After several weeks of organizing ideas, today we are pleased to present the official launch of a project that was born with the idea of promoting the massive adoption of Blockchain technology in our country.
Project Venezuela - Blockchain for everyone
Efraín Pineda Jaimes | @efrageek
May 2017
SUMMARY
Venezuela, despite being a country with immense potentialities, has lived for many years in a constant cycle of crisis-recovery that has never allowed us to exploit all the positive we have as a society. Firmly convinced that Blockchain technology is here to stay and that it offers a large part of response of the world seeks to solve its economic and social problems (like corruption). We have set out to promote the massive adoption of solutions derived from Blockchain among our people.
Achieving a goal of such magnitude requires a joint work, harmonious, constant, consistent and with a long-term vision. It is precisely this premise, which has led us to formulate objectives in the short, medium and long term; Always trying to be as realistic as possible about it.
The possibilities are infinite for our country if we start working to rebuild the foundations of our economy and society, "infiltrating" in a constant way and in all areas of national life what could be the piece that we were missing so much for, finally, to reach the goal of achieving an improvement in the quality of life of the Venezuelan.
INTRODUCTION
Venezuela is experiencing one of its worst economic, political and social crises in a long time, however, it is not something completely new. For a long time our country - along with other underdeveloped countries - has lived in a constant vicious cycle of crisis-recovery-stagnation-crisis. Public entities have failed to respond to the needs of our society. They have built an economic and social "monster" that is difficult to tame and that is receiving the quality of life of all those who inhabit this corner of the Earth.
There is an urgent need to rebuild our country from the grassroots with the help of all the really talented people, supported by the Blockchain technology which, at last, can help us not to rely entirely on "blind faith" in entities controlled merely by human beings, but would be a robot, difficult to manipulate and corrupt, which would give us the guarantee that everything done will be done in a clean and transparent way.
It precisely for this reason that Project Venezuela is born as an independent and decentralized movement that will serve as platform and main promoter of Blockchain technology to be adopted in a massive way in all areas of daily life of the Venezuelan.
We firmly believe that, even in the short term, we can achieve an acceptable improvement in the quality of life of many Venezuelans, which will lay the foundations for a community that emerges from the "darkness" in the not too distant future, Of the network to put to the order of the "Venezuelan of foot" (common people) the goodness of all this ecosystem that so many lives is changing around the world.
Achieving such a project will require a lot of work, commitment and time spent by a large group of people with a high degree of ethics, humanism and detachment.
We will need help from all those who with their knowledge can contribute to the cause of our project, because Project Venezuela, belongs to all who put their grain of sand.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Since 2013, Venezuela has been plunged into a deep economic and social crisis leveraged by the sudden drop in oil prices, which accounts for about 95% of the country's exports. This collapse revealed the erroneous administration carried out by the competent authorities, because the lack of income generated by oil began to decline imports of essential products that, although having the potential to do so, are not produced here . From food, toiletries and medicines; to the raw material so that the main industries of the nation continued working. All scarcity and much of it is still scarce.
In addition, our economy that always managed high inflation - of the order of two digits - in a matter of months fell in what is known as an inflationary spiral, with the consequent devaluation of our currency and the deterioration of the quality of life of all the citizens.
Some data:
- Recession: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that Venezuela ended 2016 with a contraction of -12% of the economy and that by 2017, the numbers will be around -6%.
- Inflationary explosion: By 2016 there was a monthly inflation of over
50% and daily inflation of 4.0%. Prices doubled by an average of 18
days (Hanke et al). The 2017 does not seem to improve, the IMF
projects that we will close with 1600% annual inflation. - Poverty: According to the latest study conducted by Venezuelan
universities - since we lack official statistics - 84% of Venezuelan households are in Poverty and 51% in extreme poverty. Of course they
are data that must be contextualized, but they do not stop approaching the reality.
To give a better understanding of the current economic situation in the country, as of 05/30/2017, one US dollar (USD) costs at a parallel dollar rate (our central bank maintains a fixed exchange rate, by this the market does not follow up) 6080 Bs / USD. Using this rate, the salary of a university professional is around 400,000 Bs (approximately 65 USD) and the minimum salary in Bs 200,021 (about 33 USD), to contrast it with the cost of living in the country, the group of basic products (for a family of 4 people to live well and comfortable for a month) by April 2017 costs about 1,214,020.20 Bs (about 200 $ approx), so a person living on minimum wage has a deficit of 5 minimum salaries and a professional person working in his area of at least 2 salaries to be able to support his family.
Although this data may show a bleak picture, Venezuela remains a country with immense potentialities, both for its wealth of natural resources and for the talent of its people.
In addition, in the area of cryptocurrencies, the crisis has meant an opportunity for this market to germinate which is only surpassed in Latin America by Brazil, although some affirm that we have already surpassed the latter in the number of transactions.
For these reasons, we have the firm assurance that Venezuela can become the cradle of the massive adoption of Blockchain technology in Latin America for the medium and long term.
WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO?
This movement was born with the vision of being the first decentralized organization in the country that serves as a platform for the massive adoption of blockchain technology, promoting the use and creation of tools that empower citizens.
We believe in decentralization as the basis for any organization to be as transparent and participatory as possible.
We are sure that the most effective and efficient decentralization is supported by an autonomous mechanism, difficult to manipulate or corrupt as is blockchain technology and its derivatives, smart contracts.
It means that Project Venezuela will seek, through all possible means, to become an Autonomous Decentralized Organization (DAO) to guarantee the transparency, participation and proper use of the tools that derive from the joint work. In addition, in this way we will avoid that the movement depends on a single person, thus achieving that the goals set and tasks entrusted are never left unfulfilled.
It is important that for a massive adoption of blockchain-based applications or technologies, these are acceptably user-friendly, so in Project Venezuela we believe that Steem and the entire platform around it is the one that offers the greatest potential and the lowest learning curve in what adoption by the user is concerned, this means that it will become the main blockchain platform that we will promote; Though not the only one.
Based on the economic experience within the country and the achievements of initiatives similar to ours in the world, we believe that the realization of the following objectives should govern our actions and guide all the enterprises that are born within our movement.
Short Term (1 month - 6 months)
- Create a strong presence in Steemit and in the main centralized
social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.). - Create with the help of the project participants, the necessary
material - guides, tutorials, videos, online courses - totally
directed to the Venezuelan public to facilitate the adoption of
blockchain technology and its different applications. - Launch creative advertising campaigns both on the Internet and in
physical media to make known the Steem platform in the country. - Organize events / contest within Steem to motivate and encourage
quality Venezuelan content creators. - Launch a curation project with which to promote Venezuelan quality
content. - Build a solid base of members of the movement committed to the
progress of the movement and meet the ethical profile required.
Medium Term (6 months - 2 years)
- Crystallize the transformation of our movement into an organization
based on the tool of intelligent contracts, that mean, to become a
Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) or its equivalent being
the case that in the elapsed time technologies are developed that
better adapt to our Principles and objectives. - Organize the first events that allow us to interact with other
members of the movement or spread the use of blockchain technologies (meetings, festivals, conferences, seminars, etc.). - Promote the establishment, of the most important communities of the
country around blockchain technologies (writers, musicians, artists,
scientists, professionals of different areas, entrepreneurs). - Serve as a germinator for the creation of Venezuelan start up
companies and / or initiatives of any kind that use any variant of
blockchain technology. - Become the first fully Witness Established in the country in order to be
able to support the Venezuelan users of Steem and to finance the
projects and activities that we propose. - Promote the creation of payment systems in cryptocurrencies -
preferably STEEM or SBD - and the first exchange that accepts STEEM
and SBD in the country.
Long Term (2 years - 10 years)
- Impulse the creation in Venezuela of a legal framework conducive to
the use and proliferation of initiatives based on blockchain. - Achieve that at least 10% of the operations of payment of goods and
services in the country are done with digital currencies (preferably
STEEM or SBD). - Motivate the founding of the first physical establishments such as
schools, universities, health centers, businesses, companies and
community centers in which preference is given to the use of
blockchain technology for different areas of life and to cultivate
the values of decentralization, freedom and participation. - Achieve the economic restructuring of the country around healthier
and decentralized financial processes that generate well-being and a
decent quality of life, all supported by blockchain technology that
guarantees the full participation of all.
CONCLUSION
It is imperative that our country, whether by public or independent initiative, consolidate the use of Blockchain technology in a massive way, as it has shown to have an incredible potential to change and / or improve things with which societies have been struggling for decades or even centuries.
Corruption, inequality, poverty, unemployment, brain exodus from underdeveloped countries to developed because of the poor quality of life in the first, among thousands of other reasons, make us find in the blockchain missing piece to solve the problems that afflict us.
At the same time, we consider that isolated efforts will never have the necessary impact to generate definitive changes, it is the synergistic power of joint and harmonious work that will help us to develop and achieve the goals we have set ourselves.
We are realistic, we know that it will not be easy or immediate what we have drawn, but it is precisely that which leads us to want to work tirelessly from now on so that all this stops being a simple utopian dream. We are sure it is possible. It will be the constant work and joint what, in the end, will give us the reason.
We do not believe in "short cuts", if we want deep changes, it will be the long-term north work that we will set.
Project Venezuela, not only becomes an alternative to improve the quality of life of many, but an opportunity for new business niches in the Venezuelan market be conquered by companies that are born within the project.
Finally, it is our sincere wish that those people, companies or organizations that wish to support us, feel that the money invested will be used in the right way, so it will be a priority for us to become a Decentralized Autonomous Organization that will guarantee our transparent operation.
Under the values of perseverance, effort, decentralization, cooperation and solidarity, in addition to much responsibility and commitment, we know we can achieve even more than what we have set ourselves.
Hello to you, welcome to Steemit!
😁
Very interesting and I support! What is the tech and how it is going to be distributed?
Firstly, we are going to promote Steemit, because it seems to us the easiest tool to present at the moment. We are going to advertise on social networks, to make it better known to our Venezuelan brothers.
Then, having a more structured organization and budget we plan to participate in developing blockchain technologies. As we have just begun, we have not yet defined which tech yet.
Thanks for comment! @p0o
The problem with socialism, is that eventually, you run out of other people's money . . .
-Margaret Thatcher (alleged)
Cryptocurrency will adapt economically throughout the world in the future.
We are a believer in it! @seayuen
Thanks for comment!
This is something that I support would like to be a part of. If there is any way that I can contribute, I would love to. I would like to learn more about what you do so that maybe the same can be done in my country
I think now, only with your upvote is more than enough.
We are currently organizing the Venezuelan community here and capitalizing on social media to reach more Venezuelans.
Surely you can do it in your country.
Thanks for reply.
This is absolutely fantastic work. I am very glad you rose to the occasion and have created this. Now I can help promote it, and also, because of the HF19 rewards algorithm changes, I can act more like a whale, supporting this work. Please when you post a new one, put a link in my blog comments, as I am getting so busy, and it's hard for me to follow all the things i am supporting.
Congratulations.
On the contrary, many thanks to you for all the support you are giving us.
Sure, we will do it.
Again, thank you for your support!
Upvoted it! i'm venezuelan! please, follow me thank ypu for the support!
very good... I hope it works :)
We work to make it work :) . Thanks for you comment!
you are welcome :)
This is whats best for venezuela...take the power away from that bus driver president thats stealing the wealth from everyone and take the power back to the people
Thanks for your comment!
Huge potential! I'd like to see the fisrt blockchain elections happen right here at home... That'd be a pretty sight.
That would be the most transparent election that exists. Thanks for your comment!
Welcome to family :) Follow me back and I will surprised you on August 1 ;)
Thanks for comment! @predictor2100
Congratulations, you still have a lot of work ahead of you
Surely, yes we have, but step by step we will achieve our goals.
Thanks for comment.
Thank you
How are you going to manage the legal or ilegal factor? I have read on Venezuelan newspapers that people has been put into jail for mining
In the country, all the cryptoworld is in a gray area, is not legal or ilegal. So, only we are going to manage with care.
Yes, is exactly like you say, to be more precise by bitcoin mining.
So you are suporting and ilegal activity on your country? That's kind of dangerous don't you think? I'm 100% fan of descentralized technologies but you can't mess with the goverment, this is not a game, you have to follow the rules
We are not mining bitcoin.
It is my country there is no law, which establishes that the criptocurrencies are illegal, or legal, therefore it is not illegal.
There are no rules to follow in this topic. There are not even e-commerce laws. I explain?
It can't be quite legal if people has been put into jail for it that's not gray area that's prison and I'm sure you don't want to be there. Maybe you should push the goverment in some way into making it legal and then try to get people to adopt it
My government is quite authoritarian, when they see something that generates a lot of money they go against it, to take it.
Yes, it is one of our long-term goals, so that the appropriate legislation should be created. We are aware of it
The case of people who have been imprisoned for mining activity must be carefully analyzed, there are many factors that influenced that to happen. On the other hand, we are promoting the adoption of a disruptive technology, which does not necessarily have to do with digital coins. In our country conferences, events, talks and research on blockchain technology are carried out without any problem. Anyway, we will always go very carefully, even looking for all possible legal advice from professionals in the area.
Wow, this is an incredible project. Best wishes from Costa Rica!
Thank you so much for yours kinds words and for comment!
The problem is SOCIALISM doesn't work. PERIOD.
Let me then get to you by the chat.
Great Project !
Saludos desde Curitiba - Brasil !
Thanks for comment @br-real !
That's great! Most people don't even realize how much turmoil the people of Venezuela are going through right now.
Thank you!
Thanks to you for your kinds words and the comment!
What you see as the last step should be the first one
"Impulse the creation in Venezuela of a legal framework conducive to the use and proliferation of initiatives based on blockchain"
How can you achieve all the previous steps if blockchain activity is ilegal in Venezuela?
https://news.bitcoin.com/venezuelan-bitcoin-miners-bribed-thrown-jail-secret-police/
https://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/report-two-venezuelans-arrested-mining-bitcoin/
Venezuela have an stricted currency control, foreing coins are sold by the goverment and no one else is allowed to do that, so If buying or selling foreing currencies is ilegal I guess is the same for Crypto
If those links is acurated you are risking your freedom and you should rethink the objectives to achieve them within the legal framework of Venezuela
Sorry sir, but you have lived in Venezuela? Do you have any idea how things are here? Do you know anything about the current political situation?
If you wish I can pass you more news articles, which I know about the prosecution of some bitcoin miners by the government. From which, I assure you all Venezuelan bitcoin owners we are aware of.
In your country, bitcoin is a currency? In many it is only an electronic good or a commodity. Here is not any of the above, so simple because no one has legislated about it and if it is not a currency as it will apply the law of currency mischief in it?
Even you know, by the same laws that binds currencies, Venezuela is one of the Latin American country that trades more with bitcoin? The week of 12 to 17 of this month was gotten to move 1.1 million dollars in transactions of bitcoins by LocalBitcoins (Source).
At another point, I can also tell you about workshops that have been given in the country by international consultants like Pwc, about bitcoin and blockchain.
If you still want to give us more information, about our country where we live, welcome then.
Thanks for comment.
So if it's not ilegal why there is people in jail for using blockchain technology?
The charges that were levied on these people were things like "electricity theft." Anyway, we are promoting the use and research of solutions based on Blockchain technology. We do not promote things like the mining of bitcoins or some other digital currency. Little by little we will pave the way for things to flow as quietly as possible. With organization and constant work everything is possible, if today we do not start, who will?
eso suena interesante, saludos!
Why interesting, another government jump on the bandwagon. A country in chaos and still have time to produce a detailed whitepaper. It is starting to smell fishy.
This is not a government initiative, it is a totally independent initiative carried out by Venezuelan citizens. Hehe
This is a great cause and I look forward to helping and talking to a lot fo you in the discord chat room.
Gracias :)
Thank you so much for your words.
A ti :).
Brazil cheers for you! Together in cryptography, united through blockchain!
Bienvenido @provenvenuzuela.
Is there a high demand for RX-480 RX580 GPU's for mining bitcoin in Venezuela? Are they illegal?
Going for $400-$500 in USA they are getting harder to find. What do the GPU's go for in Venezuela?
Are you sure mining bitcoin with GPU´s? Would not it be more like mining Ethereum, Zcash, etc ...?
That´s computers components are not illegal. In social medias, i saw a lot of people building his rigs.
Thanks for comment!
Venezuela is a great country i'd like to travel someday. Big up for the concept. Maybe you could use Humanique it seems to be perfect app to achieve your goals.
The project Humaniq ? What phase is this project already in? I really got bit of it.
Thanks for reply.
It's under development now, released their tokens and they're on exchanges already. I guess they pop up first app soon :)
fantastic. i just read this finally, breaking through all the distractions. it's perfect.