However, this accolade holds additional significance for many within the Bitcoin community. Machado is not only a proponent of democracy but also among a select group of global political figures who have publicly championed Bitcoin as a means of resistance against authoritarianism.

A Recognition for Courage — and for Staying

Machado’s political journey is characterized by unwavering persistence in the face of imminent threats. Excluded from participating in last year’s presidential election—widely regarded as rigged by international observers—she opted to remain in Venezuela despite being forced into hiding.

The Nobel Committee acknowledged her as “a key, unifying figure in a brutal authoritarian state that is currently experiencing a humanitarian and economic crisis.”

Machado has long articulated the premise that Venezuela’s economic collapse was not an arbitrary event but a foreseeable result of financial repression and government control over monetary systems. This perspective aligns her beliefs with Bitcoin.

Machado: Bitcoin is a ‘Lifeline’

“The Venezuelan bolívar has lost 14 zeros,” she stated, reflecting on the time when inflation reached an astounding 1.7 million percent. “This financial suppression—rooted in state-sponsored looting, theft, and rampant money printing—has devastated our economy, despite the country’s abundant oil resources.”

For countless Venezuelans, Bitcoin has emerged as a crucial alternative, allowing families to preserve value outside of the deteriorating bolívar, receive remittances without government confiscation, and even finance their emigration.

Machado has termed Bitcoin a “lifeline” for the Venezuelan population, facilitating escape from government-controlled exchange rates. She has proposed incorporating Bitcoin into Venezuela’s future national reserves as the nation embarks on a journey to reclaim its lost wealth and rebuild post-dictatorship.

In her discussions, Machado reiterated the notion of integrating Bitcoin into national reserves as part of Venezuela’s recovery strategy following the dictatorship.

Her emphasis on transparency mirrors one of Bitcoin’s fundamental tenets—a public ledger designed to remain incorruptible. This principle resonates deeply with ideals of freedom and justice.

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