Building the Bitcoin Coast: The West of Portugal Initiative
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Introduction
Caldas da Rainha, nestled in the beautiful Oeste region of Portugal, is one of the most underrated gems in Europe. Surrounded by the Atlantic coastline, lush countryside, and a thriving local culture, it offers a balanced lifestyle—close to Lisbon, yet far from its chaos. Over the past three years, we have been orange-pilling the West of Portugal, slowly building a foundation for a Bitcoin circular economy.
Today, this region stands as an ideal place for Bitcoiners to live, build, and spend their sats. Now, we want to take it further.
Why Caldas da Rainha and the West of Portugal?
- 🌞 Quality of Life — Great weather, healthy food, natural beauty, and affordable living. A place where builders can focus on creating without burnout.
- ⚡ Proximity to Lisbon — Just one hour away from the capital, while offering a calmer, more grounded lifestyle.
- 🧑🌾 Local Economy Ready for Bitcoin — Merchants, cafes, and services are beginning to accept Bitcoin. The foundation of a circular economy is forming.
- 📜 Friendly Legislation — Portugal has historically been open to Bitcoiners and builders, providing one of the most welcoming legal environments in Europe.
- 💡 Community Roots — Over the past three years, we’ve built connections with locals, business owners, and government figures who understand the opportunity that Bitcoin represents.
The Vision
We want to turn the West of Portugal into a hub for Bitcoin innovation and lifestyle — a place where Bitcoiners from all over the world can come to build, collaborate, and experience the power of a functioning Bitcoin circular economy.
The Program: “Bitcoin Builders of the West”
The initiative aims to bring builders, developers, designers, and entrepreneurs from around the world to Caldas da Rainha and surrounding areas for residency programs, workshops, and collaboration events focused on building Bitcoin-native tools, businesses, and circular economy projects.
Program Goals
- Attract builders and innovators who align with Bitcoin’s ethos of openness and sovereignty.
- Support them locally — with affordable accommodation, workspaces, and introductions to the local network of merchants, public institutions, and sponsors.
- Accelerate Bitcoin adoption in the Oeste region by connecting visiting builders with local businesses and citizens.
- Promote the region internationally as a model for how local Bitcoin economies can emerge organically.
How It Works
- 🏡 Builders Residency: Invite a small group of builders (developers, designers, entrepreneurs, educators) for 1–3 months.
- 🤝 Partnerships with Local Government and Businesses: Collaborate with local authorities to provide venues, logistical support, and community integration.
- 💰 Sponsorships: Seek sponsors from Bitcoin companies, hardware manufacturers, Lightning businesses, and local enterprises.
- 🎥 Media Exposure: Document the initiative from day one — from builder arrivals to the progress of local Bitcoin adoption — to attract attention and inspire replication.
- ⚙️ Local Integration: Builders spend sats at local businesses, hold meetups, and run small workshops to educate merchants and citizens.
Why It Matters
The Bitcoin circular economy is no longer theoretical — it’s happening. But it needs visible, replicable examples. By focusing our efforts in one region, we can demonstrate what living on Bitcoin truly looks like:
- Paying for meals, rent, and services with sats.
- Running local Bitcoin meetups and open-source workshops.
- Educating local entrepreneurs on Lightning integration.
- Strengthening ties between the Bitcoin ecosystem and real communities.
The West of Portugal can become the prototype for a self-sustaining Bitcoin economy in Europe.
Call for Support
We are looking for partners, sponsors, and contributors who share this vision — from Bitcoin companies that can offer resources or visibility, to local governments and businesses that believe in innovation and sustainability.
Support can take the form of:
- Funding for builder residencies and logistics
- Equipment and venue support
- Media partnerships
- Local merchant onboarding initiatives
- Bitcoin company involvement (wallets, Lightning tools, education, etc.)
By joining this initiative, you’ll help shape the first Bitcoin builder residency and circular economy hub in Portugal — an example that can inspire the rest of the world.
Conclusion
Caldas da Rainha and the West of Portugal are ready. The community is forming, the foundations are set, and the world needs real places where Bitcoin works — not just online, but in daily life.
We invite you to join us in building the Bitcoin Coast — a living, breathing experiment in freedom, creativity, and circular economies.