My First Bitcoin, the organization that pioneered Bitcoin education in El Salvador, is ending its partnership with the country's Ministry of Education and pivoting to a global focus. The non-profit, founded in 2021 by John Dennehy, initially aimed to provide free Bitcoin education to Salvadorans and successfully integrated its Bitcoin Diploma program into public schools by 2024. Now, My First Bitcoin plans to leverage its experience to support Bitcoin education initiatives worldwide.
The organization will close its physical office in El Salvador and transition to a fully remote work model. This strategic shift will allow My First Bitcoin to broaden its reach, providing open-source materials and training tools to educators and community projects globally. Dennehy stated the ambition is to expand the impact from 6 million people in El Salvador to a potential 8 billion worldwide.
My First Bitcoin's work in El Salvador has been notable. The organization educated over 27,000 students in person about Bitcoin. In 2023, My First Bitcoin partnered with El Salvador's Ministry of Education to integrate its Bitcoin Diploma program into public schools. The program aimed to equip teachers with the knowledge to incorporate Bitcoin into their curriculum.
The move comes as El Salvador reevaluates its Bitcoin policies following a $1.4 billion financing agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached in December 2024. As part of the deal, El Salvador agreed to unwind its Bitcoin initiatives, including limiting its BTC accumulation plans and amending the Bitcoin law to make BTC acceptance voluntary for businesses. The IMF also reported that El Salvador has not bought any new Bitcoin since signing the agreement.
Despite changes in El Salvador's approach to Bitcoin, My First Bitcoin is committed to promoting Bitcoin education globally. The organization's experience in El Salvador provides a strong foundation for its new mission to empower educators and communities worldwide with the knowledge and resources they need to understand Bitcoin. By focusing on open-source materials and training tools, My First Bitcoin aims to create a decentralized and accessible approach to Bitcoin education, fostering a deeper understanding of the technology and its potential impact.
