When people talk about Cuba cryptocurrency, the use of digital currencies by individuals and businesses in Cuba to bypass economic isolation and currency collapse. Also known as crypto in Cuba, it’s not a policy—it’s a survival tactic. The Cuban government doesn’t endorse Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency. In fact, they’ve tried to ban it. But that hasn’t stopped millions of Cubans from using it anyway.
Why? Because the Cuban peso has lost over 90% of its value since 2020. Inflation is out of control. Banks won’t let people withdraw dollars. Remittances from family abroad—often the only source of food and medicine—are slow, expensive, and risky. So Cubans turned to crypto. Bitcoin became the invisible bank. People use peer-to-peer apps like Paxful and LocalBitcoins to trade dollars for Bitcoin, then convert it to pesos through local traders. It’s faster, cheaper, and safer than the official system. And it’s not just for the rich. A teacher in Havana, a mechanic in Santiago, a nurse in Camagüey—they’re all using crypto to buy groceries, pay for internet, or send money to relatives in Miami.
This isn’t speculation. In 2023, Chainalysis ranked Cuba as the third-highest country in the world for peer-to-peer crypto volume per capita. That’s higher than Argentina, Nigeria, and Turkey. The reason? Sanctions. U.S. restrictions on Cuban banks forced the country to find alternatives. Now, crypto isn’t just a tool—it’s a lifeline. And while the government tries to crack down on crypto exchanges and block wallets, the network keeps growing. People use WhatsApp, Telegram, and even physical meetups to trade. Some even mine Bitcoin using old computers and stolen electricity—because the state power grid can’t keep up.
There’s no official Cuban crypto exchange. No regulated platform. No legal framework. Just people, phones, and trust. And that’s exactly why crypto works here. It doesn’t need permission. It doesn’t need a bank. It just needs a connection. If you’re wondering how crypto survives under repression, Cuba is the clearest example on Earth. Below, you’ll find real reviews, reports, and breakdowns of how Cubans are using crypto—what works, what fails, and what happens when the government tries to stop it.
Cuba doesn't ban cryptocurrency - it regulates it. Learn how Bitcoin and other digital currencies became legal payment tools for Cubans facing U.S. sanctions, and how the government turned survival into policy.