El Salvador is solidifying its position as a global hub for Bitcoin-powered travel with the expansion of Airbtc, a booking platform that operates exclusively with Bitcoin (BTC). The platform, which launched in August 2024 and functions similarly to Airbnb, now lists properties in over a dozen countries, with El Salvador accounting for approximately 15% of its global inventory. Key Salvadoran destinations include El Zonte, San Salvador, Santa Ana, Berlín, Costa del Sol, and Punta Mango.
The Airbtc model promotes a circular Bitcoin economy by enabling visitors to spend BTC directly on accommodations. The platform positions itself as a decentralized alternative, eliminating financial intermediaries and offering cost advantages: guests can save up to 8%, and hosts up to 18% compared to services like Airbnb or Booking.com. For security, payments are held in cold storage until a stay is completed, after which hosts receive funds in BTC, either on-chain or via the Lightning Network.
Concurrently, Argentina is witnessing a surge in digital wallet adoption, led unexpectedly by its senior population. Data from the Argentine Fintech Chamber, citing Central Bank records, reveals that 3.3 million Argentinians over 60 (42% of that demographic) now use a virtual wallet for payments, transfers, and savings. While overall virtual wallet ownership grew by 13% between June 2024 and June 2025, adoption among seniors soared by 29.7%—more than double the average rate.
This shift represents a deliberate move toward digital finance for convenience, security, and yield. Seniors using virtual wallets make up to 80% fewer cash withdrawals than those relying solely on bank accounts. Furthermore, 42% of retirees transfer funds within wallets to earn returns, and many advocate for managing pensions through these digitized systems.
Broader on-chain activity across Latin America supports this trend of real-world utility. Bitget Wallet reported closing 2025 with significantly increased engagement in trading, payments, and yield products, signaling that self-custodial wallets are evolving from niche trading tools into mainstream financial instruments. Notably, the wallet's monthly swap trading volume surpassed $900 million, marking a 232% year-over-year increase. This growth occurred even as broader crypto market activity slowed, suggesting a decoupling between market sentiment and practical, everyday cryptocurrency usage for payments and stablecoin transactions.
