Gibran Rakabuming Raka, a vice presidential candidate in the upcoming Indonesian election, aims to accelerate Indonesia’s position as a leader in the digital revolution by cultivating expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Gibran, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, made the announcement during a political gathering last week, outlining his vision to bolster tech education and create more opportunities for the nation’s youth.
As the chosen running mate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, the 36-year-old politician aims to tap into Indonesia’s growing interest in digital assets.
“We are preparing blockchain experts, we are preparing cybersecurity experts, we are preparing crypto experts,” Gibran affirmed during the event on December 10.
Indonesia has emerged as a key player in the global crypto landscape, ranking seventh on Chainalysis’ 2023 global crypto adoption index.
With an estimated 18 million crypto investors, the country has demonstrated a keen interest in the technology.
The government, led by President Joko Widodo, has recognized the potential of cryptocurrencies and endeavors to leverage this interest to drive economic growth.
Notably, Indonesia has even established a local “stock market” for crypto assets, further solidifying its commitment to the digital sphere.
While Gibran is the first candidate to explicitly address cryptocurrencies, it is expected that other contenders will also touch upon the topic during the upcoming political debates scheduled for February 4.
With Prabowo and Gibran currently leading the polls, their interest in the blockchain and crypto sector could influence the discourse and priorities of other candidates.
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