In brief:
₿- Panama may offer faster Panama Canal access to ships that pay with Bitcoin, merging global trade infrastructure with cryptocurrency incentives.
₿- Panama City is leading the country’s crypto adoption, allowing Bitcoin payments for taxes and proposing a city-level Bitcoin reserve without needing national approval.
Panama is making bold moves toward becoming Latin America’s next major crypto hub. At the 2025 Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi proposed giving cargo ships priority access to the Panama Canal if they pay with Bitcoin (BTC). It is a groundbreaking idea that could transform global logistics and boost Bitcoin adoption in trade.
Panama proposes Bitcoin tolls for faster canal access
The Panama Canal, which handles nearly 5% of global maritime trade and generates over $5 billion annually, is one of the most strategic shipping routes in the world. Mizrachi’s proposal introduces a Bitcoin-based incentive for shipping companies facing costly delays. “We have a canal — what if you get a perk for paying in Bitcoin, get your ship to go quicker?” he asked.
With over 10,000 ships transiting each year, this plan positions Panama as a forward-thinking nation using Bitcoin payments to attract global interest and reshape trade flows.
Panama City expands Bitcoin adoption for public payments
Beyond the canal, Panama City has already embraced cryptocurrency for municipal use. The city allows Bitcoin and other crypto payments for taxes, fines, and public services. Mizrachi clarified, “The city gets paid in Bitcoin, but receives dollars through a processor. Bitcoin is not just safe — it’s prosperous.”
He also proposed establishing a Bitcoin reserve for Panama City, highlighting that he could do so without legislative approval. As the capital generates over half of the national GDP, this move could set the tone for wider cryptocurrency adoption in Panama.
Bitcoin regulation debates amid growing crypto economy
While Panama’s crypto sector grows, Mizrachi is urging lawmakers to take a hands-off approach. “Don’t touch it. Let it operate,” he stated, suggesting that organic growth will signal whether regulation is needed.
Mizrachi claims Panama already processes more than $5 billion in Bitcoin transactions annually, though much of it remains underground due to legal uncertainty and hesitation from institutions.
Panama aims to become global Bitcoin trade hub
Linking Bitcoin payments with Panama Canal tolls merges finance with infrastructure in a way never seen before. As the U.S. debates its influence over the canal and regional crypto policies evolve, Panama is positioning itself as a Bitcoin-powered trade gateway.
By championing innovation and decentralisation, Panama could soon rival El Salvador as a leading crypto-friendly nation, with the canal as its most powerful asset in Bitcoin’s global expansion.
Stay informed,
Rodcas Consulting Group