The Big Struggles Of A Small Nation
The post The Big Struggles Of A Small Nation appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. A few weeks ago, a notification on Nostr caught my attention, thanks to a small Laos flag emoji in the poster’s username. Intrigued, I followed him back, and soon we exchanged Signal IDs. Not long after, I met him in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was an unexpected encounter with Ted, the first Laotian Bitcoiner I’d ever come across. That moment felt special, sparking my curiosity about how Bitcoin is taking root in a place like Laos. Laos, striving to become the “battery” of the region, sits landlocked in the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Burma (Myanmar). Known for its lush, rolling landscapes and the serene flow of the Mekong River, it’s a country of striking beauty. Beyond its geography, Laos grapples with deeper struggles. The 2024 World Press Freedom Index ranks it 153, reflecting severe media restrictions, while the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index places it 114 out of 180 countries, signaling widespread corruption. With a population of 7.3 million facing censorship, soaring inflation, and economic hardship, life in Laos blends scenic charm with stark realities. These challenges, as I’d soon learn, are pushing some toward unconventional solutions. Over a drink in Chiang Mai, Ted shared his story. “I spent 6 months as a shitcoiner before switching to Bitcoin, just before the 2021 bull run,” he said. “Many of my friends were beginners too, learning alongside me from podcasts, online articles, and forums.” A former developer, Ted adapted quickly to new technology. “Back in 2014, I wrote blog posts on Medium, and before that, on Blogspot. Then a realization struck me: I didn’t truly own my work. If I left or the platform shut down, everything would vanish. That’s why Nostr resonates with me now.” Laos’s economic woes provide the backdrop for this shift. A few…
The post The Big Struggles Of A Small Nation appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
A few weeks ago, a notification on Nostr caught my attention, thanks to a small Laos flag emoji in the poster’s username. Intrigued, I followed him back, and soon we exchanged Signal IDs. Not long after, I met him in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was an unexpected encounter with Ted, the first Laotian Bitcoiner I’d ever come across. That moment felt special, sparking my curiosity about how Bitcoin is taking root in a place like Laos. Laos, striving to become the “battery” of the region, sits landlocked in the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Burma (Myanmar). Known for its lush, rolling landscapes and the serene flow of the Mekong River, it’s a country of striking beauty. Beyond its geography, Laos grapples with deeper struggles. The 2024 World Press Freedom Index ranks it 153, reflecting severe media restrictions, while the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index places it 114 out of 180 countries, signaling widespread corruption. With a population of 7.3 million facing censorship, soaring inflation, and economic hardship, life in Laos blends scenic charm with stark realities. These challenges, as I’d soon learn, are pushing some toward unconventional solutions. Over a drink in Chiang Mai, Ted shared his story. “I spent 6 months as a shitcoiner before switching to Bitcoin, just before the 2021 bull run,” he said. “Many of my friends were beginners too, learning alongside me from podcasts, online articles, and forums.” A former developer, Ted adapted quickly to new technology. “Back in 2014, I wrote blog posts on Medium, and before that, on Blogspot. Then a realization struck me: I didn’t truly own my work. If I left or the platform shut down, everything would vanish. That’s why Nostr resonates with me now.” Laos’s economic woes provide the backdrop for this shift. A few…
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