US Firms Turn to Crypto-Dollars: How Stablecoins Are Powering Latin American Exports

• Florida-based firms adopt dollar-pegged stablecoins like USDT for exports to Argentina and Venezuela.
• The GENIUS Act provides regulatory clarity, boosting US business adoption of asset-backed digital currencies.

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A shift in international trade finance is taking place among exporters in Florida. A growing number of companies are adopting stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to stable assets like the US dollar, to conduct sales with partners in Latin America.

This aligns with a broader expansion in the digital asset market. A report from financial firm Morgan Stanley indicates the global stablecoin market has grown by 22%, reaching a total valuation of $250 billion.

Daily transaction volumes for these digital currencies now stand at approximately $100 billion.

Business owners are leveraging these digital dollars to navigate the economic realities of trading with nations experiencing currency instability, such as Argentina and Venezuela. Entrepreneurs involved in this practice point to recent policy developments in the United States as a key factor enabling this transition.

The changing regulatory environment has provided a more defined framework for operating with these asset-backed digital tokens.

Stablecoins as a Shield Against Currency Fluctuations

The practical challenges of cross-border trade with Latin America are a primary driver for this adoption. Giovanni Giannone, an Italian-Venezuelan entrepreneur, observed a direct impact on his sales after integrating cryptocurrency payments. His company, Jireh Tech Solutions, founded in 2023, wholesales reconditioned technology equipment to clients in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.

He explains that for his clients, paying with stablecoins offers a tangible advantage. In countries with volatile exchange rates or capital controls, these digital assets provide a method for businesses to safeguard their capital. Clients can hold value in a dollar-referenced digital currency without fearing sudden devaluation before a transaction is complete.

Jireh Tech Solutions operates by purchasing lots of used iPhones, certifying their functionality, and then distributing them to resellers across Latin America. To facilitate this new payment method, Giannone’s firm partnered with Shield, a financial platform co-founded by a Latin American entrepreneur. Shield specializes in assisting companies with transactions in stablecoins like USDT, which maintains a 1:1 value with the US dollar.

This system allows international clients to settle invoices with Jireh Tech Solutions using a cryptocurrency backed by the US dollar. The process mitigates foreign exchange risk for the buyer and provides the US exporter with certainty of payment. Furthermore, it operates within the new regulatory requirements demanded by US authorities, but often with less banking bureaucracy than traditional international wire transfers.

Giannone details that before offering this option, his company relied exclusively on wire transfers from all clients. The addition of a stablecoin payment rail has provided a secondary, often more efficient, channel for completing international sales. He describes it as a solution that helps expand their client base and offers flexibility that was previously unavailable.

How New US Regulations Are Shaping Crypto Commerce

This commercial trend is developing alongside a notable shift in the US government’s posture toward digital assets. The administration of Donald Trump took a definitive step in July by signing the GENIUS Act into law. This legislation represents the first US regulatory framework specifically for cryptocurrencies that are backed by reliable assets, like the US dollar. 

This regulatory clarity is encouraging businesses to explore digital asset applications. Luis Carchi, co-founder of Shield, views this as the beginning of a fundamental change in how commerce is conducted.

He notes that the previous presidential administration did not support the digital asset industry. Instead, it pursued legal actions against many major US companies operating in the space. Carchi emphasizes that the current policy perspective has changed entirely, which he identifies as the most important factor for regulatory progress.

The data from his platform underscores the accelerating adoption. Since its launch in 2022, Shield has processed more than $100 million in payments. A substantial portion of this volume, $40 million, occurred in the last month alone. 

Clarifying the Real-World Use of Stablecoins for Business

A significant hurdle for wider adoption remains the perception of cryptocurrency. Many entrepreneurs associate the term with scams, speculation, and fraudulent investment schemes. Carchi actively encourages business owners to move past these fears. He clarifies that it has never been illegal in the United States to buy or sell cryptocurrency. He also stresses that stablecoins like USDT are fundamentally different from speculative assets.

Carchi describes USDT not as an investment vehicle, but as a “crypto-dollar” or a digital dollar. Its primary function is to serve as a medium of exchange with the stability of the US currency, not as a instrument for price appreciation. The value is derived from its peg to the dollar, making it suitable for trade settlements rather than speculative trading.

Giovanni Giannone acknowledges his own initial skepticism about integrating cryptocurrencies into his business operations. He now advises other entrepreneurs that reluctance typically stems from a lack of familiarity with the technology and its practical applications.

He draws a parallel to businesses in his sector that continue to rely on outdated tools, such as sending price lists via Excel spreadsheets, instead of adopting modern digital solutions. For Giannone, embracing stablecoins is a logical step forward in optimizing international trade for efficiency and financial security.

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