Pro Bitcoin (And Dollar) Candidate Javier Milei Sweeps Presidential Election in Argentina

Polls turned strongly toward fringe economic candidate for President Javier Milei in the waning hours of Argentina’s fierce Presidential election. Milei reportedly wants to phase out Argentina’s central bank altogether, instead allowing businesses and citizens to transact locally in US dollars — and surprising to some — Bitcoin currency.

Milei’s pro cryptocurrency and US dollar message was greeted by voters in Argentina exhausted by his country’s recent annual triple digit percentage inflation rate, and growing unemployment. More traditional candidates were shunned by voters at the last minute.

As many Bitcoin proponents are pointing out on social media this evening, this would be the second pro Bitcoin candidate to win a Presidency in Central/South America. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele made his country the first to accept Bitcoin as a legal tender, encouraging restaurants and other tourism-facing businesses to experiment with the system.