Stablecoin Purchases Overtake Bitcoin for First Time in Latin America

Persistent high inflation, local-currency depreciation and limited access to financial services across Latin America have led consumers to use dollar-pegged USDT and USDC for savings, payments and cross-border remittances. Crypto exchange Bitso calls the trend “digital dollarization.” With the global stablecoin market worth about $320 billion, the shift has broader implications for financial infrastructure.

Bitso published its “Crypto Landscape in Latin America 2025” report on April 29, 2026, analyzing nearly 10 million retail users across four countries. Stablecoins accounted for 40% of purchases in 2025, with USDC at 24% and USDT at 16%, overtaking Bitcoin's 18% share for the first time. Bitcoin nevertheless remained in 52% of portfolios.