Tether (USDT) Accepted at Toyota, Yamaha and BYD in Bolivia May Signal Growing Stablecoin Use Amid Dollar Shortage

• Tether accepted by Toyota, Yamaha and BYD in Bolivia for customer payments.

• Bolivian importers use USDT to convert to dollars and pay overseas suppliers, sustaining trade flows.

• Bolivia’s FX reserves fell 98% from $12.7B (July 2014) to $171M (Aug 2025); daily USDT liquidity rose from ~$20K to nearly $1M.

Tether in Bolivia: Toyota, Yamaha and BYD accept USDT for payments as businesses use stablecoins to manage a severe dollar shortage — read how this impacts trade and consumers.

What is Tether in Bolivia?

Tether in Bolivia refers to the growing acceptance and use of the stablecoin USDT by businesses and consumers to facilitate payments and cross-border trade. Companies including Toyota, Yamaha and BYD now accept USDT, helping importers and retailers manage a severe shortage of US dollars.

How are Bolivian businesses using USDT for international trade?

Bolivian importers purchase USDT locally or via offshore accounts, convert stablecoins into US dollars, and pay foreign suppliers. This circular stablecoin economy keeps supply chains moving. TowerBank head of digital assets Gabriel Campa described daily USDT liquidity surging from roughly $20K to nearly $1M in under a year.

Tether is now being accepted for payments at Toyota, Yamaha and BYD in Bolivia as businesses increasingly turn to stablecoins to navigate the country’s US dollar shortage.

Three major international vehicle and goods manufacturers have started accepting Tether (USDT) in Bolivia to navigate collapsing US dollar reserves, marking a major step in local crypto adoption. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed the initiative on Sunday, and BitGo reported that the first Toyota purchase with USDT took place on Saturday.

Pictures shared by Paolo Ardoino show dealer signage advertising USDT as an “easy, fast, and safe” payment option for car purchases. BitGo says it partnered with Tether and a Bolivia Toyota dealership to support self-custody and ensure transaction integrity for large purchases.

Source: Paolo Ardoino

Bolivia lifted a long-standing crypto ban in June 2024, allowing banks to process Bitcoin and stablecoin transactions. The policy shift opened the door for corporates and state-linked entities to explore crypto for trade and treasury functions.

State-owned oil and gas firm Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) received approval earlier in the year to accept crypto for fuel imports, reflecting a broader trend of leveraging digital assets to mitigate dollar scarcity.

Source: BitGo

Retail and airport vendors have begun pricing items in USDT as a practical response to limited dollar availability. Markets that face currency volatility commonly adopt stablecoins when formal FX channels are constrained.

Why have companies started to accept USDT?

Companies are responding to acute dollar shortages and high FX friction. Accepting USDT reduces reliance on limited dollar deposits and enables direct settlement for imports. For manufacturers and dealerships, stablecoin acceptance provides an alternative settlement rail while boliviano purchasing power weakens.

Will political developments affect crypto adoption?

Bolivia holds a runoff election on Oct. 19 between Rodrigo Paz Pereira and Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga. Paz Pereira proposes blockchain tools to improve transparency. Political changes may accelerate or recalibrate crypto policy, but current market adoption is driven by immediate commercial need and FX constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bolivians use USDT for everyday purchases?

Yes. Shops and airports are beginning to list prices in USDT for basic goods, making everyday transactions possible where merchants accept stablecoins.

Who is supporting custody and transaction security for large USDT payments?

Crypto custodian BitGo has confirmed partnerships to assist dealerships and buyers with self-custody and secure transaction processing for large purchases like vehicles.

Key Takeaways

• Tether in Bolivia is expanding: Toyota, Yamaha and BYD now accept USDT, signaling mainstream merchant adoption.
• Stablecoins support trade: Importers use USDT to convert and pay overseas suppliers, preserving supply chains amid a dollar crunch.
• Policy and politics matter: Regulatory changes since June 2024 enabled this use case; election outcomes in October could influence future adoption.

Conclusion

Bolivia’s adoption of Tether (USDT) by major manufacturers is a pragmatic market response to a severe dollar shortage. The shift supports imports, protects commerce, and signals a practical expansion of stablecoin use in Latin America. Watch election outcomes and regulatory guidance for how adoption may evolve; businesses should prepare operational and compliance frameworks accordingly.