Bolivia Mulls Adding USDT Stablecoin to National Payments

Bolivia is considering a formal proposal to integrate Tether's USDT stablecoin into its national payment system, a move that would recognize the digital currency for everyday transactions alongside the boliviano and the U.S. dollar. Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza confirmed the government is conducting a technical evaluation of the framework, which would establish a legal and regulatory structure for USDT's use in payments, savings, and trade.

The initiative represents a significant step in Bolivia's shift from banning cryptocurrency transactions to actively exploring their regulated use. The country's central bank lifted restrictions on crypto transactions in June 2024, which led to a surge in adoption. According to central bank data, crypto transaction volume grew from $46.5 million in the first half of 2024 to $294 million during the same period in 2025, a 630% increase following the policy change. Over a 12-month period from July 2024 to June 2025, total crypto transaction volume reached $14.8 billion, ranking Bolivia eighth among Latin American nations.

The push for stablecoin integration is driven by a prolonged and severe shortage of physical U.S. dollars, a...