Welcome to Latam Insights, a compilation of the most relevant crypto news from Latin America over the past week. In this week’s edition, Bolivia bans a state-owned oil company from using crypto to settle energy transactions, Panama accelerates bitcoin adoption policies, and the IMF approves El Salvador’s economic performance.
Latam Insights: Bolivia Bans Crypto Energy Transactions, Panama Accelerates Bitcoin Adoption
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Bolivia Bans State Oil Company From Using Crypto for Energy Settlements
Bolivia, a country that has recently shown several positive signs of integrating crypto into its payments and financial systems, has prohibited the use of crypto for settling energy-related purchases.
This measure is part of a series of economic actions aimed at curbing speculation on cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance.
Executive Order 5399, which bans YPFB, the state-owned oil company, from purchasing crypto to settle payments, was enacted on May 23 after the rise of the price of stablecoins in parallel markets as traders tried to front-run the company in a for-profit dollar trade.
President Luis Arce stated:
YPFB has not conducted any transactions with cryptoassets; however, there has been considerable speculation surrounding this issue, which affects expectations regarding the exchange rate. This measure eliminates that distortion.
Panama Accelerates Bitcoin Adoption: Payments, Bank Accounts, and a Strategic Reserve Ahead
Panama is poised to become a major financial hub, integrating its existing fiat-based traditional institutional infrastructure with a new bitcoin-based financial framework. Mayer Mizrachi, mayor of Panama City, made several announcements to incentivize bitcoin adoption during his appearance at the Bitcoin 2025 conference.
Mizrachi revealed that Caja de Ahorros, the second-largest bank in the country, would be integrating bitcoin account functionality, allowing its customers to take advantage of these custody services and simplifying their bitcoin experience.
At the conference, Mizrachi stated:
Now, the second largest national bank, which is present tonight, Caja de Ahorros, is going to open Bitcoin accounts that can easily transact in dollars.
El Salvador Passes IMF Review With Flying Colors Despite Its Bitcoin Purchases
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the compliance of El Salvador with the requirements to keep receiving upcoming disbursements derived from a credit facility deal inked in February.
The institution found that El Salvador’s performance in applying the program was strong, with authorities being successful in implementing the agreed economic reform plan. Luis Cubeddu, Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department, and Ivan Torres, Mission Chief for El Salvador, stated:
Most program targets set for the first review were comfortably met, and implementation of the structural benchmarks is progressing well.
Subject to the approval of the executive board of the fund, this outcome allows El Salvador to receive $120 million more, the following tranche of the agreement to help El Salvador stabilize its economy.
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