Interesting structural changes are being detected in the virtual asset ecosystem in the Latin America region. Preference for stablecoins linked to the US dollar is increasing rapidly compared to Bitcoin, which previously enjoyed overwhelming popularity. Analysis suggests that in an environment of soaring inflation rates and a sharp decline in the value of local currencies, residents who have difficulty accessing the financial system are seeking "digital dollars" to defend their assets at an accelerating pace. According to Bitso's 2025 report, covered by CoinTelegraph on the 13th, a historic moment has arrived where the purchase volume of stablecoins has surpassed that of Bitcoin for the first time. This indicates that this is not merely a change in investment trends, but rather part of a survival strategy emerging from a structural crisis in the regional economy.
Based on data aggregated by Bitso, an analysis of the virtual asset adoption status in Latin America based on data from approximately 10 million individual customers using their exchange revealed that 40% of the total purchase volume in 2025 was occupied by stablecoins such as Tether's USDt and Circle's USDC. In contrast, Bitcoin's share amounted to only 18%, failing to dominate stablecoins. This is the first instance where stablecoin purchase volume surpassed Bitcoin within the region, clearly showing a new market trend different from the past. These figures prove that Bitcoin no longer holds the sole throne and reflect that actual living needs are driving stronger movements than investment tendencies.
This trend change goes beyond a mere fad and is deeply connected to practical necessities in daily life. The report explained that stablecoins are actively utilized as savings tools, everyday payment means, and cross-border remittance means in Latin America. Although the dollar itself is not entirely free from inflation, it is considered a stable benchmark compared to most local currencies and perceived as a global reserve currency due to its slower rate of value decline. In many countries experiencing repeated price hikes and currency instability, demand to access dollar-denominated assets without going through the banking system is exploding. Stablecoins have established themselves as "digital dollars" that can be held relatively easily in such environments, with the global market size expanding to approximately $3.2 trillion, and adoption increasing in both developed and emerging nations.
The increase in the share of stablecoins does not mean that Bitcoin's role has weakened. Bitso evaluates that Bitcoin remains the most important long-term holding asset in Latin America, and as of 2025, it accounts for 52% of the regional virtual asset portfolio, noting no significant change from the previous year. Bitcoin has been consistently cited as a "store of value" due to its high price volatility, scarcity, decentralization, and difficulty in expanding supply. Although volatility has been highlighted again recently due to rapid price fluctuations, the trend of dual usage where stablecoins are used for short-term storage and payments while Bitcoin is used for long-term holding is becoming more distinct in the market. This adoption change in Latin America shows that the cryptocurrency market is shifting from speculative assets to lifestyle financial tools. Particularly, the fact that stablecoins surpassed Bitcoin holds great significance in that the structural instability of the regional economy is fundamentally changing the way digital assets are used.