Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, has led a pre-seed funding round for Peso, a Bolivian fintech startup focused on expanding stablecoin payment solutions in Latin America. The investment aims to accelerate Peso’s integration of USDT payments into local financial ecosystems, making stablecoin transactions more accessible to consumers and businesses in the region.
Peso expands USDT payment options in Bolivia
Tether stated on Wednesday that its investment will support Peso’s efforts to grow its payment infrastructure across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina. The company seeks to establish new connections between USDT and local currencies through traditional banking networks and merchant payment systems. The size of the investment was not disclosed by Tether.
Peso has already enabled USDT payments within Yango’s food delivery platform in Bolivia. Customers using this service can settle their orders directly in USDT, providing an alternative to local currency payments. The fintech has also rolled out QR payment options, point-of-sale systems for merchants, and virtual accounts integrated with Bolivia’s banking network via ACH transfer methods.
Peso is bringing stablecoin payments to everyday commerce in Bolivia, integrating USDT with local banking and merchant systems so consumers have more payment options.
Tether stated the investment would allow Peso to further enhance the reach of its stablecoin infrastructure while broadening payment, transfer, and merchant services throughout Latin America.
The entrance of Peso into Bolivia’s fintech scene follows similar moves by other companies leveraging USDT. On Tuesday, Tala, a lending platform, announced a collaboration with digital wallet provider El Dorado. This new partnership enables qualified customers in Bolivia to receive and repay loans directly in USDT, utilizing the Tempo blockchain for transactions.
Mini dictionary: Peso is a fintech startup based in Bolivia focusing on stablecoin payments and digital financial services in partnership with local banks and merchants.
Bolivia shifts to stablecoins as dollar shortages persist
Bolivia has turned to stablecoin adoption as a response to ongoing US dollar shortages and rising inflation that began in 2025. Businesses in the country have begun accepting USDT for purchases, providing alternatives as foreign currency became increasingly difficult to access.
In November 2025, the Bolivian government outlined initiatives to integrate cryptocurrencies and stablecoins into the national financial system. These plans included allowing banks to offer digital asset custody and crypto-linked financial products to retail and institutional clients.
By July 2026, authorities started working on a regulatory framework that would officially recognize USDT as an acceptable payment, savings, and trading option alongside the boliviano and the US dollar.
The shift followed Bolivia’s decision to abandon its long-instituted currency peg in June, deepening the dollar shortage and spurring greater demand for dollar-backed assets like USDT.
With local access to the US dollar under pressure, more Bolivian businesses are embracing stablecoin payments to manage trade and daily transactions.
This regulatory momentum suggests stablecoins may play an increasingly central role in Bolivia’s economic landscape, as both public and private actors respond to currency volatility and financial uncertainty.
