2023
DOI: 10.1126/science.add2844
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Are cryptocurrencies currencies? Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador

Fernando Alvarez,
David Argente,
Diana Van Patten

Abstract: A currency’s essential feature is to be a medium of exchange. This study explores the potential of cryptocurrencies to be used in daily transactions in El Salvador, the first country to make bitcoin legal tender. The government’s “big push” introduced “Chivo Wallet,” a digital wallet sharing features with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), with perks to use it for trading bitcoins and US dollars. Through a nationally representative, face-to-face survey of 1800 households and blockchain data encompassing … Show more

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Cited by 13 publications
(1 citation statement)
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“…The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which historically oversees physical commodity markets and commodity-linked products like derivatives and futures contracts, has classified the intangible Bitcoin asset as a commodity, although it does not derive its value from any physical asset such as gold, oil, etc. Thus, Bitcoin presents problems when used as a unit of exchange for most purposes (Alvarez et al 2023).…”
Section: Neither Fish Nor Fowl: a Review Of Challenges In Current Pre...mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which historically oversees physical commodity markets and commodity-linked products like derivatives and futures contracts, has classified the intangible Bitcoin asset as a commodity, although it does not derive its value from any physical asset such as gold, oil, etc. Thus, Bitcoin presents problems when used as a unit of exchange for most purposes (Alvarez et al 2023).…”
Section: Neither Fish Nor Fowl: a Review Of Challenges In Current Pre...mentioning
confidence: 99%