In the highlands of El Salvador, where coffee farms cling to volcanic slopes and unbanked artisans trade decades-old traditions for daily survival, Evelyn Lemus is rewriting the rules of money.
When bitcoin became legal tender in 2023, she didn’t chase hype in glossy capital cities—she chose Berlín, a quiet town where roosters crow louder than fintech buzzwords.
Here, Evelyn and her team are stitching bitcoin into the fabric of life: teaching high schoolers to stack sats, transforming skeptical craftsmen into global entrepreneurs, and proving that financial sovereignty isn’t about Silicon Valley code, but community. 
This isn’t a revolution of algorithms—it’s one of trust. Where volatility fears dissolve as a mother saves for her child’s education without a bank account. Berlín, once a dot on the map, now whispers to the world: a circular bitcoin economy isn’t a utopian dream.
First Steps into Bitcoin
- What inspired your journey into bitcoin, and how did your connection to Berlín, El Salvador, shape your decision to build a circular economy here?
In 2019, I was reflecting on my future, particularly how I wanted to live my later years. I realized the importance of financial preparedness and having a solid retirement plan. This led me to start learning about finance, and that same year, I discovered bitcoin.
I dove deep into understanding it, but it wasn’t until bitcoin became legal tender in El Salvador that I felt a strong urge to deepen my knowledge further so I could educate more Salvadorans.
My boyfriend and I got involved in bitcoin education, and we quickly noticed that adoption in El Salvador was still very low. We began searching for a place where we could kickstart a circular economy, somewhere that could serve as a model for the rest of the country.
That’s how we chose Berlín and started to work here in 2023.
Building on Bitcoin
- Describe the earliest initiatives of Bitcoin Berlín SV. What grassroots strategies helped gain community trust?
Becoming an active part of the community was fundamental. We didn’t just talk about bitcoin, we got involved in improving the city and bringing people together.
Our work started with education and social initiatives. By showing up, listening, and contributing to the community’s well being, we built trust. That trust allowed us to understand people’s needs and demonstrate how bitcoin could provide real solutions.
- Why focus on a circular bitcoin economy specifically? How does this model address local needs?
If a circular bitcoin economy can thrive in a small town, it proves that the model can be adapted and scaled elsewhere. By encouraging people to use Bitcoin in their daily lives, we create more business opportunities, promote economic growth, and strengthen financial independence.
Education plays a key role in this, ensuring that both individuals and businesses understand how to integrate bitcoin into their financial activities.
- What principles guide your team’s work in fostering bitcoin adoption and financial sovereignty?
Our mission is to contribute to hyperbitcoinization. We focus on education, accessibility, and community engagement to ensure bitcoin adoption is sustainable and empowering for the people of Berlín.
- How does Berlín’s culture, economy, or history influence your approach compared to other bitcoin hubs in El Salvador (e.g., Bitcoin Beach)?
Unlike other towns, Berlín had little tourism, and the community felt there was something missing, something that could not only boost tourism but also bring hope for a better future.
When we arrived, we focused on listening to the people and giving them something to believe in. We introduced tools that could help improve tourism, strengthen the local economy, and enhance educational opportunities.
Salvadorans are hardworking people, and now, with bitcoin as a tool in our favor, we have a new way to build a better future. The journey is far from over, but we’re making steady progress.
- How has bitcoin improved financial inclusion for unbanked or underbanked residents?
Approximately 70% of Salvadorans are unbanked. In Berlín, bitcoin is changing that. Now, people can transact without needing a bank account, and they have a way to save for the future without relying on cash under their mattresses.
- What metrics do you track to gauge the circular economy’s impact (e.g., transaction volume, user growth)?
– Number of new bitcoin users.
– Number of new merchants accepting bitcoin.
– Surveys with merchants to track transaction volume, percentage of bitcoin savings, and other key adoption indicators.
Community Engagement and Influence
- Share an example of how bitcoin transformed a resident’s or business’s economic resilience.
A local artisan used to sell handmade crafts but lived day to day like many Salvadorans. He was initially skeptical about bitcoin, but as he learned more, he decided to start accepting it as payment. This opened the door to a global market.
He began creating custom bitcoin themed products, launched a bitcoin tour guide service, and expanded into other trades such as plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. Bitcoin enabled him to pay off loans, save money, and reinvest in his business.
Today, he is an active contributor to Berlín’s circular economy and even attends bitcoin conferences and farmers’ markets to sell his products.
- Are you involving younger generations in bitcoin education? How?
Yes! We’ve developed bitcoin education programs in the local high school. Some graduates have joined the Bitcoin Center, while others have secured job or growth opportunities with bitcoiners who are close to the project.
- What skepticism or misconceptions about bitcoin persist in Berlín, and how do you address them?
Common misconceptions include:
– Fear of bitcoin’s volatility.
– The belief that bitcoin was created or is controlled by the government.
– Viewing bitcoin as a scam because of past bad experiences.
Education is the key to overcoming these doubts. As people are exposed to bitcoin, they begin asking the right questions, and we make sure to provide clear, honest answers.
Building trust is essential, while some people are open to learning right away, others require time to build confidence through consistent education and strong relationships.
- Has El Salvador’s Bitcoin Law simplified or complicated your efforts?
Making bitcoin legal tender was an incredible step forward, but its implementation had room for improvement. Many people associated bitcoin with politics, so we had to work on dispelling these misconceptions before we could introduce them to the true potential of bitcoin.
- How have international bitcoin communities or developers contributed to your work?
Bitcoiners from around the world have visited or even moved to Berlín and supported local businesses. Additionally, bitcoin companies are developing tools that make it easier for circular economies like ours to function and grow.
Side Quests and Future Visions
- What changes would you urge Salvadoran leaders to make to strengthen bitcoin adoption?
Take action; talk about bitcoin, teach about bitcoin, use bitcoin.
Being a bitcoin maximalist is fine, but understanding the learning curve is crucial. We need to guide people step by step, not just teaching bitcoin as a medium of exchange, but also as a store of value and, eventually, a unit of account.
- Are you scaling the circular economy model to other towns in El Salvador? What’s next?
From the beginning, Berlín was meant to serve as a model for replication and to contribute to the bitcoin adoption in El Salvador in any way we can.
- Aside from building on bitcoin, what fun activities do you engage in outside work?
We organize movie nights, community events featuring local musicians, and cultural activities like mural festivals and parades.
- Which bitcoiner would you invite for dinner if you had the chance and why?
Satoshi Nakamoto. I’d love the opportunity to simply say thank you.
- What would you tell other towns aspiring to build circular bitcoin economies?
Just do it. Start small, have a plan, and take action. Engage with your community beyond Bitcoin, find ways to improve their lives through bitcoin.
- How can the global Bitcoin community support Bitcoin Berlín SV’s mission?
To expand, we need resources. People can support us by donating through our Geyser campaign, our Bitcoin Federation campaign, or by reaching out to us directly on X.
