Do Venezuelans pay in dollars or bolívares?

Mostly in bolívares. Ecoanalítica found that 84.2% of retail transactions were in bolívares in 2025. Dollars are still used in cash, through Zelle and as USDT, especially for larger purchases.

How people pay in Venezuela in 2026

Everyday payments have moved back to the bolívar and to the phone. Consultancy Ecoanalítica found that 84.2% of retail transactions were made in bolívares in 2025, against 72% in foreign currency during the hyperinflation years. Pago Móvil and card terminals carry most bolívar payments: only 2.4% of bolívar payments were made in cash in Ecoanalítica's December 2024 study.

Where dollars still circulate

Dollar cash is the main way people pay in foreign currency, but its share is shrinking. In 2025, foreign currency covered 15.8% of retail transactions, held back by the 3% IGTF tax on foreign-currency payments, limits on buying dollars at bank counters and a shortage of small bills. Dollars also move through Zelle and as USDT stablecoins, and since August 2025 shoppers can pay with USDT through Binance Pay at some terminals while merchants receive bolívares.

More detail in our #PayWorldTour guide Payment methods in Venezuela.