The interest in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and the use of cryptocurrencies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has gained significant attention in recent years. This region has emerged as a global leader in digital money adoption, offering valuable lessons for the rest of the world. While countries like El Salvador have made headlines by granting legal tender status to Bitcoin, others in the region have taken steps towards introducing CBDCs to enhance financial inclusion, improve payment systems’ resilience, and lower cross-border remittance costs.
The Bahamas led the way in 2020 with the introduction of the Sand Dollar, becoming the first country in the world to launch a CBDC. The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) and Jamaica have since followed suit, further demonstrating the region’s commitment to digital currencies. Additionally, Brazil is in the advanced Proof-of-Concept stage of its CBDC project, which aims to enhance “asset tokenization” by digitizing real estate, stocks, commodities, and other assets to facilitate their transfer and increase liquidity.
At the same time, several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Ecuador, have ranked among the top 20 globally in the adoption of cryptocurrencies. These countries seek the benefits that digital assets claim to offer, such as protection against uncertain macroeconomic conditions, circumvention of capital controls, improved financial inclusion, faster and cheaper payments, and increased competition.
However, the adoption of crypto assets also presents challenges and risks, particularly for vulnerable LAC countries. These nations often have a history of macroeconomic instability, low institutional credibility, substantial capital flows, corruption, and extensive informal sectors. As a result, regulatory frameworks for crypto assets vary across the region. While countries like El Salvador have embraced cryptocurrencies, others like Argentina and the Dominican Republic have prohibited their use due to concerns about financial stability, currency substitution, tax evasion, corruption, and money laundering.
The experience of El Salvador with Bitcoin as legal tender highlights the risks associated with adopting unbacked crypto assets. Despite its legal status, Bitcoin has not gained widespread acceptance as a medium of exchange in the country. Furthermore, the effective adoption of stablecoins, which aim to maintain a stable price relative to a specified asset, also poses challenges. Meta’s pilot project, which aimed to facilitate domestic and cross-border payments without fees in the US and Guatemala, was discontinued due to regulatory pushback and the risk of domestic currency substitution.
In light of these challenges, central banks in LAC are exploring the potential introduction of CBDCs. According to surveys conducted with government officials in the region, half of the respondents were considering both retail and wholesale CBDC options. Most participants viewed CBDCs as a means to enhance payment systems, broaden access, promote financial inclusion, and preserve monetary sovereignty. Countries like the ECCU and the Bahamas have already issued their own CBDCs to boost financial inclusion in remote communities and enhance the resilience of the payments system during natural disasters and pandemics.
CBDCs, if well designed, have the potential to strengthen payment systems’ usability, resilience, and efficiency while increasing financial inclusion in LAC. However, managing the risks associated with crypto assets requires a country-specific approach. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has provided guidance on developing appropriate policy responses to mitigate risks and harness the potential benefits of technological innovations related to crypto assets.
While some countries have chosen to ban crypto assets entirely, this approach may not be effective in the long run. Instead, the focus should be on addressing the drivers of crypto demand, such as unmet digital payment needs, and improving transparency by incorporating crypto asset transactions into national statistics. Additionally, investing in public awareness and robust infrastructure is crucial to promoting the adoption of CBDCs and ensuring their accessibility.
In conclusion, Latin America and the Caribbean have emerged as frontrunners in the adoption of digital currencies. While countries in the region have taken diverse approaches to crypto assets, the potential benefits of CBDCs cannot be overlooked. By addressing the risks associated with crypto assets and designing CBDCs that enhance financial inclusion, resilience, and efficiency, LAC countries can lead the way in shaping the future of digital money. The region’s experiences serve as valuable lessons for other countries considering similar initiatives, demonstrating the importance of finding the right balance between innovation and regulation in the realm of digital currencies.
