[gillesjacobs]

I principly agree on all criticisms, especially the seemingly reckless investment.

However, the presupposed lack of adoption of Bitcoin as a means of payment is not supported by the source bar chart. The numbers are actually pretty impressive compared to card: ~25% of businesses accept card and 20% accept Bitcoin as payment. That is impressive adoption after 1 year by any standard in a country that primarily uses cash.

[espadrine]

The businesses in question are not required to accept cards. However, they are legally required to accept Bitcoin. Given that, it is pretty low.

From the article:

> But Bukele wanted more. Making bitcoins legal tender meant a payee had to accept them. As the 2021 legislation stated, “every economic agent must accept Bitcoin as payment when offered to him by whoever acquires a good or service”.

[slowmotiony]

20% of business accepting bitcoin is just crazy high. Living in Germany it seems that 20% of business don't even accept regular credit cards yet.

[el-salvador]

> 20% of business accepting bitcoin is just crazy high. Living in Germany it seems that 20% of business don't even accept regular credit cards yet.

The numbers may be be higher in places that cater to bitcoin tourists, like beach hotels and restaurants, but for day to day locals the transactions is lower.

During peak bitcoin usage I asked a few cashiers how many transactions have been in bitcoin, and the answer was none in normal stores, and 1-3 in the largest supermarket in the fanciest part of San Salvador.

Even the largest bank in El Salvador, only processed 7500 bitcoin transactions on their payment gateway from october 2021 to december 2021. That would be like 80 por day.

"más de 7,500 transacciones [..] en el 2021 [...]n pago con bitcoin." [1]

[1] https://www.bancoagricola.com/salaprensa/notas-de-prensa/ban...