Ep. 72: Evelyn Lemus - Bitcoin Circular Economy in Berlin, El Salvador

My guest today is Evelyn Lemus, co-founder of the Bitcoin Community Center, and circular economy initiative in Berlin, El Salvador. Evelyn’s inspiring journey showcases her unwavering dedication to grassroots Bitcoin education and community empowerment in El Salvador. Born and raised in the country, Evelyn has seen firsthand the challenges of economic instability and limited opportunities. In this conversation, she shares how she and her team transformed Berlin into a vibrant Bitcoin city, where over 140 merchants now accept Bitcoin for goods and services. She highlights the transformative power of Bitcoin as a tool for financial inclusion, savings, and opportunity, even amidst skepticism and limited resources. From onboarding merchants door-to-door to inspiring the next generation of Salvadorans through education, Evelyn's work demonstrates the potential of Bitcoin to empower communities and build a better future. ► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS --►► Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn -- SPECIAL OFFERS –►► Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat ►► Enjoy the Little HODLer products, learn about sound money while having fun! use code EFRAT for 10% off on non-sale items: https://thelittlehodler.com/ ►► 10% off on all books & accessories at the “Bitcoin Infinity Store” - use code EFRAT.►► Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Evelyn’s Twitter: https://x.com/Evelynlemus2906 Bitcoin Berlin Twitter: https://x.com/BitcoinBerlinSV Bitcoin Berlin Geyser Project: https://geyser.fund/project/bitcoinberlinsv Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Telegram: https://t.me/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 Coming Up…01:04 Introduction03:08 Evelyn’s Journey into Building a Circular Economy in Berlin11:05 The History of Berlin, El Salvador13:56 Onboarding Merchants to Bitcoin19:06 Case Studies of Merchants Accepting Bitcoin in Berlin23:13 Do Salvadorans Want To Go Deeper with Bitcoin?28:41 Berlin’s Circular Economy Impacts El Salvador32:16 Which Bitcoin Wallets Salvadorans Use?  35:29 Future & Challenges for Bitcoin Berlin40:27 What Gives Evelyn Hope45:49 Changing Perceptions Around Bitcoin & Reclaiming Sovereignty53:38 Closing Thoughts