[johnwatson11218]

Does anyone think that something like bitcoin could help these people out? It seems like the government there is not doing its job and providing infrastructure to conduct business. Why not use a distributed payment system?

[kragen]

The problem is not that it's too hard and expensive to transfer money here. It is hard and expensive if you do it legitimately (like we do), but a huge fraction of the economy is underground. Like a third.

The problem, if I had to sum it up in a soundbite, is that you can't trust anybody. And so nobody trusts you. Unless you're family. You can imagine the effect that has on the competence of officials and executives.

The crazy laws are a big problem, but not as big as the endemic non-government corruption. Bank financing? We had to get a personal recommendation from our accountant to open a corporate bank account.

Bitcoin isn't going to help with that. If anything, it will make it worse.

The funny thing is, living here is pretty good, if you can afford the bare minimum needed to survive.

[wslh]

Government? what a joke! please visit Argentina, it's a beautiful country but there is a big disconnect between the different Governments and the reality.