All bank deposits in Venezuela now generate interest

• The goal is to "strengthen the effectiveness of monetary policy," according to the bank.
• Venezuela faces an annual inflation rate of 534%, and interest rates are much lower.

As of yesterday, September 15, 2026, new interest rate levels that compensate depositors in the national banking system have come into effect in Venezuela. This measure was established by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV).

In this regard, the monetary authority of the South American country reported that the measure aims to "strengthen the effectiveness of monetary policy and progressively encourage individuals and legal entities to maintain a greater proportion of their balances in bolívares, instead of seeking refuge in other options."

The main change in this regulation lies in the inclusion of demand deposits or checking accounts, which previously did not generate mandatory interest. With the new provision, all bank deposits in bolívares will be compensated, assigning a minimum annual interest rate of 10% to checking accounts.

Alongside this inclusion, the agency modified the minimum yields already paid by other collection instruments. The rates for savings deposits increased from 32% to 42% annually, while fixed-term deposits rose from a minimum of 36% to 46% annually.

In addition to these mandatory increases, the BCV leaves room for banking entities to compete for customers by offering rates above the minimum yield. This provision promotes competition among private and public financial institutions within the national market.

In this sense, the issuing entity considers that "interest rates constitute an active instrument of monetary policy." Furthermore, the official institution announces that "actions will be taken in this area to strengthen its role as a strategic channel in the price stabilization process."

However, in light of the official announcements, analysts in the economic sector expressed reservations about the real scope of the initiative. Economist Hermes Pérez wrote: "With an annual inflation rate of 534%, the measure does not meet the objective of increasing savings, restricting consumption, and combating inflation."

The inflation figure mentioned by the analyst is derived from the statistical series of the National Consumer Price Index (INPC) published by the issuing entity itself. By calculating the year-on-year variation between the official reports from August 2025 and August 2026, the accumulated increase over 12 months coincides with the projection of 534%.

When contrasting the fixed-term interest rate of 46% with this year-on-year inflation derived from the BCV statistics, the real yield of the deposits turns out to be markedly negative. Therefore, bank interests do not compensate for the loss of purchasing power of the local currency.

At the same time, the Venezuelan economic dynamics, marked by the constant search for asset protection and mechanisms for accessing foreign currency, have been shifting towards Tether's stablecoin, USDT, and the direct use of cash foreign currencies, as reported by CriptoNoticias.

In this context, the framework dictated by the central agency could seek to discourage the use of USDT and cash dollars, encouraging citizens to make greater use of the bolívar. However, as long as the remuneration of accounts remains below the inflation rate recorded by the official institution itself, the real capacity of the measure to curb the refuge in alternative assets is limited.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.