on the crypto
Maricoin, the first cryptocurrency created explicitly for the LGBTQ + community, began operations on December 31, 2021. The digital currency, created in Spain, seeks to empower the community and provide new financial options.
Juan Belmonte, one of its promoters, hopes that cryptocurrency will soon become one of the "main means of payment used by lesbian, gay, transsexual, bisexual, intersex, queer and other members".
During the pilot plan, Maricoin will be able to be used in around 25 “LGBTQ + friendly” establishments, including bars, restaurants, beauty centers and bookstores in various Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza and Gran Canaria.
A cryptocurrency to fight homophobia
The project was born in October 2021 and has since been marketed and promoted by its creators. 'Maricoin' was developed to be non-profit, in collaboration with the associations of the collective in the fight against homophobia.
Maricoin was presented on December 24 in Chueca, the populous LGBTQ + neighborhood of Madrid where the idea was conceived.
“It would give us power in this globalized and capitalist world. We will be able to help people who right now do not have the same rights as we do, ”said Belmonte, a trader of cosmetic products.
"It will be a social, ethical, transparent and transversal means of payment with which you can operate on the main exchanges (cryptocurrency exchange platforms) and consume in your favorite establishments with discounts", explained its developers and promoters.
Among the promoters of the community's cryptocurrency is businessman and academic Francisco Álvarez Cano. According to Forbes magazine, Álvarez Cano has managed to get the cryptocurrency accepted into the Algorand Miami Accelerator program, which supports startup projects.
The other side of the coin
Although it is a non-profit project, its promoters hope to quickly raise a million dollars.
The money raised will be used to finance the 2022 Gay Pride Day celebrations, which will be held in 20 capitals around the world.
Why should you care
Spain is the European country with the largest non-heterosexual population. 6% of Spaniards declare themselves bisexual, while 5% have declared themselves gay and a further 1% pansexual.
Maricoin, which is a compound of the words "marico", which means gay and "money", has a large space through which it can make its way into the industry, if it really turns out to be a serious project.
To invest in these new digital currencies you have two ways: to rely on exchanges, where you can actually buy the coins, or on trading platforms.
With the latter, Bitcoin Revolution is just one of the best known examples, you can trade like a real expert, despite the platform being easy to use. Furthermore, the initial investment required is only $ 250, much less than other professional platforms.
