Are Stablecoins Legal for Businesses in Bolivia? (2025 Update)

As of June 2025, Bolivia's rules on stablecoins and digital assets have changed dramatically, opening new options for businesses in the country. Mural Pay, a leader in Stablecoins Bolivia and cross-border payments infrastructure, is at the center of these changes. After a decade-long ban, the Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) lifted key restrictions, resulting in a 100% increase in crypto trading volume within months (Cointelegraph, 2024).

This growth signals new opportunities for digital currency compliance Bolivia, but also raises important questions for businesses considering stablecoins.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Readers should consult qualified legal counsel before making decisions related to stablecoin use or compliance in Bolivia.

What Are Stablecoins and How Have They Been Regulated in Bolivia?

Think of stablecoins as a digital bridge between the reliability of traditional currencies and the versatility of cryptocurrencies. Stablecoins Bolivia like USDC and USDT are built to maintain a steady value, typically tied to the U.S. dollar, and have become essential tools for global payments. According to The Block, stablecoins settled $11 trillion globally in 2022, nearly matching Visa's network volume.

In Bolivia, the regulatory approach has been especially dynamic. Prior to June 2024, the BCB enforced a strict ban on all forms of cryptocurrency, including stablecoins, under Resolución de Directorio N° 044/2014. This ban was motivated by concerns over financial stability, consumer protection, and lack of regulatory oversight.

Despite the lifting of the ban, the boliviano remains the country’s only legal tender, and businesses are not required to accept cryptocurrencies as payment (Cointelegraph, 2024). This regulatory approach sets Bolivia apart from its neighbors Peru and Brazil, both of which have adopted more permissive digital-asset policies.

For definitions and key terms, refer to our Glossary.

The 2024 Policy Shift—What Changed for Businesses?

For many Bolivian companies, the June 2024 policy change is a turning point for Stablecoin legality Bolivia and Crypto law Bolivia. The Central Bank of Bolivia’s resolution now allows financial institutions to conduct transactions with digital assets through authorized electronic channels.

The reversal was achieved through coordination among Bolivia’s central bank, financial authorities, and industry stakeholders.

As a result, the country experienced a 100% increase in reported virtual asset trading volume, reaching approximately $15.6 million between July and September 2024 (Cointelegraph, 2024).

While business use of stablecoins Bolivia is now permitted through regulated banks, these assets are not recognized as legal tender. According to the BCB, acceptance of cryptocurrencies by businesses remains voluntary, and all transactions must be processed via authorized institutions (BCB, 2024).

For a full exploration of legal payment alternatives, see Best International Payment Methods for Bolivian Companies.

Can Bolivian Businesses Now Use Stablecoins for Payments?

It’s a question nearly every business owner and financial officer faces after the regulatory shift: Are stablecoins legal in Bolivia, and what does this mean for payments? The answer is nuanced but encouraging. As of June 2024, businesses can use stablecoins for payments and settlements if transactions are conducted through licensed banks or authorized financial institutions.

The move comes amid ongoing U.S. dollar shortages, which have driven many Bolivian businesses to seek digital alternatives for cross-border payments.

A BCB spokesperson clarified in a July 2024 press release: “The use of crypto assets, including stablecoins, is permitted through regulated institutions. Acceptance by businesses is voluntary and not obligatory under current law” (translated from Spanish, BCB, 2024).

What matters most is maintaining Digital currency compliance Bolivia by partnering with regulated providers and keeping clear transaction records.

For practical steps to operationalize stablecoin payments, refer to Stablecoin On/Off-Ramps for Bolivian Businesses: What You Need to Know.

Risks, Limitations, and Compliance Red Flags for Businesses

It’s tempting to believe that the policy shift removes all barriers, and for many businesses, the new rules unlock new speed and options. But there’s a critical exception: all cryptocurrency transactions must pass through authorized financial institutions.

The BCB continues to monitor for unauthorized or fraudulent activity, issuing a compliance advisory in August 2024 warning that transactions outside regulated channels remain subject to penalties (BCB advisory, 2024).

The BCB continues to stress consumer protection and financial system integrity as its top priorities in regulating digital assets.

While no major enforcement actions have been publicized in Bolivia post-2024, similar regulatory regimes in neighboring countries have shown a willingness to act swiftly against non-compliant actors.

The smart move? Meet all Digital asset compliance Bolivia and Blockchain regulations Bolivia requirements, and consult legal counsel before expanding digital asset operations.

For more on lawful contractor payments, see How to Pay International Contractors from Bolivia Legally.

Real-World Examples—How Bolivian Companies Are Using Stablecoins

Six months after the policy change, Bolivian banks and businesses have begun integrating stablecoin transactions into their offerings. For instance, a leading Bolivian bank reported onboarding over 1,000 business clients for digital asset services, with stablecoins representing a significant share of new transaction volume (Cointelegraph, 2024).

This shift has enabled companies to bypass dollar shortages and access global markets more efficiently—a trend also observed in neighboring countries.

It also has the potential to enhance financial inclusion, particularly for unbanked individuals and businesses.

The result? Business use of stablecoins Bolivia is no longer a hypothetical, but a practical reality for companies seeking faster, more transparent cross-border payments.

For more on overcoming dollar shortages, see Can Stablecoins Help Bolivian Businesses Beat Dollar Shortages?.

Key Takeaways and Best Practices for Bolivian Businesses

The 2024 regulatory shift brings new options, but compliance, transparency, and regulatory vigilance remain essential. Stablecoin legality Bolivia and Digital currency compliance Bolivia require businesses to use only authorized institutions and to keep up with future regulatory updates.

As the BCB continues to refine its framework, businesses should prioritize clear documentation, consumer protection, and ongoing legal review.

Bolivian companies should proactively monitor policy changes and industry best practices to remain fully compliant as the regulatory environment continues to evolve.

For a fully compliant approach to instant global payments, see our Payments overview.

References

• Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB). (2024, July). Press release on crypto asset use and business obligations. https://www.bcb.gob.bo

• Cointelegraph. (2024). Bolivia reports 100% rise in virtual asset trading since lifting Bitcoin ban. https://cointelegraph.com/news/bolivia-reports-100-increase-average-virtual-asset-trading-last-3-months

• The Block. (2023). Stablecoins settle $11T in 2022. https://www.theblock.co

• BCB Advisory. (2024, August). Compliance advisory on digital asset transaction channels. https://www.bcb.gob.bo

• Cointelegraph. (2024). Bolivia legalizes Bitcoin, crypto transactions. https://cointelegraph.com/news/bolivia-legalizes-bitcoin-crypto-transactions

• América Economía. (2024). Empresarios bolivianos: escasez de dólares y alternativas legales. https://www.americaeconomia.com