The financial world never stands still. Right now, a lot of talk centers on stablecoins. These digital assets, designed to keep a steady value, are sparking big discussions. Recently, in Bogotá, industry leaders met to talk about their future.
Last Wednesday, August 13, a significant event called Chainalysis Nodes Colombia 2025 took place. It was put on by Chainalysis, a company that studies blockchain data. The meeting in Bogotá aimed to share new insights with private businesses. Topics included investigation tools, following rules, and how stablecoins fit into the financial system. A key panel at the event looked closely at stablecoins. Experts from Bitso, Minteo, and OrionX shared their thoughts. They discussed the good points, the chances, and the problems these digital assets face in the country and across Latin America.
Stablecoins and the Money System
Juanita RodrÃguez from Bitso sees stablecoins as a total transformer for money systems. She even suggested they could replace old ways of moving money, like the Swift system. That system is often slow and tricky for global transfers. In Colombia, people already use stablecoins for some payments and services. This is a big plus, especially since opening dollar accounts isn’t an option for many. Still, she noted that unclear rules stop stablecoins from being used even more. RodrÃguez believes new rules are coming. While they make some people nervous, they also create fresh business chances.
Rules and Compliance
Felipe Carreño from Minteo spoke about the rules and how stablecoin makers follow them. He made a strong point: a lack of clear rules doesn’t help new ideas. Instead, it helps criminals who find loopholes in the system. Carreño explained that many companies must look to other countries for clear rules. They then use those rules to guide their business in different places. He also stressed that a stablecoin must have a liquid asset backing it. This backing is key for people to trust it and for it to move easily. Carreño thinks Colombia should first list digital asset providers. After that, they can make specific rules for stablecoins. He put it simply: “Both worlds, the financial and crypto, want to collaborate, but there’s still no clarity on how to articulate that relationship.”
Real-World Uses and Chances
Luis Romero from OrionX shared real-life examples. His company uses stablecoins for business-to-business (B2B) payments. Foreign clients who need to pay in Colombia give OrionX stablecoins, like USDT. OrionX then turns these into Colombian pesos for them. Romero noted that buying low and selling high (arbitrage) is common in the country. However, he also said many deals still end in cash. In these situations, Tether (USDT) stands out. It’s a stablecoin that helps keep money flowing fast and easily. Juanita RodrÃguez from Bitso added more striking figures. In Colombia, stablecoins now make up almost half of Bitso’s business, hitting 48%. People mostly use them for sending money home, known as remittances. Over $11 billion in remittances come into the country. They’re also used for global payments by tech companies and for services paid to independent workers.
Fears and Missing Rules
Even with these positive steps, the speakers agreed: local businesses are still wary of digital assets. Romero explained that many companies worry their banks might cut off services. They fear being penalized just for working with cryptocurrencies. The panel members agreed that clear rules are vital. They would allow businesses to operate freely. These rules might take time, but they will bring value to the industry. They will also draw in new money. RodrÃguez from Bitso stressed having backup plans. She said using many different ways to do things helps lower risks. She also mentioned a new bill in Congress. It aims to fix some of the problems banks have when serving crypto businesses. Still, the financial watchdog, the Superintendencia Financiera, recently sent out a note. It warned again that “crypto is dangerous.” RodrÃguez sees this view as a sign of lingering fear. She thinks this fear keeps people from seeing the big potential stablecoins offer. They could bring new ideas and investments.
The Chainalysis Nodes Colombia 2025 event was highlighted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chainalysis_chainalysisnodes-cryptocompliance-activity-7358134787913469955-XNoK/?originalSubdomain=es