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Early stumble as El Salvador starts Bitcoin as currency

Farmers hold signs emblazoned with messages against the country adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, during a protest along the Pan-American Highway, in San Vicente, El Salvador, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender Tuesday, but the rollout stumbled in its first hours and President Nayib Bukele informed that the digital wallet used for transactions was not functioning. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez) A man holds a sign with a message that reads in Spanish; "Don't steal our pensions," during a protest against the country adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, along the Pan-American Highway, in San Vicente, El Salvador, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender Tuesday, but the rollout stumbled in its first hours and President Nayib Bukele informed that the digital wallet used for transactions was not functioning. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez) Gertrudis Hernandez sells "pupusas" at a bus stop in San Salvador, El Salvador, before sunrise Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, on the day all businesses have to accept payments in Bitcoin, except those lacking the technology to do so. Hernandez said she'll learn how to use Bitcoin when needed, just like the dollar. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez) Government employees wait for the opening of the Chivo digital wallet machine, which will exchange cash for Bitcoin cryptocurrency, at Las Americas Square in San Salvador, El Salvador, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Starting Tuesday, all businesses will have to accept payments in Bitcoin, except those lacking the technology to do so, according to a law approved by the congress. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez) A newspaper vendor shows the front page of a state-run newspaper carrying the headline "Bitcoin Day" in San Salvador, El Salvador, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Starting Tuesday, all businesses will have to accept payments in Bitcoin, except those lacking the technology to do so, according to a law approved by the congress. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez)