None of the 12 candidates for the Presidency of Brazil in the 2022 election cites the term “cryptocurrencies” or “Bitcoin” in their government plans, according to a survey produced by the Bitcoin Portal.
The term CBDC – used to refer to electronic currencies issued by central banks, such as the current Real Digital project – was not mentioned either. The government plans of the presidential candidates are available on the website of the Superior Electoral Court.
In addition, only two candidates cite the term blockchain in their plans: current president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and coach Pablo Marçal (PROS). Both talk about how they intend to use technology to generate more business in the country.
Seeking reelection, Bolsonaro talks about blockchain in the chapter “Governance and Politics” and, more specifically, in the item “Foreign Policy and National Defense”, which is within the topic “Economic and Commercial Partnerships”.
“Due to advances and transformations in the international economic scenario, such as digitalization, the blockchain market, the new phase of the industrial revolution 4.0, the geographic reallocation of production chains and a wide range of abundant energy resources (oil and gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind and biofuels), conditions will be created to attract international investments that help economic development, job creation and social well-being”, states the president’s plan.
Pablo Marçal is more ambitious and talks about smart cities through new technologies. The PROS candidate became famous for, during his performance as a coach, putting the lives of 32 clients at risk when he tried to lead the climb on a mountain in the city of Piquete (SP).
“We will implement a smart city per region of the country, and in each State of the Federation, which will be connected and become regional development centers, contributing to the exponential and sustainable growth of the country, decisively improving its efficiency, agility and transparency”, states the text.
“They will be implemented through the use of sensors, technology and systems such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Big Data, Cloud Computing and Blockchain in various sectors”, says the plan. government of Marçal.
absences
The absence of mention of cryptocurrencies and blockchain in the government plan of candidate Soraya Thronicke (União) is noteworthy. That’s because, in her current term as a senator, the politician introduced a bill to regularize the cryptocurrency sector.
PL 4,207/2020, authored by Soraya, was incorporated into PL 3,825/2019, authored by Senator Flávio Arns (Podemos/PR) and rapporteurship by Senator Irajá (PSD/TO). This text was approved in the Plenary and sent to the Chamber of Deputies, where it is now awaiting a vote, already renamed as PL 4.041/2021.
The current leader of opinion polls Lula (PT) also did not speak about the world of cryptocurrencies, but the topic has gradually entered the PT universe. In February of this year, the Lula Institute took courses on Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
Then, in July, it was the turn to explain that it is blockchain. The topic is explained by sociology professor Edemilson Paraná, from the Federal University of Ceará, who has been participating in the action since the beginning, called “Economia & Sociedade Digital: uma presenter”.
Paraná explains the concept and operation of blockchain and how projects in this area can impact people’s lives, in addition to bringing together several professionals, which he defines as a “sociotechnical” system.
The candidate Ciro Gomes (PDT), currently placed third in the opinion polls, also does not address the issue in his government plan. Recently, he ruled out the possibility of Bitcoin being used as a legal tender in Brazil if he is elected in the next elections.
After debating with entrepreneurs at the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp), the pedestrian cited the decentralization of Bitcoin as a critical point, in his opinion. “Speaking of bitcoins: it is a currency that does not have an authority that gives it forced tender or that gives it backing as a store of value. A beautiful day can turn into a pyramid”, said Ciro, in response to questions from the Bitcoin Portal.
