Bitcoin Failed to Stick in El Salvador? Mexico Found Out Why | Francisco Chavarria

Apr 19, 2025

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Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, this episode dives into Bitcoin adoption in Mexico through the eyes of Francisco Chavarria, co-founder of YoPaki, a culturally grounded Bitcoin app making digital money accessible to everyday users.

Francisco shares his Bitcoin journey from discovering it through his dad and Max Keiser to building a company that offers a non-custodial wallet designed with Mexican users in mind. We talk about his innovative approach to digital currency education using the traditional Lotería game and how YoPaki integrates the Lightning Network for fast, low-cost payments.

He also breaks down the complexities of launching a FinTech Mexico startup, the impact of crypto regulations, and why navigating seed phrases and onboarding is so different in Latin America.
If you’re interested in how Bitcoin is being adopted in emerging markets or want insight into the challenges of building within strict regulatory environments, this one’s for you.

- Mike

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
https://twitter.com/Bitcoinbeach
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Web: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com/

Connect with Francisco Chavarria:
X: https://x.com/FranciscoBTC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-chavarria-77ba3277/

Learn more about YoPaki:
X: https://x.com/yopaki_
Website: https://www.yopaki.com/en

Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

01:50 – How did Francisco first hear about Bitcoin?
09:15 – Why did Francisco build a fintech company in Mexico?
13:04 – How do crypto regulations affect Bitcoin in Mexico?
17:46 – What is YoPaki and how does it work?
21:33 – How does YoPaki use a game to teach Bitcoin?
27:50 – What makes YoPaki a non-custodial wallet?
32:10 – How does the Lightning Network work in this wallet?
35:20 – What happened when they projected Bitcoin on a central bank?
45:45 – How is Bitcoin adoption different in Mexico and El Salvador?
1:00:12 – Why is Mexico YoPaki’s main focus?
1:05:47 – What’s next for the YoPaki Bitcoin wallet?

Live From Bitcoin Beach