In El Salvador, a curious child once dismantled a Commodore 64—and failed to resurrect it. Decades later, that same relentless curiosity is dismantling something far more formidable: the barriers to bitcoin adoption.
Meet Edgar Borja, the founder of K1 Technology—a hardware maverick on a mission to turn pocket change into financial liberation. Born from the sparks of Silicon Valley apprenticeships and the seismic shift of El Salvador’s Bitcoin Law, Edgar’s journey is a masterclass in “lateral thinking with withered technology”—where scrap metal meets satoshis, and innovation thrives on grit, not glamour.
Building on Bitcoin
- What inspired your journey into technology and entrepreneurship? How did your early experiences shape your vision for K1 Technology?
I’ve always been curious about how things work. As a child, I would take apart anything I could get my hands on—though putting them back together took a few more years to master. Somewhere out there, there’s a Commodore 64 that never booted again because of me. That curiosity led me to technology. 
A major turning point was when my family moved to the California Bay Area. There, I enrolled in a vocational center where retired engineers from HP and other major tech companies provided hands-on training. That experience not only deepened my technical skills but also exposed me to the culture of innovation that defines Silicon Valley.
When I returned to El Salvador, I pursued a degree in technology, and my combined education and U.S. experience helped me land a job at a U.S. company launching operations in the country.
That was the start of my career, but more importantly, it planted the seed for K1 Technology—where I could apply both my technical knowledge and entrepreneurial drive to solve real-world problems.
- What gap in the market or personal passion drove you to launch K1 Technology?
When the Bitcoin Law was announced in El Salvador, we wanted to experience firsthand what it was like for everyday people to buy bitcoin for the first time. What we found were large, intimidating ATMs that only worked on-chain, had high minimum transaction amounts beyond the average person’s budget, and charged steep fees.
That’s when we decided to build the simplest way to buy bitcoin in the world. With the K1 Mini, anyone can buy as little as a nickel’s worth of bitcoin and receive it instantly—under two seconds—using any Lightning wallet. I believe we’ve truly made bitcoin more accessible for everyone.
- In one sentence, what is K1 Technology’s core purpose?
K1 Technology exists to build hardware solutions that make bitcoin more accessible, unlocking financial freedom and new opportunities for prosperity..
- Describe the early days of K1 Technology. What was your first product, and how did you secure initial resources or partnerships?
Our first prototype was built from a metal safe we bought at a hardware store, combined with a screen and a few 3D-printed parts. With some sweat, sparks, and code, we got it up and running. That was enough to catch the attention of key people who saw its potential.
As we refined the concept, our solution quickly resonated—not just in El Salvador, but across Latin America and eventually worldwide. This recognition helped us gain momentum, secure partnerships, and turn a simple idea into a product that bridges the gap to bitcoin for people everywhere.
- How does K1 Technology balance cost-efficiency with cutting-edge innovation?
At K1 Technology, we follow a principle similar to legendary Nintendo designer Gunpei Yokoi’s “Lateral Thinking with Withered Technology”—leveraging proven, cost-effective hardware in innovative ways to solve real-world problems.
Many of the entrepreneurs in the bitcoin ecosystem come from software and finance backgrounds, meaning there’s a lot of low-hanging fruit when it comes to hardware-based solutions. That’s where we come in.
Instead of chasing the latest, most expensive tech, we focus on designing efficient, reliable devices that do one thing exceptionally well: making bitcoin more accessible.
By combining well-established components with creative engineering, we keep costs low while delivering cutting-edge solutions—whether it’s enabling Lightning payments in seconds or turning spare change into bitcoin instantly.
Overcoming Challenges and Innovation
- What challenges arise from operating K1 Technology in El Salvador? How have you addressed them?
The three biggest challenges we’ve faced: supply chain, skilled labor, and infrastructure.
Maintaining a reliable supply chain is an ongoing effort. Sometimes, it means working directly with factories in China; other times, it’s as simple as sourcing the same part from Amazon. Flexibility and persistence are key.
The shortage of skilled labor is something we tackle head-on by investing in young people who are passionate about technology and want to see their country thrive. Instead of waiting for talent to appear, we train most of our staff in-house, ensuring they develop the skills needed for this industry.
When it comes to infrastructure, the challenge isn’t on the technology side—Azure and AWS are just as available here as anywhere else. The real gap is in the country’s level of industrialization to support the export of high-tech solutions, along with the legal and governmental support needed to grow this sector.
While that’s beyond our direct control, we’re encouraged by ongoing changes at the government level that are gradually making it easier to operate and expand.
- Has El Salvador’s regulatory environment supported or hindered your growth?
The announcement of the Bitcoin Law was the catalyst that inspired us to start K1 Technology. Being a Salvadoran company is a core part of our identity, and the government’s adoption of bitcoin has opened many doors for us—both locally and internationally.
While every regulatory environment has its challenges, El Salvador’s stance on bitcoin has created unique opportunities for innovation and growth.
- How does K1 Technology contribute to job creation and skill development in El Salvador?
We’re actively expanding our team and creating direct jobs in El Salvador’s electronics manufacturing industry—an area with huge growth potential. Beyond job creation, we focus on skill development by training our staff in-house, equipping them with the expertise needed for high-tech manufacturing.
Our impact extends globally, with K1 devices now exported to over 20 countries across every continent except Antarctica.
- What would you tell aspiring founders in emerging economies about balancing ambition and pragmatism?
Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. In emerging economies, real change comes from those who not only have deep technical knowledge but also a strong understanding of local culture and needs. The best solutions aren’t just imported—they are built by people who truly understand the realities on the ground and can innovate within those constraints.
Knowledge is power, and today, knowledge is freely available to anyone. The tools to transform your community—and the world—are at your fingertips.
Side Quests and Vision for the Future
- Do you like tea or coffee?
I’m from El Salvador—our coffee is world-class, so naturally, I’m a coffee person
- Aside from work, what do you do as a hobby?
I enjoy board games and diving into topics like economics, history, geopolitics, and retro tech. There’s something fascinating about understanding how the past shapes the present—whether in technology, finance, or global trends.
- What is your long-term vision for K1?
Our long-term vision for K1 is to keep building innovative hardware solutions that drive financial inclusion and Bitcoin adoption. Beyond that, we aim to expand into other areas of the financial system where automation and innovation can make a real difference, simplifying access to digital finance for people worldwide.
- What would you tell aspiring founders in emerging economies about balancing ambition and pragmatism?
Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. In emerging economies, real change comes from those who not only have deep technical knowledge but also a strong understanding of local culture and needs.
The best solutions aren’t just imported—they are built by people who truly understand the realities on the ground and can innovate within those constraints.
Knowledge is power, and today, knowledge is freely available to anyone. The tools to transform your community—and the world—are at your fingertips.
- How can people follow your work or explore collaborations?
Follow us on X.
We’re always open to new ideas, collaborations, and conversations about making bitcoin more accessible!
