The Spain of the 'junas', the crypto-currency perroflauta: barter, goodrollism and dangerous pseudomedicine

In March 2017, 59 French individuals activated a decentralized monetary system known as “juna,” which originated from the work of Stéphane Laborde, a former video producer who had previously observed the rise and fall of tech companies during the dot-com bubble. Inspired by his experiences, Laborde conceptualized a currency that would operate independently of traditional financial institutions, aiming to create a more equitable and community-driven economic model. The system was built upon blockchain technology, allowing participants to maintain digital wallets through an application called Cesium. On its launch day, each participant received 10 units of the currency, totaling 590 units distributed among the initial members. The concept behind juna was rooted in the idea that money should be accessible to all, with daily allocations designed to ensure participation without requiring immediate labor or trade. However, this system faced challenges early on, as there were few users willing to accept juna as payment. To overcome this, the community began creating tangible value by offering goods and services such as produce, repairs, accommodation, and language lessons. This led to the emergence of localized markets, where individuals could exchange physical items for juna, gradually transforming the currency into a functional medium of exchange within the network. The movement gained traction beyond France, particularly in Spain, where it was adopted under the name “juna” due to phonetic adaptation. Spanish participants organized face-to-face markets and utilized platforms like Gchange and Girala to facilitate transactions. These platforms allowed sellers to set their own prices and determine how many juna they wished to receive for their offerings. The informal nature of these exchanges fostered a sense of community and mutual support, reinforcing the principles of solidarity and self-sufficiency that underpinned the project. By April 2024, the global network of certified members had dwindled slightly, with over 7,000 active participants concentrated primarily in France and Spain. The decline was attributed to the requirement for members to renew their status periodically, leading to the gradual removal of inactive accounts from the system. In Spain specifically, a public count conducted in April 2024 recorded 466 certified members, while an additional 2,170 simple wallet accounts existed, indicating continued engagement despite the reduction in active participants. The evolution of juna reflects broader trends in alternative economies and grassroots initiatives aimed at challenging conventional financial systems. While the project has not achieved widespread adoption, it has demonstrated the potential for peer-to-peer economic models to thrive in niche communities. The ongoing presence of juna in both France and Spain highlights the enduring appeal of decentralized currencies and the resilience of collaborative economic practices. As the network continues to evolve, it remains a unique example of how innovation can emerge from personal experience and collective effort.