Myanmar + Bitcoins = win, win

[bbit]

Read an article in the WSJ that Mastercard is looking to stake it's flag in Myanmar. Was thinking we should stake a bitcoin flag and go head-to-head with Mastercard there and show what we have. Very few times and places where you can do this to the big boys. I had no idea Myanmar are one of the last places that have no credit cards and only just got ATM's last year.  Even at one point Myanmar was one asia's leading financial centers   till the socialist came through and made national banks. Sounds like a lot of them live overseas to which plays into bitcoins nicely.

Anyone have any head way there to stake a bitcoin flag?  

Is Roger Ver  over in Asia ? lol ...

[paulie_w]

this thread should be read:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=106089.0

= let's improve the software and user experience first? translations are another great use of funds.

[istar]

Internet in Myanmar is very slow and rare thing.
And so there will be next several years.
All changes VEEERY slow in this country.
There are about 10 supermarkets in the whole country.
Maybe  they are not ready for Bitcoin ?

Get ready to get spyed on

Your credit card is spying on you
http://www.newser.com/story/85372/your-credit-card-is-spying-on-you.html

Data Mining CEO Says He Pays For Burgers With Cash To Avoid Junk Food Purchases Being Trackedhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/06/15/data-mining-ceo-says-he-pays-for-burgers-in-cash-to-avoid-junk-food-purchases-being-tracked/

Visa, MasterCard, And Major Banks Pay $6.6B For Manipulating Interchange Fees
http://www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2012/07/13/visa-mastercard-and-major-banks-pay-up-for-manipulating-interchange-fees/

But according to CreditCards.com, sudden cash advances, using your card at a second-hand clothing store, gambling at a casino or for bail bond services are the kind of spending that can raise a red flag.
http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/08/25/your-credit-card-company-is-watching-you-for-now/

[benjamindees]

In a recent interview, Jim Rogers was saying that Myanmar is the greatest investment since sliced bread.

[bbit]

In a recent interview, Jim Rogers was saying that Myanmar is the greatest investment since sliced bread.

[sron]

I might be popping over to Myanmar within soon. Let me know if you are interested in doing BTC related business over there and if you need someone representing you locally.

[niko]

In a recent interview, Jim Rogers was saying that Myanmar is the greatest investment since sliced bread.

Sure.For Jim Rogers that is.
He invests in stocks, commodities, and so on.
In Myanmar this stuff maybe undervalued now.
Add to this the fact that Myanmar has low level
 of external debt => no risk of default.
Growing population.
Also they are somewhat naive, in comparison with Jim.
Good for his bargaining.

I've  been to Myanmar, and have quite a few connections there. It's worth noting that the whole "opening" started taking place after a visit from the IMF team, followed by H. Clinton. My take: unsuspecting people will soon learn the hard way what debt slavery is. Jim Rogers and the likes will simply try to profit from the process.

As for the OP, it is an interesting idea: a level ground for electronic payments right now. The infrastructure is crumby indeed, but has vastly improved over the past year or so. Few days ago I had a perfectly clear skype video from Yangon - which used to be unthinkable. Also, remittance is a big thing since so many live abroad.

If you are contemplating a bitcoin-related business in Myanmar, PM me with questions.

[HDSolar]

Something to think about, they may be tech and internet poor but many thridworld countries jump on cell and cell phones fast.  It is cheap to stand up and Mastercard would be interested in making sure all of those people have some way to shop the world or with themselves.  This is not a fast thing but somthing to think about and bitcoin could be use more for them to do transactions with.

[bbit]

I might be popping over to Myanmar within soon. Let me know if you are interested in doing BTC related business over there and if you need someone representing you locally.

Do you know of anyone who is doing so ?

[bbit]

I've  been to Myanmar, and have quite a few connections there. It's worth noting that the whole "opening" started taking place after a visit from the IMF team, followed by H. Clinton. My take: unsuspecting people will soon learn the hard way what debt slavery is. Jim Rogers and the likes will simply try to profit from the process.

As for the OP, it is an interesting idea: a level ground for electronic payments right now. The infrastructure is crumby indeed, but has vastly improved over the past year or so. Few days ago I had a perfectly clear skype video from Yangon - which used to be unthinkable. Also, remittance is a big thing since so many live abroad.

If you are contemplating a bitcoin-related business in Myanmar, PM me with questions.

Thanks for the response!  that is great that you have connections there.  I was thinking would it be worthwhile maybe crowdsource/bounty  a physical store in Myanmar introducing the populace to bitcoin? Sort of become the "western union" of bitcoin?   I mean even if you get some kiosk or "hut" at like $300 a mo.   the community would support it and maybe even get a little return on it. IPO it on GLSBE.

Thoughts?

[Stephen Gornick]

Anyone have any head way there to stake a bitcoin flag?  

Staking a flag is associated with claiming of property as your own.

That's what a Mastercard would like to do, exclusive access to the market, with the backing by the State which keeps the Vodaphone/Orange or Safaricom (M-PESA) mobile payment types out as competition (or vice-versa, whatever the method, just the goal that some are allowed and favored by the State and others are excluded.)

Bitcoin doesn't need any government backing or support.    There isn't even a need to be exchanged into and out of the local currency through the banks ... because there are no banks:

There is no banking system, to begin with; all transactions have to be carried out in cash and foreigners are advised to enter the country with crisp American bills with which to settle their accounts.

 - http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/fukuyama/2012/09/06/what-myanmar-needs/

What is missing, however, is a decent SMS-based EWallet.    Coinapult could do this however they still are stuck at supporting the U.S. and Canada only.    Other mobile methods have SMS support, but the SMS is just notification and not the actual wallet like what Coinapult offers (where no web access is needed to set up and account nor to claim funds, etc.)

There are mobile payment systems that use voice-activated instruction instead of SMS.  That might be an alternative method to offer a mobile wallet for those with only feature phones  (either an additional method for transacting with an EWallet or as the sole method).

There is nobody working on building a voice-enabled bitcoin wallet as far as I know.  While the Burmese language is not widely used, there may not be many other geographic regions so ripe for a voice-enabled Bitcoin wallet to be introduced.

[Update:  Wow 1% internet penetration, and just 2% mobile penetration.   Even with feature phone capability it will be a long time before bitcoin could be used much here.  There could be bitcoin agents though who receive coins sent from abroad for remittance payments and pay out cash.]

[bbit]

Staking a flag is associated with claiming of property as your own.

No, didn't mean to come across that way I meant claiming property on behalf of the bitcoin community.

Great suggestions below.

[thantmyo]

I've  been to Myanmar, and have quite a few connections there. It's worth noting that the whole "opening" started taking place after a visit from the IMF team, followed by H. Clinton. My take: unsuspecting people will soon learn the hard way what debt slavery is. Jim Rogers and the likes will simply try to profit from the process.

As for the OP, it is an interesting idea: a level ground for electronic payments right now. The infrastructure is crumby indeed, but has vastly improved over the past year or so. Few days ago I had a perfectly clear skype video from Yangon - which used to be unthinkable. Also, remittance is a big thing since so many live abroad.

If you are contemplating a bitcoin-related business in Myanmar, PM me with questions.

Thanks for the response!  that is great that you have connections there.  I was thinking would it be worthwhile maybe crowdsource/bounty  a physical store in Myanmar introducing the populace to bitcoin? Sort of become the "western union" of bitcoin?   I mean even if you get some kiosk or "hut" at like $300 a mo.   the community would support it and maybe even get a little return on it. IPO it on GLSBE.

Thoughts?

I agree Myanmar would be perfect place to showcase the bitcoin blockchain. I am starting up  something there in Jan and I need the support from you guys. The people may be naive but that shouldn’t be an opportunity for Jim or someone to take advantage of ... No matter how naive Myanmar people will remember to those who benefitted them. From Judson to Dr Luce and a few other American missionaries are still well remembered for the good-will genuine help that they brought in for the people.
Myanmar people will love that bitcoin’s main idea of by the people for the people and of the people