Digital asset adoption in Latin America is evolving, with extra customers now changing funds into stablecoins than into Bitcoin — a shift that displays rising strain from native financial circumstances.
In accordance with Bitso’s 2025 report on crypto adoption in Latin America, 40% of crypto purchases in 2025 had been US dollar-linked stablecoins comparable to Tether’s USDt (USDT) and Circle’s USDC (USDC), whereas Bitcoin (BTC) accounted for 18%. The report marks the primary time stablecoin purchases have surpassed Bitcoin within the area.
The findings are based mostly on information from Bitso’s almost 10 million retail customers throughout its trade platform.
The development displays a broader transfer towards what the Latin American crypto trade described as “digital dollarization.” In nations dealing with persistent inflation, forex depreciation and restricted entry to conventional banking, stablecoins provide a comparatively accessible option to retailer worth and transact in US greenback equivalents.
Whereas the US dollar itself will not be resistant to inflation, it tends to depreciate extra slowly than many native currencies and stays the world’s dominant medium of trade, making it a sexy benchmark for customers searching for stability.
Probably the most bought belongings in 2025 throughout Latin America. Supply: Bitso
The global stablecoin market has grown to roughly $320 billion, with adoption increasing throughout each developed and rising economies. Their Latin American regional attraction is especially sensible: customers depend on stablecoins for preserving financial savings, making funds and sending cross-border remittances.
Use of home-grown stablecoins is benefiting from the enlargement. Brazilian retail large Mercado Libre in early April launched a cross-border remittance product utilizing the Meli greenback stablecoin for customers in Brazil, Mexico and Chile, Cointelegraph Brasil reported. That got here after the retailer discontinued issuing its personal stablecoin, Mercado Coin, earlier this 12 months.
Associated: Visa adds Polygon, Base support as stablecoin settlement run rate hits $7B
Bitcoin stays dominant as a retailer of worth
Whereas Bitcoin purchases have declined as a share of complete exercise, the Bitso report reveals the asset nonetheless performs a central position as a long-term financial savings car in Latin America.
“Bitcoin continues to operate as Latin America’s major long-term digital retailer of worth,” the report stated, noting that the cryptocurrency is held in 52% of crypto portfolios throughout the area in 2025. That’s down solely barely from 53% the earlier 12 months.
Bitcoin has long been viewed as a retailer of worth, regardless of intervals of volatility and uneven efficiency in contrast with earlier market cycles. The asset rose above $126,000 in October earlier than pulling again sharply, with costs later buying and selling within the low $60,000 vary.
Latest research by index maker MarketVector reframes the store-of-value narrative past value efficiency alone, arguing that Bitcoin and gold share core traits, together with shortage, decentralization and resistance to produce enlargement, that underpin their long-term worth.
A comparability of Bitcoin’s value efficiency, volatility and drawdowns since inception. Supply: MarketVector Indexes
Associated: Did Bitcoin bottom versus gold? BTC price will reach $167K in 2027 if history repeats
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