Interesting structural changes are being detected in the virtual asset ecosystem of the Latin American region. Preference for stablecoins linked to the US dollar is surging 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 find it difficult to access the financial system are seeking 'digital dollars' to defend their assets at an accelerating pace. According to Bitso's 2025 report, broadcasted by CoinTelegraph on the 13th, a historic moment has arrived where the purchase volume of stablecoins has surpassed Bitcoin for the first time. This indicates that this is not merely a change in investment tendencies, but part of a survival strategy emerging from a structural crisis in the regional economy.
According to data aggregated by Bitso, an analysis of the adoption status of virtual assets in Latin America based on personal customer data of approximately 10 million users utilizing their exchange revealed that 40% of the total purchase volume in 2025 was accounted for by stablecoins such as Tether's USDt and Circle's USDC. In contrast, Bitcoin's share reached only 18%, failing to overwhelm stablecoins. The fact that stablecoin purchase volume exceeded Bitcoin within the region is the first such case, clearly showing a new market trend different from the past. These figures prove that Bitcoin no longer holds the sole throne, reflecting that actual living needs are driving movements more strongly than investment tendencies.
This trend change is deeply connected to practical necessity in daily life beyond mere fad. The report explained that stablecoins are actively utilized as savings instruments, daily payment methods, and cross-border remittance methods in Latin America. While the dollar itself is not entirely free from inflation, it is considered a stable benchmark point compared to most local currencies due to its slower rate of value decline and recognition as the world's reserve currency. In many countries where inflation and currency instability recur, demand to access dollar assets without passing through banking systems is exploding. Stablecoins have established themselves as 'digital dollars' that can be relatively easily held in such environments, with adoption increasing in both developed and emerging nations as the global market size expanded to approximately $3.2 trillion.
The increasing 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, stating that it accounts for 52% of the regional virtual asset portfolio in 2025 with little change compared to the previous year. Although Bitcoin has high price volatility, it has been consistently cited as a 'store of value' due to its unique characteristics such as scarcity, decentralization, and difficulty of supply expansion. Even though volatility has been highlighted again with recent sharp price fluctuations, the dual trend in the market where stablecoins are used for short-term storage and payments while Bitcoin is utilized for long-term holding is becoming more distinct. This adoption change in Latin America shows that the cryptocurrency market is moving 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.