A Bitcoin-themed van known as La Bitcoineta is making waves across Europe, with Argentine Bitcoin supporter Ariel Aguilar at the wheel. Aguilar recently shared his experiences and adventures during his European journey with journalist Joe Hall at the Plan B Summer School.
One notable part of La Bitcoineta’s journey was the border transition between Bosnia and Croatia, where Aguilar decided to cross at midnight. This decision raised suspicion among border and customs officials, leading to a thorough check of the van. To their surprise, Aguilar and his van were cleared to continue their journey to Lugano, Switzerland.
During the trip, Aguilar and the van encountered various highs and lows. He humorously shared an incident where he avoided inadvertently bribing an official who had found a copy of Saifedean Ammous’ book, The Bitcoin Standard, in his possession.
While some experiences were challenging, others were positive. In Switzerland, strangers showed their support by giving thumbs-up signs when they saw La Bitcoineta cruising past. However, in crypto-friendly jurisdictions like Spain and Portugal, the van’s presence went unnoticed by the locals.
La Bitcoineta has covered an extensive route, traveling through Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Andorra, Switzerland, Munich, Prague, Oslo, Romania, Serbia, and Lugano. The journey is set to continue to Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, and Macedonia. In September, the van plans to visit the United Kingdom before heading to Madrid, Amsterdam, and Luana, eventually completing its route in Lugano.
Aguilar revealed his plans for next year’s tour, which will include longer trips to different countries to gauge the levels of Bitcoin adoption. He intends to involve local Bitcoin advocates in each country to contribute to La Bitcoineta talks and presentations on the subject.
The van has also gained attention from influential Bitcoin figures. Aguilar proudly shared that Bitcoin proponent Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, took a tour of the van and loved it. Saylor even took a picture of the van with the famous phrase “Bitcoin is hope” and posted it on his Instagram.
Additionally, La Bitcoineta is adorned with signatures from various Bitcoin celebrities, including Adam Back, Saifedean Ammous, Prince Philip of Serbia, Jack Mallers, and Elizabeth Stark. These signatures serve as a testament to the van’s impact and the support it has garnered within the Bitcoin community.
The interview with Aguilar forms part of an upcoming Cointelegraph documentary that explores the experience of attending a Bitcoin School. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to Cointelegraph’s YouTube channel to watch the documentary when it is released.
La Bitcoineta’s journey is a testament to the growing influence and acceptance of Bitcoin across Europe. Its unique design and interactive approach to spreading Bitcoin awareness have made it a memorable and iconic symbol for Bitcoin enthusiasts on their path to global adoption.
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