Cryptocurrency Laws in Bolivia: What’s Legal, What’s Not in 2025

Cryptocurrency laws in Bolivia, the official stance of the Bolivian government on digital currencies, which outright bans their use, circulation, and acceptance as payment. Also known as crypto prohibition in Bolivia, this rule applies to everyone—citizens, foreigners, businesses, and banks alike. Unlike countries that tax or regulate crypto, Bolivia says it’s illegal entirely. No exceptions. Not even for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins like USDT. The central bank issued this ban in 2014, and it’s still active in 2025.

Why? The government claims crypto threatens financial stability, enables money laundering, and bypasses state control over the boliviano. But the real story is messier. While official banks refuse to touch crypto, millions of Bolivians use peer-to-peer apps, cash trades, and VPNs to buy and sell. Many rely on it to send money home from abroad, protect savings from hyperinflation, or pay for goods when banks freeze accounts. It’s not a choice—it’s survival. And despite the risk of fines or even arrest, underground crypto trading keeps growing. This isn’t just about technology. It’s about access, power, and who controls money.

What’s missing in Bolivia’s rules? Any clarity. There’s no licensed exchange, no tax framework, no legal way to report crypto holdings. You can’t open a crypto wallet through a bank. You can’t pay taxes with Bitcoin. You can’t get a business license if you accept crypto. And if you’re caught trading? You’re on your own. No legal recourse. No protection. Just penalties. Meanwhile, neighboring countries like Argentina and Brazil are building crypto-friendly systems. Bolivia is digging in. That’s why the posts below cover real cases: how people trade crypto in secret, what tools they use, and what happens when the authorities knock on the door. You’ll find stories from the ground—no theory, no fluff, just what people are actually doing in Bolivia today.