Goodbye cash, hello bitcoin—the search for rupees in demonetized India
--
In December, amid the now infamous demonetization of India, BTC.com attended the Bombay Bitcoin Meetup, where we received a first-hand glimpse of India’s blossoming bitcoin industry.
The meetup was kindly hosted by the teams behind Bitstreet Technologies and Hansinfo Tech at their offices in Mumbai.
Indian bitcoin philosopher Sunil Aggarwal, as well as representatives from Bitkan, Searchtrade, Zebpay, and BTC.com spoke at the event to a crowd of new and existing bitcoin users.
The general feeling was that of excitement as many were facing the issues of demonetization, while others were in attendance to continue the expansion of bitcoin in India.
What interested me the most were the discussions about the unprecedented growth of bitcoin purchases claimed both by Zebpay and Coinsecure. There are always many reasons why bitcoin grows in certain areas or countries, but the fact that it took me three days to find 70 euros’ worth of rupees must have something to do with it.
Nevertheless, it was very interesting for me to share this somewhat difficult but enlightening experience with Mumbaikars. I was getting the chance to live the country’s demonetization, instead of just reading about it.
Luckily, before I found the seemingly solitary ATM with cash, I met fellow bitcoiners who were so kind in making OTC trades of my bitcoins for their rupees.
I would like to send out a big hug to everyone I met in India; it was truly incredible. 🤗
