Stablecoins Surpass Bitcoin in Latin American Crypto Purchases: Bitso Report
Stablecoin purchases in Latin America have overtaken Bitcoin for the first time, with 40% of crypto buys in 2025 in USDT and USDC versus 18% for BTC, according to Bitso's 2025 report. Users increasingly seek digital dollarization amid local currency depreciation.
Quick Take
40% of LatAm crypto purchases in 2025 are stablecoins, vs 18% Bitcoin
Bitso report highlights 'digital dollarization' trend across the region
Brazil's Mercado Libre launches cross-border remittances with Meli dollar
Bitcoin remains dominant as long-term store of value in 52% of portfolios
Market Impact Analysis
BullishGrowing use of stablecoins in real-world payments and savings demonstrates increasing utility and could attract more users and investment into the crypto space.
Speculation Analysis
Key Takeaways
- Stablecoin purchases accounted for 40% of crypto buys in Latin America in 2025, overtaking Bitcoin's 18% share.
- Bitso report highlights "digital dollarization" as users flock to dollar-pegged assets amid local currency instability.
- Mercado Libre launched cross-border remittance product using its Meli dollar stablecoin in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile.
- Bitcoin remains the dominant long-term store of value, held in 52% of crypto portfolios across the region.
What Happened
For the first time, stablecoin purchases have overtaken Bitcoin in Latin America. According to Bitso's 2025 report, dollar-linked tokens like USDT and USDC made up 40% of crypto buys across the region, compared to 18% for BTC. The data, drawn from nearly 10 million retail users, signals a fundamental shift toward "digital dollarization." Users are increasingly converting local currencies into stablecoins to preserve savings, make payments, and send remittances, bypassing traditional banking systems that are often inaccessible or unreliable.
The Numbers
The breakdown is stark: stablecoins commanded 40% of purchases in 2025, while Bitcoin slipped to 18%. The global stablecoin market now exceeds $320 billion, with emerging economies driving growth. Despite the shift, Bitcoin remains the region's preferred long-term hold, found in 52% of crypto portfolios鈥攐nly slightly down from 53% last year. These figures reflect a maturing market where assets serve distinct roles: stablecoins for transactions and BTC as a store of value.
Why It Happened
Chronic inflation and currency depreciation have pushed Latin Americans toward stable alternatives. The US dollar, even with its own inflation, depreciates slower than most local currencies. Stablecoins offer easy access to dollar exposure without the need for a US bank account. For millions, they are a practical tool for everyday finance, from paying bills to sending money across borders. Bitso's report underscores this real-world utility as the catalyst behind the surging demand.
Broader Impact
The trend reinforces stablecoins' critical role in emerging markets and could reshape crypto adoption strategies. Mercado Libre's launch of a cross-border remittance product using the Meli dollar shows how traditional companies are integrating stablecoin rails. As usage grows for payments and savings, expect deeper integration into consumer finance and regional regulatory frameworks to emerge.
What to Watch Next
- Regulatory developments: LatAm governments may accelerate stablecoin frameworks to manage growing adoption.
- Corporate expansion: Watch for more retailers and fintechs following Mercado Libre's lead in launching stablecoin-based products.
- Bitcoin's reserve role: As stablecoins dominate transactions, monitor whether Bitcoin's 52% portfolio share holds as the long-term store of value.
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