Venezuelan Bitcoiner in the Running to Replace Nicolás Maduro

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on federal charges, opposition leader María Corina Machado has emerged as a top contender to lead the country's transition, holding a 28% chance on the Kalshi predictions market to lead by the end of 2026, trailing only Edmundo González Urrutia (32%). Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 (according to the text), strongly supports integrating Bitcoin as a national reserve asset and payment solution, viewing it as a vital tool that helped Venezuelans survive hyperinflation and resist the Maduro regime. However, US President Donald Trump expressed doubt about Machado's ability to lead, stating she lacks internal respect, a view contested by analysts who confirm her strong opposition support. The political landscape remains uncertain, especially after the acting president, Delcy Eloína Rodríguez, condemned Maduro's capture as an illegal kidnapping.

(Source：Cointelegraph)