By Nermeen Nabil 
With the looming reinstatement of oil sanctions against Venezuela and the consequent directive for buyers and suppliers of the state-operated PDVSA oil company to wrap up transactions in accordance with these sanctions by the end of May, the country is pivoting toward the realm of digital currency for its oil sales. Specifically, Venezuela is exploring the use of Tether, a digital currency tethered to the U.S. dollar, as a medium for executing oil export transactions. This strategic move is aimed at mitigating the risk of oil revenue being seized or frozen in foreign bank accounts, according to a report by Reuters, which relied on information from three undisclosed sources.
PDVSA’s adoption of Tether for oil sales, initiated in 2023, is a clear indication of Venezuela’s effort to bypass conventional financial systems and sanctions which have heavily impacted its economy. During a six-month period of relaxed sanctions that concluded on April 15, Venezuela experienced a significant boost in its oil exports, reaching approximately 900,000 barrels per day in March, marking a four-year peak. Reuters also highlighted a new requirement by PDVSA for its oil purchasers to maintain a digital wallet, underscoring the company’s push towards digitizing transactions.
Despite these efforts, the transition to digital currency is not without its challenges. According to a trader quoted by Reuters, USDT (Tether) transactions do not meet the compliance standards of traders, necessitating the use of intermediaries for these transactions to proceed. This underscores the complexities and potential hurdles involved in shifting from traditional financial transactions to digital currency exchanges in the international oil trade.
Amid these developments, Venezuela is also gearing up for elections scheduled for July 28. President Nicolás Maduro has been criticized for suppressing opposition candidates through arrests and barring them from elections under various charges, thereby clamping down on political opposition. The United States had conditioned the continuation of temporary sanctions relief on Venezuela’s ability to conduct free and fair elections, a conditionality that Maduro’s government has reportedly failed to meet.
As Venezuela and Chevron discuss expanding a joint venture in the Orinoco Belt, the reimposition of sanctions on the country is moving forward. However, contrary to expectations, these sanctions have not resonated significantly within the oil market, as prices remained depressed despite the anticipated reduction in supply and escalating geopolitical tensions.
This situation presents a complex landscape for Venezuela’s oil industry and its maneuvering within the global economic and political arenas. The push towards digital currency transactions for oil sales signifies a notable shift in strategy aimed at circumventing sanctions and maintaining oil revenue streams. However, the effectiveness of this approach, its impact on global oil markets, and the political implications within Venezuela remain closely watched facets of this unfolding narrative.
Nermeen Nabil Khear