Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue: Brazil launches a blockchain-based ID card, the Venezuelan cryptocurrency watchdog Sunacrip extends its restructuring period, and Buenos Aires launches a “self-sovereign” blockchain ID program.
Brazil Launches Nationwide Blockchain-Based ID
The government of Brazil announced the implementation of a nationwide blockchain-based ID card that will centralize the identity function of all states. Selected states, including Goias, Parana, and Rio de Janeiro, will begin issuing the National Identity Card immediately, with all states having to adopt it by November 6.
The digital document will serve as a weapon to fight identity theft in Brazil, as the card includes a QR code that will be used to verify the authenticity of the ID and other documents linked with it.
Alexandre Amorim, president of Serpro, the federal company that developed the ID system, commented on the significance of blockchain for this use case. He stated:
Blockchain technology plays a fundamental role in protecting personal data and preventing fraud, providing a safer digital experience for Brazilian citizens. The use of the b-Cadastros blockchain platform is a major differentiator for the security and reliability of the National Identity Card project.
The document will also offer other advantages, including bringing “consistency in the service provided, traceability, security, and independence of the states,” according to the secretary of digital government of the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI), Rogério Mascarenhas.
Venezuelan Crypto Watchdog Sunacrip Extends Restructuring Period
Sunacrip, the Venezuelan cryptocurrency enforcer, will have more time to complete its restructuring process. According to an executive order, the government approved the extension of its restructuring period for six more months, with the same restructuring board at the helm.
The intervention, ordered by President Nicolas Maduro in March after the arrest of former Sunacrip head Joselit Ramirez, was initially scheduled for six months. Ramirez and Sunacrip were linked to an alleged corruption scheme still under investigation by the Venezuelan authorities.
This extension also aggravates the woes of registered Bitcoin miners in the country, who were disconnected from the power grid by the national power company Corpoelec and are still waiting for permission from the institution to restart operations.
Buenos Aires Launches Blockchain ID Program
The city of Buenos Aires announced the implementation of the Quarkid project, a digital blockchain-based, “self-sovereign” wallet that will allow users to hold ID documents. The project, known before as Tangoid, has been in development since last year and will use Ethereum’s Layer 2 Zksync Era for privacy and confidentiality purposes.
The wallet will initially allow users to associate documents like birth and marriage certificates, and other documents like proof-of-income and academic verifications will be available by November. Furthermore, more documents might be available for next year, depending on a yet to be constructed roadmap.
Quarkid creators expect this project to extend to all of Argentina and then to collaborate with other countries seeking to adopt similar standards.
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