Digital Svalbard money to be stored for eternity in the Arctic World Archive
Svalbard has a unique history of producing local money. Throughout much of the 20th century, American, British, Norwegian, Soviet and Swedish coal mining companies created their own banknotes. The Soviets also created coins. The miners received their salary in local currency, and used it for purchasing goods - exclusively on Svalbard.
The Svalbard financial history is a real world example of
how money changes with time and technology. Almost one year
ago, Sparebank 1 launched digital Svalbard banknotes and
coins based on this unique story, in collaboration with the
Norwegian cryptocurrency broker
Kaupang Krypto
and the design bureau Haltenbanken. Up until the beginning
of February 2022 the digital money could be bought, sold and
produced on the website
www.svalbard.money.
The purpose of the website is to provide information on
blockchain technology, cryptocurrency and the very idea of
money - through essays, podcasts and games. Users could
until recently digitally extract coal and use coal to
generate digital Svalbard money. The coins and notes are
so-called NFTs ("non-fungible tokens") based on the Ethereum
blockchain platform.
From February 14th, the digital Svalbard money will be
stored for eternity in the Arctic World Archive located
inside an old Svalbard coalmine. Data from the notes and
coins, as well as historically collected material, will
be stored on the immutable and long-term storage medium:
PiqlFilm.
"With the help of Piql’s technology, this unique part of
financial history will be stored safely for eternity in the
Arctic World Archive. In one way, the Svalbard money will be
everlasting. It is a beautiful idea”, says Morten Søberg. He
is responsible for public relations at Sparebank1 and the
initiator of the Svalbard money project.
"The Svalbard money has come full circle. They have been
returned to where it all began more than 100 years ago, deep
in one of the Arctic coalmines. The dry, cool permafrost
will help preserve this fascinating piece of Svalbard memory
for future generations”, says Rune Bjerkestrand, Managing
Director of Piql. He is proud that Sparebank1 has chosen
Piql for this historical project.
The money data will be deposited in to the Arctic World
Archive on February 14th. Representatives from both Piql and
Sparebank1 will be present in Longyearbyen for the ceremony.
