The islands of Antigua and Barbuda might become far more friendly towards cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology in the near future. This week the government of the sovereign Caribbean island states has appointed the billionaire and bitcoin proponent, Calvin Ayre, as the region’s Economic Envoy for Technology Development.
Also read: Antigua and Barbuda Draft Laws to ‘Implement’ Bitcoin
Internet Gaming Tycoon and Bitcoin Proponent Calvin Ayre Becomes an Economic Envoy for the Twin Islands of Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda are regions located in the Americas and consist of two majorly inhabited islands. A vast majority of the population resides in the capital and the area’s largest port city St. Johns. On August 8, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has announced the billionaire Calvin Ayre will serve as the region’s Economic Envoy, and will advise the sovereign island states on “where blockchain technology is being utilised.”
Calvin Ayre is a well-known entrepreneur and investor who created the Bodog Entertainment brand. Ayre has been a long-time bitcoin and blockchain proponent and aims to build Bodog into a “mainstream 21st-century digital entertainment conglomerate.” Further, according to a report in June 2016, the journalist Andrew O’Hagan revealed that Ayre had been associated with Craig Wright.
“Mr. Ayre will advise the Government on the effective implementation of new technological developments in cryptocurrency and Bitcoin which have been adopted by leading companies in the United States, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, China, and the United Kingdom,” explains the government of Antigua and Barbuda’s Director-General of Communications.
He has already invested heavily in bitcoin blockchain core technology and his e-Com technology processes more bitcoin transactions than any other platform in the world today.
Ayre Previously Helped Leaders Draft Laws to Implement Bitcoin Into the Sovereign Island’s Economy
The government also states that Antigua and Barbuda anticipate becoming an early leader in bitcoin and blockchain technology, much like it did with offshore banking and internet gaming back in the early nineties. In addition to Ayre’s bitcoin knowledge, the government says they will leverage Ayre’s understanding of internet gaming as well. The online gaming industry is worth over US$37.9 Billion annually, and they expect Ayre’s expertise to “re-invigorate” their gaming industry.
“As it continues to diversify the economy and create new and high paying jobs for its people, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda looks forward to the contribution of Mr. Ayre’s technological companies,” the Director-General of Communications adds.
As news.Bitcoin.com reported this past April, Ayre was instrumental in helping Antigua and Barbuda draft laws to implement bitcoin into the Commonwealth nations’ laws. The region has always been known as a tax-haven and the twin-island’s Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs, EP Chet Greene, said bitcoin would allow for better “traceability.”
What do you think about Antigua and Barbuda looking into bitcoin and blockchain by utilizing Calvin Ayre as an Economic Envoy for Technology Development? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Images via Shutterstock, Wiki Commons, and Antigua and Barbuda travel.
At News.Bitcoin.com all comments containing links are automatically held up for moderation in the Disqus system. That means an editor has to take a look at the comment to approve it. This is due to the many, repetitive, spam and scam links people post under our articles. We do not censor any comment content based on politics or personal opinions. So, please be patient. Your comment will be published.
