Bolivia’s central bank has withdrawn its ban on Bitcoin and crypto payments, enabling financial entities to use digital asset transactions to modernize its payment system.
The central bank stated that the decision was taken to assist Bolivia in enhancing its economically depressed state and to ensure it complies with Latin American crypto regulations.
Terminating the country’s 2014 prohibition on cryptocurrency usage indicates the evolution of its regulatory approach. In December 2020, the government implemented Board Resolution N°144/2020, prohibiting banking entities from engaging in cryptocurrency transactions.
Bolivia Joins Pro-crypto Latin American Countries
The recently approved regulations enable banks to conduct cryptocurrency transactions through authorized electronic channels. Nevertheless, the central bank emphasized that cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender.
As a result, the Bolivian government needs to acknowledge crypto assets as legal tender, and companies are not obligated to accept them as payment despite being tradable through institutions.
Banco Central de Bolivia intends to establish an awareness initiative for the general public as part of its Economic and Financial Education Plan. This strategy aims to educate the general public on the potential hazards of cryptocurrencies and their responsible management.
The Financial Investigations Unit, the Financial System Supervisory Authority, and the central bank collaborated to introduce the new legislation. The three government bodies developed the regulatory update, effective on June 26.
The new legislation also ensures that Bolivia’s crypto regulation is consistent with the recommendations of the Latin American Financial Action Task Force, thereby enabling it to become another Latin American nation to adopt crypto to stimulate its economy.