Prince Philip of Serbia outlines key ways in which Bitcoin promotes global financial inclusion and its importance in conflict-affected nations.
The fundamental aspects of Bitcoin (BTC) continue to power global financial inclusion, financial privacy and autonomy in conflict-affected nations despite difficult macroeconomic and cryptocurrency market conditions over the past year.
These are the key takeaways of an in-depth interview with Prince Philip of Serbia and Yugoslavia conducted by Cointelegraph Brasil’s Cassio Gusson as 2023 gets underway.
Prince Philip Karađorđević shared his thoughts on the sector as he joined Jan3 as its chief strategy officer. The Bitcoin technology company seeks to drive the adoption of the preeminent cryptocurrency and was founded by Bitcoin proponent Samson Mow in 2022.
In April 2022, Jan3 announced a partnership to help develop El Salvador’s Bitcoin City and has since opened up an office in the BTC-friendly nation, according to Prince Philip. The company also intends to provide guidance and services to other nations looking to adopt Bitcoin in some capacity.
Prince Philip told Cointelegraph that Bitcoin remains important as the preeminent cryptocurrency, with its technological specifications allowing for the emergence of a fairer monetary system and individual sovereignty of wealth:
“Bitcoin, specifically, has the potential to promote financial inclusion because of its decentralized nature, which makes it resistant to censorship and manipulation.”
This is particularly important for individuals or communities without access to financial institutions or those residing in countries with unstable or corrupt governments and institutions.
Prince Philip also highlighted Bitcoin’s ability to “bank the unbanked,” given its low barrier to entry. Any person with a smartphone can download a Bitcoin wallet and gain access to “basic banking services,” which has become extremely relevant in emerging economies:
“Issuing a checking account with a minimum balance, a checkbook, a debit card, is simply too expensive for low-income consumers in the developing world, and for the banks themselves.”
Furthermore, Prince Philip highlighted that Bitcoin has no branches, correspondent banking relationships nor employees. Stablecoins are becoming equally useful in developing nations where people want to save in the U.S. dollar:
“Bitcoin and stablecoins have the potential to provide much-needed financial inclusion to people in countries with limited or no access to traditional banking services.”
Both options provide a secure, cost-effective means to send and receive payments, even in remote areas with limited infrastructure. The confines and regulations of traditional banking are also removed, giving people access to some sort of financial facility where traditional services are not accessible.
Conflict-affected nations are also prime candidates for Bitcoin adoption, according to Prince Philip. Bitcoin facilitates cross-border transactions, offers financial privacy and autonomy, and promotes economic development:
“This can be particularly useful in countries with authoritarian governments or a history of conflict, where individuals may be concerned about revealing their financial information or being subject to censorship or seizure of assets.”
El Salvador has established itself as the banner carrier for sovereign Bitcoin adoption after becoming the first country to recognize BTC as legal tender in June 2021. While there are some teething problems remaining — as Cointelegraph journalist Joe Hall outlined after a recent visit to the nation — El Salvador is a living example of what nation-led Bitcoin adoption looks like.
Prince Philip believes that more countries should allocate a portion of their national treasury to Bitcoin, highlighting the established moniker of digital gold. There are tangible results being realized in the country as well, which Prince Philip describes as an example for other nations to follow:
“Already we’re starting to see the economic benefits of the Bitcoin policies, including accelerated GDP growth, tourism, new businesses being established and many other intangible markers.”
While Bitcoin is positioned as a driver of financial freedom, Prince Philip gave a cautionary comment on the development of central bank digital currencies. He cited caveats and limitations to nation-controlled CBDCs, which could be used to place restrictions or outright blocks on people’s money.
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