3 Nations Where the Greenback Reigns Supreme: The US Dollar’s Global Grip

Beyond Borders: Where the Buck Stops—And Spends

While crypto dreams of borderless finance, cold hard cash still rules these three economies. Forget local currency conversions—these nations embrace Uncle Sam's paper with open arms.

Dollarization Done Right

Ecuador ditched its sucre for full dollar adoption—no volatility, no questions asked. El Salvador made headlines mixing bitcoin with bucks, but greenbacks still dominate daily life. Zimbabwe, after hyperinflation nightmares, now trusts foreign currencies more than its own—with the USD leading the pack.

Traditional finance’s answer to stablecoins—just with more papercuts and less innovation.

Here Are the Top 5 Countries Where the Dollar is Used (Apart From the US)

In the year 2000, Ecuador banned its local currency, the sucre, and officially adopted the US dollar. The sucre was removed from circulation due to hyperinflation and a banking collapse. Moreover, the government made the USD the country’s official currency to regain investors’ confidence. The greenback stabilized their economy, leading to businesses and markets thriving.

Since 2001, El Salvador uses the US dollar as the only legal currency in the country. The MOVE reduced inflation and gave a boost to trade and investments across the nation. However, from 2021, the government legalized Bitcoin, and the government now owns around 6,246 BTC to strengthen the backbone of its economy. The BTC is now worth $730.5 million as of September 2025.

Panama is the only country that has no central bank and has been using the US dollar since 1904, after it gained independence from Colombia. Also, Panama has its own currency, the balboa, but it’s only used in coins. For currency bills, the greenback is used, and for coins and small change, the balboa is used for transactions. However, the main currency in circulation is none other than the USD.