This year, the world’s largest bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin 2023 passed Miami, Florida without much fanfare. Previous conferences have heralded massive crypto integrations, the launch of nation states, as well as the global adoption of bitcoin on islands and territories.

However, Bitcoin 2023 made no mention of a partnership that could have a significant impact on the world’s 15th largest economy.

We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Grupo Salinas. Looking forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have.⚡️🇲🇽 #Bitcoin #bitcoiconference2023 https://t.co/rkAjWnmKsK pic.twitter.com/yWIWc6751B

— IBEX ⚡️ (@PoweredbyIBEX) May 18, 2023

Jose Lemus, CEO of Ibex Mercado, closed Bitcoin 2023 Industry Day away. He announced a collaboration with Grupo Sálinas, Mexico’s largest conglomerate. The collaboration will allow millions of Mexicans to pay their internet bills to popular telecom company Total Play through the Bitcoin Lightning Network.

The Salinas Group is a major player in Mexico. It owns many companies. Ricardo Salinas Pliego is the billionaire founder and the third richest person in Mexico. He is also a bitcoin maximalist.

Total Play, a small retailer within the Salinas conglomerate, is part of this huge Salinas conglomerate.

Imagine if Best Buy were owned by the same person as Bank of America, Fox News and an NFL franchise. In the future, they will all be Lightning-enabled.

Lemus said that this is just the “tip” of the iceberg in terms of what will happen in Mexico as more Bitcoin integrations and Lightning are added. Entries and exits are also being developed to attract more bitcoin businesses. Lemus explained via video link that Bitcoin and fiat can interact more freely in Mexico.

You can do this through CoinPro or Grupo Salinas. You can do this through CoinPro or Grupo Salinas.

This partnership marks the beginning of Lightning functionality within Grupo Salinas. Lightning will have an app for staff and a super app for football teams, similar to the app we use at the Perth Heat to engage fans in innovative ways.

Perth Heat adopted Bitcoin as the standard for their baseball team in 2021. Players receive their salaries in bitcoin and can also earn bitcoin from home runs. Lightning Network is also used to engage fans. Lemus explained that at baseball games, “if a player steals base, a QR will appear on the screen and people who scan it will get satoshis.”

*Players can send satoshis directly to players during Perth Heat baseball games. Source: PerthHeat.com.au*

Lemus said at Bitcoin 2023 that Perth Heat players earned an additional 1% in the first year. It’s still early days for this technology, but 1% up is encouraging.

Grupo Salinas is the owner of the Mexican football clubs Club Puebla and Mazatlan. The QR code will soon be available on stadium screens, allowing fans to scan for free money in bitcoin or satoshis.

*This is a snapshot of some of Grupo Salinas’ brands, including retail, banking and sports, and advertising. Source: GrupoSalinas.com*

Ibex Mercado is aware of the great opportunity that the Lightning Network offers for financial inclusion. Lemus founded Ibex, a company in the neighboring country of Guatemala. The company had already delivered the Lightning Network integration for El Salvador’s Chivo wallet two years earlier.

Lemus said that greater Bitcoin adoption would improve the lives and financial condition of underserved and unbanked populations. Financial inclusion means more than just banking for the unbanked.

It is your ability to raise money for your business. It’s your ability to reach a larger market. To me, that means true financial inclusion.”

Lemus also highlighted Mexico’s potential as a Bitcoin destination. “I think Mexico will be where that will take off,” he said.

Does this mean that crypto enthusiasts will soon be able to make a living from Bitcoin, just like El Salvador? Lemus replied:

“Let’s assume you do most of your daily life.” Living with Bitcoin. I believe 18 months would be a reasonable time frame to achieve this. For things like rent and taxes, bitcoin isn’t a viable option just yet.

Lemus indicated that the preparation of the partnership with Grupo Slinas also took 18 months. Lemus said more partnerships and projects in Mexico will be announced soon, but it’s too early to reveal details.

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