News came during an innovation event today. You can check the news (Portuguese) here: https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/eduardo-paes-quer-aplicar-parte-do-tesouro-do-rio-em-criptomoeda-dar-desconto-para-iptu-pago-em-bitcoin-25353018
Summary:
- A decree will be released tomorrow creating a working group to discuss crypto-related policies;
- The idea is to simulate the initiatives of Suarez’s Miami, making Rio a cryptohub in the country.
If it really happens, it will be a major move for crypto in South America’s biggest country.
Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes presented his plans at Rio Innovation Week as he discussed the subject in a lecture with the bitcoin-loving mayor of Miami – Francis Suarez.
>“We are going to launch Crypto Rio and invest 1% of the Treasury in bitcoin,” Paes said.
The 52-year-old member of Brazil’s Social Democratic Party praised Suarez’s efforts to transform Miami into a cryptocurrency hub. The latter previously said he is open to exploring the idea of putting 1% of his city’s Treasury reserves in bitcoin.
While Miami has positioned itself as the cryptocurrency center of the USA, Rio aims to become the South American hub for the digital asset industry, Paes asserted:
>“Rio de Janeiro has everything it takes to become the tech capital of South America. Events like the Rio Innovation Week come to strengthen the city’s image as the perfect place to work, live, and innovate.”
The possible bitcoin adoption is considered a massive step for the development of the primary cryptocurrency since Rio de Janeiro is the financial heart of Brazil. Its economy is also one of the largest in the Latin American region and among the fastest-growing globally.
Source: https://cryptopotato.com/rio-de-janeiros-mayor-to-invest-1-of-the-citys-treasury-in-bitcoin/
