Darroux tight-lipped on digital currency project

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

Minister for environment and physical planning, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, said he is not prepared, at least for now, to discuss an upcoming project involving the digital currency Bitcoin.

Darroux has reportedly met with one of the major sponsors of the project, CEO of Coinapult, Ira Miller and the event is expected to take place in March 2014.

DNO contacted Darroux on Friday on the matter but he said that he cannot discuss it “at this point in time” but promised to do so “at an appropriate time.”

He stated that he is aware that the news on the project is all over the internet but insisted that he will be able to discuss the matter in about a week.

The Bit Drop project is expected to take place in Dominica on March 14, 2015.

According to published information, officials in Dominica have collaborated with several Bitcoin businesses and companies for what has been called the “Bit Drop” project.

During the project Bitcoins will be sent to every resident in Dominica via SMS texting, according to reports.

Bitcoin is a digital currency which exists only online and transactions are made with no middle men and no need for banks. No transaction fees are needed with Bitcoins and there is no need to give your real name.

Although local officials are not talking about the project, organizers have plenty to say.

Bit Drop project manager, Sarah Blincoe, told publication, CoinDesk, that the island’s government has reacted in a highly positive manner to the project.

“The young forward-thinking administration sees the long term benefits in the block chain technology and is eager to support our project in any way possible,” she was quoted as saying.

According to coinbuzz.com, “The Bit Drop has received full cooperation and support from the Dominican government and has partnered with its elected leaders to distribute educational materials prior to the event.”

The project is being organized by what has been described as a “group of Bitcoin enthusiasts” and it is reported that the “event will be celebrated with an island-wide party featuring celebrities, musicians, bitcoin education booths and free giveaways.”

DNO has contacted several organizers of the event, who said they will be willing to give interviews on the project when they are available.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

75 Comments

  1. August 31, 2014

    I hope this one is not like the one Ambrose wen t to look for in the states . i can remember there was one bank in the DOCTOR village which people put there money in and the money disappear no one knows where the go it left one man paying for it :lol: :oops: DOC please becareful boy u will fall in hot water…….

  2. August 31, 2014

    They tried this Bitcoin in Canada and the traders in Canada refused to trade with Bitcoin, please Dominicans do not trust Bitcoin, Bitcoin in not regulate, ask Mr Ira Miller why Bitcoin failed on the trade market, Bitcoin is not protected it failed miserably, please do not accept their $10.us there’s a catch to it, it’s too good to be true, Ira Miller said in a document that he received the full Blessing of Dominicans to go ahead with Bitcoin in Dominica which is not true I contacted my families in Dominica Ira Miller and they knew nothing about Bitcoin, please do not spread your lies to gain popularity with Bitcoin when it already fail miserably on the stock market

  3. Labour Right
    August 30, 2014

    Wa happen? Darroux is now minister of Finance? Dat looking like a bobol deal in the making. Darroux boi, we hope dem man, not sending u up front, to use as a whipping boy when this scheme implodes.

  4. john paul
    August 29, 2014

    Mr. Darrouxv,I recommend you use duct tape because by our silence reveals that this is a con.what connection does your Ministry have with this con artist?Where is the Minister of finance? Oh I forgot”Is not your damn business!”
    We need a government that is just a weebit transparent with the electorate.Vote them out!Change is essential!

  5. secret deal again?
    August 29, 2014

    A country cannot be governed by such men who refuse to allow the people’s ideas on such matters. Whose fools are we?

    How comes Dominicans were not informed about that scheme, but the world knows that Gov’t agree to that Big project.

    “Bit coins would be sent to every Dominican via SMX texting.” bla, bla, bla.

    Where is the Minister of Finance on that “excellent” financial project? Darroux boy, hope you not trying to bite more than you can chew.

    Anyhow that “project” would even seem to have some real deal to make political points, PM would be the first to beat his chest. Mark my words, something is amiss. Something fishy.

    Skerritt and his DLP Gov’t must seize insulting Dominicans. many allow themselves to be taken as fools. Those matters must be known, discussed by the people, before any posting on World Wide Web. Is so then?

    Is time for Skerritt, DLP, all of them, to get out of the way. The Dominican people will surely come to the realization that too much of those secret foolishness going on, too often. The people need Respect. Whose country sis Dominica, nuh? Dominica is nobody’s backyard.

    keeping the people away from knowing about such deals amounts to a new kind of slavery. The attitude to oppress and keep the masses in the dark.

    How long? Not Long !!!!!!!!!!!

  6. hide @seek.gov.dm
    August 29, 2014

    When DNO broke that news yesterday one of the DLP opperatives commenting on DNO, described it as “A blessing in disguise.” As I thought of it last night and today I realized yesterdays article has a paragraph that most of us ignored “One of the partners of the event, Aspen Assurance Company Ltd. describes former prime minister O.J. Seraphine as chairman of the board and director of public relation.” Here is my take on the so called “Blessing in disguise” of the DLP supporter: During the 1980 election, that same former PM had already designed his own currency and many of us as supporters of the then government, already had our Dominica coins circulating. But you know what became of that popular, with own currency government? Dominicans rejected him and his currency at the polls by landslide margin. Similarly, the blessing in disguise that will come out from this Britcoin deal, just before an election will be a landslide victory for the opposition.

  7. hide @seek.gov.dm
    August 29, 2014

    I can understand why Mr. Darroux might be tight-lipped on this project. After all, he must be a little smatter than Ian and having seen how Ian was used by others to do their dirty work that got him in trouble, he decided to play the “Watch and see game.” After all, isn’t PM Skerrit the minister responsible for Finance? Doesn’t Britcoin have to do with finance and the economy? So what Skerrit trying to hide behind Darroux whose seat is already in serious trouble for? Is that there way of making Darroux the scape goat and want him to take one for the team? Bunch of Cowards!!

  8. hide @seek.gov.dm
    August 29, 2014

    This is a hide and seek government and I do hope Dominicans can understand what is happening. How do I trust these guys called the government of Dominica? Am I off my mind to trust them? They have nothing to say now not even to clear their name, yet top brass of the project have plenty to say about the government’s knowledge and blessing of the project? What’s going on here? They behave like little boys with toys.

  9. Kahunas grande
    August 29, 2014

    What happened to transparency? This is something new that the majority is skeptical about (with good reason). Why not EDUCATE the citizens about the pros and cons of this venture? Staying tight-lipped will just lead to further skepticism and speculation. How you want me to participate in something but you don’t want to tell me about it? Ki zafèh diab en sac sah??

  10. Gasparo Contarini
    August 29, 2014

    Minister for environment and physical planning for bitcoin, then a finance man is minister of health, boy all u laybarites brainless with skerrit, only Ma Dominique will suffer with you people. Everybody laughing at us.

    • Darious
      August 30, 2014

      The Tech world is watching and applauding

  11. lol
    August 29, 2014

    :lol: :lol: :lol: havent posted in a while but just had to this time around……am i the only one realizing that all the labourites that normally come to defend of the Gov and call DNO bias and make comments that if election was based on the number of ‘likes’ UWP would win by a landslide but it aint ‘likes’ is the election polls so Labour is here to stay….have not come out to make one post….guessing they worried too and are like WTH skerro, u all doing all kinda stuff behind our back for real man….they scared too lol

    • LawieBawie
      September 1, 2014

      We are just really tired of constantly having to respond to all this crap. It just seems to never end. And I have noticed that it is a recurring pattern in that every five years the supporters of the opposition increase this negative dialogue exponentially on the home stretch to elections. Anything and everything that the government does within that period is linked to the impending elections.

  12. Morihei Ueshiba
    August 29, 2014

    From Toilette to BitCoin

  13. a00r
    August 29, 2014

    FELLOW DOMINICANS here is the full answer to all your querstions….

    Please post this DNO ADMIN:
    http://cointelegraph.com/news/112391/caribbean-island-becomes-bitcoin-nation-interview-with-sarah-blincoe-project-manager

  14. anonymous
    August 29, 2014

    you are going to buy something you are hoping to make some profit from which you will not be able to sell its not real but your cash it , :lol: its paper chase money

  15. stand up ambrose G
    August 29, 2014

    Ambrose george must have given advice of this scam

  16. Forever Amber
    August 29, 2014

    “Bit Drop project manager, Sarah Blincoe, told publication, CoinDesk, that the island’s government has reacted in a highly positive manner to the project.”

    There is only ONE reason for this – ELECTIONS. The DLP administration may be viewing this avalanche of CASH to the electorate as a positive boost for their failing re-election chances. Don’t be surprised that the date of elections will follow immediately, thereafter.

  17. Abitrator
    August 29, 2014

    The founder have yet to be identify. As far as I’m concerned, by participating in that Bicoin thing, you all could be funding Alqueda, ISIS, Hesbola and other terrorist group. Be careful,

    • The Facts
      August 29, 2014

      One world organization. One world coin/currency. One world religion. There is a lot being planned behind the scenes which many are not aware of and may never be aware of. Be careful! Tread carefully.

      • The Facts
        August 29, 2014

        Until it is too late. Careful!

  18. Dominican
    August 29, 2014

    Hopefully the Dominica Tourism Board capitalizes on this publicity gimmick which could draw worldwide attention to our nation.

    • Anonymous
      August 29, 2014

      Doubt it

  19. IFF I WUZ
    August 29, 2014

    Parry, I would advise the Prime Minister to put all transactions as regards the BitCoin on hold until the whole nation is educated about this new initiative. People’s lives could be destroyed if BisCoin is a scam as reported by certain organizations. Parry should also tell the Prime Minister, even though he wants to win the next general elections at all cost, he should be very careful as regards the decision he takes on this matter.

  20. Emile Zapatos
    August 29, 2014

    It has been decided that in seven (7) months this project will come into effect and launch with bells and trumpets. But the Minister of Finance has said nothing to the nation about this. Why the silence ?
    The main sales pitch is ” take control of your money”. If I need financial advice I go to a financial adviser. Their pitch sound like the “Save you money” to which I reply” how can I save if I spend buying your stuff.

  21. 99 Days For The....
    August 29, 2014

    QUESTION OF THE DAY>>>> ” WHY is the minister of Environment and Physical Planning handling an obvious FINANCE matter?????? Isnt this a matter to be handled by the PM/Finance Minister???????

    Reckon dude be like, yeah you go head with this one eh cause if this ish backfires I will be in the clear and you can take the blame my boy :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    • Kahunas grande
      August 31, 2014

      You are SO RIGHT!!! Think Skerrit stupid. I wonder if he will even participate in that SCAM.

  22. August 29, 2014

    These people just pushing all kind of things dwn Dominican throat and not explaining nothing to the average joe.Please my people before you do things inform the people of Dominica.

    • LawieBawie
      September 1, 2014

      You people are soooo damn stupid. First of all, they have not done it yet. Secondly it is obviously still being discussed at government level as it rightly should be. It so happened that someone decided to leak this information to the public while it is still being discussed. But everyone in Dominica is so political that the naysayers have immediately jumped to the conclusion the government is hiding something. The pro and cons must be discussed before it is put before the public. Thirdly no body is being forced to use it.

  23. historian
    August 29, 2014

    we need to research the BitCoin ..It has been given very posiitve reviews by FOX and CNN .
    Only a leader like Skerritt who has the balls to face naysayers can vault over the ordinary and charge on to outside the box opportunities.
    Evidence is the VENEZUELA and China initiatives
    BITCOIN is on the rise now is our time !

    • 99 Days For The....
      August 29, 2014

      Skerrit ka van zour

  24. Peacock
    August 29, 2014

    I would like to know what is the Financial Services Unit position this. Because, this type must be regulated and all eyes – OECD – FATF – CFATF -IMF – to name a few, will be on us.

    What do we have in place to monitor/regulate this transaction?

    I do not think we are ready for this and should be extremely. I wonder why the Bitcoin people did not approach the major offshore jurisdictions such as BVI and CAYMAN

    • tor
      August 29, 2014

      you cannot regulate bitcoins, right now I have bitcoins I live in Dominica btw…

      • 99 Days For The....
        August 29, 2014

        So you must be one that pushing it down our throats as you might just be one benefiting big time…..btw i have never seen that name ‘tor’ commenting on DNO posts before…..wey u come out????

      • tor
        August 30, 2014

        I really wish dno would switch to facebook posting comments system then we can see the faces behind the posts, I’m not benefiting in anyway, honestly idk what is wrong with Dominicans everything they think is a big scam -_- they crying about country tight they are the ones who make it tight

    • August 29, 2014

      I assume they chose Dominica because the Chairman of one of the sponsoring companies is O.J. Seraphin.

  25. Anonymous
    August 29, 2014

    By the way, is Mr. Darroux acting in a official capacity on behalf of the Govt of Dominica on in a personal? I would be strange he would be a Govt agent in this venture as the Minister for Environment and Physical Planning when we have a ministry that deal for finance and related matters.

  26. Mt. Gox
    August 29, 2014

    I need two supercomputers to start mining for coins

    • tor
      August 29, 2014

      hello Mark Karpelès

  27. goo goo gaga
    August 29, 2014

    As usual…our nation is involved in bizarre projects and we hear about it from third party non-nationals. What sort of respect is there for citizens? Clearly the project is already being promoted, so what else is there for the minister to know? Why can’t you simply state what you have signed up for? this lack of transparency is out of control!

    Anywho this DLP is so sneaky and underhanded, I wouldn’t be surprised if they “leaked” this out to dupe the opposition into thinking election is next year. Remember Astaphan and the IPO….

  28. shaka zulu
    August 29, 2014

    So our government using people as digital lab rats and they have to hear about it online. Smfh. These folks realize Dominica is runned by a con artist so they are taking advantage.

  29. Blackinese
    August 29, 2014

    History has taught us to always beware men with wide white smiles bearing gifts of good news….watch out for this folks. do not be deceived. do your research

    • Darious
      August 29, 2014

      Racist comment

      • August 29, 2014

        Why was that racist? I took “white smiles” to refer to teeth, not skin colour.

  30. grammar police
    August 29, 2014
  31. RASTA
    August 29, 2014

    Well I would NOT be surpriesd if TJ and his gang is in all that. 8)

    • August 29, 2014

      ……….TJ is not a member of Skerrit comrades nor a minister of government, the skirt government is involve in all sorts of money lundering not forgetting your country husband and wife team in Olympic this year, and the ones whose bank was located in the government financial building, Skerrit is the one selling dominica under our noses, Skerrit is the minister of finance you fool he is the one going all over the world associating himself with criminals and money lundering you fool something of this nature have to be approve by the government the minister of finance etc, this is a scam, it is too good to be true

      I did my research, and as far as I read, Bitcoin price is volatile and keeping savings with Bitcoin is not recommended, and Bitcoin should be seen like a high risk assets, you should never store money that you cannot afford to lost with Bitcoin

      Bitcoin is not anonymous, all Bitcoin transactions as stored publicly and permanently on the network which means anyone can see the balance and transactions of any Bitcoin address

      Bitcoin is an experimental new currency that is in active development, Bitcoin is a new inventing that is exploring ideas, as such it’s future cannot be predicted by anyone, Dominicans beware money is hard to obtain in this island, please don’t be fool anymore, educate ourselves and be smart when it comes to your monies, this is too good to be true, they choose Dominica instead of the UK, USA, Canada even China because they know that if anything go wrong their business fail nothing severe will happen to them, too good to be true

  32. socalist
    August 29, 2014

    Well i guess we are in the internet age. Instead of money as a means of making transactions we will use Digits. That is probably the way of the future but i think it will be successful when a large enough amount of public companies will get involved. On that basis I think we are getting involved a bit too early.

    • The Facts
      August 29, 2014

      As much as it is stated they keep their identity as their personal names, they will, no doubt, request and amass all personal data on those who participate. I do not trust this Bitcoin. They have much proving to do as to their authenticity and integrity.

  33. Ma Moses
    August 29, 2014

    What is in it for the likes of Ira Muller? I don’t believe people promote such schemes out of charity. I’m holding on to my trusted dollars and not giving them in exchange for bit coins.

    • August 29, 2014

      No one’s asking you to buy it, that’s why they’re giving it away. I haven’t spoken with them about it, but I know some people who are keen on Bitcoin, and I expect that the organisers’ goal is to show that a society can benefit from increased use of Bitcoin, and thereby increase their business worldwide in other places that want to see the same positive results. In other words, for them, doing this project in Dominica is essentially a marketing expense.

      Now, whether it really turns out as positively as they hope remains to be seen, but there’s no reason to assume ill intent without evidence of it.

      • Cerberus
        August 29, 2014

        Steve, are you accepting payments from students for your New World University in bit coins? By the way, was that institution ever accredited by the National Board? Thanks.

      • August 29, 2014

        Hi Cerebus, we haven’t accepted it as yet, but we’re considering it, especially since it eliminates international transaction fees. Our accreditation is in process, which is okay since it means NAB is respectable and not a rubber stamp.

      • jo
        August 29, 2014

        Since when have a new world university on Old street? I presume the campus is above the lawyers office?

      • August 31, 2014

        No, that would be a pretty difficult. We offer distance learning, and our faculty members are distributed around the world, so our need for space locally is very minimal.

    • The Facts
      August 29, 2014

      The top men benefit and are well paid. When the fall comes the little men at the bottom are the ones who lose.

  34. tor
    August 29, 2014

    he tight lipped because the information got released prematurely xD

  35. Doc. Love
    August 29, 2014

    They can hide information about Bitcoin as much as they want, Dominicans have nothing to fear, by the time March 2015 comes, those modern day pirates will be out of Government.

  36. patriot
    August 29, 2014

    DNO can you give me a pratical illustration on how the system works ?

    • tor
      August 29, 2014

      go here and play the video you will get all the information you need
      https://bitcoin.org/

      • Emile Zapatos
        August 29, 2014

        They will give you information they want you to have. Not all the information on the net is true. This one is a plant.

      • tor
        August 30, 2014

        sure you are God to know all Emile Zapatos

  37. Mamizoo
    August 29, 2014

    It would be prudent to educate the masses on this financial venture. The pros and con.
    The people need to be fully educated.

    • me myself & I
      August 29, 2014

      some people are not into having people educated, they prefer to have us in the dark.

  38. Anonymous
    August 29, 2014

    The Bit Drop did not just drop on Dominica. It stands to reason that it must have been a thing in the planning stages behind the scenes for quite a while. 14 March 2015 the project will be launched, we better believe it. It goes to wonder which local official was the financial wizard behind this!!!!

  39. Anonymous
    August 29, 2014

    Elections constitutionally due by March 2015, this project will be launched in that same month. It goes to speculate that elections will be called even before Carnival because we know that Kaiso has broken and uplifted some political parties in the past!!! We better believe it, the DLP will not risk that chance and call election after carnival….

  40. experimenting
    August 29, 2014

    if the BITCON is so fantastic why has the financial wizards of london, new york tokyo etc not embraced it?

  41. Senorita Semaj
    August 29, 2014

    any Dominican organization, government department or telecoms company who gives my telephone number to any other company without my permission better look out! #lawsuitinaction

  42. my take
    August 29, 2014

    Nothing new, SSDD. We always have to get it from the outside first. Let us see wait to hear what the ‘spin’ will be!!!

  43. %
    August 29, 2014

    If the project is expected to take place in Dominica in March 2015, why someone in Team Dominica /UWP was not involved in the discussion?. By that time (March 20125), Kenneth Darroux will no longer have a say in this matter, since he will not only be in opposition, but he will leave the Labour Party altogether, since these people cannot take the struggle of the poor man on their shoulders. HE AND MANY OTHERS, WILL QUIT POLITICS AS SOON AS HE AND HIS PARTY LOSE.
    HOW LONG?
    NOT LONG!

    • Anonymous
      August 29, 2014

      Well said

    • !!!
      August 29, 2014

      TRUE SAY!!!

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available