A new report from Ecuadorian fintech firm Kushki paints a clear picture: Chile’s Gen Z isn’t just comfortable with tech—they’re living it. According to the company, over half of Chilean centennials (those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s) are using digital tools to make payments, and many of them are already familiar with how crypto works.
The findings come from Kushki’s latest study, “Payments in Latin America in 2025: From Inclusion to Sophistication.” The report shows a significant shift toward digital-first behavior in Chile, with nearly 30% of Gen Z using digital money exclusively, leaving traditional cash behind.
And this trend is happening even though Chile doesn’t yet have clear rules around crypto—unlike countries like Brazil or El Salvador, which have taken stronger regulatory steps.
“Chile has had a real-time payments system since 2008,” Kushki explained, “but cards—whether debit, credit, or prepaid—still make up about 66% of household spending.” That said, the shift toward instant, digital transactions is picking up steam across Latin America.
One of the most eye-catching insights? Chilean users traded over $105 billion in crypto by 2024, outpacing both Colombia and Argentina. What’s more, on average, Chilean crypto investors are reportedly putting over half of their monthly income into digital assets.
Kushki believes that while fiat-based real-time payments are a good starting point, the future of Latin America’s financial system will be built on more open and competitive platforms—potentially blending traditional finance with blockchain innovation.
Earlier this year, some Chilean lawmakers even floated the idea of creating a “Bitcoin Bench” in Congress and proposed building a national Bitcoin reserve. But the Central Bank of Chile wasn’t on board. They shut the idea down, pointing to Bitcoin’s volatility as a key reason it shouldn’t be treated like a reserve asset.
Still, the message is clear: Chile’s Gen Z is already living in the digital finance future, even if the government hasn’t caught up just yet.
