- A phrase from Venezuela’s national anthem calling for liberation has been permanently recorded on the Bitcoin network using the Ordinals protocol.
- Amid a new cycle of political crisis following the recent presidential elections, a graphic of a protester destroying a statue has been registered under the inscription 73,621,145.
As Venezuela slides into another turbulent phase in its political history following the presidential elections on July 28, 2024, the blockchain technology, particularly Bitcoin‘s Ordinals protocol, has served as a medium for political expression. A poignant scene from the nation’s ongoing protests was captured and forever embedded in the blockchain under the inscription number 73,621,145, as confirmed by Ord.io on July 31.
This unique entry features a demonstrator toppling a statue of the late President Hugo Chávez, visually articulating a sentiment from Venezuela’s national anthem,
“Down with the chains.”
The design and its accompanying photo, taken on July 29, resonate deeply as symbols of resistance and the quest for freedom. The registration number itself, 73,621,145, has become a beacon of protest in digital form.
The blockchain entry, stored as a 73.868 KB PNG file at block height 854,825, includes a transaction fee of approximately $100 USD (149,912 Sats), signifying the financial and emotional investment involved in this act of digital defiance. It reflects a broader use of the Ordinals protocol beyond mere artistic expression, positioning it as a tool for political commentary and societal impact.
Social media reactions on platforms like Ord.io varied widely, from echoes of freedom to accusations against the current regime of Nicolás Maduro. Some users hailed the blockchain inscription as a sound of liberty, while others, like Tyler Durden, claimed it was a clarion call for Venezuela’s emancipation.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Venezuela, the re-election of Nicolás Maduro, who has held power for over 13 years, is being contested. Official results from the National Electoral Council (CNE) credited him with just over 5 million votes against opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia’s 4 million. However, the opposition disputes these figures, alleging electoral manipulation. Their grievances are compounded by the unavailability of official voting records, reportedly due to a cyber-attack on the CNE’s website since election night.
In response, supporters of the opposition launched a website revealing protocols purportedly from the voting machines, indicating González might have received upwards of 8 million votes, starkly contrasting with the official tally for Maduro. This ongoing controversy underscores the significance of alternative platforms like Bitcoin’s blockchain for voicing dissent and rallying support during political crises.
In essence, as Venezuela navigates this challenging period, the blockchain not only captures but amplifies the cries for freedom from its citizens, serving as an immutable testament to their struggle and resilience.