Presidential Candidate in Suriname Aims for Bitcoin Adoption Similar to El Salvador
A candidate running for the presidency in Suriname has expressed her desire to emulate El Salvador’s approach to Bitcoin (BTC) by granting the cryptocurrency legal tender status if she wins the election. Maya Parbhoe, the hopeful candidate, envisions replacing the Surinamese dollar with Bitcoin, inspired by the example set by El Salvador, which she sees as a beacon of hope for the future.
While El Salvador stands as the only country to have recognized Bitcoin as legal tender, other governments have contemplated following suit without taking concrete action. Recently, officials from Argentina engaged in discussions about Bitcoin adoption with their Salvadoran counterparts.
In an interview with Bitcoin Beach’s Mike Peterson, Parbhoe commended El Salvador and President Nayib Bukele for demonstrating that it is possible to challenge global powers. She emphasized her aspiration to implement BTC adoption in Suriname, with the ultimate goal of phasing out the Surinamese dollar.
Parbhoe aims to secure victory in the 2025 elections in Suriname, advocating for the replacement of the SRD with Bitcoin. Drawing parallels with Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who sought to eliminate the country’s fiat currency, Parbhoe envisions a future where Suriname transitions to a Bitcoin-based economy.
While Milei focused on dollarizing Argentina’s economy, Parbhoe’s vision centers on embracing Bitcoin as a means to establish a new financial system in Suriname. She believes that the adoption of BTC is the key to addressing the country’s economic challenges and building a more sustainable future.
El Salvador’s official adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 served as a catalyst for Parbhoe’s ambition to transform Suriname’s financial landscape. Highlighting decades of poor financial management in Suriname, she emphasized the urgent need for change in the face of escalating public spending, fiscal deficits, and corruption.
Parbhoe envisions a future where Suriname, like El Salvador, emerges as a global leader in technology and innovation. With a focus on diversifying the economy and leveraging the country’s high level of IT literacy and connectivity, she aims to position Suriname as a prominent player in the digital economy.
In addition to legalizing Bitcoin, Bukele’s government in El Salvador has made significant investments in the cryptocurrency, purchasing at least 5,000 BTC with state funds. These funds are securely stored in cold wallets in a physical vault on Salvadoran territory, further solidifying the country’s commitment to Bitcoin adoption.