Did Paraguay just make Bitcoin legal tender? Suspected hack of president’s X account sparks confusion

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Key Takeaways

A suspected hack of Paraguayan President’s X account led to a false announcement about Bitcoin becoming legal tender in Paraguay.
The announcement raised doubts due to unusual decree formatting and absence from official channels, prompting an investigation.

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña’s X account on Monday posted an announcement claiming that Bitcoin had become legal tender in the country. However, the post raised immediate suspicions of a potential hack, as no official confirmation had been made from government sources.

Did Paraguay just make Bitcoin legal tender? Suspected hack of president’s X account sparks confusion

The absence of the policy on official government websites and local media, the non-standard decree formatting, and the unusual promotional language targeting investors also raised red flags as soon as it surfaced.

The post declared a $5 million Bitcoin reserve and a national bond program for crypto-enabled citizens, featuring what appeared to be an official decree with the Paraguayan coat of arms. The announcement stated that Bitcoin would be integrated into the national financial system alongside the Guaraní.

President Peña’s X account showed irregular activity, Paraguay officials confirmed in a statement.