Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, in this episode, I sit down with my good friend Valentin Popescu, a Romanian missionary doing incredible work in Peru. We talk about how he’s using Bitcoin as a real-world tool to bring hope and financial inclusion to some of the most remote and underserved communities in the country.

Valentin shares his journey, from accidentally ending up in Peru after a back injury and a tragic loss, to launching a network of community centers that provide education, nutrition, emotional support, and now, Bitcoin. We get into his first experience using Bitcoin during the pandemic to buy food for families in need, and how that opened the door to building circular Bitcoin economies in the Andes, the jungle, and the coast.

He’s now running over a dozen community projects across Peru, places where Bitcoin isn’t just a buzzword, it’s how people are getting paid, buying food, and saving for the future. It’s an inspiring story about faith, resilience, and the power of sound money to transform lives.

Whether you’re into missions, grassroots Bitcoin adoption, or just want to hear how sats are being spent in the Sacred Valley and the surf town of Huanchaco, this one’s for you.

Enjoy the show!

- Mike

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

0:00 – Introduction

1:18 – How can Bitcoin help poor communities around the world?

3:31 – Who is Valentin Popescu and how did he end up in Peru?

6:17 – What happened when Valentin moved to Peru as a missionary?

10:15 – How did building playgrounds lead to Bitcoin in Peru?

19:58 – Why did Valentin start giving shoes to kids in the Andes?

22:45 – How did Bitcoin become a tool for crisis relief in Peru?

25:14 – How did a lockdown in Peru lead to using Bitcoin for food?

30:54 – Why are Bitcoin fees a problem and how does Lightning fix it?

31:11 – What is Blink Wallet and how is it used in Peru?

35:55 – How do poor communities start learning about Bitcoin?

40:21 – Can Bitcoin help rural towns connect with tourists in Peru?

41:43 – How is Bitcoin changing travel in places like Machu Picchu?

43:35 – What is Juan Chaco and why is it a new Bitcoin hub?

46:01 – How is Bitcoin being used in over 12 places across Peru?

47:20 – Can farming communities really use Bitcoin every day?

53:30 – Where is Bitcoin being used across the jungle, mountains, and coast in Peru?

56:54 – How can people support or visit Motiv Peru’s Bitcoin communities?

58:38 – Can tourists really pay for everything in Bitcoin in Peru?

1:01:20 – What is Motiv Global and how can others follow or get involved?

Live From Bitcoin Beach