HomeBUSINESSFirst Female UFC Fighter To Get Bitcoin Paycheck Through Bitwage

First Female UFC Fighter To Get Bitcoin Paycheck Through Bitwage

  • Luana Pinheiro will become the first female UFC fighter to get her paycheck in bitcoin through a partnership with Bitwage.
  • Pinheiro joins her boyfriend Matheus Nicolau who previously adopted a Bitcoin Standard this past March through the same payroll provider.
  • Bitwage allows anyone in the world to convert their paycheck into bitcoin without the need for employer consent.

Bitwage, a payroll service provider specializing in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, has partnered with Luana Pinheiro, making her the first female Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter to get her paycheck in bitcoin, according to a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine.

Pinheiro is ranked #15 in the strawweight fighting class. The Brazilian fighter has a 10-1-0 record and is currently on a winning streak of eight matches. In March, Pinheiro’s boyfriend Matheus Nicolau (18-2 record), who is ranked seventh in the Flyweight UFC class, also partnered with Bitwage.

Thus, both fighters have adopted a Bitcoin Standard and also noted a low-time preference as it relates to training. They explained how that transcends into their financial well-being and patience.

“I do not think I will have a problem with Bitcoin going down or up,” says Pinheiro. “If it was not volatile it would not go up either. Think about this: it takes on average 10-15 years for an individual to get a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so my time preference here is equally long if not longer.”

Nicolau echoed his partner’s sentiments for low-time preference but also spoke to his need to act, not only for the sake of his own future, but for that of his future family.

“Luana joining me in going onto the Bitcoin standard makes me very happy and I am more than confident that bold and courageous steps taken today will be a huge win in the future, for both of us,” Nicolau said. “We stand and do things together, united and fully in sync, because that is how we are – never above, never below, but always beside each other.”

Pinheiro noted the experience she witnessed as Bitwage flew in to personally discuss the transition to a Bitcoin Standard with Nicolau blew her away and that not investing in bitcoin was a risk she was unwilling to take. Pinheiro’s personal experience in Brazil also influenced her decision to partner with Bitwage.

“And don’t forget that I am from Brazil, so I know a thing or two about inflation and its effects,” said Pinheiro. “I was born around 1994, at that time Brazilian currency Real was introduced and pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar at that time. Now it is 5 BRL for 1 USD. What do we use Bitcoin again for?!”

Nicolau embraced his partner’s adoption of a Bitcoin Standard and low-time preference, which Pinheiro refers to as “Black belt time preference,” and he made a lasting comment on the price of inaction when it comes to bitcoin adoption:

“Opportunity is a naughty goddess that wastes no time with those who are unprepared,” said Nicolau. 

UPDATED (Jul 29, 2022 – 3:04 p.m. ET): Removes wording that Pinheiro was the first Latin American athlete to be paid in bitcoin and clarifies she was the first female to receive a Bitcoin payroll.

Shawn Amick
Shawn Amick
Shawn Amick is an author "Dick, Stan Greene", podcast Co-host for Citizens of Blockchain, Substack blogger, and Bitcoin Magazine Contributor.
RELATED ARTICLES
Bitcoin Bitcoin BTC/USD
$0.00
24hr %:
0.0%
24hr High:
$0.00
24hr Low:
$0.00
Error loading data. Check console for details.
VIEW 150+ BITCOIN CHARTS

LATEST NEWS