Liberland: the bitcoin nation welcoming mellow new citizens
In Depth: self-proclaimed free state follows ‘live and let live’ approach and tax is voluntary
The self-proclaimed Free State of Liberland will mark its third anniversary this year with its first ever celebrations on home turf - a three-square-mile patch of land known as Gornja Siga that is the product of a border dispute.
The micronation, on the Danube River between Serbia and Croatia, was created by Czech politician Vit Jedlicka in 2015 and has adopted bitcoin as its national currency. Other cryptocurrencies are also accepted.
Although officially recognised by no one, Liberland received 480,000 citizenship applications by the end of 2017, including 100,000 from the Middle East, and 18,000 from the US, Jedlicka told Radio Prague.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The land on which it sits was once part of Serbia, but ended up in Croatia when the borders were redrawn at the end of the Balkan Civil War in the 1990s. Croatia didn’t accept the land or the new borders, however, as it would have lost territory, reports the BBC, so Jedlicka planted a flag in the ground in April 2015 and declared it an independent nation.
Serbian and Croatian military forces forces were finally removed last year, allowing for freedom of movement, although access is only possible via the Danube River, because there is no border agreement with Croatia yet.
The country’s motto is “to live and let live”. Citizens can largely do as they please, with tax paid on a voluntary basis, and no laws against smoking marijuana. The nation accepts the cryptocurrencies bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum for its financial operations and donations, and the state budget is distributed among almost a dozen cryptocurrencies.
Jedlicka, a former financial markets analyst, says the nation has no debt and low running costs, so he is not worried about its digital coin stock.
“Putting yourself at the mercy of a highly speculative and intangible asset might sound like a recipe for disaster, but Jedlicka has not let this phase him,” says The Daily Telegraph.
Indeed, Jedlicka is urging interested parties to submit their applications for citizenship in time for spring. “That is when our social and cultural life starts to flourish. Liberlanders can occupy boats and houseboats parked in Liberland waters,” he told the newspaper.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published