Confidence Drives Commitment
Confidence in Latin America is not just high—it’s active. Only 29% of institutions cited regulatory uncertainty as a barrier (compared to a global average of 41%), and just 7% mentioned lack of internal expertise—the lowest of any region. Over 70% say their infrastructure, including APIs and wallets, is already ready for stablecoin integration, and 86% have partnerships in place to support this shift.
This foundation is what enables institutions to move beyond experimentation. PSPs, fintechs, and financial institutions in Latin America are not waiting for use cases to develop—they’re responding to clear, sustained demand. A full 75% of respondents noted growing customer interest in stablecoin-based products.
Meeting Demand at Speed and Scale
Cross-border payments are the leading use case in Latin America—71% of respondents cite it as their primary application, significantly ahead of the 49% global average. This reflects the region’s urgency to solve longstanding frictions in international transfers.
Bitso, one of the region’s largest exchanges and retail platforms, supports over 8 million users and 1,000+ institutional clients.
By combining stablecoins with local payment rails, we’re unlocking a powerful cross-border experience—something traditional banking infrastructure simply can’t deliver.
Bancolombia Group has also launched a Colombian peso-backed stablecoin ($COPW) through its digital asset platform Wenia. The project is designed to give retail users access to secure, programmable alternatives to traditional payment methods.
This demand is further validated by the survey: 40% of respondents in Latin America cite customer demand and 33% cite market expansion as primary adoption drivers—more than any other region. Latin American institutions are deploying stablecoins to meet urgent, day-to-day needs in the B2B and retail spaces.
Infrastructure and Confidence
That market demand is being met with the infrastructure the region’s payment providers need:
- 86% of Latin American firms report having already established partnerships to support stablecoin integration,
- 71% say their infrastructure is ready—including wallets and APIs, and,
- just 7% cite lack of internal expertise as a barrier to adoption, the lowest among all regions surveyed.
This combination of confidence and capability creates a favorable environment for stablecoin adoption at scale. It also explains why Latin America is not only implementing stablecoins faster, but doing so with greater technical sophistication and operational readiness than many of its global peers.
Just look at BRL1, a stablecoin pegged to the Brazilian real and backed by both the currency and Brazilian government bonds. Mercado Bitcoin, Foxbit, Bitso, and Caivest launched the token to enable direct exchange flows. While initially focused on domestic use, the group is exploring international exchange listings to bring real-time settlement capabilities to global retail and commercial users. It’s a clear signal that local innovation is being built with global utility— and market expansion— in mind.
Security Meets the Moment
Latin American institutions also view stablecoins as tools to combat persistent fraud and enhance security. Half of respondents cite protection as a key enabler of adoption—the highest globally. Another 36% say better protection would unlock even more adoption.
These expectations define what “enterprise-grade” means in the region.
41% prioritize speed, 34% compliance, and many expect low-cost, high-volume performance that doesn’t compromise security. In Latin America, security is not a box to check—it’s a strategic driver that shapes infrastructure decisions from day one.
Latin America’s Advantage Is Execution
Stablecoin adoption in Latin America is not exploratory—it’s operational. Institutions across the region are already acting, driven by demand, supported by infrastructure, and guided by clear goals: improving cross-border payments, expanding access, and enhancing security.
As adoption accelerates, the question is no longer if stablecoins will shape the region’s financial landscape—but how soon. The State of Stablecoins report suggests they already are.
Ready to discover what execution at scale requires? We’re here to help.
