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Cryptocurrency News Articles
Lebanon's Collapse Is a Warning to the Entire World
Oct 01, 2024 at 01:06 am
If you follow major events in the global economy, you'll probably recall that Lebanon's recent past serves as a vivid example of what a full-blown currency collapse looks like in a modern, advanced economy.
Tony Yazbeck is co-founder of The Bitcoin Way and a bitcoin educator. He experienced firsthand the devastating effects of Lebanon’s economic collapse, which included hyperinflation, food shortages, and a complete loss of trust in the banking system. In this interview, Tony shares his story and explains how bitcoin could have been a lifeline for many Lebanese people during this crisis.
Before the economic collapse, Lebanon was a vibrant and prosperous country, often called the “Paris of the Middle East.” Its economy thrived on banking, tourism, and services, and it was positioned as a bridge between East and West. For Tony, this prosperity wasn’t an illusion — it was his daily life.
“My life in Lebanon was extraordinary,” he recalls. “I ran three thriving businesses and lived a luxurious lifestyle. Whether it was the latest cars, the best restaurants, or the hottest clubs, Beirut had it all. I was living the high life and making a lot of money.”
Yet beneath the surface, cracks were forming. Lebanon’s banking sector, once a source of pride, was built on unsustainable practices, and the country was drowning in debt. For years, Lebanon’s central bank had pegged the Lebanese pound to the U.S. dollar at an artificially high rate, creating a false sense of stability.
This currency peg required constant inflows of dollars to maintain. When those inflows dried up, the house of cards collapsed.
In 2019, Lebanon’s banks began restricting access to savings, imposing informal capital controls without any legal framework.
“Overnight, people lost access to their funds,” Tony says. “You couldn’t withdraw your own money, and even if you could, it was in Lebanese pounds that were rapidly losing value. I remember going to the bank to withdraw money for my rent, and they told me I couldn’t have it. It was a surreal and terrifying moment.”
For those unfamiliar with a currency crisis, the limitation of bank withdrawals is one of the first signs that the system is failing. The government and banks try to delay the inevitable by locking down money in the system. By then, it’s too late.
In early 2020, Lebanon defaulted on its foreign debt, and the value of the Lebanese pound plummeted. Hyperinflation set in, destroying the purchasing power of ordinary people.
Tony watched helplessly as his savings evaporated and his businesses crumbled. “I went from being a successful entrepreneur to having just $70 to my name in what felt like the blink of an eye,” he recalls. “I couldn’t pay rent, school fees, or even afford basic groceries. I had to rely on friends and family for help just to survive.”
Hyperinflation took hold with shocking speed. “A loaf of bread that once cost 1,500 LBP shot up to over 30,000 LBP within months,” Tony explains. “Fuel prices were even worse. In early 2023, a gallon of gas went from 25,000 LBP to over 500,000 LBP in just a few weeks. It was impossible to keep up with the prices.”
The destruction wasn’t limited to material wealth; the psychological toll was immense. Tony describes the anxiety and panic that came with watching his hard-earned success disappear.
“For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do,” he says. “I felt completely helpless, like I was drowning in a sea of problems with no way out. I couldn’t sleep at night, and I was constantly worried about how I was going to provide for my family and myself.”
As Lebanon’s currency collapsed, so did its social fabric. People who once lived comfortable, middle-class lives suddenly found themselves struggling for survival. Basic goods became scarce, and the price of everyday items skyrocketed.
Power dynamics within communities shifted as those who controlled essentials like food and fuel gained disproportionate influence. “There were reports of gangs taking over neighborhoods, controlling access to goods and demanding protection fees,” Tony recalls.
Even electricity became a luxury. With the national grid in shambles, most people had to rely on private generators, but the cost of running them was astronomical. “Monthly generator fees jumped from 200,000 LBP to over 4,000,000 LBP,” Tony explains. Many families were forced to live without power for long stretches of time.
In response to the crisis, people turned to alternative forms of exchange. Bartering became common, with people trading goods and services directly. “If you couldn’t pay in cash, you might offer plumbing work in exchange for groceries,” Tony says.
The U.S. dollar, already widely used before the collapse, became the default currency for many transactions. Digital currencies, and especially stable coins like Tether (USDT), also gained traction as people
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