ONG Bitcoin Chile, formally known as the Asociacion Chilena de Criptotecnologias (ACHICRIP), is Chile's oldest Bitcoin non-profit organization. With roots stretching back to 2011 and formal establishment in 2015, the organization has spent over a decade promoting Bitcoin education, adoption, and community building across Chile. Based in Santiago with 85+ registered members and over 30,000 social media followers, it is the country's most established Bitcoin institution.
Overview
ACHICRIP was founded by a group of early Chilean Bitcoin adopters including Miguel Klagges (current president), Yerko Pincheira (active in Bitcoin since 2011), Patricio Bravo (since 2012), and Jorge Gatica. The organization operates from its office at Avenida Vitacura 4380, Local 3, in Santiago's Vitacura district.
The organization has achieved several milestones in Chilean Bitcoin history: installing the country's first Bitcoin ATM in 2017, developing TransBIT (a peer-to-peer cross-border payment gateway), launching Academia CryptoTek for structured Bitcoin education, and creating "La Lista Negra," a publicly maintained blacklist of cryptocurrency scams to protect Chilean users. ACHICRIP also serves as a member of COSOC (Consejo de la Sociedad Civil), giving the Bitcoin community a formal voice in Chilean civil society.
Activities
CryptoNight Conference
ACHICRIP's flagship event is CryptoNight, an annual conference running since 2017. Over the years, the organization has hosted 145+ events with a combined attendance exceeding 5,000 people, making it one of the most prolific Bitcoin event organizers in South America.
Education and Advocacy
Through Academia CryptoTek, ACHICRIP offers structured courses on Bitcoin, cryptography, and related technologies. The organization actively engages with Chilean regulators and policymakers, advocating for sensible cryptocurrency legislation and representing the Bitcoin community in public consultations.
Community Channels
ACHICRIP maintains an extensive online presence: Twitter (@ACHICRIP), Instagram (@bitcoin_chile), Telegram (t.me/bitcoin_chile), a 864-member Discord server, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok -- ensuring accessibility across demographics.
Significance
With over a decade of continuous operation, ONG Bitcoin Chile has built the institutional foundation for Bitcoin in Chile. From installing the first ATM to training thousands through educational programs, ACHICRIP has shaped the Chilean Bitcoin landscape at every level. Its formal participation in civil society through COSOC and its connections to grassroots projects like Bitcoin Pichilemu demonstrate a mature organization that bridges advocacy, education, and on-the-ground adoption.