The Mumbuca Network

This interactive tool is part of a report exploring the evolution of the mumbuca, a digital currency, between 2018 and August 2022. The report analyzes how changes in municipal programs during the period affected the local currency’s circulation. We find that this complementary currency was a powerful countercyclical instrument during a period of crisis. Furthermore, when paired with a large-scale cash transfer program, it contributed to economic growth within the mumbuca economy by incentivizing local consumption and production. We believe that these findings have a broader relevance to debates around economic planning and local governance.

As the mumbuca is a digital currency, its journey through the economy can be tracked in minute detail, from entry (when it is issued) to exit (when it is converted to reais). This allows for a granular picture of how individuals operate within a restricted economic circuit.