
 Stephan Livera Podcast
 Stephan Livera Podcast Sovereign Individuals Spend & Replace Bitcoin with André Loja | SLP695
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 Oct 17, 2025  André Loja, a Bitcoin entrepreneur and founder of the Free Madeira project, explores the exciting world of Bitcoin adoption in Madeira. He shares insights on successful merchant onboarding and how local conferences have sparked interest in the island as a Bitcoin hub. Loja discusses the innovative Basalto Fund, enabling residency in Portugal through Bitcoin investment. Community engagement and the future of Sovereign Engineering projects emphasize a collaborative approach to tech freedom. The conversation highlights Madeira's unique blend of lifestyle and Bitcoin-friendly infrastructure. 
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Education First Drives Adoption
- Free Madeira focuses on education and merchant adoption to create a Bitcoin circular economy.
- They launched a Portuguese "My First Bitcoin" diploma and 10-week program with ~50 participants.
Bitcoin As A Normal Payment
- Madeira now supports living largely on a Bitcoin standard with many merchants accepting BTC.
- Most businesses treat Bitcoin as a normal payment option without fanfare.
Conference Sparked Rapid Growth
- A large conference exploded awareness: 200 speakers and ~3,000 attendees surprised the organizers.
- The event drove visitor interest and converted some visitors into residents and contributors.
