From tuk tuks to COVID testing, YouTuber tests Bitcoin use cases in multiple countries

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A YouTuber started a journey in September to see if he could survive solely on bitcoin as payment while traveling to 40 different countries.

Speaking to Cointelegraph on Monday, YouTuber Paco De La India or Paco de l’Inde said that although the spread of omicron had changed his original travel plans somewhat, he was still surprised at how many people had agreed. Bitcoin (BTC) in countries where the crypto was in a legal or regulatory gray area. Beginning his journey in the Indian city of Bengaluru, Paco sold his possessions in September 2021 and relied primarily on BTC donations to fund his journey which so far has taken him across India, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Cambodia.

The YouTuber, who said he prefers using non-custodial and Lightning wallets for BTC transactions, had originally planned to visit 40 countries for 10 days each, but COVID restrictions had changed his itinerary somewhat. Paco is working around mandatory quarantines, many countries’ requirements that tourists stay within their borders for at least 14 days, and additional costs for polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing.

Paco, speaking from Siem Reap, Cambodia

According to Paco, two people taking his COVID test in India to travel to the United Arab Emirates accepted BTC instead of fiat rupees without hesitation. In addition, he was able to negotiate with candidates in Thailand for a PCR test to travel to Cambodia. The YouTuber attributed part of the reason for accepting crypto payments to officials more concerned with verifying vaccine certificates than COVID testing.

In the end, it’s a piece of paper, says Paco. It’s just a piece of paper [for] Who [there] is not possible to verify. The only thing they are checking right now is the vaccine, because of the QR code.

Related: Cryptocurrency Adoption: How Can Crypto Change the Travel Industry?

Although many countries have announced plans to verify the authenticity of COVID-19 test results using blockchain technology, there does not appear to be an international standard for immigration officials to recognize tests. made in foreign countries. For example, travelers to the United States must complete a rapid COVID test within 24 hours of arrival, but not all health passport apps recommended by US airlines can recognize QR codes provided by health centers. foreign test.

In addition to COVID testing, Paco said he was able to survive on Bitcoin as a payment method often by sheer luck, never forcing crypto on an unsuspecting party and surprised at how many random sellers were open to it. According to the YouTuber, he had been forced to avoid most public transport in those four countries and use his debit card to refuel his bike, but was connecting with more people on the ground.

Thailand is super crypto-friendly, Paco said. Cambodia is another [super friendly] place. The United Arab Emirates, it looks like that but I feel like it’s just between the richest people.

He added:

I changed my approach a lot. Went from chatting to old people who have already lived their lives to looking for really tech-savvy youngsters […] They are really curious to know [Bitcoin]. It’s always: they want to make money. Everyone sees Bitcoin as a way to make money.

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