How One Woman is Building a Bitcoin Economy From Scratch in Mexico | Isabella Santos

Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, in this episode, I sit down with Isabella Santos, a journalist-turned-Bitcoiner who's building a circular economy on the island of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. She shares her journey from working in mainstream media—where she quickly realized how broken the system was—to going all-in on Bitcoin and helping communities take control of their financial future.

We talk about how one of her students used their Bitcoin savings to pay for surgery, the challenges of onboarding merchants, and the mindset shift needed for people who’ve never been able to save before. She explains why Lightning Network is crucial for adoption in developing economies, how Bitcoin circular economies are creating real change, and why Bitcoiners visiting Isla Mujeres can play a key role in supporting the movement.

We also dive into her work with Get Based TV, a Bitcoin-focused production company creating high-quality content, including their documentary on Bitcoin adoption in Peru’s circular economy project, Motive. Isabella’s passion for financial freedom and community-driven Bitcoin adoption is contagious, and this conversation is packed with insights for anyone who wants to see Bitcoin make a real-world impact.

If you’re into real-world Bitcoin adoption, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

- Mike

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