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Bitcoin trading volumes hike in countries with shaky economies, report

TL;DR

Bitcoin trading volumes increased in several troubled countries, indicating that citizens are considering Bitcoin as safe haven. General currency tradings are quickly diminishing due to hyperinflation and other geopolitical reasons and thus, citizens in Venezuela and Hong Kong are looking at Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for alternative stores of value.

Data according to LocalBitcoin, a peer to peer Bitcoin trading platform also shows that economically troubled countries precisely are experiencing an increase in the trade of Bitcoin. In South America comparing 2019 to 2018, analysts observed that as economies continue to suffer, so Bitcoin trading volumes have hiked.

Breeding ground of cryptocurrency activity

In 2019, an estimated $305.9 million was traded on LocalBitcoins from Venezuela with Columbia and Peru coming in second and third with $134.2 million and $45.5 million respectively. Some other countries with high crypto activities in 2019 are Hong Kong, which has become a breeding ground of cryptocurrency activity in the midst of the government protests, as well as Iran.

Currently, the Venezuelan crisis particularly cannot be overemphasized. It has been in the media what the country faced in 2019 as the socialist regime of Nicolas Maduro was disturbed with civil unrest and attempted coups. This ensured that the worth of the local currency, the Bolivar, drop very poorly.

Because of this, Venezuelans have embraced crypto as Bitcoin remains the most popular choice for Venezuelans. They use this to try and secure the value of their money. The Venezuelan government also established its own native cryptocurrency, ‘Petro’ and has primarily functioned as a way of educating citizens on cryptocurrency in general.

Increased Bitcoin trading volumes ratio

Looking at the Bitcoin trading volumes of these countries, it has to be mentioned exclusively. In Venezuela, from 2018-2019, the trading volume increased by 33% yet It is still considered a low upward turn.

Northern Africa’s Egypt enjoyed the highest percentage increase in LocalBitcoins volume in 2019 with a 70% hike in crypto trading activities. HongKong, Iran, dropped in crypto trading percentage activities owing to policies and government regulations as the government in these countries continues to try and end Bitcoin trading.

According to LocalBitcoin statistics, countries of the world continue to grumble over a potential looming recession and lookup to Bitcoin for what economic advantage it has to offer. Countries currently facing economic hardship have seen some of its citizens rise up and demand a decentralized and isolated financial system.

Featured Image by Pixabay

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Muhaimin Olowoporoku

Muhaimin loves writing on crypto news aside from being a crypto enthusiast. He has a knack for analysing issues and updating people on what's happening around the globe. He believes that blockchain and cryptocurrency are the most useful systems of mutual trust ever devised.

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