I sent someone in Venezuela about USD 40 in Bitcoin in October or November. They were able to convert half of it into more local currency (Bolivares?) than they made in a month at their full-time job.

He said physical US currency was at a huge premium in the country because there wasn't nearly enough of it to go around, and the official exchange rate was clown shoes.

First up the government there have already started arresting the mining operators so probably no longer looking like that wise of an investment on their parts.

Other than that it's a much safer bet in Venezuela to buy USD than bitcoin though and that is generally what happens.

If you're poor in a country with a government like the Venezuelan one betting your limited funds on a speculative investment that requires an active internet connection to use doesn't seem wise or helpful.

> Other than that it's a much safer bet in Venezuela to buy USD than bitcoin though and that is generally what happens.

How?

Black market currency exchanges if you need to convert otherwise you just take payment in USD only and basically treat it as your currency instead of the Bolivar.