Exposing Why Bitcoin Adoption Stalled in El Salvador (& The Fix Everyone Missed) | Gaelle Wizenberg

#bitcoinelsalvador #bitcoincommunity #digitalsovereignty

What’s it really like moving to El Salvador? In this episode, Gaelle Wizenberg shares her story of starting over in Berlin, El Salvador, a small town with a growing Bitcoin circular economy and one of the few places in the world where living on Bitcoin is actually possible. From community building to starting a boutique wellness hotel, Gaelle breaks down the practical, emotional, and financial realities of creating a life from scratch abroad.

We get into the challenges and rewards of real estate in El Salvador, how expats are investing in regenerative farming and helping grow small local economies, and what digital sovereignty looks like when applied to daily decisions. Gaelle shares why she left the US, how she built a business that runs on decentralized finance, and why she believes real opportunity comes from embracing simplicity and slowing down.

This episode speaks directly to those thinking about relocating, building something new, or stepping away from high-friction systems. If you’re curious about the expat experience, building a life aligned with Bitcoin values, or finding clarity outside the noise, you’ll find this conversation grounding and useful.

Like what you hear? Tap subscribe, share with someone thinking of making a move, and tell us your biggest fear or hope about living abroad in the comments.

-Bitcoin Beach Team

Connect and Learn more about Gaelle Wizenberg
www.thewhalelounge.com
https://www.instagram.com/berlinwhalelounge
https://www.instagram.com/berlintherabbithole

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Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

00:00 Why does feeling at home matter when moving abroad?
01:51 What’s behind the recent wave of Bitcoiners leaving El Salvador?
02:43 How did growing up on a boat shape Gaelle’s global mindset?
07:55 How she launched a software company in the toy industry
13:12 What makes starting a business in the US so frustrating now?
19:08 Why she chose Berlin, El Salvador after leaving Florida
25:00 How she renovated a local home and built a wellness retreat
36:02 What expats need to know before moving to El Salvador
49:32 Can you actually live fully on Bitcoin in Berlin, El Salvador?
52:38 Why financial literacy is more critical than just Bitcoin knowledge