The unusual sight of a Bitcoin-themed van touring across Europe has drawn attention from both enthusiastic onlookers and suspicious law enforcement authorities. The man behind the wheel of the van, known as ‘La Bitcoineta’, is Ariel Aguilar, an ardent Bitcoin advocate from Argentina.
Aguilar’s unprecedented journey and his encounters with people across various nations illustrate the rift between acceptance and scepticism that exists around Bitcoin. It offers insights into the diverse reactions provoked by Bitcoin in different regions, to individual officials, and amongst the general public.
One incident that Aguilar recounts involved crossing the border between Bosnia and Croatia around midnight. The late hour aroused the suspicion of border officials, resulting in his van being stopped and searched twice in rapid succession. The officials were likely worried about smuggling, notes Aguilar, highlighting an unfortunate side-effect of the negative stereotyping around Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.
However, this didn’t dampen Aguilar’s spirits or deter his mission. Despite this unenviable experience, he continues his journey championing the cause of Bitcoin with an element of humour, even recalling how he avoided ‘bribing’ an official with a copy of The Bitcoin Standard, a famous book about Bitcoin.
Throughout his travels, reactions have varied greatly. Aguilar reported receiving thumbs up signs and spontaneous applause when driving past strangers in Switzerland. However, in known crypto-friendly jurisdictions like Spain and Portugal, the van went largely unnoticed. This dramatic difference in reactions underscores the highly region-dependent acceptance levels of cryptocurrencies.
La Bitcoineta is not just a plain van decorated with symbols of Bitcoin, though. Signature endorsements from well-known Bitcoin figures, including Adam Back and Saifedean Ammous, clearly mark the van. These signatures offer proof of the reach and impact of Aguilar’s Bitcoin advocacy.
In conclusion, the journey of La Bitcoineta is more than a simple drive across Europe. It serves as a barometer of Bitcoin acceptance and the various reactions it elicits. As Bitcoin’s fortunes wax and wane on Aguilar’s tour, they perhaps mirror Bitcoin’s own story – a novel concept facing rollercoaster acceptance, exceptional highs, dispiriting lows, and everything in between. Regardless, the Bitcoineta journey helps fuel the dialogue around Bitcoin and stimulate its wider adoption, one country at a time.
Source: Cointelegraph
