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3 sats \ 1 reply \ @BitcoinIslandPH OP 11 Jan 2023 \ on: Bitcoin Island Retreat 2023- 250 businesses to enjoy at (un)convention bitcoin
ARGH! pouch.ph/retreat2023 is the link....
I have been using these updates at a rough history. I want exactly that tooling in the database for those reasons. Dev resources are tight though.
They are seeing why it is better when I come through and can pay exact amount easily while they are running around looking for change because someone has a 1000 peso bill (~20 USD) and they do not have the change.
The remittance market and foreign bitcoin tourists are the real killer apps. So much money is lost in frictional losses moving money here.
bitcoinIsland@pouch.ph to arrange help for them. We are happy to call the family and help them get set-up if they need. Tagalog and English help is available.
This is ideal for sending money to her family. They can download the app, receive and then send off to the local banking system if they need to. It is instant and no fees. Much better than traditional remittances.
As an expat, the national politics are pretty invisible to me and do not seem to affect daily life in any meaningful way.
Not going to even try to summarize getting into the country:
https://www.philippineairlines.com/covid-information-hub/covid-requirements/arriving-in-the-philippines
I have not left the island in months, but I think once you get in the Philippines the hurdles are over.
On the ground on the island, you see 95% of the population with masks with them but not necessarily being worn properly until you are in a high density area. In the high density area there is a gentle reminder to wear the mask at most.
Have you been here in Philippines? I ask that because it is fairly rare for many people to carry a wallet, ID or any cards. But they all carry their phones.
Have you used Pouch's UI and specifically the QR reader. When I scan the QR for demos it is so fast that often the user does not even see the QR was in frame.
Adoption is a ladder. We are putting the bottom rung very low: "have a possitive feeling towards bitcoin" This hapoens because they see our big office sign, see "bitcoin adopted here" on more and more local business. They might see a demo of me moving value from a US bank to their wallet instantly instead of waiting 3 days and paying 7% in fees.
This project is getting them on the ladder. You quickly said we will fail because you want to be on a rung of the ladder that is three meters up.
We want to be there too. There are many tiny steps to get there.
Do not criticize the sappling because it is not coming out of the acorn fully formed as a mighty oak.
Yes it is.
Lightning wallet is in closed beta with hooks into the Philippines banking network. Receive and send bitcoin/lightning. Works great for all the businesses on the island.
We signed four more stores since this update a few hours ago.
Bitcoin Island, (Boracay, Philippines) has reached 30 venues that accept bitcoin in this community. This is the most dense collection of bitcoin powered business in the Philippines according to Coinmap.
Since the last update, we have processed payroll via Pouch.ph lightning wallet for one of our businesses and are working with several more for an upcoming payday.
We have signed a lease to open an office in the middle of Boracay to facilitate our outreach, education, payroll services and more. All of this is powered by Pouch.ph lightning wallet.
Bitcoin Island, (Boracay, Philippines) has reached 30 venues that accept bitcoin in this community. This is the most dense collection of bitcoin powered business in the Philippines according to Coinmap.
Since the last update, we have processed payroll via Pouch.ph lightning wallet for one of our businesses and are working with several more for an upcoming payday.
We have signed a lease to open an office in the middle of Boracay to facilitate our outreach, education, payroll services and more. All of this is powered by Pouch.ph lightning wallet.