Indian influencer Paco De La India travels to 40 countries using Bitcoin, denied PCR testing payment, and refused bus ride

An Indian YouTuber embarked on a journey starting from September 2021 to see if he could travel to 40 different countries relying solely on Bitcoin as a payment method. The journey also faced challenges posed by the COVID pandemic.

According to a report by Cointelegraph, Indian YouTuber "Paco De La India" expressed surprise at the widespread acceptance of Bitcoin despite the changes in travel plans due to the Omicron pandemic.

Starting from Bangalore in September 2021, Paco sold his assets and converted them into Bitcoin to fund his entire journey. So far, Paco has traveled through India, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Paco mentioned that he enjoys using non-custodial wallets and the Lightning Network for Bitcoin transactions. Originally planning to visit 40 countries with a 10-day stay in each, his travel plans had to be altered due to delays and restrictions caused by the COVID pandemic.

Paco faced challenges such as mandatory quarantines, border requirements for a minimum 14-day stay in some countries for quarantine, and additional expenses for PCR tests.

He mentioned instances where Bitcoin was readily accepted instead of the local currency, such as in India for COVID testing before traveling to the UAE and negotiating with authorities in Thailand to undergo a PCR test in Cambodia.

Paco believed that in Cambodia, the willingness to accept cryptocurrency for payment was due to the importance placed on vaccine certificates over COVID PCR tests, thus allowing for flexibility in payment methods.

"Ultimately, the vaccine certificate is just a piece of paper and cannot be verified. They only check if you have been vaccinated because it has a QR code."

While many countries have announced plans to use blockchain technology to verify COVID-19 test results, no immigration authority currently recognizes test results conducted abroad.

For example, flying to the United States requires completion of a rapid COVID test within 24 hours of arrival. However, not all health passport apps recommended by U.S. airlines accept QR codes from foreign testing centers, making on-site testing the only standard.

Aside from COVID testing, Paco shared that he managed to survive solely on Bitcoin as a payment method, which was coincidental. He never imposed cryptocurrency on unsuspecting individuals but was surprised by the wide acceptance of crypto payments.

He mentioned facing rejections from public transportation in four countries, leading him to use a signed card to rent bicycles, fostering more connections with locals.

"Thailand is very friendly towards cryptocurrency, Cambodia is another super-friendly country. The UAE seems friendly, but I think it's only among the wealthy," Paco concluded.

Paco noted that this journey deviated significantly from his initial plans, engaging in conversations about Bitcoin from the elderly to the youth, all curious about making money and viewing Bitcoin as a means to do so.

This article is authorized and translated from Horizon News Network