TLDR
Panama City mayor supports proposal for Bitcoin toll payments on the Panama Canal.
The plan could offer reduced fees to ships paying in Bitcoin.
Max Keiser says it could help Panama build a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
The Panama Canal generates about 5 billion dollars annually.
The canal facilitates up to 14,000 ship crossings each year.
Panama City’s mayor has supported a proposal to accept Bitcoin (BTC) for reduced toll payments on the Panama Canal. The plan could create a steady Bitcoin reserve and attract more shipping companies. It follows recent pro-crypto measures in the country’s capital.
Mayor Supports Bitcoin Toll Discount
Mayor Mayer Mizrachi called the proposal “brilliant” in an Aug. 7 post on X and urged the Panama Canal Authority to consider it. He said the initiative could strengthen Panama’s position in the global shipping industry. The mayor’s backing aligns with the city’s ongoing efforts to integrate cryptocurrency into economic activities.
Brilliant idea. Hopefully the canal authority can share this vision.
— Mayer Mizrachi (@Mayer) August 7, 2025
The suggested program would let ships pay reduced Panama Canal fees if they settle in Bitcoin. This approach could encourage more vessels to choose the route while supporting cryptocurrency adoption. Mizrachi stressed that the measure could bring strategic financial benefits.
The mayor’s remarks gained attention after Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser promoted the idea. Keiser advises El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on Bitcoin policy and emphasized that the proposal could generate substantial reserves for Panama.
Panama Canal May Build Bitcoin Reserve
Keiser noted the Panama Canal produces about $5 billion in annual revenue. He said that even partial Bitcoin payments could add significant holdings to a national reserve. According to him, the plan would attract global interest and strengthen Panama’s economic profile.
He described the concept as a way to build a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” from consistent maritime toll payments. Such reserves could position Panama alongside early cryptocurrency-friendly nations. Keiser highlighted the potential for long-term benefits through accumulation.
I suggested to @Mayer, Panama City’s mayor, that Panama can accumulate a lot of Bitcoin making a similar offer to ships using the Panama Canal. Offer a discount if they pay in Bitcoin. The canal does $5 billion a year in revenue. https://t.co/D1e1MGhC3x
— Max Bitcoin (@maxkeiser) August 7, 2025
The Panama Canal remains one of the world’s most important trade routes. It enables 13,000 to 14,000 ship crossings annually and links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The route spans 82 kilometers and has operated since 1914.
Government’s Pro-Crypto Direction
Earlier this year, Panama City introduced rules allowing voluntary cryptocurrency payments. These included licensing requirements for virtual asset service providers. The framework ensures compliance with international financial standards.
If adopted, the Bitcoin toll discount would expand Panama Canal payment options and reinforce Panama’s reputation as a cryptocurrency-friendly nation. The proposal now awaits consideration by the canal authority.
