Presidential candidate Maya Parbhoe has announced her plan to establish Bitcoin as Suriname’s legal tender through an executive order on her first day in office.

Leveraging Suriname's small but resource-rich economy, Parbhoe intends to swiftly transition the country away from reliance on international financial institutions like the IMF and toward a decentralized financial system powered by Bitcoin.

Immediate Legal Tender Status for Bitcoin

Parbhoe outlined her vision for a fast-tracked adoption of Bitcoin, stressing that the initial step—declaring Bitcoin as legal tender—can be achieved through a single executive order.

Parbhoe explains “we were elected in May, after inauguration, it's the first thing you can do. It's a one day thing. It's an executive order by the Foreign Exchange Commission. It's a one pager that just needs to be issued. You don't need to go through parliament for it. You don't need to change any laws. So legal tender, we can do immediately.”

This change would require no parliamentary approval or legal modifications, clearing the way for immediate financial transformation in Suriname. 

Parbhoe’s approach aligns with her vision of “to not need to be dependent on [the] IMF,” which, she notes, would eliminate constraints imposed by international financial institutions and redirect economic power back to the people.

A Plan for Sustainable Transition to a Bitcoin-Standard Economy

The adoption process will not stop at legal tender status. Parbhoe’s long-term goal is to make Bitcoin the country’s primary unit of account, phasing out the Surinamese dollar (SRD).

To oversee this transformation, Parbhoe has created a specialized commission led by Austrian economist Philip Baggis and managed by economic strategist Stefan Runds.

This commission is drafting a structured roadmap to replace the SRD with Bitcoin while addressing necessary legal reforms.

Parbhoe stated “within a very short time frame. Think two, three years, this country could be maybe one of the most developed in the world.”

With Suriname’s modest economy and population size, she believes this transition will encounter fewer roadblocks than larger economies might face.

Support and Funding Through Geyser

Parbhoe’s innovative vision has attracted significant support, with her campaign raising over 64 million sats (about $45,000) so far on Geyser, a crowdfunding platform for Bitcoin-based projects.

Supporters from around the world can contribute to her campaign through the official Geyser page.

Through this campaign, Parbhoe is not only financing her presidential bid but also funding community-driven projects, such as food programs and a tech-focused community center to empower under-resourced areas of Suriname.

A Financial Path to IMF Independence

Beyond policy changes, Parbhoe’s administration plans to explore alternative funding sources, including issuing Bitcoin bonds. 

Revenue from the country’s oil reserves, expected to increase in 2028, could potentially accelerate the repayment of IMF debt, advancing Suriname’s goal of financial sovereignty.

With her strategy for making Bitcoin Suriname's unit of account, Parbhoe seeks to place Suriname among the growing number of countries that are moving toward decentralized financial systems. 

Through her dual focus on local empowerment and financial independence, she positions Suriname as a leader in the global Bitcoin movement.

Watch or listen to the latest interview with Maya Parbhoe here: https://bitcoinpodcast.net/words/f/maya-parbhoe-separate-money-state

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