Unchained How Venezuela Shows Why Bitcoin, Crypto and Stablecoins Help Everyday People
13 snips
Jan 13, 2026 
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Cofounder and CSO of Ledn, shares his firsthand experiences of Bitcoin mining in Venezuela, where miners find freedom amidst economic turmoil. Jorge Jraissati, President of Economic Inclusion Group, discusses the potential of utilizing crypto to rebuild Venezuela's financial infrastructure. They explore the country's rumored $60 billion Bitcoin stash, the daily reliance on stablecoins for remittances, and the optimism surrounding a crypto-powered future as local sentiment shifts toward digital assets.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
$60B Bitcoin Claim Lacks Evidence
- Mauricio disputes claims Venezuela holds a $60B Bitcoin reserve, citing lack of on-chain evidence and implausible custody stories.
- He notes corruption, prosecuted embezzlement cases, and missing public records make such a massive treasury unlikely.
Crypto Used, But Funds Likely Diverted
- Mauricio and Jorge agree Venezuela used crypto for oil sales but corruption likely diverted most proceeds away from state reserves.
- High-profile embezzlements show meaningful crypto proceeds probably didn't benefit the public treasury.
Family Mining Sparked A Movement
- Mauricio Di Bartolomeo's brother bought GPU and ASIC miners in 2015 and turned them into reliable income during hyperinflation.
- The noisy mining rigs became a visible symbol of freedom and prompted neighbors to ask how to get involved.