El Salvador adopting bitcoin as legal tender

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El Salvador on Wednesday became the first country to adopt bitcoin as a legal tender, multiple news outlets reported.

Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele shared that the country’s lawmakers approved the bill by a 62-22 vote. 

Bukele also shared on Twitter that he sent the bill to Congress, showing documents of the new legislation to the public. 

The new legislation allows the exchange rate between bitcoin and the U.S. dollar to be freely established in the market, according to the legislation. 

The law also adds that firms must accept bitcoin as a payment and the cryptocurrency can be used to pay tax contributions as well. 

Bukele, who has high poll ratings in his country, shared on Saturday that he will propose this new legislation to Congress in the beginning of next week. 

The price of bitcoin surged 5 percent, to $34,239.17, shortly after the vote, CNBC noted.

Tags Bitcoin Cryptocurrency El Salvador Exchange rate Legal tender Nayib Bukele

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