El Salvador has announced a formal partnership with Simple Proof to secure its government documents using Bitcoin blockchain technology. The announcement was made during the Bitcoin Histrico conference held at the National Theater in San Salvador, attended by Simple Proof CEO Carlos Torriello and Open TimeStamps creator Peter Todd. This collaboration is part of El Salvador’s efforts to extend Bitcoin technology beyond financial boundaries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment have started registering official documents on the Bitcoin blockchain, with certified copies now publicly accessible on designated government portals. The initiative aims to ensure the complete authenticity of documents and permanently preserve the nation’s history. Carlos Torriello emphasized that Bitcoin is not just a digital currency but an immutable timekeeper that enables precise verification of document creation times. Simple Proof has previously executed successful projects in the United States and Guatemala, positively impacting electoral processes. This project positions El Salvador as a global example in using blockchain technology for government information management, enhancing transparency, public trust, and eliminating the possibility of document tampering. Certified documents from the Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs are readily available on relevant websites. Peter Todd explained that the system stores cryptographic hashes of original documents on the blockchain rather than the documents themselves, preventing network overload and avoiding any impact on the cryptocurrency’s financial system.
Source: bitcoinmagazine
