Crypto in Latin America: Evolving from Digital Assets to Cross-Border Payout Solutions

Published:
August 4, 2025
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Digital currencies once seemed like just an attempt to invest money in something unstable and questionable. In the mass consciousness, they were associated with high risks, speculation and techno-enthusiasts. But for Latin America, things have changed dramatically. In a region where financial stability has always been fragile, cryptocurrency has received a second lease of life — it is now perceived as a real payment instrument, an efficient means of settlement between companies, and often a more reliable alternative to local currencies. The ELI Deal team, which has many years of experience working with international financial structures, clearly records this shift in market behavior. Previously, companies only studied the possibility of working with tokens – today they are used daily for payments, cross-border transfers and financial planning. As a result, the demand for practical and ready-made solutions is growing – such as crypto business for sale or bank with crypto license, which allow you to quickly launch the infrastructure and integrate into new jurisdictions.

Cryptocards: the new habit of everyday spending

For digital currency to stop being just a number in a wallet and enter real life, it must become convenient to use. This is exactly what is happening now in Latin America – the cryptocurrency card segment is booming. Thanks to multi-currency cards, users in the region can pay directly in BTC, ETH, USDT or USDC in restaurants, supermarkets, hotels or online stores. The geographical coverage is impressive: more than 130 million points of sale worldwide, including the megacities. This significantly changes the approach to money. Crypto is no longer sitting in a digital safe – it is used for everyday expenses like cash or a bank card.

How stablecoins save from inflation

In many Latin American countries, inflation is not a temporary problem, but part of everyday reality. When national currencies depreciate literally before our eyes, people are forced to look for alternatives. And here stablecoins become a real financial salvation. The most popular have become USDT and USDC — stablecoins tied to the US dollar. In Venezuela, where inflation has taken on hyperforms, more than 50% of crypto transactions go through them. In Colombia, the situation is similar: people are switching to crypto to protect their savings from depreciation. And this has long been not only about private users. More and more companies are making payments in cryptocurrencies: paying for supplies, transferring funds to partners or paying salaries — and all this without the participation of banks, without unnecessary commissions and with minimal delays.

A region without a single scenario: how countries move at their own pace

Each country in Latin America has its own path to developing the crypto market – it all depends on the political climate, legislative approach and user culture. In Brazil, the state has actually become a driver of change: regulation of crypto exchanges is already in effect, the PIX instant payment system is working, and the Drex digital real is due to appear in the near future. 

Here, cryptocurrency is gradually integrating into the banking sector. In Mexico, the main emphasis is on money transfers. Many citizens work abroad, and cryptocurrency has become a convenient way to transfer money home quickly, without bank commissions and queues. Thanks to this, platforms with crypto-based transfer functionality are actively displacing classic services. But in Argentina, where economic instability has been going on for years, cryptocurrency has become a tool for self-organization. People massively use P2P platforms, mobile wallets, and exchange money “from hand to hand”.

Which Latin American country is using crypto?

Crypto is actively used by countries such as Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico. Argentina has become an example of how crypto can replace banks in conditions of hyperinflation. In Venezuela, it has become an alternative to traditional money due to the loss of purchasing power of the bolivar. In Brazil, the government supports innovations in this area, and in Mexico, cryptocurrencies are actively used for money transfers. That is, crypto in the region is not about the future, but about the present.

What is the largest crypto exchange in Latin America?

Mercado Bitcoin is currently the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Latin America. It is based in Brazil and has millions of users, serving both private investors and corporate clients. The platform offers not only trading, but also its own tokens, and also participates in financial innovations at the national level. Another well-known platform is Bitso from Mexico, which specializes in cross-border payments and remittances.

What is the strongest coin in Latin America?

The most common and most practical are USDT and USDC. Their stability and peg to the dollar make them the main tools for storing value. Bitcoin is also widely known, but it is used mainly as an investment asset, and not as a means of payment for everyday use. It is stablecoins that have become the main supporting tool for the region.

Which country is leading in crypto?

Brazil is considered the leader of the crypto market in Latin America. Thanks to active regulation, support for new technologies and a high level of digital literacy, the country attracts both local and international players. Pilots of a national digital currency are being launched here, new generation payment systems are operating, and cryptocurrency companies are officially operating. This allows Brazil to set the pace of development for the entire region.

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