Gov’t breaks silence on Bitcoin issue

Darroux is pictured here with one of the organizers of the project, Ira Miller, from Coinapult. Photo by Coinapult
Darroux is pictured here with one of the organizers of the project, Ira Miller, from Coinapult. Photo by Coinapult

The government has finally broken its silence on a Bitcoin project which was expected to take place in Dominica this month, with Dr. Kenneth Darroux saying that the government did not receive any formal proposals on the matter from the organizers of the event.

Darroux was named as the contact person in Dominica for the project by several Bitcoin-related websites.

He was a guest on state-owned DBS Radio Talking Point program on Monday and he said he felt it was not necessary to comment publicly on the matter, since “quite frankly there was nothing to talk about.”

“I really never felt it necessary to make any public statement re this Bitcoin issue,” he stated. “Honestly there was nothing to comment about, really just to say once and for all to set the record clear, that there was no formal proposal put forward by the developers or the potential businessmen to the government really on the Bitcoin issue.”

The matter came to light in August 2014 with several websites claiming that Dominica was going to be the first nation to use the digital currency, Bitcoin, on a large scale following a project slated for March 15, 2015.

The sites claimed that officials in Dominica had collaborated with several Bitcoin businesses and companies for what was called “Bit Drop” project, where Dominicans were to be given the currency via SMS texting.

“With a population of over 70,000, this project will create the world’s largest and highest density Bitcoin community,” one website boasted.

In February organizers said the project was cancelled because Dominica did not provide the ‘promised’ support.

Throughout the entire episode, the government had remained silent despite several attempts to get a comment.

But on Monday Darroux said he did hold discussions with the organizers but a formal proposal was never sent to the government.

“So the people come to us with proposals, I sat with the guys, they spoke to me and that was it,” he said. “Of course it was suggested that they would have had to forward a proposal to the government, to the Ministry of Finance and that was never done.”

He said the organizers of the event went ahead and did their own public relations.

“That was it really,” Darroux said.

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44 Comments

  1. 767_Rebal
    October 22, 2022

    Digital currently is the future, no doubt about that. To be honest here I don’t believe the over 70k plus individuals residence on the island of Dominica is Savvy or educated enough in the Digital finance space to move forward just yet on the nature Island with crypto currency’s nor (cbdc) central bank digital currency. More needs to be done to educate the people on this impending future of Blockchain technology.

  2. Hello?
    March 17, 2015

    Titiwi seem to have a hard on for O.J who was the pioneer in aviation here- Dominica Airways ..also owned Dominique Airways..Pioneered deep sea fishing with the WHITE SEAL multi million fishing boat – pioneered a steel hill cargo vessel here with Peters and White and as PM was the first to campaign by helicopter and Blimp .as well as to introduce food stamp with the OJ DOLLAR .always ahead of his generation ..so now BIT COIN .. there is the Aspen Assurance website and there is BIT COIN NOW INVESTED IN BY BILL GATES worlds wealthiest and MICROSOFT .what a lost opportunity with the BIT DROP ..we will revisit our lost chance to be worlds no 1 and as we did with the Iranians moving their wealth to Panama .
    Frankly I prefer to believe in these people than the likes of Angelo Alleyne who write and talk with nothing else to show!
    pity we are an aging nation who have no intense involvement with the computer info and the profound issues and let garbage and idiocy lead our thinking

    • Malatete
      March 18, 2015

      Maybe Dominica Airways was registered as a company in Dominica but I doubt it was ever operational. I have consulted the listing for all defunct airlines but Dominica is not shown. Because such aircraft maybe have been on the U.S. register ( registration prefix N) I also checked all the defunct airlines for the U.S.A. but with the same negative result. Was any aircraft ever registered in that company’s name? It would be very interesting to find out from a historical point of view.

  3. Digital Future
    March 17, 2015

    You just recently elected the “Gang” for another 5 years, you believe they know whats best for you so let them make the hard decisions without running back to the people everyday for permission. Judging by the comments on this web site regarding Bitcoin the masses are not educated enough to make decisions but the majority made one “Labour Party 5 more Years” Bring on the future bring on Bitcoin!!!

  4. zouklv
    March 17, 2015

    :lol: with time there must be changes.Dominica and the rest of the world got no choice than to follow the beast whats the big issue .Reverlation is fulfilling it must happen. with out it none could buy nor sell……..wake up. its right on your door step.

  5. Francisco Telemaque
    March 16, 2015

    “Monday and he said he felt it was not necessary to comment publicly on the matter, since “quite frankly there was nothing to talk about.”

    Darroux; from the beginning there was never anything to talk about the man you are so proud to stand close to while you talked all your nonsense about that thief, and claimed Dominica will be the first, then you get your lady waste of time so called lawyer to go on DNO and even explain to the nation how great a venture this scam is; the man you stand close to is alleged to be a wanted man in the United States.

    You people need to research people before you bring them into the country only to disgrace your selves in the end. That guy and his scam has ruined many life’s in the United States, and elsewhere. Information about that guy and his scam is all over the Internet, all you have to do a search, and you will see for yourself ; and the fool you made out of Darroux!

  6. nigel
    March 16, 2015

    Why are we even interested in such a venture. Dominica is not technoligically advance to handle such business. Half of its citizen do not even have internet at home. Why are we even thinking about this?

    • March 16, 2015

      Because it’s useful for things like no-fee foreign remittances, and one need not have Internet at home to take advantage of it. But I would agree that’s probably the only major use that would interest most people in Dominica. Maybe also a few high end merchants who deal with tourists, but I don’t see Bitcoin replacing the E.C. dollar in everyday use.

      • derp
        March 17, 2015

        well I guess Dominican’s don’t want to be advanced…

      • March 17, 2015

        Well, you have to understand how many foreign scammers go through a small country like DA. It tends to build up an understandable scepticism in people toward financial innovations.

    • Me
      March 17, 2015

      Derb, that was for government to offload Bitcoins for those who pay for their citizenship with that money. Think!

  7. Truth be Told
    March 16, 2015

    “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Every time ministers or officials from this Labour Party government speak, I feel sorry for Dominica!

  8. jenn
    March 16, 2015

    Introducing virtual money to Dominica at its infancy stage would require some explanation. The government needs to do much better on this one. Also bit coins are not stabilized, it may drop unexpectedly overnight, and then what happens. Don’t forget I warned you guys.

    • Dennis
      March 16, 2015

      Lets not forget the capital flight risk, and the potential loss of hard currency intake from remittances, tourist or repatriates. The individuals pushing bitcoin are doing so to promote their own business’s and therefore thicken their wallets. I have yet to see one individual publicly promoting bitcoin that does not have an vested interest within the digital currency in the Caribbean. They don’t care about the long term negative impact it can have, and rebut any opposing opinion with pointless babble. However, I do see states owning their digital currencies in the future.

  9. %
    March 16, 2015

    This man is such a classical joker. No wonder the country is in such a mess.. He and the gang do not believe that they have to tell the people anything, even when it is clear that they are taking the country to hell.

    • jim
      March 17, 2015

      that is so true amen. We see a few expensive “duty free” vehicles about the place and we think the country is doing so well, but we the masses ketching hell.

  10. LANlu
    March 16, 2015

    oh darroux darroux marti darroux, while all kinds of fancy glamourous stuff was written about bitcoin and the government of dominica, you all sat and say nothing… when the s hit the fan you remained silent and come and feed us with some bogus nonsensical lie…
    allu mad.

  11. Jahchild
    March 16, 2015

    utter nonesense

  12. Titiwi
    March 16, 2015

    So OJ Seraphin was not involved either? O.J. has never denied anything when Angelo made the disclosures. Even an assurance company registered here by O.J. with the same name as an insurance company in London that knew nothing about O.J. Angelo disclose all that and no denial or protest from anyone? Come better than that Dr. Darroux. You all got cold feet when you were caught with your pants down, that’s the reality not so?

  13. derp
    March 16, 2015

    idk that handshake looking pretty official to me

    • The Authorities
      March 16, 2015

      We The Authorities advised Dr. Darroux that the “handshake” was unofficial since Mr. Miller refused to take his left hand out of his pocket at the time.
      Mr. Miller’s action was rude, offensive and expressed superiority, so the whole plan was cancelled.

      • Ma Moses
        March 16, 2015

        I just think that mr. Miller has poor manners, not brought up properly, moun malkassai my nennen would call that.

  14. PoKeSa
    March 16, 2015

    Minister Darroux – the sentiment expressed in breaking your silence on the Bitcoin issue is folly!

    The minister’s response shows the importance this Labour administration place on the good image and protection of Dominica’s image. By using Dominica’s name willy-nilly and detrimentally, I hope Dominica is going to file a lawsuit against Bitcoin?

    • Digital Future
      March 16, 2015

      Yes and file a lawsuit against the US Dlollar and the Euro………….please get educated

  15. i must speak
    March 16, 2015

    well he took his good time…smh this is our country :cry:

  16. Shaka zulu
    March 16, 2015

    They came to you with proposals, they spoke to you and that was it…. Nice. You said nothing huh? It was suggested they submit to finance. Not mandated? You must have given them indication it was OK. I believe the finance minister said yes because he is to busy to claim first in the Caribbean in every scam.

  17. alas
    March 16, 2015

    Kenneth you are such a disappointment
    For months i read about this. Ira Miller took u and the DLP for a bunch of clowns.
    De man using our name to promote a bogus operation.
    You have de guts to say that you had discussion about it.
    You and the Government never committed to anything yet de gentleman is promoting a scheme on all Bitcoin website and media.
    Our government was never aware of this?
    And i was aware of it?
    SHAME ON MY GOVERNMENT. ELECTION WAS TO HOT.
    de guy has de nerve to promote something on his website around de world.
    De government never got a proposal. Never committed itself to anything having to do with Bitcoin?
    Am i an idiot kenneth?
    I could never buy this nonsense.
    Basically Ira took u for a fool.
    Lord knows what is his impression of Dominica, Dominicans and most of all our ministers in government.

  18. Doc. Love
    March 16, 2015

    While Darroux is talking his foolishness, is he aware of the breaking news by Mr. Angello Allen a few months ago on Q95. The renaming of the Winsor Park Stadium to Bit Drop Stadium. The big party with international guests in March to christen the establishing of Bitcoin. Dr. Darroux does not have to comment if he chooses, however, if he claims that the organizers went ahead and did their own thing, why hasn’t he deny the statement of Mr. Allen. He should fortify the statement of his name sake Darroux of St. Joseph as an example of a talk show host disseminating wrong information to the public.

    • Digital Future
      March 16, 2015

      Don’t forget the renaming of the airport to Bitdrop International

      • Titiwi
        March 17, 2015

        I think Drop Off International would be even better. Anyway, for me it will always remain Melville Hall and I have freedom of expression, the ayes have it.

  19. March 16, 2015

    Quickly, Indeed Swift.This is so interesting for a headline dno. Now We Will Look and See. Now the response,
    dno let the comments roll in.

  20. Erasmus B. Black
    March 16, 2015

    Pat-a-cake, pat -a -cake, baker’s man, bake me a velvet cake as slow as you can, prick it and whisk it and mark it with TAK, and hide it in the oven for dummies and me.

  21. Not a herd follower
    March 16, 2015

    Darroux seems to be treating the matter lightly. Why did he not say something earlier when Bitcoin was actively promoting that it had a programme with the government? Now, after Bitcoin has pulled out, he now comes to the public to say there was nothing. Bitcoin has already indicated that the deal with the Government of Dominica is now off. Darroux should have cleared the air long time. This government has a habit of not disclosing information to the public and when the public begins to speculate the government threatens to impose controls on the media. The people making up this government lacks professionalism and must not treating the people with disrespect. They are accountable to the people and should behave accordingly.

    • derp
      March 16, 2015

      letthebitdrop organizers not Bitcoin lol google the meaning of bitcoin

      • Titiwi
        March 16, 2015

        No Derp, not that one either. The company was called Coinapult, you know like a catapult or slingshot, based on the money laundering paradise of Panama.

      • Digital Future
        March 17, 2015

        Derp, you seemed to be the only educated person on here, well done

  22. The Authorities
    March 16, 2015

    Etiquette 101: Beware of anyone who shakes your hand while his other hand is in his pocket.

    • Titiwi
      March 16, 2015

      Don’t be too hard, the man just guarding his coin bits!!

    • Digital Future
      March 16, 2015

      At least it was not in Darroux pocket!!!!!

  23. AA
    March 16, 2015

    SMH, is that the way you people run the affairs of the state, you all are there representing the interest of Dominicans and you all think that you are on you all’s private estate checking all you own business? If this was a potentially good investment why didn’t you all pursue it on behalf of the people of DOM?

    This bit coin thing is only a ploy for these people that have unaccounted gains to hide these gains from preying eyes, simple. This is an avenue for money laundering and for politicians, who have to undergo enhance due diligence because they are high risk for money laundering, to escape this aspect and legitimize their wealth.

    • nigel
      March 16, 2015

      You are right. This is an avenue for money laundering. And only greedy politicians will benefit from it. How many Dominicans really interested in virtual money. We have a hard enough time trying to make real money.

      • March 16, 2015

        No, it’s actually terrible for money laundering, because every Bitcoin transaction in on a publicly viewable ledger! But people seem to say whatever they want when it comes to this sort of thing….

  24. grell
    March 16, 2015

    Lieas and more lies from the corrupt regime.The day will come ,when dominica will be cleanesed

  25. alas
    March 16, 2015

    Boy you should be fired for corruption in office!
    De number of news stories that went round de world…i personally read dem myself!
    These websites promoted a certain image of Dominica and now you basically saying NO COMMENT?
    i am so ashamed of you..I have no more respect for u.
    Your name is already attached to the entire scheme Kenneth.
    You tarnished your character and that of our Waitikubuli.
    you dealt us a very hard blow Kenneth….’at de appropriate time’ the dust will clear from ur eyes.
    this story has been in de US media for months..now you coming out?
    You think what you just said can appease de minds of de non-Dominicans overseas who are aware of that story?
    You failed in your bid to protect de image of our Dominica.
    “De organizers of the event went ahead and did their own public relations”
    AND MY GOVERNMENT SITING THERE WATCHING IRA MILLER PROMOTE THIS PROGRAM WITH NO PROPOSAL SENT TO GOVERNMENT!!
    SO WHAT HAPPEN I AM A DOTISH STUPID CLOWN THEN!

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