Skrill talks crypto with investor Cátia Azenha

When did you first discover crypto?

I first heard about Bitcoin in 2014 when I was studying investments, but at the time I didn't buy any.

It was in 2017 after I joined a Facebook group with other investors and asked about Bitcoin that I decided that it was time to study crypto. And that’s what I did. I’ve been studying and investing in cryptocurrencies since 2017.

What advice would you give someone just starting out in crypto?

For someone starting out, I don't recommend following what other people say; you should study for yourself.

Study what Bitcoin is, what it is good for, how it works, and why it is important. If investing, do it steadily to make an average price, and always think in the long term.

In your opinion, what is the biggest problem crypto needs to overcome?

I don't believe there will be problems with regulation, but we need governments to collaborate on well-thought-out policies that work at a global level.

I believe that the greatest challenge lies in getting high-quality information to people, so that they can learn to invest safely and in projects/currencies that are reliable and have a future.

Crypto will likely become more regulated with time. Is this a bad thing?

I don’t believe that regulation is bad; it is the natural order for an industry that matures.

Beyond this, regulation will be the way for more people to adopt crypto through investment funds and accelerate adoption by large institutions.

Can crypto change the world?

Crypto is a unique opportunity for millions of people around the world who are outside the banking system to be introduced to financial services. So yes, it can certainly change the world.

Is crypto bad for the environment?

Nowadays, there are environmentally friendly ways to produce crypto. For example, most Bitcoin mining is done with green energy or energy which was previously wasted.

Equally, many cryptocurrencies are moving from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, which is more energy efficient.

Will El Salvador be a success with their adoption of Bitcoin?

I believe that El Salvador is already a success in its adoption of Bitcoin. It's an example for smaller countries that it is possible to have a decentralised currency which brings real benefits to the population – all while reducing their dependency on the policies of other nations, namely the USA.

In terms of domestic policy, El Salvador is seeing GDP increases, stong tourism rates and a thriving real estate market. Bitcoin is giving opportunities to a part of the population that did not have access to any financial services and generating opportunities for a better quality of life. This will be a great engine for success in the country.