Venezuelans Turn to Crypto as Hyperinflation and Sanctions Bite

As Venezuela faces knee-deep hyperinflation and the Venezuelan bolívar drops in value steeply, those outside the country have turned to crypto to send

As Venezuela continues to grapple with severe hyperinflation and a rapidly depreciating bolívar, those living outside the country have increasingly resorted to cryptocurrencies to send funds to their families back home. This trend has seen a steady rise in recent years, with a brief dip in 2018.

Traditionally, such remittances would be processed through financial services companies specializing in cross-border payments. However, steep fees, lengthy waiting times, and issues with currency supply often render these services inconvenient for most people. As a result, cryptocurrencies have emerged as a preferred alternative for sending funds to family members in Venezuela.

The country's standing on the world stage has deteriorated significantly over the years due to its autocratic government, corruption, and unfavorable policies, which have led to a slew of international sanctions being imposed on Venezuela. Despite boasting the largest oil reserves globally, the country continues to face economic災難s, with its currency experiencing drastic devaluation as a result of hyperinflationary pressures.

In an attempt to circumvent these sanctions and facilitate easier transacting and trading, especially given its vast oil reserves, the Venezuelan government introduced its cryptocurrency. However, a lack of adoption—even by its own Central Bank—and other factors led to the government discontinuing its development and maintenance by 2024.

Other measures have also been taken by Venezuela, such as turning to stablecoins for trade-related purposes. However, such efforts are also being met with resistance, with Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer, cutting off support to Venezuela this year. This decision was made as the issuer complies with U.S.-related sanctions on the country due to its government.

“Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA plans to increase digital currency usage in its crude and fuel exports as the U.S. reimposes oil sanctions on the country,” according to a Reuters article from April.

Despite these efforts, peer-to-peer transactions, which Venezuelan citizens use to receive funds and transact locally for products and services, cannot be stopped. While the government's embrace of cryptocurrencies may not sit well with the masses, the citizens' use of this asset class enjoys strong support, as crypto empowers individuals to access finance despite the conditions created by their authoritarian government.