Could Bitcoin be Suriname’s lifeline?
In Suriname, which faces high inflation and economic woes, a presidential candidate has proposed a bold plan to follow El Salvador’s lead and adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. That candidate is none other than Maya Parbhoe, who believes Bitcoin can save Suriname’s economy and bring new financial freedom to the country.
Maya Parbhoe’s family has deep history and influence in Suriname. Her father, Winod Parbhoe, was once a prominent Suriname entrepreneur but was murdered in 2001, leaving an unsolved case. This incident became one of the largest injustices in the history of Suriname. Maya inherited her father's business acumen and determination to fight corruption, and has held important positions in several companies, dedicated to promoting Bitcoin and blockchain technology.
Picture source: X Maya Parbhoe said she will not let corruption and injustice succeed!
Maya Parbhoe's campaign plan
Maya Parbhoe is currently the CEO of Bitcoin startup Daedalus Labs and serves on the boards of two other companies she founded. Her goal is to become Suriname’s next president and change the country’s economic status quo by promoting Bitcoin as legal tender. She believes that Bitcoin can liberate the people of Suriname from the constraints of the traditional financial system and cope with the challenges caused by high inflation.
Maya's campaign plan includes the following main aspects:
Promote the use of Bitcoin for everyday transactions: Maya plans to incentivize businesses and individuals to use Bitcoin for everyday transactions, such as buying groceries and paying bills.
Establish a clear and supportive regulatory framework: She will develop a regulatory framework that supports the growth of the Bitcoin ecosystem to enhance trust and promote Bitcoin adoption.
Nationwide education campaign: Maya plans to launch a nationwide education campaign to help citizens understand and master the skills to use digital currency.
Suriname is currently facing deep economic difficulties. The inflation rate continues to be high, and public expenditures are huge and inefficient, leading to an ever-expanding national fiscal deficit. Maya believes that Bitcoin can serve as a transformative tool to help Suriname address these challenges. She noted that Bitcoin has a limited supply and can serve as a shield against inflation. Additionally, Bitcoin’s decentralized nature can eliminate intermediaries, reduce transaction fees, and increase financial transparency.
However, there are still some challenges to Bitcoin’s viability as a daily transaction tool:
The volatility of Bitcoin prices makes it a risk in everyday trading.
Internet coverage issues in developing countries may limit people's ability to use Bitcoin.
The environmental impact of Bitcoin mining is also a factor to consider.
Following El Salvador’s successful experience
While Maya Parbhoe’s campaign has been challenging, her strong convictions and experience have made her stand out in Suriname’s political arena. She believes that with the support of the international Bitcoin community, Suriname can transform its economy through Bitcoin adoption, just like El Salvador.
The experience from El Salvador shows that Bitcoin can promote economic participation to a certain extent. El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 and has attracted significant international investment. Maya believes that Suriname can follow El Salvador’s example and boost the country’s economic development by attracting more international investment through the adoption of Bitcoin.
Maya Parbhoe also mentioned in an interview with the foreign media "Bitcoin Magazine" that the main reason why she had the courage to participate in the presidential election was because of the support of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.
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Suriname’s future prospects
Maya Parbhoe’s plan to make Bitcoin a legal tender is undoubtedly a bold and challenging move. In the context of high inflation and economic difficulties, whether Bitcoin can become a life-saving straw for Suriname will depend on how the country copes with challenges such as price fluctuations, network coverage, and environmental impact.
Maya has also mentioned many times in many interviews in the past: "She wants to get the people of Suriname out of 'survival mode'; once successful, this will become a model for the rest of the world. This country has a huge opportunity, and this is what we should Strive for and support.”
Despite the odds, Maya's determination and innovative thinking brought new hope to Suriname. With the support of the international Bitcoin community, Suriname is expected to become a model for global Bitcoin applications and achieve economic transformation and prosperity.
圖源：Authority Magazine Maya Parbhoe
