Bank

World

Bitcoin

Worldcoin

Change

Bolivia’s central bank has reported a 100% increase in average monthly virtual asset trading in the county since lifting its ban on Bitcoin in late June.
Roughly $15.6 million in virtual assets were traded on an average monthly basis between July and September — 105% higher than the average of the previous 18 months, from January 2023 to June 2024.
The $48.6 million traded over the last three months was more than the previous six months combined and largely comprised of stablecoin transactions, Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB) <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://www.bcb.gob.bo/webdocs/10_notas_prensa/26sep24%20CP50%20ACTIVOS%20VIRTUALES.PDF" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">revealed</a> in a Sept. 26 report.
The central bank attributed the rise to it <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bolivia-legalizes-bitcoin-crypto-transactions" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">lifting a 42-month ban</a> on Bitcoin (<a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/bitcoin-price" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">BTC</a>) and <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bolivia-legalizes-bitcoin-crypto-transactions" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">cryptocurrency payments</a> made by banks in June. 25. Bolivia <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/cryptocurrencies-banned-by-bolivia" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">outright banned Bitcoin</a> back in 2014.
“BCB is paving the way for the use of cryptoassets in Bolivia. Our country is taking giant steps towards an economic future with greater use of accessible digital instruments,” BCB’s acting president, Edwin Rojas Ulo, said in a press conference.
<figure><img alt="Bolivia reports 100% rise in virtual asset trading since lifting Bitcoin ban" name="" src="https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2024-09/019231db-07a9-7945-8151-51b96e1a00f5">
 <figcaption style="text-align: center;">
 Change in cryptocurrency transaction amounts since January 2024. Source: BCB
 </figcaption>
</figure>
The number of cryptocurrency transactions also increased by 141% over the last three months in comparison to the previous six months.
The rise comes as six more financial institutions registered to offer virtual asset services between July and August — allowing banks to transact with cryptocurrencies through approved electronic channels. Rojas Ulo added:
<blockquote>
 “Since the regulation came into force, the population has an alternative mechanism to process transfers to and from abroad and electronic commerce payments, among other activities.”
</blockquote>
He hopes the integration will better position Bolivian firms to participate in international commerce and trade.
Related: <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/robinhood-revolut-eye-stablecoin-market-report" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">Robinhood, Revolut eye entry into stablecoin market — Report</a>
Since the ban was lifted, Bolivia’s central bank has incorporated virtual assets into its Economic and Financial Education Program and has held 33 workshops nationwide, reaching more than 3,000 people.
World Bank data shows that Bolivia’s&nbsp;<a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-history-inflation-debt-evolution" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">consumer price inflation</a>&nbsp;was 2.58% in 2023, making it one of the lowest in Latin America. The Bolivia boliviano has lost a marginal 2.4% in purchasing power against the United States dollar over the last five years.
Magazine: <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/worldcoin-fined-dmm-bitcoin-system-face-ban-asia-express/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="null" text="null" title="null">Worldcoin fined again! Crypto store clerk runs off with $500K cash: Asia Express</a>

Bolivia reports 100% rise in virtual asset trading since lifting Bitcoin ban

Cointelegraph

Other articles published on Sep 27, 2024

Civic, Rentality Verify Licenses and Age Onchain, Setting New Standard for Car Rental Security

Binance Announces Another Altcoin Listing, Price Skyrockets! – Second Listing of the Day

Solana Price Is Up Today, Why It is Rising According to On-Chain Data?

Ethereum Price Surge Boosts Trader’s Profits

The Evolution of Coinme: From Bitcoin ATMs to Crypto at Coinstar Kiosks

Dogecoin Skyrockets 63% Overnight! Whale Activity Signals Massive Gains Ahead

Join our free newsletter for daily crypto updates!