委內瑞拉國家石油公司依靠加密貨幣來對抗美國石油製裁

在美國制裁擠壓委內瑞拉石油出口的情況下，委內瑞拉國營石油公司 PDVSA 正在擴大在原油和燃料出口中使用數位貨幣（尤其是 USDT）。雖然加密貨幣可以在一定程度上緩解制裁，但其在石油銷售中的使用並不常見，並且會帶來合規障礙，可能會引發美國對穩定幣監管的呼聲。 PDVSA 正在逐步將其石油銷售轉變為USDT，要求以USDT 預付每批貨物價值的一半，並要求新客戶在數位錢包中保留加密貨幣，這可能會限製石油收益，但允許透過中介機構逃避一定程度的制裁。

Venezuela's State-Owned Oil Company Embraces Cryptocurrency to Counter US Sanctions

委內瑞拉國營石油公司採用加密貨幣對抗美國制裁

In a bold move to mitigate the impact of renewed US sanctions, Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), is significantly expanding its use of digital currencies, particularly Tether (USDT), in its crude and fuel exports.

為了減輕美國重新實施制裁的影響，委內瑞拉國有石油公司委內瑞拉石油公司（PDVSA）採取了大膽舉措，正在大幅擴大數位貨幣在原油和燃料出口中的使用，特別是 Tether（USDT）。

Sanctions Squeeze Venezuela's Oil Exports

制裁擠壓委內瑞拉石油出口

The United States Treasury Department's reimposition of oil sanctions on Venezuela has further complicated the country's efforts to boost oil production and exports. Businesses seeking to engage with Venezuela must now obtain specific US approvals, severely hindering transactions.

美國財政部重新對委內瑞拉實施石油製裁，使該國提高石油產量和出口的努力更加複雜。尋求與委內瑞拉合作的企業現在必須獲得美國的具體批准，這嚴重阻礙了交易。

Cryptocurrency as a Lifeline

加密貨幣作為生命線

Faced with these challenges, PDVSA is transitioning its oil sales to USDT, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. This strategy aims to reduce the risk of sales proceeds being frozen in foreign bank accounts due to sanctions. As of last year, PDVSA had been gradually shifting towards cryptocurrencies, with USDT emerging as the preferred option.

面對這些挑戰，PDVSA 正在將其石油銷售轉向 USDT，這是一種與美元掛鉤的穩定幣。該策略旨在降低銷售收入因制裁而被凍結在外國銀行帳戶中的風險。截至去年，PDVSA 已逐漸轉向加密貨幣，其中 USDT 成為首選。

Transition to Pre-Paid USDT Contracts

過渡到預付費 USDT 合約

Recognizing the potential benefits of cryptocurrency payments, PDVSA has implemented a contractual model that requires prepayment of half the value of each oil cargo in USDT. This requirement applies to new customers and even some older contracts, underscoring the company's commitment to digital currency adoption.

認識到加密貨幣支付的潛在好處，PDVSA 實施了一種合約模式，要求以 USDT 預付每批石油貨物價值的一半。這項要求適用於新客戶，甚至一些舊合約，強調了該公司對採用數位貨幣的承諾。

Crypto Payments Stall Oil Sales

加密支付阻礙石油銷售

Despite the advantages offered by USDT, crypto payments have their drawbacks. USDT transactions often fail to meet the compliance standards of traders, necessitating the use of intermediaries. This reliance on intermediaries, coupled with secondary sanctions imposed by the US, has reduced the portion of oil proceeds reaching PDVSA.

儘管 USDT 有許多優點，但加密支付也有其缺點。 USDT交易往往無法滿足交易者的合規標準，需要藉助中介機構。這種對中間商的依賴，加上美國實施的二級制裁，減少了到達委內瑞拉國家石油公司的石油收益部分。

Intermediaries Could Facilitate Sanctions Evasion

仲介機構可能會協助逃避制裁

The increased dependence on intermediaries for transactions could potentially allow PDVSA to circumvent sanctions. However, it also means that the company will receive a smaller share of the oil revenue.

交易對中介機構的日益依賴可能會讓委內瑞拉國家石油公司 (PDVSA) 規避制裁。然而，這也意味著該公司將獲得較小的石油收入份額。

Venezuelan Officials Remain Confident

委內瑞拉官員仍充滿信心

Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea has expressed confidence in PDVSA's ability to navigate the reimplemented US sanctions, emphasizing the company's "big strength in trading." He anticipates that Venezuela will continue expanding its crude and gas projects during the 45-day wind-down period set by the US.

石油部長佩德羅·特萊切亞 (Pedro Tellechea) 對 PDVSA 應對美國重新實施的製裁的能力表示信心，並強調該公司「在貿易方面擁有強大的實力」。他預計委內瑞拉將在美國設定的45天緩衝期內繼續擴大其原油和天然氣計畫。

Implications for Stablecoin Regulation

對穩定幣監管的影響

Venezuela's growing reliance on cryptocurrencies, particularly USDT, is raising concerns in the United States. Crypto law expert David Lesperance predicts that this move could fuel calls for stricter regulation of stablecoins, such as USDT. The potential for stablecoins to facilitate sanctions evasion is likely to come under heightened scrutiny.

委內瑞拉對加密貨幣（尤其是 USDT）日益增長的依賴引起了美國的擔憂。加密貨幣法律專家 David Lesperance 預測，此舉可能會引發對 USDT 等穩定幣進行更嚴格監管的呼聲。穩定幣促進逃避制裁的潛力可能會受到嚴格審查。

Conclusion

結論

Venezuela's embrace of cryptocurrency payments in its oil exports is a testament to the adaptability of the oil industry in the face of adversity. However, it also highlights the challenges and potential pitfalls associated with using digital currencies in global trade. The implications of this move extend beyond Venezuela, as it could drive the regulatory landscape for stablecoins and shape the future of sanctions enforcement.

委內瑞拉在石油出口中採用加密貨幣支付證明了石油產業面對逆境的適應性。然而，它也凸顯了在全球貿易中使用數位貨幣所面臨的挑戰和潛在陷阱。此舉的影響不僅限於委內瑞拉，因為它可能會推動穩定幣的監管格局，並塑造制裁執行的未來。