Why LATAM is a Champion in Blockchain Adoption - with Mariana Kotik (LNET)

In this episode from Sovereign Day in Buenos Aires 🇦🇷, we sit down with Mariana Kotik, Chief Commercial Officer at LNET, to explore why Latin America is leading the world in real-world blockchain adoption. LNET is a nonprofit organization based in Uruguay, created in 2021 as part of an IDB Lab–sponsored initiative to accelerate blockchain adoption across Latin America and the Caribbean. Mariana explains how ELNET acts as a bridge between governments, institutions, entrepreneurs, and the broader ecosystem to turn blockchain from theory into real solutions. We dive into LNET's three core verticals: • Infrastructure: operating a trustworthy blockchain infrastructure built on Hyperledger Besu, including a quantum-resistance layer • Consultancy: helping governments and organizations design and implement blockchain solutions • Executing Agency: delivering large-scale blockchain projects across LATAM, the Caribbean, and now Africa Mariana also shares insights into LNET's current work, including projects on financial inclusion in Peru, Agro Web3 for small-holder farmers, and a CBDC testnet initiative with 11 central banks in the region. The conversation highlights why LATAM has such a steep adoption curve compared to Europe or the US: necessity. From financial exclusion and economic instability to cross-border payments, blockchain has often been the only solution that works. Mariana reflects on early adoption stories and what other regions can learn from LATAM's experience; namely, that technology only gets adopted when it solves a real problem. - - - - - - - - - - - DISCLAIMER All information presented in this podcast is meant for informational purposes only and should not be treated as financial, legal, or tax advice. This podcast's content solely reflects the producer's opinion, who is not a financial advisor. Investing in cryptocurrencies is risky.