The story of Ernesto Quezada, a Salvadoran developer, reveals how Bitcoin became his ideological and economic refuge after a life marked by war and state bureaucracy.
Ernesto Quezada was born in El Salvador during the harshest years of the civil war. Although he did not directly participate in the conflict, his childhood was marked by violence, hardship, and distrust of institutions. This early experience instilled in him a deep need for autonomy, which years later I would find in the digital world.
Over time, it was formed as software developer at a public university, specializing in distributed systems and computer security. However, one of the moments that catalyzed his emotional connection to the cryptocurrency ecosystem occurred during the Bitcoin Miami conference, when he saw Jack Mallers proudly display an El Salvador t-shirt and play the presidential announcement about the adoption of Bitcoin as legal tenderThe public mention of his country in a positive context had a profound impact, leading him to become actively involved in the crypto community.
BUY AND MANAGE BITCOIN ON BIT2MELiving on Bitcoin: The True Story of Life Without Traditional Money
In a recent episode of the Bitcoin Beach podcast, Quezada shares how he lived entirely on Bitcoin. Living in San Salvador, he managed his finances without banks, fiat currency, or a safety net. I paid for services with satoshis, the smallest Bitcoin unit, also saved in cold wallets and shared knowledge about digital security with those around him. His routine included checking the mempool before making transactions and adjusting fees based on network congestion. His approach wasn't speculative, but technical and conscientious.
He was actively involved in local communities promoting Bitcoin financial education. He offered workshops at community centers and collaborated with initiatives aimed at teaching young people how to use non-custodial wallets. He was also part of the Cubo+ program, where he contributed to the development of the Plan B Network curriculum, an educational initiative focused on technical training within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
In the podcast, Quezada story how that stage of his life, lived entirely in Bitcoin, changed abruptly when he accepted an offer from the Salvadoran government: a stable salary and a desk job. What followed was unexpected. His time preference shifted, his financial discipline weakened, and he began to spend recklessly, as in earlier times. The return to the fiduciary system brought with it a mindset he thought he'd outgrown, revealing how easy it is to revert to old habits when the environment allows it.
His testimony has resonated with many Bitcoiners who, voluntarily or involuntarily, still operate within the traditional system. Quezada's experience makes it clear that Bitcoin transforms, but so does fiat, and sustaining a fully decentralized life requires more than conviction: it demands consistency, environment, and purpose.
The return to bureaucracy: a clash with the fiduciary economy
Last year, Ernesto Quezada accepted a technical position in the Ministry of Education of El Salvador, with the goal of contributing to the country's digital development. His decision marked a turning point, as after years of living exclusively on Bitcoin, his reentry into the state apparatus confronted him with a reality he thought he had overcome: the rigidity of the fiduciary economy.
During his time prior to this position, he claims that using Bitcoin was so natural that he didn't even notice the difference. “I earned money in Bitcoin, so I lived off of Bitcoin. I bought everything I needed in Bitcoin. It was natural.”, he recalls. This fluidity contrasted with the bureaucratic processes of the State, where fiat remains the operating norm, despite the legal framework that recognizes Bitcoin as legal tender.
Quezada assures that the transition was not only technical, but mental. "When you earn in Bitcoin, you don't pay attention to the price. You just spend your sats on what you really need.". But upon receiving a salary in dollars, his relationship with Bitcoin changed. He now admits that 'Spending sats' hurts because they "feel precious", revealing how the return to the fiat system, on the one hand, reactivated a mentality of accumulation and scarcity that had managed to overcome and, on the other, to become aware of the enormous appreciation potential that BTC has, understanding that each satoshi can be much more valuable in the future.
This clash between the personal and the institutional also led him to reflect on the limits of state adoption. However, for Quezada, the solution is clear: "If you can't make money in Bitcoin, convert your fiat to BTC at the first opportunity. It's the only way to protect your mind from the system.".
BUY BITCOIN WITH BIT2MEBeyond Price: Bitcoin as an Ideological Value
Despite the current challenges, for Ernesto Quezada, Bitcoin transcends the market. He doesn't see it as a fad or a speculative asset, but rather as an architecture of freedomTheir commitment to the ecosystem reflects a vision gaining traction in Latin America and other regions where traditional financial structures have failed. In contexts marked by chronic inflation, currency restrictions, and exclusionary banking systems, Bitcoin offers something deeper than profitability: the possibility of permissionless money.
Quezada defends the use of Bitcoin as educational instrument and as a vehicle for autonomy. In his experience, teaching others to use non-custodial wallets, understand how the network works, and operate without intermediaries is a way to real empowerment.
His approach highlights that Bitcoin's true value lies not in its price, but in its ability to resist censorship, decentralize power, and offer a functional alternative to those who have historically been marginalized by the financial system. In that sense, Bitcoin is not just technology: it's a declaration of independence.
Bitcoin in El Salvador: An experiment between innovation and realism
Since El Salvador made the bold decision to make Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, the country has become a sort of global economic laboratory. The idea, proposed by President Nayib Bukele, not only sought to modernize the financial system but also to open the doors to greater inclusion and attract more foreign investment.
The path began in a small coastal town called The Zonte, where people began using Bitcoin for everyday things like shopping or paying for services. Little by little, this practice spread throughout the country. To facilitate the process, the Chivo Wallet was created and Bitcoin ATMs were installed, allowing people to easily convert currency. But it wasn't all easy: the first few months presented several challenges, such as a clear lack of financial education and very slow adoption, especially in rural areas.
Over time, and in response to international pressure and commitment to multilateral organizations such as the IMF, the Legislative Assembly approved important changes in 2025. Now, the Chivo Wallet project is in the process of being dismantled and Accepting Bitcoin is voluntary and exclusively for the private sector, while the State is not obligated to use this cryptocurrency, although it still recognizes its legal status. This decision reflects the government's effort to find a compromise that allows it to take advantage of technological innovation and maintain the country's macroeconomic stability.
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