Robert Albro, associate director at American University’s Research Center for Latin American & Latino Studies:“Having lifted its longstanding ban on Bitcoin in 2024, Bolivia recently authorized its state-owned energy company to use cryptocurrency to import oil and gas. Both moves are desperate responses to intractably entangled economic and political crises. Once an energy exporter, dwindling gas production has forced Bolivia to deplete foreign currency reserves to import necessary fuel. The ongoing feud between Evo Morales and Luis Arce has created legislative gridlock, exacerbating economic woes. Loans to purchase foreign fuel aren’t approved, adding to the scarcity of foreign currency. Resulting fuel shortages have led to long lines at gas stations and protests, intensifying uncertainty created by skyrocketing inflation, disputed claims of assassination attempts and coups, armed takeovers of military posts and roadblocks by Evo and Arce loyalists. Crypto use has recently surged in Latin America…”