Bolivia eyes crypto and stablecoins to fight inflation and US dollar shortage

• Bolivia lets banks offer crypto services to counter inflation and dollar scarcity.
• Stablecoins gain traction in Bolivia as businesses and consumers hedge a weakening boliviano.
• Government pairs digital finance push with major new financing and tax reforms.

Bolivia is turning to cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in a sweeping effort to stabilise an economy strained by high inflation, a widening fiscal deficit, and a persistent shortage of US dollars.

The initiative is emerging as a central pillar of the government’s broader plan to modernise the financial system and revive investment under President Rodrigo Paz.

Crypto push in Bolivia gains steam

The shift marks a major policy change for the country, which only lifted a longstanding ban on crypto last year.

Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza confirmed that banks will now be allowed to custody digital assets and offer crypto-based savings accounts, loans, and credit cards.

The move effectively brings stablecoins such as USDT into the formal financial system, giving them a role similar to legal tender.

Espinoza said the decision reflects the practical reality that cryptocurrencies cannot be contained by national borders. He noted that recognising and integrating them is more efficient than trying to enforce old restrictions.

This approach follows a regional trend, as several Latin American economies hit by inflation turn to digital assets as a hedge against currency depreciation.

Bolivia’s inflation, in particular, has averaged above 22% over the past year, eroding the value of the boliviano and pushing residents toward alternatives that hold value more reliably.

As a result, stablecoins, which maintain a one-to-one link to assets such as the US dollar, have become a popular escape hatch for households and businesses looking to shield their savings from further losses.

Pressure from inflation and dollar scarcity

Businesses across Bolivia have already begun pricing goods in USDT, responding to the sharp shortage of physical dollars that has disrupted imports and raised costs.

Vehicle manufacturers, including Toyota, Yamaha, and BYD, started accepting stablecoins in September after struggling to secure dollars for transactions.

The state-owned energy company YPFB has also revealed plans to create a system allowing crypto-denominated payments for energy imports, though details are still being developed.

Stablecoins offer a workaround for strict currency controls that limit access to foreign currency.

Anyone with a mobile phone and a crypto wallet can now hold dollar-pegged tokens without going through banks that enforce tight restrictions.

This ease of access has been a major factor behind the rapid rise in crypto volumes following the regulatory shift last year.

Financing push alongside crypto reforms

The government’s crypto strategy is unfolding alongside a wider effort to shore up the economy through new financing and investment incentives.

Espinoza announced that Bolivia is negotiating more than $9 billion in multilateral financing for public and private projects, far above initial projections.

Roughly a third of the funds could arrive within two to three months, providing support for infrastructure, renewable energy, and financial inclusion initiatives.

The announcement lifted Bolivia’s dollar bonds, which reached their highest levels since 2022.

The government has also moved to scrap the wealth tax and eliminate taxes on financial transactions to attract private capital and encourage investment.

These measures still require congressional approval, but they signal a significant shift away from the state-heavy policies of previous administrations.

Paz has pledged a market-oriented approach while avoiding shocks that could undermine the country’s social programs.

The administration plans to cut public spending by 30% in the 2026 budget, though officials stress that the decision was made independently and not under pressure from the International Monetary Fund.

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