Interest in digital assets across Latin America is evolving rapidly, with a notable surge in users converting their funds into stablecoins. Mounting economic pressures, persistent high inflation, and depreciating local currencies are cited as the main drivers behind this shift in the region’s crypto landscape.
Rising preference for stablecoins
According to Bitso’s 2025 Crypto Adoption report, 40% of crypto purchases in Latin America now involve stablecoins pegged to the US dollar, while BTC accounts for just 18% of transactions. Dollar-linked digital assets like Tether USDt and USDC rank highest in user preference. The report draws on transaction data from Bitso’s 10 million individual users and marks the first time stablecoin trading volumes have surpassed those of Bitcoin in Latin America.
The Bitso report emphasizes, “BTC remains the leading long-term store of digital value in Latin America.” In 2025, BTC was held in 52% of crypto portfolios across the region, showing only a slight decline from the previous year.
Digital dollarization and financial alternatives
The findings reflect a growing tendency among regional users to seek US dollar equivalents as a hedge against financial instability. Stablecoins are emerging as practical tools for preserving value and making payments in nations struggling with runaway inflation and limited access to traditional banking. The global dominance of the US dollar as a medium of exchange, supported by central banks’ comparative stability, continues to boost the appeal of these digital assets.
Bitso’s data further reveals that users are not simply investing in stablecoins—they also rely on them for business operations, payments, and cross-border transfers. Globally, the stablecoin ecosystem has reached $320 billion in total value. In Latin America, their adoption meets daily needs like protecting savings, making payments, and sending money abroad.
Regional initiatives and Bitcoin’s position
Local developments are driving the stablecoin market’s growth. In April, Brazil’s e-commerce giant Mercado Libre launched a native stablecoin called Meli Dollar, facilitating cross-border money transfers between Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Earlier in the year, the company discontinued its previous digital currency, Mercado Coin. These projects reflect increasing demand for financial solutions outside conventional banking channels.
Despite a reduction in its transaction share, BTC retains its status as a principal long-term savings vehicle in Latin America. In 2025, BTC remained in the portfolios of a majority of regional crypto investors, holding a 52% share. Many users continue to trust BTC for its decentralization, capped supply, and its resilience as a store of value despite price swings.
A recent analysis by MarketVector notes that BTC not only rivals gold in its price action but also in its fundamental attributes. Both assets share qualities such as scarcity, decentralization, and finite supply, making them attractive for long-term wealth preservation.
BTC experienced significant price swings in 2025, with values soaring above $126,000 in October before sharply correcting to around $60,000.
Altogether, these developments suggest that a new chapter may be opening for digital currency adoption in Latin America. With ongoing economic and technological changes, the region’s users are steadily moving toward fresh financial alternatives.
