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Bolivia is evaluating whether to add Tether’s USDT to regulated payment channels as the country continues to face a shortage of U.S. dollars.
Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza said the proposal remains under technical review. The government has not granted USDT legal tender status or published an implementation timetable.
Government Wants Rules for USDT Payments
Espinoza said Bolivia currently permits cryptocurrency transactions but lacks a detailed framework governing their use. The central bank removed restrictions on crypto payments in June 2024 as the country faced worsening shortages of foreign currency.
The proposed rules could apply to banks, digital wallets and payment providers handling USDT transactions. They would give businesses and consumers a regulated route to use the dollar-linked stablecoin without relying on scarce physical dollars.
USDT tracks the U.S. dollar and is already used by Bolivians seeking access to dollar-denominated value. Unlike Bitcoin and other volatile assets, its price is intended to remain close to $1.
FATF Gray-List Status May Shape Rollout
Espinoza said any formal integration would require safeguards against money laundering and other illicit activity. Bolivia was placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s gray list in 2025, putting its financial crime controls under closer monitoring.
That status may affect how the government designs the rollout. Authorities would need rules covering customer verification, transaction monitoring and reporting before USDT can become part of everyday payment infrastructure.
Espinoza said the government is developing regulation for people who already use digital assets, often because conventional access to dollars remains limited.
Crypto Volume Rose After 2024 Rule Change
Digital asset activity expanded after Bolivia lifted its crypto restrictions. Crypto transaction volume reached $294 million in the first half of 2025, compared with $46.5 million during the same period in 2024.
State-controlled Banco Unión began supporting USDT purchases through its Yasta wallet in April 2026 for international payments and remittances. Banco FIE also introduced an account that allows customers to buy and sell USDT through its mobile app.
No Timetable Set for USDT Decision
The review comes weeks after Bolivia ended its 15-year fixed dollar exchange rate and moved to a flexible system. Dollar scarcity and depleted foreign reserves had pushed many transactions into a parallel market.
USDT would not replace foreign currency reserves, but formal integration could widen access to dollar-linked payment channels. Espinoza did not give a timetable for the technical review or say which agency would supervise the framework.
