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Jan Kotas
5874ef2db184a61b8c70696fdc7775082fc6e284fcb4ca215db6395c7d41fd4b
Co-founder of Bitcoin Paraguay and Hacking Lives. Paraguay šŸ‡µšŸ‡¾ | Flag Theory | Bitcoin | Sovereignty I help people opt out and live life on their own terms.

BCP raised its GDP growth projection for 2025 to 6%. The forecast for the following year is 4.2%. Bullish. šŸ‚šŸ“ˆ

šŸ‘‹ Hope to see you at our monthly meetups!

Just for those who feel a bit lost and don’t understand what’s happening - in simple terms - the FED is creating money that didn’t exist before to prop up drying liquidity in global markets. Why? Because they don’t want the credit-fueled party to end. When you build an economy on debt, the music has to keep playing… If it stops, the tough hangover hits.

They fear inflation, yes - but they fear something even more - mass unemployment, cascading bankruptcies, and, above all, a government unable to service the enormous debt it has piled up over decades. So from their perspective, higher inflation is the ā€œlesser evilā€ compared to a full-blown correction.

What does this mean for us, the retail plebs? When new money is created without corresponding real economic production, prices rise and your purchasing power gets diluted. Everything becomes more expensive because the unit you measure value with - the dollar - keeps losing its meaning. 1 USD yesterday ≠ 1 USD today. The measuring stick is broken.

And there’s only one rational response: OPT OUT. Save in bitcoin, the only truly scarce asset in the world, with a monetary policy as predictable as Swiss clockwork and immune to political manipulation.

And there it is - the Fed goes brrrrr. šŸ–Øļø $13.5B USD liquidity blast, the second-biggest since COVID.

People keep demanding the state pay for EVERYTHING - healthcare, education, safety, pensions, public spaces, science, sports, you name it.

But nobody wants to admit the obvious: the government isn’t a magical ATM with infinite money. YOU pay for it - through your paycheck, your taxes, inflation and ultimately your future (and your kids’ and grandkids’ futures too).

And yes, you’re forced to bankroll services you don’t use, policies you don’t want, and systems you never asked for.

So tell me again - how is that ā€œfairā€?

Replying to Avatar Jan Kotas

Bitcoin is meant to be money - not just a ā€œstore of valueā€ or ā€œdigital gold.ā€

To be money, it has to actually be used as a medium of exchange. The more bitcoin circulates, the more adoption grows - and with adoption comes long-term appreciation, because bitcoin is scarce.

That’s why it’s crucial to spend sats and support businesses that accept bitcoin. When sats move, business owners take Bitcoin seriously - and once they do, others follow. Moreover, the more places accept bitcoin, the more sovereign we become, because we rely less on government-regulated intermediaries.

I hear this all the time: ā€œWhy spend bitcoin when I can spend fiat?ā€ or ā€œI save in bitcoin, but I’d rather spend fiat.ā€

Yes, we all know Gresham’s Law - bad money drives good money out of circulation. But we must also remember Thiers’ Law, which applies in the late stages of failing currencies - when bad money becomes so worthless that no one wants to accept or hold it anymore, and good money finally wins.

If we want that future, we need to pay with bitcoin today. Spending it incentivizes businesses to accept it and a real circular bitcoin economy starts to form. As adoption grows, reliance on fiat shrinks, and people naturally move away from bad money.

So yes - every bitcoin payment counts. Every merchant you convince is one more small win on the path to the Bitcoin Standard. And even if you only care about price, spending and replacing sats still drives adoption - and adoption drives appreciation.

TL;DR:

Spend. Replace. Onboard. Repeat. āœŒļø

Most bitcoiners I know spend bitcoin not because it’s financially optimal, but out of conviction. To support sovereignty and adoption. And that’s what many people miss - if you want bitcoin to become global money, you actually should start using it. Spend and replace. It’s less comfy today, but it’s one of the most meaningful contributions anyone can make.

nostr:nevent1qqs2kxraw8xvvuc8shqm94w9x3r6azdvcgh4str0ahkxjyg6djlg7pcpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuurjd9kkzmpwdejhgq3qtp6w7td3sjnphrrsd9hacam4pqhudc5ylj6v5g2akcu4cl2pl49sxpqqqqqqzuxk3jr

Bitcoin is meant to be money - not just a ā€œstore of valueā€ or ā€œdigital gold.ā€

To be money, it has to actually be used as a medium of exchange. The more bitcoin circulates, the more adoption grows - and with adoption comes long-term appreciation, because bitcoin is scarce.

That’s why it’s crucial to spend sats and support businesses that accept bitcoin. When sats move, business owners take Bitcoin seriously - and once they do, others follow. Moreover, the more places accept bitcoin, the more sovereign we become, because we rely less on government-regulated intermediaries.

I hear this all the time: ā€œWhy spend bitcoin when I can spend fiat?ā€ or ā€œI save in bitcoin, but I’d rather spend fiat.ā€

Yes, we all know Gresham’s Law - bad money drives good money out of circulation. But we must also remember Thiers’ Law, which applies in the late stages of failing currencies - when bad money becomes so worthless that no one wants to accept or hold it anymore, and good money finally wins.

If we want that future, we need to pay with bitcoin today. Spending it incentivizes businesses to accept it and a real circular bitcoin economy starts to form. As adoption grows, reliance on fiat shrinks, and people naturally move away from bad money.

So yes - every bitcoin payment counts. Every merchant you convince is one more small win on the path to the Bitcoin Standard. And even if you only care about price, spending and replacing sats still drives adoption - and adoption drives appreciation.

TL;DR:

Spend. Replace. Onboard. Repeat. āœŒļø

There’s so much positive news - the setup across every metric is the most bullish it’s ever been: companies stacking sats, central banks buying, major players and institutions on board, QT officially over - yet the only thing the average Bitcoiner can think about is ā€œHave we already seen the cycle top?ā€ šŸ˜‚ Wake up, legends. We’re still early. šŸš€šŸ§”

When lettuce hands are panic selling, whales are accumulating. 🐳

Times of fear have historically been the best moments to enter the market. Just saying.

Convincing Paraguayan merchants to accept bitcoin isn’t hard — they truly hate Bancard’s fees and its local monopoly. The real challenge? Getting them to keep it — or giving them easy-to-use local offramps...

This is truly getting out of hand. Chat Control is back—and in an even wilder form. This is how democracy dies.

Big news from Czechia - the central bank is adopting Bitcoin! šŸš€

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/markets/czech-bank-buys-1-million-in-bitcoin

Tonight's great event with nostr:nprofile1qqsx45yrjtgm4glklaafgz0z4309gs6cwfja3d99s8rqvlvgagcptpqprpmhxue69uhhqun9d45h2mfwwpexjmtpdshxuet54gjttu. Full house. šŸ˜Ž

Just orange-pilled another business in Asunción: Mokka Coffee Store (https://btcmap.org/merchant/node:13232712003). šŸ’Ŗ So, if you're in town, don’t forget to check it out and spend some sats to support our circular economy! šŸ”„ #spendl

Turned 30 today. A new decade, a new chapter. The last one was wild, let's see what this one brings. 🤟

With the success of the Accelerating Bitcoin conference and the rapid growth of the nostr:nprofile1qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq36amnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wvf5hgcm0d9hx2u3wwdhkx6tpdshsqg8a8kmdalah88uqvqnws8gu3kvucfz68uux4ja6h2xunqm3p3lgrg7hxwgj community, Paraguay is emerging as a leading Bitcoin hub in South America. The global Bitcoin community is beginning to recognize its tremendous potential, with many Bitcoiners relocating here from around the world. It’s only a matter of time before Bitcoin companies follow. Hard to imagine where we’ll be in 1, 5, or 10 years... 🤯

It was an honor to welcome everyone to Paraguay šŸ‡µšŸ‡¾ and I’m so glad the Accelerating Bitcoin conference was such a success! šŸŽ‰

Who would have thought, just 16 months ago when we founded nostr:nprofile1qqs060dkmmlmww0cqcpxaqw3erveesj950ecdt9m4w5dexphzrr7sxsppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qywhwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnzd96xxmmfdejhytnnda3kjctv9uptclu0, that we’d be here today? 🤯 Still processing…

Who is going to Accelerating Bitcoin next week? šŸ‘€ Don't forget to also come to nostr:nprofile1qqs060dkmmlmww0cqcpxaqw3erveesj950ecdt9m4w5dexphzrr7sxsppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qywhwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnzd96xxmmfdejhytnnda3kjctv9uptclu0's Social Night on September 16! šŸ”„

https://luma.com/8xcf4u6j

Enjoyed this conversation with nostr:nprofile1qyt8wumn8ghj7etyv4hzumn0wd68ytnvv9hxgtcpr3mhxue69uhkummnw3ez6ur4vgh8xetdd9ek7mpwv3jhvtcqyqvlaltl88yk6tlhd7rlwcn6u7g5t0yhrk9tyvs9qpvnnfdfzw7z7uxh02q on his podcast about Paraguay’s Bitcoin landscape. We explored the nostr:nprofile1qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq36amnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wvf5hgcm0d9hx2u3wwdhkx6tpdshsqg8a8kmdalah88uqvqnws8gu3kvucfz68uux4ja6h2xunqm3p3lgrg7hxwgj community, nostr:nprofile1qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq36amnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wvf5hgcm0d9hx2u3wwdhkx6tpdshsqgztztmr9lhpdr0q6yslgaragrqalah3xk4ux54a6np6lhjknmw4pchpjm9a, paraguay residency, tax benefits, and the booming expat scene.

https://hackinglives.com/en/blog/c9pkl4v8busigmkgslwrf95b/bitcoin-life-in-paraguay-with-jan-kotas

Over time, yes. With increasing wealth of the country, these pain points will be addressed.

Official inflation is around 5% annually, which in the Latin American context, is not that high. However, actual monetary inflation is much higher, and the economy continues to prosper largely due to a young, productive population significantly boosting the country's economic growth.

No, just grammar correction. I got the same question on X earlier today.

Several factors contribute to this growth:

1. Young Demographics: Over half of Paraguay’s population is under 27 years old, driving demand for housing as young adults seek places to live. The fertility rate remains robust at approximately 2.3.

2. Stable Political Environment: A long-standing right-wing government provides stability, with no significant socialist or communist influences, unlike some Western countries.

3. Capital Influx: Political and economic instability in neighboring countries has made Paraguay a safe haven for foreign capital, attracting investors and residents.

4. Affordable Labor: Paraguay offers relatively low-cost labor compared to other countries, supported by a large, youthful workforce.

5. Growing Middle Class: Many young Paraguayans are pursuing higher education and embracing entrepreneurial opportunities, building small businesses and increasing local purchasing power.

6. Increasing Urbanization: Migration to Asunción is rising as people seek better opportunities and improved quality of life.

7. Influx of Foreigners: Favorable migration policies have led to a significant inflow of foreigners, with over 28,000 residency applications last year. Many expatriates, including digital nomads, are staying permanently or investing in properties for short- and long-term rentals.

8. Inflationary Currency: Limited access to foreign capital markets and an underdeveloped local market restrict investment options, encouraging Paraguayans to invest in real estate.

9. Low Taxes: Compared to Western countries, Paraguay’s low tax rates allow residents to save more. A significant informal economy also means many pay minimal or no income taxes.

Additional factors may contribute to this growth. Perhaps @npub1w8x0lkaqjwwzrha3h6w9qej4eudrkpr2nly2gpxvxmz8x7cx5nvqgy6mdq can provide further insights or corrections. 🫔

Paraguay’s real estate scene is booming — every year brings bolder and more ambitious projects. šŸ‘‡

1. Palmanova Center (~2030): 210,000 m², 4 towers, award-winning design

2. Distrito Perseverancia (~2030): 300,000 m2, completely planned district

3. Paseo 55 (~2028): 55 floors, 212m

4. Petra Imperiale (~2030): 73 floors, 250m

5. Sudameris Plaza (??): 39 floors, 188m

6. Jade Park (2022): 3 towers (tallest 35 floors, 135m)

7. Civis XI (~2028): 36 floors, 140m

8. Petra Tower (2025): 44 floors, 172m

If you are planning to sell bitcoin for something else, think twice. Everything in this world is abundant compared to bitcoin (except for your time). Ask yourself: Would I make the same decision knowing that this bitcoin could be worth 5 or even 10 times more in 4–8 years?

BTCUSD 118k. GM! ā˜•

Saylor’s spot on about citizenships, but residencies matter too! Most countries don’t tax globally like the U.S. Digital nomads can often go zero income-tax, and the setup costs pay off in a year with tax savings, plus you skip accounting headaches.

https://blossom.primal.net/b94f369b9f47835eec912f012c8fc4453a41d608bc4f984715f730907242315e.mov

You can find more details about the setup here: https://hackinglives.com/en/blog/y970myg3yurar5suefezgpiu/paraguay-tax-heaven-for-freelancers

I've finally set NIP-05 to my account. It was surprisingly straightforward.

The past year on this project has been intense—hundreds of hours, stress, and more, pushing me to my limits. Grateful for everyone who's been part of this journey. Totally worth it.

nostr:nevent1qqszfj0vtvuqzmkz5awjq9dedmxmpvn3uk37ep66fdv679250vqscrcpz4mhxue69uhkummnw3ezummcw3ezuer9wchsyg8a8kmdalah88uqvqnws8gu3kvucfz68uux4ja6h2xunqm3p3lgrgpsgqqqqqqsepsynw

Holy sats, what a night! Our 11th Asuncion meetup at CĆ© La Vie was unreal. First time all in Spanish, with 150+ people, including tons of Bitcoin newbies! We onboarded 44 folks to Lightning wallets and sent them their first sats. 🤯 I’m still getting chills from the vibes!

Can’t thank our team enough for pouring their hearts and souls into this. Massive love to nostr:nprofile1qqsqscg5f3m9aggw8xjggua9r0hxqjyxux9t6rurrnz76aj3u69petcsnx825, Juan P., Bruno V., nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyw8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnzd96xxmmfdejhytnnda3kjctvqqsqrneym4ywcdh39cptl45l49d0msk0nrq9w84agd54f6vfn6vc27ctl6zr6, Sebastian M., Vivi C., nostr:nprofile1qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvqyg8wumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnvv9hxgqpqz65qpshzkw9jnxvwn4nrgk6w00700nv0ettnwqf2he9yxxghluqs29asup, and all the others who made it happen. You’re absolute legends! šŸ™ŒšŸ™‡ā€ā™‚ļø

https://blossom.primal.net/13dfa8abcc4c23c482c64b4f132b1a32635998254f645902acededb1edd4b1d5.mp4

Huge props to our sponsors: nostr:nprofile1qqsglefmxagcu0d7nw4jdkgj9ysqrk9cst0fg44hkz9kzhu39hyt7jsh9lfqf,

Penguin Group, nostr:nprofile1qqsykyhkxtlwz6x7p5fp73686sxpmlm0zddtcdftm4xr4l09d8ka2rs7j8ge3 and Trezor for having our backs. Special shoutout to Eason Jin for hosting us at CĆ© La Vie and to El Tejano for the killer food that fueled the party! šŸ™

https://blossom.primal.net/9a119e5586b4c5a549635c23ab276622225a5c16ac3f3961398eeb50433c5266.mp4

Wanna help us orange-pill Paraguay? Hit us up, follow our journey, or come see what we’re building IRL! You can also send some sats to donaciones@ln.bitcoinparaguay.org or you can also zap directly BitcoinParaguay. Thanks for all the love! 🧔🫶

Yes, you can, and land is very affordable. You just need to obtain residency, which grants you nearly the same rights as locals have.

Private hospitals are good (at least in Asunción), but public ones are bad. If you can afford private care (which is much cheaper than in the US or Europe) and live near Asunción, you’ll be fine.

And people say Asunción isn't walkable... 😁

I’m incredibly bullish on Bitcoin adoption in Paraguay. šŸ‡µšŸ‡¾ Last Saturday, our monthly meetup drew over 100 attendees. Tomorrow, the BitDevs meetup hosts ~50 participants, with 15 more on the waitlist (a technical event! 🤯). Then, this Saturday, a Bitcoin course at the local university for ~70 students. Pay attention, folks - something special is brewing here. šŸš€

Argentina is beautiful country, but vibe is different, prices are much higher and there is much less freedom. It depends on what your priorities are, what lifestyle you live and what job you have.

Why Paraguay?

1. Culturally, it's still close to Europe/US (compared to, say, Asia).

2. There's plenty of space, and it's relatively easy to live "off the radar" (hectares of land can be bought cheaply, and building permits are processed quickly).

3. Paraguay has excellent cuisine (top-quality beef in the world).

4. The locals are welcoming—if you make at least a minimal effort to integrate (basic Spanish and respect for local culture), they will accept you with open arms.

5. Taxes—Paraguay has a territorial tax system and a very simple tax structure (10% on local income).

6. If you stay away from politics and drugs, it's quite safe. Some of the better neighborhoods in Asunción are very safe (even at night).

7. No culture wars.

8. Crypto-friendly—capital gains from crypto are not taxed, and it's even possible to buy real estate with crypto. Plus, there is now a strong Bitcoin community (nostr:nprofile1qqs060dkmmlmww0cqcpxaqw3erveesj950ecdt9m4w5dexphzrr7sxsppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qywhwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnzd96xxmmfdejhytnnda3kjctv9uptclu0).

9. Family-friendly—Paraguayans love children, and family comes first.

10. Business environment—Paraguayans are capitalists, and a large portion of the population runs their own businesses. Success is celebrated, not shamed. There are also plenty of opportunities to start new ventures.

11. Geopolitically insignificant—South America is not a major geopolitical player and remains largely disconnected from the developed world (though this is changing rapidly).

12. Cheap transportation—you can get around the city (Asunción) using Bolt or Uber for $1.5–$5 (depending on distance). Diesel costs around $1 per liter. If you like big cars, it won’t hurt your wallet as much.

I could go on, but I think this gives a good idea...

Asunción is currently the 4th most popular digital nomad destination in the world. 🤯