Senator Indira Kempis of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon suggested that Mexico follow the example of El Salvador and accept bitcoin as a means of payment.
Indira Kempis, a member of the opposition Movimiento Ciudadano (Civil Movement) party, believes that bitcoin has many advantages and can benefit people who do not have bank accounts. She said that she had already consulted with people who understand this crypto asset, and now intends to use her political influence to promote bitcoin throughout Mexico and develop appropriate laws.
“We need bitcoin to become legal tender in Mexico. If we put this issue aside, it will be even more difficult for us to take any steps to legalize bitcoin in the future,” Kempis said.
As early as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s plans to legalize bitcoin, Kempis began to actively express her views in support of this cryptocurrency, posting on social networks an image with “laser eyes”, which is often used by bitcoin supporters. Kempis then began to work on the formation of a regulatory framework that will help create conditions for the development of cryptocurrencies.
However, in the fall, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that the government was not interested in legalizing bitcoin and introducing innovations. It would be more appropriate to focus on strengthening the country’s financial system and combating tax evasion.
Obrador’s term expires in 2024, so the Kempis initiative could drag on for at least two years. The chances of its implementation are still small, since Kempis will need strong support from other parties to pass a law to legalize bitcoin in Mexico. At the same time, the Central Bank of Mexico is ready to experiment with its own digital currency. The regulator said it plans to launch it by 2024.
