The Network State Podcast #25 - El Salvador's National Bitcoin Office
Jan 13, 2026
Stacy Herbert, Director of the National Bitcoin Office of El Salvador, discusses the country's transformative journey from gang violence to a pro-innovation haven. She highlights the importance of regulatory clarity for Bitcoin adoption and compares President Bukele's vision to successful models like Singapore. Stacy shares firsthand experiences from liberated neighborhoods, detailing how mass arrests restored safety. She also unveils El Salvador's AI and robotics laws designed to attract talent, making it a hotspot for digital nomads and startups.
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Rapid National Rebrand Through Substance
- El Salvador rebranded overnight from "murder capital" to "Bitcoin country" by coupling bold policy with tangible projects.
- Stacy Herbert argues real deliverables, not marketing, secured global financial attention and respect.
Giving Bitcoin To Liberated Neighborhoods
- Stacy Herbert recounts visiting gang-occupied neighborhoods during the 2022 gang war and distributing Bitcoin donations directly to liberated residents.
- She describes emotional scenes like newlywed couples receiving life-changing Bitcoin gifts.
Security Restored Human Dignity
- The gang crackdown restored basic freedoms and transformed Salvadoran mindset, beyond statistics like homicide rates.
- Herbert emphasizes regained dignity, pride, and hope as foundational outcomes of security policy.
