- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Inflation-Hit Venezuela Introduces New Highest-Denomination Banknote

© REUTERS / Ueslei MarcelinoA cashier counts Venezuelan bolivar notes at a street market in downtown Caracas, Venezuela
A cashier counts Venezuelan bolivar notes at a street market in downtown Caracas, Venezuela - Sputnik International
Subscribe
MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Venezuela will put on Wednesday a new highest-denomination 100,000 bolivar bill worth only $0.5 into circulation, the country’s Communication and Information Ministry said.

The introduction of a new banknote takes place amid the out-of-control inflation in the Latin American country, which led to a severe cash shortage. In 2016, a 100-bolivar note was the highest-denomination bill.

The new 100,000 bolivar bill can be used to purchase only $0.5 on the black market, while $1 was valued at 217,000 bolivars on Tuesday, according to the Dolar Today media outlet.

A training center to teach citizens on cryptocurrency has opened in the Venezuelan capital Caracas - Sputnik International
Cryptocurrency Training Center Opens in Venezuela Amid Petro Token Rise
Earlier in December, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the creation of a new virtual currency to fight the economic crisis, pay debts, and revive the national economy. In late February, Venezuela launched the presale of cryptocurrency tokens, each backed by a barrel of Venezuelan oil. Maduro has estimated early gains at $735 million.

Venezuela is going through the worst economic crisis in its history which started in 2012 with changes on the global oil market. More than 95 percent of its export revenues come from oil and its derivatives.

In 2015, with the fall of prices on hydrocarbons to 50 dollars per barrel, Venezuela's economy was knocked out, leaving the population with shortages of food and medicine.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала