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.
Bitcoin volumes in Venezuela continue to outperform other troubled countries.
2019 LocalBitcoins volume:
Venezuela 🇻🇪 – $305.93M
Colombia 🇨🇴 – $134.22M
Peru 🇵🇪 – $45.54M
Hong Kong 🇭🇰 – $21.73M
Chile 🇨🇱 – $13.84M
Argentina 🇦🇷 – $11.94M
Iran 🇮🇷 – $5.81M
Egypt 🇪🇬 – $1.40M pic.twitter.com/0EymoY1y54— Larry Cermak (@lawmaster) January 26, 2020
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.
Growth of LocalBitcoins volume in 2019 vs. 2018
Egypt 🇪🇬 – 69.8%
Colombia 🇨🇴 – 59.8%
Peru 🇵🇪 – 47.7%
Argentina 🇦🇷 – 44.7%
Chile 🇨🇱 – 36.3%
Venezuela 🇻🇪 – 33.2%
Hong Kong 🇭🇰 – (18.5%)
Iran 🇮🇷 – (52.1%) pic.twitter.com/HbpwdbDsfP— Larry Cermak (@lawmaster) January 26, 2020
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.
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