A common meme in the cryptocurrency space is that it has the potential to help people in countries where only the rich and powerful access to global financial markets. But ten years after the Bitcoin white paper was released, just how many 'œunbanked' people has cryptocurrency helped? Some see crypto as a tool to empower vulnerable populations in places where hyperinflation and strict capital controls make day-to-day survival a nearly impossible challenge. We're joined by Jill Carlson. Previously at Chain and Tezos, Jill has been writing about the cryptocurrency industry for several years. In 2016 she published a paper titled 'œCryptocurrency and Capital Controls' which observes the use of Bitcoin in Argentina. Recently, she co-founded the Open Money Initiative, a research organization which looks into how people use money in closed economies. Their initial focus is on Venezuela where years of economic downturn and strict currency controls have created a humanitarian crisis which has political repercussions well beyond the country's borders. Topics discussed in this episode:Jill's beginning working at Goldman Sachs in the Latin America marketHer journey from trading bonds to entering crypto space working at ChainA brief history of Venezuela leading up to the current situationWhat it's like to experience hyperinflationThe Open Money Initiative and the organization's goalsHow cryptocurrency and specifically Bitcoin is used in VenezuelaThe political motivations behind the Open Money InitiativeThe story behind Venezuela's Petro currencyJill's podcast with Meltem Demirors, What Grinds my Gears Links mentioned in this episode: Jill Carlson's websiteOpen Money InitiativePetronomicon (blog post)Crypto Is Not An Asset Class (blog post)What Grinds my Gears podcastJill Carlson on MediumJill Carlson on Twitter Sponsors: Cosmos: Join the most interoperable ecosystem of connected blockchains Support the show, consider donating: BTC: 1CD83r9EzFinDNWwmRW4ssgCbhsM5bxXwg (https://epicenter.tv/tipbtc)BCC: 1M4dvWxjL5N9WniNtatKtxW7RcGV73TQTd (http://epicenter.tv/tipbch)ETH: 0x8cdb49ca5103Ce06717C4daBBFD4857183f50935 (https://epicenter.tv/tipeth) This episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Sunny Aggarwal. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/288