# Phases of Bitcoin-State Relations

<figure><img src="/files/G4oBh7zx04PyKp0TlduS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Indifference and Rejection (2009-2013)

In its early years, **Bitcoin was largely ignored** by governments, seen as a marginal phenomenon with minimal impact on the economic system.

* Authorities did not initially view it as a **threat** or a relevant financial instrument.
* The emergence of **scandals**, particularly involving illicit activities on platforms like Silk Road, shifted perceptions.
* Governments responded with **restrictive measures**, including:
  * Warnings about Bitcoin's association with **illegal activities**.
  * Direct **prohibitions** in countries such as China, Bolivia, and Morocco.
  * Concerns linking Bitcoin to **money laundering** and **tax evasion**.

This phase highlighted a lack of understanding of Bitcoin's technology and a **defensive reaction** to its disruptive potential. BSV addresses these concerns by promoting **verifiable and low-cost transactions**, facilitating secure adoption for everyday uses.

### Regulation and Normalization (2015 Onwards)

Starting in 2015, a **pragmatic shift** occurred as most countries recognized the futility of outright prohibition.

* Governments began to implement specific **legal frameworks** to regulate Bitcoin, including:
  * **Know Your Customer (KYC)** requirements for exchanges.
  * **Anti-Money Laundering (AML)** regulations.
  * **Tax obligations** for cryptocurrency gains.
  * Legal classifications of Bitcoin as a **digital asset**, **commodity**, **property**, or **security**.

Examples of this regulatory phase include the **MiCA framework** in the European Union and the dual classification in the United States. In Latin America, countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil adopted **hybrid regulatory models**. BSV maintains the original **decentralization** while facilitating efficient transactions, ensuring individual **sovereignty** is not compromised.

### Institutional Appropriation

Some states have gone beyond regulation, **integrating Bitcoin** into their economic strategies.

* Notable instances include:
  * **El Salvador's declaration** of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.
  * Countries like **Venezuela**, **Iran**, and **Nigeria** exploring Bitcoin to circumvent sanctions or address monetary crises.
  * The promotion of **Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)** inspired by blockchain principles, yet retaining **central control**.

This phase reveals a **paradox** where Bitcoin, initially created to counter state monetary abuses, is now being adopted or imitated by states. BSV contrasts this trend by focusing on **practical applications** like micropayments, without the need for state control.


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