In various regions of Peru, including the Andean mountain ranges, coastal towns, and the Amazon rainforest, Bitcoin has gradually established itself—not through government mandates or large corporations, but through local initiatives combining humanitarian aid with financial autonomy. Motivo Peru, a nonprofit organization founded by Rich Swisher and Valentin Popescu, has been enabling unbanked and underserved communities to use Bitcoin for daily necessities, education, and local commerce. Starting in 2019 as a simple shoe donation program, Motivo now operates in about ten active regions such as Lima, Cusco, and Huanchaco, with satellite programs in Tarapoto and Iquitos supporting over 750 families weekly.
With a team of 50 members and volunteers, Motivo views Bitcoin not merely as short-term aid but as a path to long-term self-sufficiency, working to realize the early concept of “banking for the unbanked” through Bitcoin. Peru’s Bitcoin history is notable, dating back to 2011 when local merchants began accepting Bitcoin for Alpaca socks, marking a significant milestone. By 2025, Peru had become one of Latin America’s major Bitcoin adoption hubs, with increased cryptocurrency trading. Motivo’s founders initially focused on providing shoes to children in a remote Cusco village, where proper footwear was essential for education amid difficult mountainous terrain. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when relief efforts were disrupted, they leveraged Bitcoin to secure financial support that enabled the distribution of shoes and food. Today, Motivo promotes Bitcoin education and usage across multiple Peruvian cities, benefiting over 750 families weekly and training thousands in financial literacy, exemplifying a modern model of social and economic empowerment through Bitcoin.
Source: bitcoinmagazine
