Colombia’s capital city, Bogota, has unveiled a $2.8 billion investment program to finance blockchain companies.
- Investments of between $10 million and $50 million will be made in 100 companies, which will receive advice on implementing blockchain technology into their business models, Colombian publication Semana reported June 22.
- Companies can apply to the Bogota Innovation, Technology and Creative Industries Fund for investment through the program starting today.
- The program is part of a wider $8 billion investment into innovative industries aimed at advancing Bogota as a "smart city."
- Colombia's financial regulator launched a cryptocurrency sandbox earlier this year allowing banks to explore business models associated with handling crypto assets.
- The country saw major growth in crypto use in 2020, with peer-to-peer marketplace LocalBitcoins reporting Colombia accounted for 11.3% of its global trading volume throughout the year.
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