@ The Bitcoin Community Newsletter
2025-02-13 02:24:48
In this edition, we invited Rafael from Bitcoin É Aqui to share the development of his community and its efforts in promoting Bitcoin adoption. From establishing a Bitcoin-friendly environment in Rolante to organizing and supporting events like the Bitcoin Spring Festival and KuchenFest, Rafael highlighted Bitcoin's impact on the local economy and tourism industry.
**YakiHonne**: Today, we are honored to invite Rafael from Bitcoin é Aqui to join us. Before we dive in, I'd like to take a moment to introduce YakiHonne and share a bit about what we do. YakiHonne is a decentralized media client built on the Nostr protocol that enables freedom of speech through technology. It empowers creators to create their own voice, assets, and features. It also allows features like smart widgets, verified notes, and focuses on long-form articles. Now today we'll be exploring more about the Bitcoin community. Rafael, could you please briefly introduce what sparked your interest in Bitcoin, and what motivated you to create this community?
**Rafael**：Like many, Stim's and his wife Camila's initial interest was in technology— a completely new way to transfer money with full self-custody. From the beginning, the project focused on the payment network, and at the time, they didn’t realize it would evolve into “A Project.”
**YakiHonne**: Could you share how your community got started, the strategies you used to attract members, and the early challenges you encountered?
**Rafael**：From the start, we were all about building a payment network. We began by paying our barber, gardener, and other service providers with Bitcoin. After a few close friends joined, word started to spread—even though some were worried about scams and Bitcoin's legality. To address these concerns, we held a talk at the City's Trade Association on how merchants could legally accept Bitcoin. We expected 5 to 10 friends, but over 60 merchants attended! Today, we’re proud to say that our city is the most Bitcoin-friendly in the world, with more than 40% of stores accepting it. From plumbers to supermarkets, it’s amazing to see our community featured on the BitcoinMap website.
**YakiHonne**: What principles guide the community, and how do you maintain trust and reliability in discussions?
**Rafael**：Like Bitcoin itself, decentralization is our core principle. The project "Bitcoin É Aqui" (loosely translated as "Bitcoin is Here") assists merchants in setting up Lightning wallets and offers best practices. However, every merchant is free to operate as they see fit—choosing whether to follow our advice or to use any wallet they prefer. Moreover, many experienced merchants help onboard newcomers, building trust through established networks and reinforcing our decentralized approach.
**YakiHonne**: How do you educate members and keep them updated on Bitcoin developments?
**Rafael**：We have a group chat where we post some news, but in Brazil, almost everyone already uses WhatsApp for communication, and news usually spreads through these groups, again highlighting the decentralized nature of the Project.
**YakiHonne**: What initiatives has the community undertaken to promote Bitcoin adoption, and what results have you seen?
**Rafael**：Of course, the rising coin value draws attention, but the main attraction is tourists coming to Rolante to learn about the project. Rolante was already famed for its natural wonders—majestic mountains and breathtaking waterfalls. Combined with Bitcoin’s innovative acceptance as a payment method, it has become an even stronger magnet for visitors.
**Rafael**：In Rolante, living completely on Bitcoin is a reality. Here, you'll find travel agencies, professional tour guides, and a variety of services—from department stores and opticians to real estate agents, construction companies, architects, furniture stores, building materials suppliers, and solar energy providers. In the healthcare sector, you can rely on pharmacies, massage therapists, physiotherapists, and advanced dental services; even the city hospital accepts Bitcoin as payment.
**YakiHonne**: What are the community’s goals for the next 6-12 months, and how do you see it evolving with Bitcoin’s growth?
**Rafael**：As a project, Bitcoin É Aqui doesn’t dictate what the community should do, but we support many events like Pizza Day, Bitcoin Spring Festival, Bier Rock, KuchenFest. One major event is the biennial Bitcoin Spring Festival (BSF). The Bitcoin Spring Festival (BSF) is a key event in the Rolante Bitcoin community, aimed at promoting Bitcoin adoption and circular economy development. This year, the festival focuses on "Bitcoinization," bringing together notable figures in the Bitcoin space to showcase a real Bitcoin economic ecosystem. During the event, all transactions will be conducted via the Lightning Network, with Coinos.io and Wallet Of Satoshi recommended. BSF is not just a celebration but a movement toward financial freedom.
**Rafael**：This March, Rolante will host its most traditional event, KuchenFest, celebrating the local traditional bread delicacy. The event centers around the sweet bread Cuca, bringing together candy makers and Cuca enthusiasts to share recipes, techniques, and stories. Additionally, the festival features live music, folk dances, and family activities, showcasing rich cultural traditions. We will help the event accept and promote the use of Bitcoin.