Stablecoin Tether (USDT) has become increasingly popular in Brazil in recent years, accounting for nearly 80% of all cryptocurrency transactions in the country as of October 2023.
Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin, a type of cryptocurrency that is pegged to the US dollar. This means that each USDT token is supposed to be worth exactly $1. USDT is used by investors to avoid the volatility of other cryptocurrencies, and it is also used by businesses to make cross-border payment.
USDT transactions in Brazil have reached $271 billion Brazilian reais ($55 billion) this year, surpassing the volume of Bitcoin transactions.
This is due to a number of factors, including:
• USDT is pegged to the US dollar, providing a hedge against the volatility of the Brazilian real. The Brazilian real has been depreciating against the US dollar for several years, and USDT provides Brazilians with a way to protect their savings from inflation.
• USDT is widely accepted by Brazilian cryptocurrency exchanges and merchants. This makes it easy for Brazilians to buy, sell, and use USDT.
• USDT is a popular way for Brazilians to send and receive international payments. USDT transactions are fast, cheap, and easy to process, making them ideal for cross-border payments.
USDT is used in Brazil for a variety of purposes, including:
• As a store of value. Brazilians use USDT to protect their savings from inflation and to hedge against the volatility of the Brazilian real.
• As a means of payment. Brazilians use USDT to buy and sell goods and services online and in stores.
• For international payments. Brazilians use USDT to send and receive international payments quickly, cheaply, and easily.
• The popularity of USDT in Brazil has led to increased scrutiny from the Brazilian government.
The Brazilian tax agency, the Receita Federal, is now tracking crypto-related activities of citizens using a sophisticated system that relies on artificial intelligence and network analysis. Additionally, the Receita Federal is targeting crypto investments held by the country’s citizens overseas.
Source: Forbes