystem because they illustrate on a small scale how global Bitcoin integration can benefit individuals and communities with diverse needs.
“I’m a great admirer of the Bitcoin Ekasi team,” Richard concludes, demonstrating the power that weaves the invisible thread. “How a disadvantaged village in South Africa has managed to establish a Bitcoin Circular Economy that is gaining international recognition.” Richard even dreams of the day when we can convene conferences solely centered on examining these early adopter case studies. “I would love to witness a conference entirely dedicated to Bitcoin Circular Economies. With initiatives from all around the world gathering to share their experiences, narratives, and the lessons they’ve gained.”
What part will a Bitcoin Circular Economy play in the future? Will these pioneering communities give rise to a new paradigm of organizing society? Will we witness an exponential proliferation of pari passu BCEs alongside the widespread adoption of Bitcoin? If today’s congested cities continue their decline along with fiat administrations sinking in debt, could it be that a decentralized lifestyle can provide a superior quality of living, enhanced community vitality, and a stronger connection to nature? For years, the Bitcoin community has foretold the arrival of opulent Bitcoin citadels ahead. Can a Bitcoin Circular Economy serve as a more diverse and inclusive alternative to those citadels?
“For me, a circular economy represents the lifeblood of Bitcoin, even if numerous bitcoiners have yet to recognize it. Bitcoin strongholds will be elitist locales, crafted from the top down and only for a fortunate few. The remarkable aspect of a Bitcoin circular economy is that we have not been excluded from luxury,” Richard elaborates. “We have simply emerged from social, non-profit initiatives, aiming to enhance the lives of everyone in our communities.”
Gabriel Kurman is a blockchain entrepreneur with over a decade of corporate finance experience. A co-founder of several initiatives like Rootstock, La Bitcoineta, and Blockchain4Humanity, he devotes his life to Bitcoin innovation and education. His inaugural book, Bitcoin Circular Economies, is released this month by Bitcoin Magazine Books.
Bitcoin Jungle can be found on IG, or via www.bitcoinjungle.app and the festival website. Contributions are accepted via: www.bitcoinjungle.app/donate
BM Big Reads are weekly, comprehensive articles on some contemporary topic pertinent to Bitcoin and Bitcoiners. The views expressed belong to the authors and do not necessarily mirror those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine. If you possess a submission that might align with the model, feel free to connect at editor[at]bitcoinmagazine.com.
Explore more in Bitcoin Circular Economies
This excerpt serves as just the commencement. Delve deeper into how Bitcoin is transforming communities globally in Bitcoin Circular Economies. The e-book is currently available, and the paperback can be pre-ordered for just $21 for a limited duration.
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