Digital asset adoption in Latin America is undergoing a transformative shift, as stablecoins have overtaken Bitcoin to become the most purchased type of cryptocurrency in the region, according to Bitso's 2025 report. The report reveals that 40% of crypto purchases among the platform's nearly 10 million retail customers were dollar-backed stablecoins such as USDT and USDC, while Bitcoin accounted for just 18%. This is the first time stablecoins have surpassed Bitcoin in terms of purchase share.
The shift is driven by regional economic conditions, including high inflation, currency depreciation, and limited access to traditional banking infrastructure. In response, many Latin American users are adopting stablecoins as a practical alternative for payments, savings, and remittances. This trend has been described as 'digital dollarization,' where people rely on dollar-linked digital currencies rather than their domestic fiat currencies to preserve purchasing power.
Although the US dollar itself is not immune to inflation, it tends to be more stable than many Latin American currencies, making stablecoins an attractive tool for everyday transactions and cross-border remittances. Usage has expanded across both emerging and developed markets, helping the global stablecoin market reach an estimated $320 billion. Local innovation, such as Mercado Libre's introduction of stablecoin-based remittance solutions, has further integrated digital assets into everyday financial use cases.
Despite the decline in its share of purchases, Bitcoin remains a cornerstone of crypto adoption in the region. More than half of crypto portfolios in Latin America still hold Bitcoin, which functions as a long-term store of value due to its scarcity, decentralized nature, and resistance to supply inflation—characteristics often compared to gold. Overall, stablecoins are becoming the dominant tool for everyday financial activity, while Bitcoin continues to serve as a long-term savings asset.
