The Dark Math Behind El Salvador’s Expensive Power And Bitcoin Mining | Josue Lopez

El Salvador is leading the world in Bitcoin adoption, but under the hood, its energy market tells a darker story. Josué López breaks down the brutal math behind El Salvador’s electricity costs and why mining Bitcoin here seems “impossible” under the current system. Decades of corruption and a pricing system tied to costly diesel generation reveal how El Salvador’s so-called “sustainable” energy model remains economically broken.Watch the FULL EPISODE here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pi80zA02J8Connect and Learn more about Josue LopezX: https://www.twitter.com/josuelopezgal     https://www.twitter.com/Volcano_EnergyWeb: https://volcano.energy/Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: https://www.twitter.com/BitcoinBeachIG: https://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: https://www.bitcoinbeach.comLive From Bitcoin Beach

For years, El Salvador carried a reputation for danger and travel advisories ranked it among the least safe countries in the world.Lina Seiche, a German entrepreneur who built her company in El Salvador, shares why the country’s transformation is tangible, and how you can also feel it in the way new laws are constantly streamlining business operations by removing unnecessary bureaucracy.El Salvador is now one of the safest countries in the region and is now a model for progress across Latin America.Watch the FULL EPISODE here: https://youtu.be/nT8HmPfqS0cConnect and Learn more about Lina SeicheThe Little Hodler: https://thelittlehodler.com Lina on X: https://twitter.com/LinaSeiche Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: https://www.twitter.com/BitcoinBeach IG: https://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeach Web: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com Live From Bitcoin Beach

In this episode, Efrat sits down with Mike Peterson to hear the story of Bitcoin Beach from his perspective. Mike explains how a small surf town in El Salvador, El Zonte, became the birthplace of the first Bitcoin circular economy. What started with simple incentives for kids to stay in school and help their community grew into a model of financial inclusion that changed how families and businesses interact with money.Mike shares how Bitcoin adoption reshaped daily life during the COVID-19 crisis, when families depended on it for food and essentials. He describes how the local financial system evolved as people began saving for the first time, moving from a “live for today” mindset to understanding Bitcoin as digital gold. This shift brought new confidence, a sense of community empowerment, and real economic opportunities.The conversation highlights how Bitcoin Beach influenced tourism, attracted global investors, and inspired dozens of similar projects worldwide. Mike also reflects on El Salvador’s unique position, its challenges with the IMF, and what it means for a country to pursue monetary independence. His story shows how grassroots adoption can spark broader change and why circular economies may be key to financial resilience in the future.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Efrat Fenigson:X: https://x.com/efenigson YT: https://www.youtube.com/@EfratFenigson Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode: 00:00 How Bitcoin Beach began in El Zonte01:50 Life in El Salvador before Bitcoin adoption03:45 Why Bitcoin incentives mattered for local youth06:40 How COVID-19 accelerated Bitcoin use in the community08:28 The role of Bitcoin in helping businesses recover09:33 Building a new culture of saving through Bitcoin12:07 Bitcoin adoption beyond El Zonte13:26 The rise of Bitcoin tourism in El Salvador16:15 New circular Bitcoin economies around the world20:39 How the IMF views El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy23:49 Can the IMF pressure El Salvador to back down26:23 What freedom money means for everyday lifeLive From Bitcoin Beach

In this episode, host Jeremy Almond sits down with Mike Peterson, the founder of Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador, and CK Snarks from the Human Rights Foundation to explore how Bitcoin is transforming lives at the community level and beyond.Mike shares the Bitcoin Beach perspective on how a small grassroot project in El Zonte grew into a movement that helped shape El Salvador’s decision to make Bitcoin legal tender. What started with paying local youth in Bitcoin for community work turned into a living example of financial inclusion and a circular economy built on digital currency. For many who had no access to banking, Bitcoin became the first tool to save, plan, and participate in the global economy.CK adds the human rights lens, showing how activists around the world are using Bitcoin when traditional financial systems fail. From Venezuela to Ukraine, digital currency has provided a way to fund movements, access money across borders, and resist dictatorships. Together, the stories show that Bitcoin is not just an asset but a tool that empowers people where it is needed most.If you want to understand Bitcoin adoption from the ground up, this conversation gives you the Bitcoin Beach perspective: real people, real communities, and a clear look at how financial inclusion can begin with one small project. Subscribe, share with a friend, and let us know in the comments how you see Bitcoin shaping the future. And yes, surfing in El Zonte might just be part of the story.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Jeremy Almond and CK SnarksJeremy Almond - https://x.com/jeremyalmondJeremy Almond - https://www.youtube.com/@redefinedpodcast CK Snarks – https://primal.net/ckCK Snarks - https://x.com/ck_SNARKs Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode: 00:00 Why Bitcoin matters for communities in El Salvador00:27 Is Bitcoin just for trading or a real paradigm shift?01:17 What does a circular Bitcoin economy look like?02:18 How Bitcoin Beach began in El Zonte03:02 Why the Human Rights Foundation turned to Bitcoin06:03 Why most of the world is excluded from banking10:59 How Bitcoin changes saving habits and education12:45 How Bitcoin helps activists survive under dictatorships19:33 Are banks starting to embrace Bitcoin adoption?21:39 Is Bitcoin the next major monetary paradigm shift?25:53 How can people get involved in Bitcoin adoption?Live From Bitcoin Beach

Mike Peterson joins CK to share the story of Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, and how it became a model for a circular economy. The conversation explores his journey from a California surfer to a community leader in El Salvador, where bitcoin moved from theory into practice. Together, they discuss why bitcoin must be used as money rather than just digital gold, how saving in bitcoin changed lives in El Zonte, and what it means for a nation to adopt bitcoin as legal tender.The episode highlights how Bitcoin Beach started as a community effort to keep young people out of gangs and how paying them in Bitcoin created a culture of saving and long-term thinking. Mike explains the challenges that came with adoption, from lost wallets to bear markets, and why success must be measured over decades, not months. He also reflects on the role of faith and money in shaping his work and why giving credit to others has helped the project grow.This conversation is about more than bitcoin’s price or technology. It shows what happens when financial freedom, community development, and personal values come together in one place. If you want to understand how circular economies form and why El Salvador’s story matters globally, you’ll find insights here you won’t hear anywhere else.If you enjoyed the episode, share your thoughts in the comments, send it to a friend, and subscribe so you never miss what comes next.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about All in Bitcoin with CKNostr: [email protected] X: https://x.com/allinbitcoinpod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@AllInBitcoinPod Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode: 00:00 Why did Mike Peterson move to El Salvador during the world’s highest murder rate?01:15 What did Mike want to be as a kid and how did surfing shape his life?02:39 How did a surf trip lead to discovering El Salvador?04:42 What did El Salvador save him from and what did bitcoin change for him?06:08 How does Mike define a true bitcoiner?07:08 What lesson took him the longest to learn about persuasion?10:19 How did Mike meet his wife and what did he study in college?18:13 What is Mike’s bitcoin story and when did he first buy?20:03 Which adoption story from Uganda surprised him most?26:40 What is Bitcoin Beach and how did it start?28:59 How did paying youth in bitcoin change saving habits?29:58 What were the hardest moments of running Bitcoin Beach?32:27 How has Bitcoin Beach impacted El Salvador’s image and tourism?38:37 How did faith and early projects shape his work before bitcoin?41:52 What has Mike changed his mind about since starting Bitcoin Beach?43:47 What legacy does Mike hope Bitcoin Beach will leave 100 years from now?Live From Bitcoin Beach

This is a special episode from The Sovereign Podcast, hosted by Michael Ruiz, where Mike Peterson joined as a guest.In this conversation, Mike shares the full story of Bitcoin Beach and how a grassroots project in El Zonte helped inspire El Salvador to make Bitcoin legal tender. He talks about how the project began, the challenges of community building, and the mindset shift that happens when people start earning in Bitcoin. From keeping youth out of gangs to showing the world what a working circular economy looks like, Mike explains the lessons learned from years on the ground.You’ll hear about the transformation of El Salvador, from a country once shaped by fear to one filled with optimism and opportunity. The discussion explores IMF loan conditions that influenced recent Bitcoin policy, what they mean in practice, and why the local Bitcoin circular economy is stronger than ever. Mike shares his perspective on growth, from grassroots work in small towns to attracting global attention and investment.For anyone interested in starting a Bitcoin-friendly community, Mike offers actionable advice: start small, build real relationships, and use media to bring in outside support. The conversation also digs into how libertarian ideals intersect with practical governance, what it takes to balance development with preserving local character, and why Bitcoin education is becoming part of the national curriculum.Whether you’re a Bitcoiner, policy watcher, or someone passionate about economic freedom, this episode delivers insights on Bitcoin adoption, sustainable community building, and the long-term vision for El Salvador. Stick around until the end, when they get into the realities of development, property rights, and why even libertarians sometimes agree on a little regulation.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Michael Ruizhttps://x.com/sovmindset https://www.youtube.com/@sovmindset Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 How did Bitcoin Beach begin as a grassroots project in El Zonte08:45 What inspired Mike Peterson to move to El Salvador full time17:12 How a donor’s vision sparked a Bitcoin circular economy25:30 What the IMF loan conditions mean for El Salvador’s Bitcoin law36:20 How Bitcoin adoption is changing savings culture and community building44:50 Practical advice for starting your own circular economy project55:15 Why media strategy is essential for grassroots Bitcoin adoption01:02:40 How gang violence reduction transformed daily life in El Salvador01:15:05 What industries and opportunities El Salvador needs to grow01:28:50 The future vision for Bitcoin Beach and global circular economiesLive From Bitcoin Beach

What happens when Bitcoiners stop waiting for legacy platforms and start building their own? In this episode, Mike sits down with Jake Seifert, co-founder of AirBTC, a Bitcoin-first alternative to Airbnb. Jake’s not just talking about circular economy theory, he’s out there trying to make it real, one travel listing at a time.They get into the friction points of convincing Bitcoiners to actually spend their Bitcoin, the role of KYC in a decentralized travel platform, and why it’s not enough to just stack sats. Jake explains how AirBTC works, how it handles payments in SATs, and why peer-to-peer lodging still needs basic trust. The conversation also explores why most listings are outside the US, what it’s like bootstrapping without fiat funding, and why hodl-only culture might be holding the movement back.This episode gives a front-line view of what it takes to build infrastructure for a Bitcoin standard, no venture capital, no permission, just a platform made by and for people who want to live on Bitcoin now. It’s also a challenge: if you’re serious about decentralization, why are you still booking travel with fiat?If you’ve ever looked at your wallet and thought, "I’ll spend later," this one’s for you. Subscribe, share it with your hardest-core hodler friend, and drop a comment if you’ve ever listed a room, or stayed in one, using Bitcoin.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Jake SeifertX: https://x.com/airbtconline Web: https://airbtc.online/ Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 What is the real goal of Bitcoin circular economies?01:02 Why did Jake create AirBTC instead of waiting for Airbnb to adapt?03:01 How did Jake Seifert first discover Bitcoin and what pulled him in?06:31 What’s been harder: getting hosts or getting Bitcoiners to spend?08:42 Why optionality is critical for Bitcoin travel to succeed10:54 Can Bitcoin rentals actually inject value into local communities?13:26 What kind of KYC does AirBTC require for hosts and guests?15:24 How does AirBTC handle payments, fees, and SATs conversion?20:47 Why is El Salvador leading in Bitcoin travel listings?22:38 What’s more important now: listings or Bitcoin spenders?31:18 Will mainstream platforms like Airbnb eventually accept Bitcoin?Live From Bitcoin Beach

What does it actually take to mine Bitcoin in El Salvador? In this episode, Mike sits down with Josue Lopez, CEO of Volcano Energy, to break down what’s really happening beyond the hype. Josue explains how his team is building energy infrastructure from the ground up, solar, wind, and geothermal, to support a truly sovereign energy mining operation. This isn’t about plugging into someone else’s grid. It’s about designing a system that El Salvador controls end-to-end.They get into the details of mining economics, from why electricity in El Salvador is so expensive to how immersion cooling made it possible to run ASICs in a tropical climate. Josue also shares why Volcano Energy has already raised nearly $300 million and how the team is balancing short-term returns with long-term strategic goals. Whether the energy gets sold to the grid or powers Bitcoin mining directly, the goal is the same—build assets that last and reduce dependency on unstable jurisdictions.The conversation moves beyond Bitcoin into national development. Josue explains how energy, safety, and financial inclusion are all connected. They dig into El Salvador’s massive housing shortage and why his fund is stepping in to build low-income homes designed for families earning minimum wage. It’s a look at what Bitcoin infrastructure really means when it’s tied to place, people, and policy.If you’ve ever wondered how energy mining works in the real world, or whether a country like El Salvador can build from scratch without relying on legacy systems, this episode is for you. Hit subscribe, drop a comment if your electric bill has ever made you consider going off-grid, and share this with someone who still thinks mining can’t work in Central America.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Josue Lopezhttps://x.com/josuelopezgal https://x.com/Volcano_Energy https://volcano.energy/ Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 — Can El Salvador actually support Bitcoin data centers?01:48 — Why did Josue Lopez leave El Salvador and what brought him back?06:29 — How did Bitcoin solve banking challenges for international students?08:41 — What changed after China banned Bitcoin mining?15:21 — How much has Volcano Energy raised and where is it going?20:08 — Why are electricity prices so high in El Salvador?24:32 — How immersion cooling made energy mining possible in hot climates34:42 — Should you mine Bitcoin or just sell power to the grid?39:50 — How geothermal energy fits into El Salvador’s energy infrastructure53:26 — Why financial inclusion depends on more than just BitcoinLive From Bitcoin Beach

What happens when a Salvadoran developer quits trading shitcoins, starts driving Uber, and ends up shaping national Bitcoin education policy? In this episode, Mike sits down with Acreonte, one of the first graduates of the Cubo Plus program and now a key player behind El Salvador’s push to integrate Bitcoin into its institutions.Acreonte shares what it’s really like to live on a Bitcoin standard, from earning SATs at Plan B Network to spending them with the Blink wallet at farmers markets and meetups across the country. He also opens up about the unexpected shift back into fiat life when he joined the Ministry of Education, trading T-shirts and cold wallets for suits and bureaucratic emails.They talk about the cultural tension between fiat and Bitcoin mindsets, what it takes to build real dev talent from the ground up, and how programs like Cubo Plus are helping Salvadoran youth go from zero to building on Lightning. Along the way, Acreonte reflects on his own transformation, from civil war survivor to casino game developer to educator trying to future-proof public schools.This episode is a snapshot of what it means to build from within, in a country betting on Bitcoin not just for headlines but for human capital. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually looks like to go from shitcoiner to builder, hit subscribe, share this with a fiat friend, and consider switching out your bank app for a proper wallet like Blink.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Acreontehttps://x.com/btchieftain https://x.com/planb_network https://x.com/cuboplus https://www.blink.sv/ https://planb.network/en Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 Why would someone move to El Salvador for Bitcoin?02:16 What was it like growing up during El Salvador's civil war?06:56 How did Acreonte discover programming and tech in the 1990s?12:15 What brought him to London and how did he break into tech?21:17 What is the connection between crypto trading and casino psychology?28:08 How does Salvadoran work culture compare to the UK?33:45 How did he first hear about Bitcoin and start investing?40:00 What is the Cubo Plus program and how do you get accepted?54:49 What was it like building Bitcoin projects and learning from top educators?1:07:34 Why did he leave Plan B Network to work in El Salvador’s Ministry of Education?1:21:30 How does earning in Bitcoin change how you think and spend money?Live From Bitcoin Beach

For families considering life in El Salvador, this episode dives into what educational freedom really looks like on the ground. Mike talks with Ana Larios, co-founder of Escuela Libre and Skate, Paint & More, about building a community education program rooted in trust, creativity, and local connection.Ana shares how Escuela Libre grew from three families into a small but thriving homeschool community. It’s a space where kids learn without uniforms or testing, and where volunteers from around the world teach everything from math and English to aerial silks and robotics. The school is part of a growing movement toward non-traditional schooling that centers kids instead of systems.We also get into Skate, Paint & More, an after-school program that offers experiential education through painting, skateboarding, music, and group projects. Most of the local kids had never painted before. Now they’re learning to create, explore, and build confidence in a safe, supportive environment. It’s all free for them, made possible by donations and visiting volunteers.This conversation is for anyone rethinking how learning should work, especially if you care about creative education or are considering a move to El Salvador. It’s also a real look at how grassroots efforts can grow into something lasting without losing their soul.Hit subscribe, drop a comment, or send it to someone who's ready to ditch the system and do school differently.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Ana Larios Pohlhttps://x.com/analariospohl https://www.instagram.com/analariospohl_arte/ https://www.instagram.com/acroyoga_elsalvador/ https://www.facebook.com/acroyogaelsalvador/ https://www.instagram.com/elzonteartsandlearning/?hl=en Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 What is Skate, Paint & More and how does it help kids in El Zonte?01:30 Why did Ana and other families start a non-traditional school in El Salvador?03:43 Is homeschooling legal in El Salvador and how does it work?06:43 How do volunteers help build this homeschool community?10:12 What makes this community education program work for both locals and expats?14:16 What is grip tape art and how are kids using it creatively?16:52 How does art and skateboarding boost kids’ confidence?21:06 What advice does Ana have for parents moving to El Salvador?29:44 When does the Skate, Paint & More program run and how can others join?34:00 What kind of donations support creative and experiential education in El Zonte?Live From Bitcoin Beach