Charles Hoskinson Applauds Argentina’s Unsung Heroes in Bitcoin’s History

• Hoskinson’s 2024 Tech Forum speech in Argentina praises local developers for their foundational work in cryptocurrency.
• Argentina’s innovative spirit showcased through early adoption and development of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency solutions.

At the 2024 Tech Forum held in Argentina on October 19, Charles Hoskinson, CEO of Cardano, delivered a speech that highlighted the significant yet often overlooked contributions of Argentina to the Bitcoin ecosystem. 

Hoskinson’s remarks, recorded and published online, drew attention to Argentina’s early involvement in Bitcoin development, dating back to 2012, well before the emergence of major platforms like Coinbase and Binance.

During his address, Hoskinson expressed his admiration for Argentina’s tech community, particularly its pioneering work in cryptocurrency. 

“It’s so good to be here in Buenos Aires. I first came here in 2016,” he recalled. 

This visit sparked a conversation with the then-CEO of Input Output (IOHK), a blockchain research and development company co-founded by Hoskinson. They discussed establishing a local base for their operations, choosing between Chile and Argentina, with the latter being recommended due to its vibrant Bitcoin community.

“We said, it would be quite fun if we can find people and a nice place to travel. And he said, well, it would be either Chile or Argentina. I asked him, well what’s the difference? He said, you want to be in Argentina. He came, and he said, there’s a big Bitcoin community in Argentina. And it’s a very old community. I said, what do you mean? He said, they’ve been building software for Bitcoin since 2012. It turned out that one of the first mobile wallets developed for Bitcoin, Copay, was developed here in Buenos Aires, by a small team. – Charles Hoskinson, CEO of Cardano.

Hoskinson was informed that Argentina had been a hub for Bitcoin software development since 2012. One of the first mobile wallets for Bitcoin, Copay, was developed in Buenos Aires by a small team. This revelation was a testament to Argentina’s early and significant involvement in the cryptocurrency revolution.

Copay, initially an Argentine initiative, was notable for its versatility. Available on major computer operating systems and Chrome, it allowed users to create personal or shared wallets, now known as multi-signature wallets. 

By 2016, it incorporated features enabling users to adjust transaction fees and even buy and sell Bitcoin directly through services like Glidera and Coinbase. Later, Copay was rebranded to Bitpay, a name that has become synonymous with Bitcoin payments globally.

In his speech, Hoskinson noted that at the time of Copay’s inception , Bitpay was one of the largest cryptocurrency companies, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. This was before the launch of influential crypto enterprises like Coinbase and Consensys, and before the Ethereum network had been developed.

“The developers are still around, still integrated,” Hoskinson remarked, highlighting the enduring impact of Argentina’s early developers on the global stage.

Hoskinson’s comments served not only as a recognition of Argentina’s pivotal role in the early days of cryptocurrency but also emphasized the nation’s ongoing contributions to the field. The Tech Forum provided a platform for Hoskinson to thank the Argentine community for their “great contributions” and for being an integral part of the industry’s history.

This acknowledgment by a leading figure in the blockchain sector underscores the importance of recognizing diverse contributions to the technology’s development, beyond the more frequently acknowledged centers of innovation. 

Argentina’s early and continued involvement offers a compelling narrative of collaboration and innovation that has helped shape the global landscape of blockchain and cryptocurrency.

The current price of Cardano (ADA) is approximately $0.348, with a slight decrease of –0.29%. It has been trading sideways, showing limited volatility. Support is around $0.337, while resistance stands at $0.36.

Technical indicators suggest neutral momentum, and the price could consolidate further. A break above $0.36 may signal an upward trend, while a drop below $0.337 could lead to further downside.