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The new craze for torching banknotes

  • Published
    26 June 2015
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ByBBC Trending
What's popular and why

Pretty much anyone can chuck a bucket of ice over their heads. But to join in the latest internet challenge from Uzbekistan, you need to have cash to burn - literally.

Uzbeks are posting videos of themselves setting fire to dollars, euros and rubles, then daring other social media users to burn even larger amounts of foreign currency.

Destroying domestic banknotes or coins is illegal in many countries.

Uzbekistan isn't a rich country. About 16 percent of Uzbeks live below the poverty line, according to the United Nations. And much of the Central Asian nation's economy runs on foreign currency sent home by Uzbeks working abroad. So why are some of them torching it?

Video journalist: Greg Brosnan, external

For more videos subscribe to BBC Trending's YouTube channel., external

You can follow BBC Trending on Twitter @BBCtrending, external. All our stories are at bbc.com/trending

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