Latam Insights: Argentine Peso Plunges, Venezuela and Russia to Develop SWIFT Alternative, Bitcoin Mining Still Paused in Venezuela

Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of the most relevant crypto and economic development news from Latin America during the last week. In this issue: the Argentine Peso plunges against the U.S. dollar, Venezuela and Russia agree to develop a joint SWIFT alternative, and Bitcoin mining is still paused in Venezuela. Argentine Peso Plunges 10% … Read more

Central Bank of Bolivia Selling Dollars Directly to Citizens as Devaluation Fears Rise

The Central Bank of Bolivia is now selling dollars directly to citizens in order to curb what it is calling a speculative attack that has increased the demand of the population for foreign currency. This rise in demand has been caused by several factors which led the population to believe there might be a devaluation … Read more

Latam Countries Prepare Regional Agreement to Counter Rampant Inflation

A group of countries in Latam is preparing a regional agreement to address inflation, a problem common to most nations in the region. The initiative, which is being spearheaded by Mexican president Andres Lopez Obrador, would allow the exchange of products with high prices between the states to lessen the effects of price rises. Latam … Read more

Crypto Dominates as Payment Method for Remote Workers in Latam

Most remote workers in Latam prefer to get paid in crypto, according to the latest report from the Deel Lab for Global Employment. The reasons behind the finding are said to be diverse, but include the instability of some of the local fiat currencies, and the influence of high levels of inflation in the region. … Read more

Central Bank of Argentina to Issue New 2,000 Peso Bill as Inflation Keeps Rising

The Central Bank of Argentina has announced the issuance of a new 2,000 peso bill, aimed at easing the burden of using cash for payments in the country. The bill, which will have a value of a little more than $5 ‘blue’ dollars (the informal exchange rate), is already being criticized as an insufficient measure. … Read more

Cryptocurrency Rose Ranks in Popularity as Investment Option in Chile in 2022

Cryptocurrencies rose in popularity in Chile, according to a survey from global consulting firm Bain & Company. The survey found that crypto is ranked as the third most popular investment asset among Chileans, only behind investment funds, which were the most popular investment option, and real estate, which ranked second. Popularity of Crypto Rises in … Read more

Venezuelan Banking Watchdog to Oversee Crypto Transactions to Preserve Currency Stability

Sudeban, the Venezuelan banking watchdog, is currently working on a mechanism to review crypto-related transactions in real-time to control the influence these have on the stability of the exchange market. Analysts have recently linked the situation in peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto markets to the recent drop in the value of the bolivar. Venezuelan Government to Monitor … Read more

Argentine Peso Breaks Historic Low Mark as Argentines Hedge Savings in Dollars

The U.S dollar-Argentine peso exchange rate escalated during December, with the Argentine fiat currency reaching new historic lows as citizens ran to exchange their holiday payments for dollars. The U.S. dollar reached a value of 356 pesos on December 28, losing almost 10% during just one week, and threatening to spur a more significant inflationary … Read more

Venezuelan Currency Plunges Almost 40% Against the US Dollar, Analysts Cite Crypto Drought as Part of the Problem

The Venezuelan fiat currency, the bolivar, has lost almost 40% in its exchange rate against the U.S. dollar in a month. According to reports, the seasonal payments that the government has to make, and the lack of liquidity of the government to intervene in the currency market are part of the equation leading to this, … Read more