Suriname Presidential Candidate to Make Bitcoin Legal Tender

• Suriname Presidential Candidate Maya Parbhoe envisions Bitcoin as a means to achieve financial sovereignty and transparency.
• Parbhoe aims to establish a decentralized economic system that protects citizens from local and international financial pressures.

Surinamese presidential candidate Maya Parbhoe has revealed her bold vision for transforming Suriname’s economy. She pledged that if elected, she would make Bitcoin legal tender on her first day in office.

An entrepreneur and longtime Bitcoin advocate, Parbhoe believes the crypto can address some of Suriname’s most pressing economic challenges. These include high inflation, systemic government corruption, and a severely limited financial infrastructure.

Maya Parbhoe On Bitcoin As Legal Tender

In a recent interview, Parbhoe conveyed her deep frustration with Suriname’s current administration, which she claims has only worsened existing corruption and mismanagement. “This government is worse than the last,” she remarked. Parbhoe pointed to deteriorating public services, including healthcare, as evidence.

“The people are tired. We really do need drastic change, similar to El Salvador,” she added, referencing the country’s landmark decision to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. Inspired by this move, Parbhoe envisions BTC as the core of Suriname’s economy as it will provide a pathway to financial sovereignty, transparency, and resilience.

“Bitcoin should be our de facto currency, separating money from the state completely,” she stated. Moreover, her plan goes beyond just legalizing Bitcoin.  She is also dedicated to establishing a system that protects Surinamese citizens from both local and international pressures.

Furthermore, Parbhoe aims to make Suriname financially independent from traditional financial institutions, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She even criticized the IMF as an instrument of “monetary colonialism” that hinders true economic progress in smaller nations. Recently, IMF also tried to create a hurdle for El Salvador asking them to limit the use of Bitcoin, reported CNF. 

Thus, with the use of Bitcoin and its decentralized structure, she hopes to build an economic system free from external interference.

Other Economic-Friendly Initiatives

Additionally, Parbhoe shared her intent to create a “sovereign wealth fund” powered by the Liquid Network to support universal basic income (UBI) and reduce dependency on income taxes. “If we decentralize the flow of royalties and income, we reduce government control over resources, benefiting the people directly,” she explained.

This initiative aligns with her transparency-driven vision for an economy where citizens enjoy financial freedom without relying on central bank policies. To balance these sweeping changes, Parbhoe has detailed plans to attract foreign investors and digital nomads who can help energize Suriname’s economy without disrupting local culture. 

She emphasized her intent to avoid “gentrification and over-tourism” while promoting sustainable development initiatives with Bitcoin infrastructure at its core. Her vision includes developing local talent in technology sectors while keeping the wealth generated within Suriname.

While Suriname is working on a Bitcoin strategy similar to El Salvador, recent reports suggest that only 7.5% of El Salvadorians use Bitcoin for transactions. Thus, BTC serves more as a reserve asset and inflation hedge. 

A staunch advocate for decentralization, Parbhoe ultimately aims to limit government power in Suriname. She is even hoping to make herself and possibly the role of president of no use. “I don’t want power…I want to ensure that I don’t have to be in charge as soon as possible,” she remarked.