Salvadoran Beauty Queen Celebrates the Country’s Crypto Adoption.
In a dazzling display of creativity and national pride, Alejandra Guajardo, Miss Universe El Salvador 2022, made waves on the global stage when she donned a striking costume featuring a “physical Bitcoin” during the national costume competition at the 71st Miss Universe pageant held on January 14, 2023, in New Orleans.
Designed by Francisco Guerrero, the costume was not only a visual spectacle but also a powerful representation of “the evolution of the Salvadoran currency.” It incorporated elements of El Salvador’s rich financial history, including cacao beans, the colón, the U.S. dollar, and the unmistakable Bitcoin symbol. The ensemble’s predominant colors—gold, silver, and bronze—symbolized the enduring value of cryptocurrency.
This bold sartorial statement by Miss Universe El Salvador is deeply rooted in the country’s remarkable journey with cryptocurrency. El Salvador took a historic step in September 2021 by becoming the first nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. Since then, the Salvadoran government has actively accumulated thousands of BTC to bolster its treasury and strengthen the cryptocurrency’s position within the nation’s economy.
On November 15, 2023, the Salvadoran legislative assembly further solidified its commitment to the crypto revolution by passing the digital asset issuance law, which had been proposed a year earlier. This groundbreaking legislation established a new regulatory framework for the issuance of Bitcoin-backed Volcano bonds, showcasing the country’s dedication to advancing the use of cryptocurrencies in innovative ways.
Miss Universe El Salvador’s costume choice pays homage to El Salvador’s rich history of using various currencies as legal tender, from cacao beans in ancient times to the colón and the U.S. dollar in more recent history. The inclusion of Bitcoin in her ensemble signifies the nation’s embrace of cutting-edge financial technologies and its position at the forefront of global cryptocurrency adoption.
While it remains uncertain whether other countries will follow in El Salvador’s footsteps and adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, the inclusion of this cryptocurrency in a high-profile international event underscores its growing legitimacy as a currency. Cryptocurrency, once seen as a niche technology, is now firmly established in the global financial landscape and is expected to continue playing an increasingly pivotal role in the future.
Miss Universe El Salvador’s costume, with its captivating portrayal of “the evolution of the Salvadoran currency,” serves as a powerful reminder of El Salvador’s pioneering spirit in embracing cryptocurrency and its aspirations for a technologically advanced financial future.
As the world watches the Miss Universe pageant and celebrates cultural diversity and individual creativity, Alejandra Guajardo’s costume has certainly taken center stage, igniting conversations about the intersection of fashion, finance, and innovation.
Resources:
1.https://news.bitcoin.com/miss-el-salvador-features-bitcoin-in-miss-universe-2023