
The sovereign bolivar is a new currency introduced in Venezuela, replacing the old bolivar. It was launched on August 20, 2018, as part of a broader economic reform effort.
The decision to introduce a new currency was made in response to hyperinflation, which had rendered the old bolivar nearly worthless. In just three years, inflation had risen to over 1 million percent.
The sovereign bolivar is pegged to the US dollar at an official rate of 3,500 to 1. This means that for every sovereign bolivar, you can exchange it for 3,500 old bolivars.
Expand your knowledge: 1 Usd to Bolivar
Venezuela Launches New Currency Amid Chaos Fears
Venezuela has launched a new currency, the Sovereign Bolivar (Bs.S.), which will be anchored to the cryptocurrency Petro.
The new currency is designed to break the grip of US economic power and operate independently of US imperialism.
The Sovereign Bolivar has five fewer zeros compared to the current Bolivar, making it easier to use in everyday transactions.
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The new currency will coexist with the current Bolivar for retail operations or smaller amounts.
The new bills, ranging from 2 to 500 Sovereign Bolivars, are already in circulation.
The Sovereign Bolivar will be anchored to the Petro, which is backed by Venezuela's oil reserves.
The Petro will serve as a conversion box and will be associated with the value of Venezuelan oil.
Each unit of the Petro will be equivalent to 3,600 Sovereign Bolivars.
The new currency is part of Venezuela's Recovery, Growth and Economic Prosperity Program, aimed at stopping the economic war induced from abroad.
The program also includes a new redesign of fiscal and tax policy, a new policy of subsidizing gasoline, and an increase in the Value Added Tax (IVA).
The Sovereign Bolivar will be subject to the amount of Petros available, making its value fluctuate according to the Dicom auctions under Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV) regulation.
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Government and Politics
The Venezuelan government's response to the economic crisis was a key factor in the introduction of the sovereign bolivar. The government introduced the sovereign bolivar in 2018 to replace the old bolivar, which had become nearly worthless due to hyperinflation.

The government's decision to introduce a new currency was aimed at stabilizing the economy and reducing inflation. However, the new currency has not yet achieved the desired results, and inflation remains a significant challenge for the Venezuelan economy.
The government has also implemented strict currency controls, which have limited the availability of foreign currency for imports and travel. This has led to shortages of essential goods and limited the ability of Venezuelans to access foreign exchange.
Confusion in Oil-Rich Nation
Much of Caracas is eerily empty for a working day, with many people staying at home out of uncertainty about the new currency.
The new currency, which lops five zeroes off the old "strong bolivar", is meant to tackle hyper-inflation, but ordinary people don't believe it will help.
A cup of coffee that was worth 2.5m strong bolivars in Caracas last month now costs 25 sovereign bolivars.
People in Caracas were restricted to withdrawing only 10 sovereign bolivars on Tuesday from cash machines.
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A powerful earthquake struck Venezuela's northern coastal region, causing buildings in Caracas to be evacuated.
The government has announced several key economic changes to accompany the new notes, including raising the minimum wage by 34 times its previous level.
The sovereign bolivar will be tied to the petro, a virtual currency linked to Venezuela's oil reserves, but the US has banned its citizens from trading in it.
Venezuela's black market in dollars was even frozen by the currency shift amid confusion and economic uncertainty.
Venezuela Rejects US Imperialism
Venezuela has broken free from US imperialism by introducing a new currency, the Sovereign Bolivar, which is not tied to the US dollar.
The new currency is anchored to the cryptocurrency Petro, backed by Venezuela's oil reserves.
A public holiday was declared to allow citizens to adapt to the new monetary reforms.
The new Sovereign Bolivar has five fewer zeros compared to the current Bolivar.

The new currency will coexist with the current Bolivar for retail operations or smaller amounts.
The Venezuelan government is referring to these reforms as "monetary reconversion and integral economic reconversion".
President Maduro sees this date as a "turning point" for Venezuela due to the economic circumstances.
The new currency is designed to dismantle the "perverse war of neoliberal capitalism" and install a more sustainable economic system.
The new bills for the Sovereign Bolivar are already in the hands of public and private banks.
The Sovereign Bolivar will be anchored to the Petro cryptocurrency, which is backed by Venezuela's oil reserves.
A new policy of subsidizing gasoline has been introduced, and the Value Added Tax (IVA) has been increased by four percentage points.
A single exchange rate has been established, which will fluctuate according to the Dicom auctions under Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV) regulation.
The new currency is designed to protect the purchasing power of Venezuelans and avoid the depreciation of the monetary currency.
The Venezuelan government's objective is to stop the imbalance caused by the economic war induced from abroad.
Each unit of the Petro cryptocurrency is equivalent to 3,600 Sovereign Bolivars.
If this caught your attention, see: 1 Million Venezuelan Bolivar
Central Bank
The Central Bank plays a vital role in Venezuela's financial system. It's responsible for issuing and managing the country's currency.
The Central Bank of Venezuela, also known as Banco Central de Venezuela, is the institution in charge of these tasks.
Its main goal is to implement monetary policy and oversee the stability of the financial system.
Currency Details
The sovereign bolivar is the official currency of Venezuela, but it's not the only one in circulation. The bolivar fuerte was the previous currency, but it was replaced by the sovereign bolivar in 2018.
The sovereign bolivar is subdivided into 100 centimos, but the centimo has not been widely used since the 2008 hyperinflation crisis. The currency is issued by the Central Bank of Venezuela.
The sovereign bolivar is available in various denominations, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 banknotes, as well as 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centimo coins.
Take a look at this: 100 Dólares a Bolivares Venezolanos
Venezuelan Currency Exchange Rates
The Venezuelan currency exchange rate has been a hot topic in recent years. The Venezuelan Bolivar (VEF) was the official currency until 2018, when the Petro was introduced as a cryptocurrency-based oil-backed currency.
The Petro was pegged to the price of oil, with each Petro valued at around 3.3 barrels of oil. However, the Petro has struggled to gain traction and is not widely accepted.
In 2018, the government introduced the Sovereign Bolivar (VES), which replaced the old Bolivar at a rate of 1:100,000. This meant that 100,000 old Bolivars became equal to 1 new Sovereign Bolivar.
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Denominations and Subdivisions
The Venezuelan Bolivar Soberano (VES) is subdivided into 100 céntimos. This means that the currency has a specific unit of measurement, making it easier to understand and use.
The use of céntimos is now obsolete due to hyperinflation, making it impractical to use them in everyday transactions.
Banknotes are available in various denominations, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 VES. This range of denominations allows for flexibility and convenience when making purchases or exchanging money.
Coins are issued in two denominations: 50 céntimos and 1 VES. This limited range of coins is likely due to the obsolescence of the céntimo unit.
Here's a summary of the available banknote denominations:
- 2 VES
- 5 VES
- 10 VES
- 20 VES
- 50 VES
- 100 VES
- 200 VES
- 500 VES
Background and History

The Bolivar has a rich history in Venezuela, dating back to 1879 with the introduction of the "Bolivar Venezolano" (VEB).
This currency was named after Simón Bolívar, a key figure in Latin America's fight for independence from the Spanish Empire.
In 2008, the Bolivar Fuerte (VEF) replaced the Bolivar Venezolano at a rate of 1 VEF to 1,000 VEB, in response to high inflation.
The Bolivar Soberano (VES) was introduced in 2018 to combat hyperinflation, replacing the Bolivar Fuerte.
The Bolivar has undergone significant changes over the years, with each iteration aimed at addressing economic challenges.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Bolivar Fuerte to Dollar
Economy
The Venezuelan economy is heavily reliant on the petroleum sector, which generates a significant portion of the country's GDP and export earnings.
The economy has faced numerous challenges, including hyperinflation, food shortages, and a decline in oil production.
Hyperinflation has been a major issue, with the government struggling to keep pace with the rapidly rising prices.
The government has implemented measures such as currency devaluations to address the economic challenges.
Currency devaluations have had limited success in addressing the issues, and the country continues to face significant economic difficulties.
Oil production has declined, further exacerbating the economic crisis.
Sources
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45262525
- https://www.cashmatters.org/blog/venezuela-launches-new-sovereign-bolivar-but-analysts-forewarn-chaos/
- https://popularresistance.org/venezuela-breaks-from-us-imperialism-with-sovereign-bolivar/
- https://www.150currency.com/exchange-rates-by-VES.htm
- https://www.babypips.com/forexpedia/venezuelan-bolivares
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