Why Venezuela Likely Doesn't Have a $60 Billion Bitcoin Stash

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 13, 2026 at 12:08  |  58:09  |  Unchained (Chopping Block)
Speakers
Jorge Jraissati — President of Economic Inclusion Group
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo — Founder and Chief Sales Officer, Ledn
Laura Shin — Host, Unchained

Summary

Unchained host Laura Shin speaks with Mauricio Di Bartolomeo and Jorge Jraissati about whether Venezuela secretly holds $60 billion in Bitcoin after Maduro's capture. Mauricio argues the $60 billion stash is implausible due to corruption, lack of on-chain evidence, and siphoned oil-for-crypto proceeds. The guests instead highlight the real crypto opportunity in Venezuela: rebuilding the financial system with stablecoins, reviving Bitcoin mining, and serving a population already dependent on digital assets.

  • The episode examines rumors that Venezuela holds a $60 billion Bitcoin stash.
  • Mauricio Di Bartolomeo disputes the rumor, citing corruption, lack of on-chain evidence, and siphoned oil proceeds.
  • The discussion covers the history of grassroots Bitcoin mining in Venezuela and the 2018 confiscation campaign.
  • Jorge Jraissati says Venezuela's destroyed financial system creates an opportunity to rebuild on crypto and stablecoins.
  • Stablecoins are described as essential for remittances and daily transactions due to exchange-rate controls.
  • Venezuela is framed as a potential Bitcoin mining hub because of hydro and other energy resources.
  • Guests also debate the failed Petro, post-Maduro political transition, and crypto's role in geopolitical competition.
Ideas
Jorge Jraissati President of Economic Inclusion Group 10:10
Venezuela can rebuild on crypto rails.
Venezuela's financial system is destroyed and can be rebuilt on crypto assets, Bitcoin, and stablecoins; the population already uses crypto daily and the returning elite is pro-crypto, creating a huge opportunity for the crypto asset sector.
BITO HIGH
Jorge Jraissati President of Economic Inclusion Group 10:10
Venezuela is a post-transition rebuilding opportunity.
Venezuela is a major post-transition investment opportunity: its economy and financial system are shattered, it has abundant energy and hydro resources, and its people and returning leadership want investment and business, though a political transition is required.
Venezuela HIGH
Jorge Jraissati President of Economic Inclusion Group 10:22
Stablecoins can become central in Venezuela.
Venezuela's destroyed financial system and lack of financial inclusion have already made stablecoins essential for everyday transactions, savings, remittances, and purchases; stablecoins, especially USDT, could become the central element of a rebuilt Venezuelan financial architecture.
USDT STABLECOINS HIGH
Jorge Jraissati President of Economic Inclusion Group 10:33
Venezuela can regain Bitcoin mining hub status.
Venezuela can become a Bitcoin mining hub again because it has huge hydro and other energy resources, and even without subsidies its power costs would be very competitive; compensating expropriated miners would help restart the sector.
WGMI HIGH
Jorge Jraissati President of Economic Inclusion Group 25:37
Bitcoin demand grows as freedom money.
Bitcoin is freedom money for Venezuelans because it cannot be seized or taken away by bad governments; people already demand that protection, and returning Venezuelan leaders are extremely pro-Bitcoin, supporting further adoption.
BTC HIGH
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo Founder and Chief Sales Officer, Ledn 41:44
Stablecoins beat manipulated bolivar for remittances.
Venezuela's dual exchange rate, with the official rate around 321 bolivars per dollar versus about 780 in peer-to-peer markets, and its regime-controlled banking system mean stablecoin remittances deliver more than twice the spending power; stablecoins are therefore a superior rail and likely to keep growing, while the bolivar is manipulated and untrustworthy.
STABLECOINS HIGH
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo Founder and Chief Sales Officer, Ledn 41:44
Stablecoins beat manipulated bolivar for remittances.
Venezuela's dual exchange rate, with the official rate around 321 bolivars per dollar versus about 780 in peer-to-peer markets, and its regime-controlled banking system mean stablecoin remittances deliver more than twice the spending power; stablecoins are therefore a superior rail and likely to keep growing, while the bolivar is manipulated and untrustworthy.
Venezuelan bolivar HIGH
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo Founder and Chief Sales Officer, Ledn 55:08
Digital asset firms can rebuild Venezuela finance.
Digital asset companies have a real opportunity to help rebuild Venezuela's gutted financial infrastructure because the population already uses digital assets out of necessity, understands the technology, is not afraid of it, and desperately needs trusted financial services.
BITQ MED
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This Unchained (Chopping Block) video, published January 13, 2026, features Jorge Jraissati, Mauricio Di Bartolomeo discussing BITO, Venezuela, USDT, STABLECOINS, WGMI, BTC, Venezuelan bolivar, BITQ. 8 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Jorge Jraissati, Mauricio Di Bartolomeo  · Tickers: BITO, Venezuela, USDT, STABLECOINS, WGMI, BTC, Venezuelan bolivar, BITQ