Ep. 67: Reyna Chicas - Bitcoin Education is Changing El Salvador’s Future

My guest today is Reyna Chicas, the Director of Education at My First Bitcoin (Mi Primer Bitcoin), an organization pioneering grassroots Bitcoin education in El Salvador. Reyna's journey is one of resilience—growing up in a country shaped by economic instability, corruption, and violence, she forged a path from call center employee to becoming a global advocate for financial sovereignty through Bitcoin education. We dive into the realities of El Salvador’s economic transformation, the challenges of unbanked communities, and how Bitcoin is creating new opportunities for financial inclusion. Reyna shares her personal experience witnessing the shift in her country, from fear and skepticism to a growing movement of people understanding and using Bitcoin as both a medium of exchange and a store of value. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how Reyna is helping people understand money and how education and financial empowerment can transform entire communities. ► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS --►► Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn -- SPECIAL OFFERS –►► Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat ►► Enjoy the Little HODLer products, learn about sound money while having fun! use code EFRAT for 10% off on non-sale items: https://thelittlehodler.com/►► 10% off on all books & accessories at the “Bitcoin Infinity Store” - use code EFRAT►► Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Reyna’s Twitter: https://x.com/ReynaChicas2 Reyna’s Nostr: npub1pxx4j8zlvvcp7wctlwhtf4nm4trwf3jav5ucvdp4h4cyv4ayvlas3wkvmeMi Primer Bitcoin’s Twitter: https://x.com/MyFirstBitcoin_ Mi Primer Bitcoin Website: https://myfirstbitcoin.io/ Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Telegram: https://t.me/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 Coming Up…01:16 Welcome to Bitcoin Beach01:57 Reyna’s Background, Journey and Insights08:37 El Salvador Becoming Dangerous in 201514:35 The Effects of Dollarization in 2001, Politics & Corruption21:30 Why Reyna Left El Salvador in Her Youth31:57 Reyna’s Awakening & Discovery of Bitcoin35:14 Bitcoin’s Early Days in El Salvador38:43 Reyna’s Journey into Bitcoin Education 47:46 Reyna’s Vision for Bitcoin & Its Impacts51:38 Bitcoin’s Future As a Medium of Exchange57:10 Bitcoin as a Unit of Account59:53 Bitcoin Perception by Salvadorans (Locals)1:07:52 Empowering People & Communities with Bitcoin Education1:19:57 Reyna’s Message of Hope & Closing Thoughts