Latin American Exchange Bitso Brings Crypto Remittance Service to Colombia

The company launched a similar business in Mexico in 2021.

AccessTimeIconJul 7, 2022 at 8:07 p.m. UTC
Updated May 11, 2023 at 5:40 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The Latin American crypto exchange Bitso launched a cryptocurrency remittance service in Colombia, the company said on Thursday.

The service – which will allow individuals and businesses to send and receive digital dollars – is the first crypto remittance product in Colombia to date, according to Bitso. For now, the feature will be available via the company’s website, with a mobile app soon to follow.

  • Why Worldcoin Is Launching a Layer 2
    20:07
    Why Worldcoin Is Launching a Layer 2
  • Polymarket Traders Bet on Fed Rate Cuts; Bitcoin Spot ETFs Register Five-Day Withdrawals Streak
    02:17
    Polymarket Traders Bet on Fed Rate Cuts; Bitcoin Spot ETFs Register Five-Day Withdrawals Streak
  • Base Monthly Active Addresses Increased by 160% in March: Nansen
    00:50
    Base Monthly Active Addresses Increased by 160% in March: Nansen
  • Bitcoin Halving: We Answer Your Questions
    04:16
    Bitcoin Halving: We Answer Your Questions
  • “These transactions are not affected by volatility at all,” said Emilio Pardo, country manager of Bitso in Colombia. “The price of the stablecoins that we use depends on the international currency market, with parity with the dollar, a great benefit to beat inflation.”

    Bitso is seeking to mirror the crypto remittance service it launched in 2021 in Mexico, which processed $1 billion in the first half of 2022. The company hopes to double its volume of international transfers by year end – and to process $4 billion in 2023.

    Remittances totaling $8.56 billion were sent to Colombia from abroad in 2021, an all-time record, El Tiempo newspaper reported.

    Going in the other direction, Colombians sent remittances abroad totaling $380 million last year, up 52.4% from the 2020 level. Money sent to the U.S. was $103 million, up 102% year-over-year.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Andrés Engler

    Andrés Engler was a CoinDesk editor based in Argentina, where he covers the Latin American crypto ecosystem. He holds BTC and ETH.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.