Panama City Proposes Bitcoin Payments for Canal Passage

TLDR

• Panama Canal facilitates about 5% of global maritime trade.
• Mayor Mizrachi inspired by El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption.
• Proposal aims to enhance cryptocurrency use in municipal services.

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has proposed the option for ships to pay in Bitcoin for expedited passage through the Panama Canal. This suggestion was announced on May 29, 2025, during the Bitcoin 2025 conference held in Las Vegas. According to the mayor, this initiative could introduce a significant use case for cryptocurrency in global maritime trade.

The Panama Canal is a crucial global maritime passage, facilitating about 5% of worldwide maritime trade. Introducing Bitcoin payments for canal transit could have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency ecosystem and global shipping operations. This proposal also comes alongside efforts by the Panama City administration to incorporate cryptocurrency into various municipal services, including taxes and parking fees.

Mayor’s Vision and Inspiration

Mayer Mizrachi, who is leading this initiative, highlighted during his presentation at the conference: “What if you have a perk for paying in bitcoin? You’d get to go faster.” His administration is already facilitating crypto payments in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and select stablecoins within the municipality.

The mayor credits his inspiration to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who made Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador in 2021. This historical step was hailed as a pioneering initiative for national-level cryptocurrency adoption. Mizrachi’s proposal is considered more targeted, focusing on specific use cases rather than declaring Bitcoin as legal tender.

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve for Panama City

Mizrachi’s administration is contemplating establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve for Panama City, following the model of national Bitcoin holdings seen in El Salvador, but on a municipal scale. This reserve could bolster Panama City’s financial strategy and position in the crypto space.

A potential “fast pass” system may be introduced, where ships paying in Bitcoin receive preferential passage through the canal. Such an incentive is expected to garner considerable interest from international shipping companies concerned with timely transit.

Impact on Cryptocurrency Adoption in Latin America

The proposal reflects increasing interest in cryptocurrency adoption across Latin America. If implemented, it could position Panama City as another crypto-friendly destination in the region, following the footsteps of El Salvador.

The initiative also draws attention to Panama City’s existing crypto-friendly environment, allowing payment for various city services using leading cryptocurrencies. While it has inspired excitement, the initiative is in the exploratory stages with no immediate policy changes announced.

For more on this topic, see the original announcement of Bitcoin payments for Panama Canal transit fees.