Bitso Report: Stablecoins Made Up 40% of LATAM Crypto Purchases as USDC Beat BTC
Stablecoins accounted for 40% of all crypto purchases in Latin America, and USDC purchases surpassed Bitcoin, according to Bitso’s Crypto Landscape in Latin America 2025 report. The findings point to a notable shift in how buyers across the region are allocating capital within crypto markets.
Stablecoins Reached 40% of Purchases
Bitso, one of the largest crypto exchanges operating in Latin America, published its Crypto Landscape in Latin America 2025 report detailing purchase behavior across the region. The headline figure: stablecoins made up 40% of crypto purchases on the platform.
That share is significant because it suggests nearly half of all buying activity on Bitso was directed toward assets designed to maintain a steady dollar peg, rather than toward coins with speculative upside.
USDC Overtook Bitcoin on Bitso
Perhaps more striking than the overall stablecoin share is the specific ranking. USDC purchases surpassed BTC, according to reporting on the Bitso data. Bitcoin has historically dominated purchase volumes on most exchanges, making this reversal a departure from the typical pattern.
The finding does not mean Bitcoin is losing relevance in the region. It does indicate that a growing segment of Latin American crypto buyers is prioritizing dollar-linked stability over the potential price appreciation that Bitcoin offers.
Why Stablecoins Are Taking a Bigger Share of Regional Demand
A 40% stablecoin purchase share reflects demand for assets that function more like digital dollars than like investments. In Latin American economies where local currencies face inflation pressure, holding USDC offers a way to preserve purchasing power without leaving the crypto ecosystem.
Stablecoins also serve practical roles beyond value storage. They are widely used for cross-border transfers, merchant payments, and as a base pair for trading, all of which could contribute to higher purchase volumes relative to assets like Bitcoin that buyers tend to hold for longer periods.
The strong showing from USDC specifically, rather than USDT or other stablecoins, may reflect growing institutional and retail trust in Circle’s reserve transparency. USDC’s regulated posture could appeal to buyers in a region where confidence in financial instruments matters for adoption, similar to how Bitcoin ETF inflows have reflected institutional confidence in regulated crypto products elsewhere.
Why USDC Surpassing BTC Signals a Shift in Buyer Intent
USDC vs BTC Buyer Intent
Bitcoin purchases typically signal investment intent. Buyers acquire BTC expecting price appreciation over time. USDC purchases, by contrast, suggest a different motive: transactional utility or defensive positioning against local currency weakness.
When USDC overtakes Bitcoin in purchase volume, it implies that a majority of activity on the platform is driven by practical use rather than speculation. This is a meaningful distinction for understanding what crypto adoption actually looks like on the ground in Latin America.
What the Ranking Says About Market Preferences
The fact that stablecoins already represented 40% of purchases, combined with USDC’s position above BTC, suggests this is not a one-off anomaly. It points to a structural preference among Latin American buyers for lower-volatility crypto assets tied to the U.S. dollar.
This pattern contrasts with purchase behavior in markets like the United States, where speculative assets and Bitcoin-related innovation tend to dominate exchange activity. The divergence highlights that crypto adoption takes different forms depending on regional economic conditions.
What the Bitso Data Could Mean for Exchanges and Crypto Adoption
For exchanges operating in Latin America, the data implies that stablecoin infrastructure, including on-ramps, off-ramps, and payment integrations, may deserve priority over listing the latest speculative tokens. If 40% of purchase activity is flowing into stablecoins, product development should follow the demand.
The findings also carry implications for how the broader industry measures crypto adoption. Raw transaction counts or wallet numbers do not capture the distinction between speculative and utility-driven activity. Bitso’s data suggests that in Latin America, a substantial portion of adoption is driven by real economic need rather than trading.
As venture capital funding in crypto has declined, the Bitso report offers a counterpoint: user-driven demand for stablecoins in emerging markets continues to grow regardless of broader market sentiment or funding cycles.
It is worth noting that these conclusions are drawn from one exchange’s data. Bitso is a major player in the region, but purchase patterns on other platforms or in peer-to-peer markets could differ. The 40% figure and USDC’s lead over BTC are specific to Bitso’s user base as reported.
FAQ About the Bitso Stablecoin Report
What percentage of crypto purchases were stablecoins in the Bitso report?
Stablecoins made up 40% of all crypto purchases in Latin America, according to Bitso’s Crypto Landscape in Latin America 2025 report.
Did USDC really surpass Bitcoin in Bitso’s data?
Yes. The report found that USDC purchases exceeded Bitcoin purchases on the platform.
Why are stablecoins gaining traction in Latin America?
Dollar-backed stablecoins offer protection against local currency volatility and serve practical functions like cross-border payments, making them attractive in economies with inflation pressure.
What does the report suggest about crypto demand in the region?
The data suggests that a significant share of Latin American crypto demand is driven by utility and capital preservation rather than speculation, with nearly half of purchases going to stable, dollar-pegged assets.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.








