This is a special episode from The Sovereign Podcast, hosted by Michael Ruiz, where Mike Peterson joined as a guest.

In this conversation, Mike shares the full story of Bitcoin Beach and how a grassroots project in El Zonte helped inspire El Salvador to make Bitcoin legal tender. He talks about how the project began, the challenges of community building, and the mindset shift that happens when people start earning in Bitcoin. From keeping youth out of gangs to showing the world what a working circular economy looks like, Mike explains the lessons learned from years on the ground.

You’ll hear about the transformation of El Salvador, from a country once shaped by fear to one filled with optimism and opportunity. The discussion explores IMF loan conditions that influenced recent Bitcoin policy, what they mean in practice, and why the local Bitcoin circular economy is stronger than ever. Mike shares his perspective on growth, from grassroots work in small towns to attracting global attention and investment.

For anyone interested in starting a Bitcoin-friendly community, Mike offers actionable advice: start small, build real relationships, and use media to bring in outside support. The conversation also digs into how libertarian ideals intersect with practical governance, what it takes to balance development with preserving local character, and why Bitcoin education is becoming part of the national curriculum.

Whether you’re a Bitcoiner, policy watcher, or someone passionate about economic freedom, this episode delivers insights on Bitcoin adoption, sustainable community building, and the long-term vision for El Salvador. Stick around until the end, when they get into the realities of development, property rights, and why even libertarians sometimes agree on a little regulation.

-Bitcoin Beach Team


Connect and Learn more about Michael Ruiz
https://x.com/sovmindset 
https://www.youtube.com/@sovmindset 


Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com


Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 How did Bitcoin Beach begin as a grassroots project in El Zonte
08:45 What inspired Mike Peterson to move to El Salvador full time
17:12 How a donor’s vision sparked a Bitcoin circular economy
25:30 What the IMF loan conditions mean for El Salvador’s Bitcoin law
36:20 How Bitcoin adoption is changing savings culture and community building
44:50 Practical advice for starting your own circular economy project
55:15 Why media strategy is essential for grassroots Bitcoin adoption
01:02:40 How gang violence reduction transformed daily life in El Salvador
01:15:05 What industries and opportunities El Salvador needs to grow
01:28:50 The future vision for Bitcoin Beach and global circular economies

Live From Bitcoin Beach

What happens when Bitcoiners stop waiting for legacy platforms and start building their own? 

In this episode, Mike sits down with Jake Seifert, co-founder of AirBTC, a Bitcoin-first alternative to Airbnb. Jake’s not just talking about circular economy theory, he’s out there trying to make it real, one travel listing at a time.

They get into the friction points of convincing Bitcoiners to actually spend their Bitcoin, the role of KYC in a decentralized travel platform, and why it’s not enough to just stack sats. Jake explains how AirBTC works, how it handles payments in SATs, and why peer-to-peer lodging still needs basic trust. The conversation also explores why most listings are outside the US, what it’s like bootstrapping without fiat funding, and why hodl-only culture might be holding the movement back.

This episode gives a front-line view of what it takes to build infrastructure for a Bitcoin standard, no venture capital, no permission, just a platform made by and for people who want to live on Bitcoin now. It’s also a challenge: if you’re serious about decentralization, why are you still booking travel with fiat?

If you’ve ever looked at your wallet and thought, "I’ll spend later," this one’s for you. 

Subscribe, share it with your hardest-core hodler friend, and drop a comment if you’ve ever listed a room, or stayed in one, using Bitcoin.

-Bitcoin Beach Team

Connect and Learn more about Jake Seifert
X: https://x.com/airbtconline
Web: https://airbtc.online/ 

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com

Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:
00:00 What is the real goal of Bitcoin circular economies?
01:02 Why did Jake create AirBTC instead of waiting for Airbnb to adapt?
03:01 How did Jake Seifert first discover Bitcoin and what pulled him in?
06:31 What’s been harder: getting hosts or getting Bitcoiners to spend?
08:42 Why optionality is critical for Bitcoin travel to succeed
10:54 Can Bitcoin rentals actually inject value into local communities?
13:26 What kind of KYC does AirBTC require for hosts and guests?
15:24 How does AirBTC handle payments, fees, and SATs conversion?
20:47 Why is El Salvador leading in Bitcoin travel listings?
22:38 What’s more important now: listings or Bitcoin spenders?
31:18 Will mainstream platforms like Airbnb eventually accept Bitcoin?

Live From Bitcoin Beach

What does it actually take to mine Bitcoin in El Salvador? In this episode, Mike sits down with Josue Lopez, CEO of Volcano Energy, to break down what’s really happening beyond the hype. Josue explains how his team is building energy infrastructure from the ground up, solar, wind, and geothermal, to support a truly sovereign energy mining operation. This isn’t about plugging into someone else’s grid. It’s about designing a system that El Salvador controls end-to-end.

They get into the details of mining economics, from why electricity in El Salvador is so expensive to how immersion cooling made it possible to run ASICs in a tropical climate. Josue also shares why Volcano Energy has already raised nearly $300 million and how the team is balancing short-term returns with long-term strategic goals. Whether the energy gets sold to the grid or powers Bitcoin mining directly, the goal is the same—build assets that last and reduce dependency on unstable jurisdictions.

The conversation moves beyond Bitcoin into national development. Josue explains how energy, safety, and financial inclusion are all connected. They dig into El Salvador’s massive housing shortage and why his fund is stepping in to build low-income homes designed for families earning minimum wage. It’s a look at what Bitcoin infrastructure really means when it’s tied to place, people, and policy.

If you’ve ever wondered how energy mining works in the real world, or whether a country like El Salvador can build from scratch without relying on legacy systems, this episode is for you. Hit subscribe, drop a comment if your electric bill has ever made you consider going off-grid, and share this with someone who still thinks mining can’t work in Central America.

-Bitcoin Beach Team

Connect and Learn more about Josue Lopez
https://x.com/josuelopezgal 
https://x.com/Volcano_Energy 
https://volcano.energy/ 


Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com


Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 — Can El Salvador actually support Bitcoin data centers?
01:48 — Why did Josue Lopez leave El Salvador and what brought him back?
06:29 — How did Bitcoin solve banking challenges for international students?
08:41 — What changed after China banned Bitcoin mining?
15:21 — How much has Volcano Energy raised and where is it going?
20:08 — Why are electricity prices so high in El Salvador?
24:32 — How immersion cooling made energy mining possible in hot climates
34:42 — Should you mine Bitcoin or just sell power to the grid?
39:50 — How geothermal energy fits into El Salvador’s energy infrastructure
53:26 — Why financial inclusion depends on more than just Bitcoin

Live From Bitcoin Beach

What happens when a Salvadoran developer quits trading shitcoins, starts driving Uber, and ends up shaping national Bitcoin education policy? In this episode, Mike sits down with Acreonte, one of the first graduates of the Cubo Plus program and now a key player behind El Salvador’s push to integrate Bitcoin into its institutions.

Acreonte shares what it’s really like to live on a Bitcoin standard, from earning SATs at Plan B Network to spending them with the Blink wallet at farmers markets and meetups across the country. He also opens up about the unexpected shift back into fiat life when he joined the Ministry of Education, trading T-shirts and cold wallets for suits and bureaucratic emails.

They talk about the cultural tension between fiat and Bitcoin mindsets, what it takes to build real dev talent from the ground up, and how programs like Cubo Plus are helping Salvadoran youth go from zero to building on Lightning. Along the way, Acreonte reflects on his own transformation, from civil war survivor to casino game developer to educator trying to future-proof public schools.

This episode is a snapshot of what it means to build from within, in a country betting on Bitcoin not just for headlines but for human capital. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually looks like to go from shitcoiner to builder, hit subscribe, share this with a fiat friend, and consider switching out your bank app for a proper wallet like Blink.

-Bitcoin Beach Team

Connect and Learn more about Acreonte

https://x.com/btchieftain
https://x.com/planb_network
https://x.com/cuboplus
https://www.blink.sv/
https://planb.network/en 

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:

X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com

Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 Why would someone move to El Salvador for Bitcoin?
02:16 What was it like growing up during El Salvador's civil war?
06:56 How did Acreonte discover programming and tech in the 1990s?
12:15 What brought him to London and how did he break into tech?
21:17 What is the connection between crypto trading and casino psychology?
28:08 How does Salvadoran work culture compare to the UK?
33:45 How did he first hear about Bitcoin and start investing?
40:00 What is the Cubo Plus program and how do you get accepted?
54:49 What was it like building Bitcoin projects and learning from top educators?
1:07:34 Why did he leave Plan B Network to work in El Salvador’s Ministry of Education?
1:21:30 How does earning in Bitcoin change how you think and spend money?

Live From Bitcoin Beach

For families considering life in El Salvador, this episode dives into what educational freedom really looks like on the ground. Mike talks with Ana Larios, co-founder of Escuela Libre and Skate, Paint & More, about building a community education program rooted in trust, creativity, and local connection.

Ana shares how Escuela Libre grew from three families into a small but thriving homeschool community. It’s a space where kids learn without uniforms or testing, and where volunteers from around the world teach everything from math and English to aerial silks and robotics. The school is part of a growing movement toward non-traditional schooling that centers kids instead of systems.

We also get into Skate, Paint & More, an after-school program that offers experiential education through painting, skateboarding, music, and group projects. Most of the local kids had never painted before. Now they’re learning to create, explore, and build confidence in a safe, supportive environment. It’s all free for them, made possible by donations and visiting volunteers.

This conversation is for anyone rethinking how learning should work, especially if you care about creative education or are considering a move to El Salvador. It’s also a real look at how grassroots efforts can grow into something lasting without losing their soul.

Hit subscribe, drop a comment, or send it to someone who's ready to ditch the system and do school differently.

-Bitcoin Beach Team


Connect and Learn more about Ana Larios Pohl
https://x.com/analariospohl 
https://www.instagram.com/analariospohl_arte/ 
https://www.instagram.com/acroyoga_elsalvador/ 
https://www.facebook.com/acroyogaelsalvador/ 
https://www.instagram.com/elzonteartsandlearning/?hl=en 

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com


Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 What is Skate, Paint & More and how does it help kids in El Zonte?
01:30 Why did Ana and other families start a non-traditional school in El Salvador?
03:43 Is homeschooling legal in El Salvador and how does it work?
06:43 How do volunteers help build this homeschool community?
10:12 What makes this community education program work for both locals and expats?
14:16 What is grip tape art and how are kids using it creatively?
16:52 How does art and skateboarding boost kids’ confidence?
21:06 What advice does Ana have for parents moving to El Salvador?
29:44 When does the Skate, Paint & More program run and how can others join?
34:00 What kind of donations support creative and experiential education in El Zonte?

Live From Bitcoin Beach

What happens when Bitcoin meets real estate, alternative assets, and personal freedom? In this episode, Will Lehr breaks down how he went from helping clients invest in gold and silver IRAs to building a self-directed IRA platform that lets people hold Bitcoin, real estate, and more, all outside the traditional financial system.

We talk about the mechanics of setting up a self-directed IRA, what makes the IRA LLC model different, and how to stay within IRS rules when it comes to physical gold, silver, and cold storage for Bitcoin. Will also explains why tools like the Unchained IRA are changing how people think about retirement planning.

Then we shift to life in Surf City El Salvador, where Will is now developing land with like-minded Bitcoiners who care about sovereignty, sustainability, and long-term vision. If you're interested in real estate in Surf City, this conversation covers what kind of properties are still available, what’s already sold out, and how demand is shifting fast.

Whether you're holding metal, sats, or land, this episode is for anyone rethinking how to build a life and a portfolio that actually reflects your values. Hit subscribe, and drop a comment: Would you ever use your IRA to buy land in El Salvador?

-Bitcoin Beach Team


Connect and Learn more about Will Lehr
https://clubcocal.com/ 
https://unboundassets.com/ 
https://x.com/thewilliamlehr 
https://x.com/ClubCocal 
https://x.com/UnboundAssets 


Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com


Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 What makes El Salvador feel like a 24/7 Bitcoin conference?
02:15 How did Will get started with self-directed IRAs and Bitcoin?
04:45 What is a self-directed IRA and how does it work?
07:35 How to hold Bitcoin, gold, or silver in your IRA legally
10:52 What’s the risk of storing gold and silver at home in an IRA?
13:21 Why are Bitcoiners moving to Surf City El Salvador?
19:45 What makes real estate in Surf City such a strong long-term play?
26:46 How is Will’s land development attracting liberty-minded investors?
33:45 How does his Bitcoin community support locals and nonprofits?
39:16 Who’s moving to El Salvador and what are they building?

Live From Bitcoin Beach

Mario Flamenco didn’t follow a typical path into government. As a teenager in one of the world’s most violent countries, he started watching Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert talk about Bitcoin on late-night reruns. A few years later, he’s working alongside them at the Bitcoin Office in El Salvador and now helping lead the country's AI and robotics strategy.

In this episode, Mario shares how El Salvador is using Bitcoin and artificial intelligence to create long-term economic change. We talk about the real work behind Lightning Network adoption, how the Kubo Plus program is teaching first graders AI and robotics, and why the government’s approach to education is rooted in digital sovereignty, not just tech hype.

This is more than a Bitcoin story. It’s about building systems that last, starting with kids in the classroom and going all the way up to national tech policy. If you care about where crypto, education, and real-world change meet, this one’s worth your time.

Hit subscribe, share with someone who still thinks Lightning Network is a theory, and drop a comment if you’d take Mario’s coding course.

-Bitcoin Beach Team


Connect and Learn more about Mario Flamenco
https://x.com/maiojose1 
https://x.com/theaiagencysv 

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com



Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 What was life like growing up in El Salvador before Bitcoin?
02:30 How did Mario Flamenco discover Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert?
04:44 What career options did young Salvadorans have before tech?
07:28 Why doesn’t access to information guarantee opportunity?
11:14 What’s broken about traditional engineering education?
15:41 How did Mario end up working with Max and Stacy?
18:49 What does the Bitcoin Office in El Salvador actually do?
26:52 How is El Salvador approaching AI policy and digital sovereignty?
31:57 Are kids in El Salvador really learning AI and robotics?
43:21 Can Salvadoran students become Bitcoin and Lightning Network leaders?
46:22 Why the airport shows El Salvador is building real infrastructure.

Live From Bitcoin Beach

What’s it really like moving to El Salvador? In this episode, Gaelle Wizenberg shares her story of starting over in Berlin, El Salvador, a small town with a growing Bitcoin circular economy and one of the few places in the world where living on Bitcoin is actually possible. From community building to starting a boutique wellness hotel, Gaelle breaks down the practical, emotional, and financial realities of creating a life from scratch abroad.

We get into the challenges and rewards of real estate in El Salvador, how expats are investing in regenerative farming and helping grow small local economies, and what digital sovereignty looks like when applied to daily decisions. Gaelle shares why she left the US, how she built a business that runs on decentralized finance, and why she believes real opportunity comes from embracing simplicity and slowing down.

This episode speaks directly to those thinking about relocating, building something new, or stepping away from high-friction systems. If you’re curious about the expat experience, building a life aligned with Bitcoin values, or finding clarity outside the noise, you’ll find this conversation grounding and useful.
Like what you hear? Tap subscribe, share with someone thinking of making a move, and tell us your biggest fear or hope about living abroad in the comments.

-Bitcoin Beach Team

Connect and Learn more about Gaelle Wizenberg
https://www.instagram.com/rabbithole.berlin/ 
https://www.instagram.com/gaellewizenberg/ 

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com



Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 Why does feeling at home matter when moving abroad?
01:51 What’s behind the recent wave of Bitcoiners leaving El Salvador?
02:43 How did growing up on a boat shape Gaelle’s global mindset?
07:55 How she launched a software company in the toy industry
13:12 What makes starting a business in the US so frustrating now?
19:08 Why she chose Berlin, El Salvador after leaving Florida
25:00 How she renovated a local home and built a wellness retreat
36:02 What expats need to know before moving to El Salvador
49:32 Can you actually live fully on Bitcoin in Berlin, El Salvador?
52:38 Why financial literacy is more critical than just Bitcoin knowledge

Live From Bitcoin Beach

What does it actually take to start a business or invest in El Salvador as a foreigner? In this episode, John McBride returns to share what he's learned after two years of building multiple businesses across the country. From launching True North Air to owning a coffee farm in El Salvador, John walks us through how he's approached investing in El Salvador with a long-term mindset and real local impact.

We get into how he's structured Empoderar El Salvador, his umbrella company, to prioritize hiring Salvadorans and paying in Bitcoin. He shares how franchises like Mailboxes Etc. and logistics platforms like ShipApollo are helping solve real challenges for both expats and local entrepreneurs. If you're thinking about starting a business in El Salvador, this episode gives you an honest look at the path.

We also unpack the recent IMF El Salvador deal, what it actually means for Bitcoin in the country, and why John believes it's a non-issue for the business community. He also gives his take on how aviation services like True North Air are key to connecting remote areas and supporting industries like mining, logistics, and tourism.

There’s also a great segment on real estate, how John ended up co-owning a coffee farm in El Salvador, and why he thinks it’s still early for smart investors. Whether you're considering a move, exploring opportunities, or just curious about life on the ground, there's plenty here to dig into.

If you’re thinking about investing in El Salvador or want to see how people are actually building here, hit subscribe. And drop a comment if you’ve ever tried importing furniture or owning a helicopter.

—Bitcoin Beach Team


Connect and Learn more about John McBride
https://empoderarsv.com.sv/main/ 
https://satstreet.com/ 

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com


Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:21 — Why John McBride calls El Salvador an early-stage country
02:49 — How Empoderar El Salvador is structured to empower locals
05:00 — Can you finally get Amazon packages delivered in El Salvador?
08:13 — What is ShipApollo and how does it help small exporters?
13:13 — What services will True North Air offer in El Salvador?
15:06 — Is mining coming back to El Salvador?
34:22 — What kind of investors is John looking to help?
37:07 — Why John invested in a coffee farm in El Salvador
39:39 — Is it too late to invest in real estate in El Salvador?
46:51 — What does the IMF El Salvador deal really mean for Bitcoin?
50:29 — Is Bitcoin still a core strategy in El Salvador?

Live From Bitcoin Beach

John McBride didn’t plan on moving to El Salvador. It started as a short trip in 2022 to see if the buzz around Bukele’s El Salvador and the Bitcoin experiment was real. Two weeks later, he bought property. Today, he runs multiple companies, holds a Salvadoran passport, and sees the country as an “early-stage investment with traction.”

In this episode, we talk about why John left Canada, how he evaluated risk, and what convinced him to go all in. He shares a candid look at investing in El Salvador across real estate, startups, and aviation. He also explains how his family went from calling him crazy to flying down regularly and helping build operations on the ground.

If you’ve looked into moving to El Salvador or are curious about what's really happening beyond the headlines, this episode gives you a grounded view from someone who has skin in the game.
Subscribe for real conversations about freedom, risk, and building in places with momentum. Share this with someone stuck in analysis mode. And comment if you’ve ever looked at a map and thought, “What if?”

-Bitcoin Beach Team


Connect and Learn more about John McBride
https://empoderarsv.com.sv/main/ 
https://satstreet.com/ 

Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:
X: @BitcoinBeach
IG: @bitcoinbeach_sv
TikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeach
Web: bitcoinbeach.com


Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

 00:00 – Why did John McBride leave Canada for El Salvador?
 03:41 – What made him change plans from Panama to El Salvador?
 05:15 – What problems did he see in Canada that led to moving?
 10:45 – How did SAT Street begin and what does it do in crypto?
 18:16 – What convinced him to invest and stay in El Salvador?
 21:27 – What happened during his hospital stay in El Salvador?
 29:07 – How does the El Salvador healthcare system compare?
 34:06 – How did his family respond to his decision to move?
 44:16 – Why is John building companies instead of retiring?
 50:13 – What’s it like investing in El Salvador today?

Live From Bitcoin Beach