Argentina Introduces Curriculum Focused Around Crypto And Blockchain

The Buenos Aires Ministry of Education has teamed up with the ETH Kipu Foundation to integrate Ethereum (ETH) and blockchain technologies into high school curriculums. ETH Kipu announced that this effort aims to equip students with skills for the tech-driven economy.

This initiative reflects an increasing overall interest in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency within Argentina. Previously, Diana Mondino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Argentina, affirmed the decision taken by the local government to acknowledge Bitcoin (BTC) as a legally sanctioned currency for contractual agreements. This development aligned with various reports highlighting an ongoing depreciation in the value of the Argentinian national currency (ARS).

A Novel Initiative

Beginning on August 27th, the program will introduce blockchain concepts to high school students in their classrooms. Students will also gain practical experience through internships with blockchain projects. ETH Kipu Foundation, a non-profit supported by the Ethereum Foundation, aids the Ethereum ecosystem in Latin America and has run numerous developer programs.

The program will offer 500 students aged 18 and older the opportunity to learn Solidity, the programming language for Ethereum smart contracts. The partners hope this will help students develop the skills needed to create decentralized applications that can benefit the local economy. Additionally, the program will train 30 teachers in blockchain technology through a hybrid format.

The government is also hopeful that, once the locals are properly educated about the subject, they will be able to successfully start mining BTC, especially since big names like Giga Energy have expanded their operations into Argentina, aiming to utilize excess energy via natural gas flaring in the local oil fields.

Improving Argentina

This initiative underscores efforts by Argentina to establish itself as a crypto hub in Latin America. The country ranks fourth globally in cryptocurrency ownership and has a thriving crypto ecosystem, with many residents earning in digital assets.

Community-driven projects like ETH Kipu and the Crisciemento movement have fostered the growth of the crypto ecosystem. The election of a pro-crypto president in November 2023 has also introduced critical regulatory frameworks for crypto startups.

Since Javier Milei became President, Argentina has implemented pro-crypto policies, including the Virtual Assets Service Providers Register and regulations allowing companies to accept cryptocurrency. The country is also exploring crypto industry regulations and tax exemptions for up to $100,000 in digital assets.

In addition to Ethereum-focused education, NGO Bitcoin Argentina has recently partnered with crypto exchange BingX to offer Web3 educational courses on various crypto topics, including Bitcoin and stablecoins.