Panama May Offer Canal Discounts for Bitcoin Payments

• Panama City Mayor Supports Canal Fees in Bitcoin
• Proposal could create strategic BTC reserves
• Measure reinforces Panama's pro-cryptocurrency policy

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has expressed support for a proposal to allow ships to receive discounts on Panama Canal fees when they choose to pay in Bitcoin. In publication in X On August 7, Mizrachi called the idea “brilliant” and said he hoped the Canal Authority would adopt the measure.

The suggestion was initially highlighted by Max Keiser, Bitcoin advisor to El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele. According to Keiser, Panama could create a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve by encouraging shipping companies to settle fees in the cryptocurrency, replacing payments in fiat currency.

I suggested to @Mayer , Panama City's mayor, that Panama can accumulate a lot of Bitcoin by making a similar offer to ships using the Panama Canal. Offer a discount if they pay in Bitcoin. The channel does $5 billion a year in revenue. https://t.co/D1e1MGhC3x

— Max Bitcoin (@maxkeiser) August 7, 2025

The Panama Canal, 82 kilometers long and responsible for connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been one of the world's most important trade routes since 1914. Annually, approximately 13.000 to 14.000 vessels pass through the passage, generating approximately US$5 billion in revenue—a figure that represents a significant portion of the Panamanian economy.

Keiser argues that even a partial adoption of Bitcoin payments could significantly increase the country's reserves, making it more competitive in international trade and remittances.

Mizrachi's stance aligns with Panama's pro-cryptocurrency approach. In early 2025, Panama City passed legislation to formalize the use of digital assets, allowing voluntary payments in cryptocurrencies and creating sector-specific regulatory guidelines.

The new law also establishes licensing requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and ensures compliance with international financial standards. This regulatory framework aims to attract companies and investments to the country, reinforcing its position as a hub for blockchain innovation in Latin America.

If implemented, the proposed discount for Bitcoin payments would represent another step in the integration of cryptocurrencies into the Panamanian economy and would strengthen the country's role as a strategic hub for the global adoption of digital assets. Furthermore, it would solidify the Panama Canal not only as a key link in maritime trade but also as a facilitator for the growth of Bitcoin usage in international transactions.