WHY CRYPTO IS THE EXPAT'S SECRET WEAPON
Cryptocurrency solves every payment problem expats face in Latin America.
No local bank account? Doesn't matter. No cΓ©dula/CPF/CURP? Doesn't matter. Want instant withdrawals instead of waiting 3-5 business days? Crypto delivers.
If you've never used cryptocurrency before, don't worry. This guide walks you through everything step by step. Total setup time: about 30 minutes.
WHICH CRYPTO SHOULD YOU USE?
USDT (Tether)
Stablecoin = $1 always
RECOMMENDEDUSDC
Stablecoin = $1 always
RECOMMENDEDBitcoin (BTC)
Price fluctuates
Ethereum (ETH)
Price fluctuates
Litecoin (LTC)
Fast transactions
Others
20+ options at Stake
π― Our Recommendation: USDT
Use USDT (Tether) or USDC. These are "stablecoins" pegged to the US dollar. 1 USDT always equals $1 USD. Your betting balance won't fluctuate with crypto market volatility. Deposit $500, your balance shows $500, withdraw $500. Simple.
β οΈ Avoid Volatility
If you use Bitcoin or Ethereum, your balance value changes as crypto prices move. You could deposit $500 of BTC and find it worth $450 the next day (or $550). Stablecoins eliminate this risk entirely.
COMPLETE SETUP GUIDE (30 MINUTES)
CREATE COINBASE ACCOUNT
Go to coinbase.com and sign up. You'll need your US passport or driver's license for identity verification. Link your US bank account or debit card for purchases.
BUY USDT
Once verified, search for "USDT" or "Tether" and buy whatever amount you want to deposit. Coinbase charges small fees (~1-2%). The USDT appears in your Coinbase wallet immediately.
CREATE STAKE ACCOUNT
Go to stake.com. Register with your email. Upload your US passport for verification. Stake accepts foreign passports and operates under Coljuegos license in Colombia (and other local licenses across LatAm).
GET YOUR DEPOSIT ADDRESS
In Stake, go to Wallet β Deposit β Select USDT β Choose network (TRC-20 is cheapest, ERC-20 works too). Copy the deposit address. This is like a bank account number for your Stake wallet.
SEND USDT FROM COINBASE
In Coinbase, go to Send β Select USDT β Paste your Stake deposit address β Confirm the network matches (TRC-20 or ERC-20) β Send. Coinbase may charge a small network fee.
WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION
Blockchain confirmations take 5-30 minutes depending on network. Once confirmed, your USDT balance appears in Stake. You're ready to bet.
π° STAKE - THE CRYPTO SPORTSBOOK
20+ cryptocurrencies. Instant withdrawals. Licensed across Latin America. English interface.
Join Stake β18+ | Licensed | Gamble Responsibly
WITHDRAWALS: THE BEST PART
Crypto withdrawals are instant. No waiting 3-5 business days. No bank holidays. No processing delays.
- In Stake, go to Wallet β Withdraw β Select USDT
- Enter your Coinbase USDT receive address
- Confirm withdrawal
- Funds arrive in Coinbase within minutes
- Sell USDT to USD on Coinbase
- Transfer USD to your US bank (1-3 days)
The crypto-to-crypto part is instant. The final USD-to-bank step takes normal banking time, but you control when to execute it.
NETWORK FEES EXPLAINED
| Network | Speed | Typical Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRC-20 (Tron) | Fast (minutes) | $1-2 | USDT transfers (cheapest) |
| ERC-20 (Ethereum) | Medium (10-30 min) | $5-20 | Large amounts |
| Bitcoin | Slow (10-60 min) | $2-10 | BTC only |
| Litecoin | Fast (minutes) | $0.01-0.10 | Very cheap transfers |
Tip: For USDT, use TRC-20 network when possible. It's the cheapest and fastest. Make sure both Coinbase and Stake are set to the same network.
CRYPTO SPORTSBOOKS IN LATIN AMERICA
| Sportsbook | Crypto | Licensed | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | β 20+ coins | β Coljuegos, SPA | β Full |
| BC.Game | β 100+ coins | β Offshore | β Full |
| Cloudbet | β 20+ coins | β Offshore | β Full |
| Betsson | β No crypto | β Multi-country | β Full |
| bet365 | β No crypto | β Multi-country | β Full |
Stake is the clear winner for crypto betting in Latin America. They're properly licensed (Coljuegos in Colombia, SPA in Brazil), offer excellent English support, and have comprehensive US sports coverage. Offshore crypto books work but lack consumer protection.
American or British Expat?
We have step-by-step guides specifically for expats dealing with US/UK banking blocks, passport verification, and finding sportsbooks that actually work for foreigners.
FAQ
Is crypto betting legal?
Yes, at licensed operators. Stake holds Coljuegos (Colombia) and SPA (Brazil) licenses. The crypto payment method is legalβit's just a different way to move money.
What if crypto prices crash while my money is at Stake?
Use USDT or USDC. These stablecoins are pegged to USD and don't fluctuate. Your $500 stays $500 regardless of what Bitcoin does.
Can I use crypto from my US Coinbase while living abroad?
Yes. Coinbase works globally. You can send and receive crypto from anywhere. Just maintain your US address on file for tax purposes.
What about taxes?
US citizens must report gambling winnings and crypto transactions. Keep records. Consult a tax professional familiar with expat situations.