IBOV 176,010.90 ▼ 0.36% IPSA 10,947.38 ▼ 0.70% IPC MEX 66,409.65 ▼ 0.18% MERVAL 3,291,246 ▲ 1.92% COLCAP 2,292.03 ▼ 0.29% BVL PERÚ 57,174.37 — — USD/BRL5.08▲ 0.06% USD/MXN17.39▲ 0.01% USD/CLP925.20▼ 0.09% USD/COP3,220▼ 0.49% USD/PEN3.39▲ 0.12% USD/ARS1,475▲ 0.32% USD/UYU40.15▲ 1.04% USD/PYG6,039▲ 1.28% USD/BOB10.65▲ 5.99% USD/DOP58.36▲ 0.10% USD/CRC447.49▲ 0.88% USD/GTQ7.62▲ 2.09% USD/HNL26.73▼ 0.01% USD/NIO36.62▲ 0.34% USD/VES725.63▲ 0.11% USD/PAB1.00— 0.00% USD/BZD2.00— 0.00% USD/JMD157.48▼ 0.01% USD/TTD6.76▲ 1.32% EUR/BRL5.82▼ 0.61% BRENT 84.56 ▼ 0.46% WTI 79.39 ▼ 0.26% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.42 ▲ 1.95% GOLD 4,039 ▼ 0.14% SILVER 57.41 ▲ 0.52% SOY 1,200 ▼ 0.19% CORN 469.00 ▲ 4.80% WHEAT 677.00 ▼ 0.07% COFFEE 324.50 ▼ 3.77% SUGAR 14.86 ▼ 0.13% ORANGE JUICE 140.45 ▲ 0.14% COTTON 82.13 ▲ 3.18% COCOA 5,917 ▲ 4.54% BEEF 230.33 ▼ 0.48% CATTLE 344.95 ▼ 1.10% LITHIUM 71.06 ▼ 0.73% PETR4 40.59 ▼ 0.17% VALE3 74.51 ▲ 0.68% ITUB4 43.14 ▼ 1.12% BBDC4 18.60 ▼ 0.16% ABEV3 15.57 ▼ 1.52% BBAS3 20.55 ▼ 0.19% B3SA3 15.69 ▲ 2.35% WEGE3 44.26 ▲ 0.14% PRIO3 57.50 ▼ 0.12% SUZB3 41.48 ▲ 0.90% RENT3 40.35 ▼ 0.47% AZZA3 18.66 ▼ 1.01% CSAN3 3.93 ▲ 1.03% RAIZ4 0.29 ▼ 6.45% PCAR3 2.62 ▲ 6.94% GMAT3 3.98 ▲ 0.51% PSSA3 55.22 ▲ 1.71% CVCB3 1.34 ▼ 2.90% POSI3 3.95 ▼ 1.00% SLCE3 13.50 ▼ 2.24% NATU3 8.67 ▲ 1.40% BRKM5 6.41 ▼ 6.15% RANI3 7.98 ▼ 0.37% CSNA3 5.24 ▲ 0.77% CMIN3 5.24 ▲ 2.75% USIM5 8.20 ▼ 0.36% GGBR4 24.20 ▲ 3.77% ENEV3 26.95 ▼ 0.81% CPFE3 46.83 ▼ 0.78% CMIG4 11.15 ▼ 0.45% EQTL3 40.33 ▼ 1.51% LREN3 14.10 ▼ 1.33% VIVT3 35.47 ▼ 0.14% RAIL3 14.07 ▼ 0.42% KLABIN 17.39 ▲ 0.40% RAIA DROGASIL 18.67 ▲ 0.38% RDOR3 36.01 ▼ 0.11% HAPV3 10.99 ▼ 1.79% FLRY3 16.51 ▲ 0.61% SMTO3 15.53 ▼ 3.66% UGPA3 31.10 ▲ 3.29% VBBR3 33.75 ▲ 1.35% BBSE3 40.71 ▲ 0.79% BPAC11 57.04 ▼ 1.57% CURY3 32.73 ▼ 2.56% AERI3 2.02 ▼ 2.42% VIVARA 23.52 ▲ 0.38% COMPASS 25.11 ▼ 0.36% VAMOS 3.12 ▼ 0.95% SANB11 27.00 ▼ 1.24% ASAI3 8.66 — 0.00% SBSP3 29.98 ▼ 1.19% WALMEX 49.61 ▲ 0.69% GMEXICO 200.02 ▲ 0.23% FEMSA 223.27 ▼ 2.64% CEMEX 22.64 ▲ 1.98% GFNORTE 183.98 ▼ 1.19% BIMBO 57.50 ▲ 2.02% TELEVISA 9.56 ▲ 0.74% AMX 22.80 ▼ 0.22% GAP 398.24 ▲ 0.75% ASUR 283.46 ▲ 2.85% OMA 234.61 ▼ 0.17% KOF 176.96 ▼ 1.63% GRUMA 280.76 ▲ 0.49% KIMBER 38.73 ▲ 0.75% SQM-B 66,050 ▼ 2.72% COPEC 6,126 ▼ 1.35% BSANTANDER 78.16 ▼ 0.61% FALABELLA 5,853 ▼ 0.37% ENELAM 84.80 ▼ 1.11% CENCOSUD 2,005 ▼ 1.72% CMPC 1,074 ▼ 2.63% BANCO CHILE 188.88 ▼ 0.33% LATAM AIR 25.40 ▲ 2.01% YPF 78,550 ▲ 1.00% GGAL 8,205 ▲ 3.73% PAMPA 5,240 ▲ 0.19% TXAR 668.00 ▲ 0.91% ALUAR 959.50 ▲ 1.11% TGS 9,750 ▲ 0.41% CEPU 2,344 ▲ 0.73% MIRGOR 16,975 ▲ 1.34% COME 45.63 ▼ 0.26% LOMA NEGRA 3,615 ▲ 2.34% BYMA 304.25 ▲ 1.08% TELECOM ARG 4,315 ▼ 0.40% ECOPETROL 15.98 ▼ 1.11% BANCOLOMBIA 81.55 ▼ 0.67% GRUPO AVAL 5.03 ▲ 1.62% CREDICORP 398.20 ▲ 1.52% SOUTHERN COPPER 181.54 ▼ 0.46% BUENAVENTURA 30.71 ▼ 1.03% MERCADOLIBRE 1,843 ▼ 1.64% NUBANK 13.88 ▼ 0.79% XP 16.87 — 0.00% PAGSEGURO 9.21 ▼ 0.75% STONE 11.28 ▼ 0.18% GLOBANT 31.98 ▲ 3.43% TECNOGLASS 45.67 ▲ 3.26% GAP AIRPORT 228.15 ▲ 0.97% ASUR 283.46 ▲ 2.85% OMA AIRPORT 107.90 ▲ 0.24% AMX ADR 26.11 ▼ 0.27% FEMSA ADR 128.77 ▼ 3.30% CEMEX ADR 13.07 ▲ 2.11% PETROBRAS ADR 17.86 ▼ 0.33% VALE ADR 14.67 ▲ 0.55% ITAU ADR 8.45 ▼ 1.17% SANTANDER BR 5.35 ▼ 0.74% AMBEV ADR 3.03 ▼ 1.94% CSN 1.04 ▲ 0.49% GERDAU 4.80 ▲ 4.12% LATAM ADR 54.87 ▲ 2.54% BTC 64,614 ▼ 0.15% ETH 1,916 ▼ 0.03% SOL 76.71 ▼ 0.72% XRP 1.11 — 0.00% BNB 581.11 ▲ 0.17% ADA 0.16 ▼ 0.24% DOGE 0.07 ▼ 0.30% AVAX 6.70 ▲ 0.06% LINK 8.53 ▼ 0.03% DOT 0.84 ▼ 0.52% LTC 45.28 ▲ 0.35% BCH 222.28 ▼ 0.39% TRX 0.32 ▼ 0.16% XLM 0.19 ▲ 0.56% HBAR 0.07 ▼ 0.60% NEAR 2.05 ▼ 0.58% ATOM 1.55 ▲ 0.03% AAVE 96.26 ▲ 0.45% SELIC 14.25% EMBRAER 82.35 ▼ 0.17% EMBRAER ADR 64.90 ▼ 0.02% JBS 12.10 ▲ 2.28% JBS BDR 61.43 ▲ 2.81% MBRF3 15.40 ▼ 4.29% MBRFY 2.87 ▼ 8.60% INTER 5.62 ▼ 1.40% EGX 52,558 ▲ 0.50% USD/ZAR16.34▲ 0.06% USD/NGN 1,379 — 0.00% NIKKEI 66,738 ▼ 2.93% CSI300 4,743 ▼ 0.91% HSI 25,158 ▲ 1.93% NIFTY 24,122 ▲ 0.18% KOSPI 6,791 ▼ 6.77% JCI 6,067 ▲ 0.42% USD/JPY162.08▼ 0.06% USD/CNY6.77▼ 0.05% DAX 25,000 ▼ 0.59% CAC 8,382 ▲ 0.19% FTSE 10,516 ▼ 0.13% MIB 52,411 ▼ 0.85% IBEX 19,276 ▼ 0.42% STOXX 642.71 ▲ 0.10% EUR/USD1.15▲ 0.04% GBP/USD1.35▲ 1.04% SPX 7,572 ▲ 0.38% DJI 52,659 ▲ 0.29% NDX 29,503 ▼ 0.28% RUT 2,976 ▲ 0.39% TSX 35,416 ▲ 0.27% VIX 15.67 ▼ 5.03% USD/CAD1.40▲ 0.04% US10Y 4.5450 ▼ 0.87% IBOV 176,010.90 ▼ 0.36% IPSA 10,947.38 ▼ 0.70% IPC MEX 66,409.65 ▼ 0.18% MERVAL 3,291,246 ▲ 1.92% COLCAP 2,292.03 ▼ 0.29% BVL PERÚ 57,174.37 — — USD/BRL 5.08 ▲ 0.06% USD/MXN 17.39 ▲ 0.01% USD/CLP 925.20 ▼ 0.09% USD/COP 3,220 ▼ 0.49% USD/PEN 3.39 ▲ 0.12% USD/ARS 1,475 ▲ 0.32% USD/UYU 40.15 ▲ 1.04% USD/PYG 6,039 ▲ 1.28% USD/BOB 10.65 ▲ 5.99% USD/DOP 58.36 ▲ 0.10% USD/CRC 447.49 ▲ 0.88% USD/GTQ 7.62 ▲ 2.09% USD/HNL 26.73 ▼ 0.01% USD/NIO 36.62 ▲ 0.34% USD/VES 725.63 ▲ 0.11% USD/PAB 1.00 — 0.00% USD/BZD 2.00 — 0.00% USD/JMD 157.48 ▲ 0.31% USD/TTD 6.76 ▲ 1.56% EUR/BRL 5.82 ▼ 0.61% BRENT 84.56 ▼ 0.46% WTI 79.39 ▼ 0.26% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.42 ▲ 1.95% GOLD 4,039 ▼ 0.14% SILVER 57.41 ▲ 0.52% SOY 1,200 ▼ 0.19% CORN 469.00 ▲ 4.80% WHEAT 677.00 ▼ 0.07% COFFEE 324.50 ▼ 3.77% SUGAR 14.86 ▼ 0.13% ORANGE JUICE 140.45 ▲ 0.14% COTTON 82.13 ▲ 3.18% COCOA 5,917 ▲ 4.54% BEEF 230.33 ▼ 0.48% CATTLE 344.95 ▼ 1.10% LITHIUM 71.06 ▼ 0.73% PETR4 40.59 ▼ 0.17% VALE3 74.51 ▲ 0.68% ITUB4 43.14 ▼ 1.12% BBDC4 18.60 ▼ 0.16% ABEV3 15.57 ▼ 1.52% BBAS3 20.55 ▼ 0.19% B3SA3 15.69 ▲ 2.35% WEGE3 44.26 ▲ 0.14% PRIO3 57.50 ▼ 0.12% SUZB3 41.48 ▲ 0.90% RENT3 40.35 ▼ 0.47% AZZA3 18.66 ▼ 1.01% CSAN3 3.93 ▲ 1.03% RAIZ4 0.29 ▼ 6.45% PCAR3 2.62 ▲ 6.94% GMAT3 3.98 ▲ 0.51% PSSA3 55.22 ▲ 1.71% CVCB3 1.34 ▼ 2.90% POSI3 3.95 ▼ 1.00% SLCE3 13.50 ▼ 2.24% NATU3 8.67 ▲ 1.40% BRKM5 6.41 ▼ 6.15% RANI3 7.98 ▼ 0.37% CSNA3 5.24 ▲ 0.77% CMIN3 5.24 ▲ 2.75% USIM5 8.20 ▼ 0.36% GGBR4 24.20 ▲ 3.77% ENEV3 26.95 ▼ 0.81% CPFE3 46.83 ▼ 0.78% CMIG4 11.15 ▼ 0.45% EQTL3 40.33 ▼ 1.51% LREN3 14.10 ▼ 1.33% VIVT3 35.47 ▼ 0.14% RAIL3 14.07 ▼ 0.42% KLABIN 17.39 ▲ 0.40% RAIA DROGASIL 18.67 ▲ 0.38% RDOR3 36.01 ▼ 0.11% HAPV3 10.99 ▼ 1.79% FLRY3 16.51 ▲ 0.61% SMTO3 15.53 ▼ 3.66% UGPA3 31.10 ▲ 3.29% VBBR3 33.75 ▲ 1.35% BBSE3 40.71 ▲ 0.79% BPAC11 57.04 ▼ 1.57% CURY3 32.73 ▼ 2.56% AERI3 2.02 ▼ 2.42% VIVARA 23.52 ▲ 0.38% COMPASS 25.11 ▼ 0.36% VAMOS 3.12 ▼ 0.95% SANB11 27.00 ▼ 1.24% ASAI3 8.66 — 0.00% SBSP3 29.98 ▼ 1.19% WALMEX 49.61 ▲ 0.69% GMEXICO 200.02 ▲ 0.23% FEMSA 223.27 ▼ 2.64% CEMEX 22.64 ▲ 1.98% GFNORTE 183.98 ▼ 1.19% BIMBO 57.50 ▲ 2.02% TELEVISA 9.56 ▲ 0.74% AMX 22.80 ▼ 0.22% GAP 398.24 ▲ 0.75% ASUR 283.46 ▲ 2.85% OMA 234.61 ▼ 0.17% KOF 176.96 ▼ 1.63% GRUMA 280.76 ▲ 0.49% KIMBER 38.73 ▲ 0.75% SQM-B 66,050 ▼ 2.72% COPEC 6,126 ▼ 1.35% BSANTANDER 78.16 ▼ 0.61% FALABELLA 5,853 ▼ 0.37% ENELAM 84.80 ▼ 1.11% CENCOSUD 2,005 ▼ 1.72% CMPC 1,074 ▼ 2.63% BANCO CHILE 188.88 ▼ 0.33% LATAM AIR 25.40 ▲ 2.01% YPF 78,550 ▲ 1.00% GGAL 8,205 ▲ 3.73% PAMPA 5,240 ▲ 0.19% TXAR 668.00 ▲ 0.91% ALUAR 959.50 ▲ 1.11% TGS 9,750 ▲ 0.41% CEPU 2,344 ▲ 0.73% MIRGOR 16,975 ▲ 1.34% COME 45.63 ▼ 0.26% LOMA NEGRA 3,615 ▲ 2.34% BYMA 304.25 ▲ 1.08% TELECOM ARG 4,315 ▼ 0.40% ECOPETROL 15.98 ▼ 1.11% BANCOLOMBIA 81.55 ▼ 0.67% GRUPO AVAL 5.03 ▲ 1.62% CREDICORP 398.20 ▲ 1.52% SOUTHERN COPPER 181.54 ▼ 0.46% BUENAVENTURA 30.71 ▼ 1.03% MERCADOLIBRE 1,843 ▼ 1.64% NUBANK 13.88 ▼ 0.79% XP 16.87 — 0.00% PAGSEGURO 9.21 ▼ 0.75% STONE 11.28 ▼ 0.18% GLOBANT 31.98 ▲ 3.43% TECNOGLASS 45.67 ▲ 3.26% GAP AIRPORT 228.15 ▲ 0.97% ASUR 283.46 ▲ 2.85% OMA AIRPORT 107.90 ▲ 0.24% AMX ADR 26.11 ▼ 0.27% FEMSA ADR 128.77 ▼ 3.30% CEMEX ADR 13.07 ▲ 2.11% PETROBRAS ADR 17.86 ▼ 0.33% VALE ADR 14.67 ▲ 0.55% ITAU ADR 8.45 ▼ 1.17% SANTANDER BR 5.35 ▼ 0.74% AMBEV ADR 3.03 ▼ 1.94% CSN 1.04 ▲ 0.49% GERDAU 4.80 ▲ 4.12% LATAM ADR 54.87 ▲ 2.54% BTC 64,614 ▼ 0.15% ETH 1,916 ▼ 0.03% SOL 76.71 ▼ 0.72% XRP 1.11 — 0.00% BNB 581.11 ▲ 0.17% ADA 0.16 ▼ 0.24% DOGE 0.07 ▼ 0.30% AVAX 6.70 ▲ 0.06% LINK 8.53 ▼ 0.03% DOT 0.84 ▼ 0.52% LTC 45.28 ▲ 0.35% BCH 222.28 ▼ 0.39% TRX 0.32 ▼ 0.16% XLM 0.19 ▲ 0.56% HBAR 0.07 ▼ 0.60% NEAR 2.05 ▼ 0.58% ATOM 1.55 ▲ 0.03% AAVE 96.26 ▲ 0.45% SELIC 14.25% EMBRAER 82.35 ▼ 0.17% EMBRAER ADR 64.90 ▼ 0.02% JBS 12.10 ▲ 2.28% JBS BDR 61.43 ▲ 2.81% MBRF3 15.40 ▼ 4.29% MBRFY 2.87 ▼ 8.60% INTER 5.62 ▼ 1.40% EGX 52,558 ▲ 0.50% USD/ZAR 16.34 ▲ 0.30% USD/NGN 1,379 — 0.00% NIKKEI 66,738 ▼ 2.93% CSI300 4,743 ▼ 0.91% HSI 25,158 ▲ 1.93% NIFTY 24,122 ▲ 0.18% KOSPI 6,791 ▼ 6.77% JCI 6,067 ▲ 0.42% USD/JPY 162.10 ▼ 0.03% USD/CNY 6.7655 ▲ 0.11% DAX 25,000 ▼ 0.59% CAC 8,382 ▲ 0.19% FTSE 10,516 ▼ 0.13% MIB 52,411 ▼ 0.85% IBEX 19,276 ▼ 0.42% STOXX 642.71 ▲ 0.10% EUR/USD 1.1469 ▲ 0.01% GBP/USD 1.3534 ▼ 0.02% SPX 7,572 ▲ 0.38% DJI 52,659 ▲ 0.29% NDX 29,503 ▼ 0.28% RUT 2,976 ▲ 0.39% TSX 35,416 ▲ 0.27% VIX 15.67 ▼ 5.03% USD/CAD 1.4046 ▲ 0.06% US10Y 4.5450 ▼ 0.87%
since 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2026

Digital wallets: Pros and Cons

By · January 24, 2023 · 4 min read

Daily Brief

The morning intel from across Latin America. Free.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. We never share your email.

Digital wallets are a new way to store and spend your money. They’re different from traditional bank accounts or credit cards, but they can be just as convenient—and even more secure.

But don’t take my word for it; read on to learn about digital wallets, what they are and how they work.

One-stop reference
Company Intelligence
Every listed company in Latin America — financials, ownership and structure for 1,450+ companies across 26 exchanges, in one place.
Browse the directory →

What is a digital wallet?

A digital wallet is a way to store and access your money. It’s like an online bank account, where you can transfer funds from one place to another or keep it there for future use.

Digital wallets are a great way to keep track of your spending because they allow you to see how much money is available in your account at any given time.

Digital wallets can also be used as mobile payments.

Users don’t need cash or credit cards when making purchases in person—they pay by scanning their QR code with their smartphone camera (or even entering the number manually).

In addition to being more secure than carrying cash (which can be stolen), digital wallets are convenient because they can be accessed anywhere with internet access.

Digital wallets. (Photo internet reproduction)
Digital wallets. (Photo internet reproduction)
RT
Ask Rio Times
Latin American markets, currencies and companies.
Open the full Ask Rio Times →

They’re also helpful if you want to buy something online but don’t have access right away: instead of waiting until later when you get home, log into your digital wallet on another computer or device while still shopping online!

Digital wallets are also convenient because they connect directly to your bank account and credit cards.

You can access your money anywhere and anytime without cash or credit cards.

Pros of using digital wallets

Digital wallet companies make it easy to shop online, keep track of your digital receipts and store the information for your credit cards.

They also allow you to carry around less when you’re out shopping—a real lifesaver if you’re like me and always overpack.

The benefits of using a digital wallet include the following:

  • Convenience – Digital wallets are convenient because they let users make purchases at any time, from anywhere. This convenience makes them especially popular with millennials who like doing everything at once—including paying bills, booking travel plans, and ordering dinner! You can even use them while traveling or away from home (if you’ve remembered to charge your mobile device).
  • Security – Because digital wallets have very few physical components (just a smartphone), there’s no risk of losing keys or forgetting passwords, as with traditional wallets made out of leather or metal.

This makes them especially valuable for users prone to losing things or having items stolen from them.

Convenience – Digital wallets are convenient because they let users make purchases at any time, from anywhere.

You can even use them while traveling or away from home (if you’ve remembered to charge your mobile device).

This convenience makes them especially popular with millennials who like doing everything at once—including paying bills, booking travel plans, and ordering dinner!

Security – Because digital wallets have very few physical components (just a smartphone), there’s no risk of losing keys or forgetting passwords, as with traditional wallets made of leather or metal.

Cons of using digital wallets

There are several downsides to using digital wallets, including:

  • Data loss. If you lose your phone or have it stolen, the data in your digital wallet could be compromised.
  • Digital wallets can be hacked. Although there is no evidence that any of these apps have been hacked successfully, many experts believe it’s only a matter of time before something like this happens.
  • Digital wallets can be lost or stolen. You may leave your phone behind at home one day when going on a run or get mugged while shopping with friends and lose all of the money in your wallet and some physical belongings. This may not seem like such a big deal if you’re all worried about spending too much money—but what if someone finds out where you live? They could use the information stored within their digital wallet (along with other personal info) and try breaking into yours as well!
  • Digital wallets can break down over time due to exposure to water damage and other environmental factors like dropping them onto hard surfaces repeatedly without taking precautions against scratches first; these actions will eventually cause corrosion around essential parts which means they won’t work correctly anymore even though they might still look fine outwardly.”

Digital wallets are convenient but remember to protect your information

It’s easy to forget about the risks of digital wallets, even when we know protecting our information is essential.

It’s best to think of them as another form of storing your information—just like a traditional wallet, you must be careful where and with whom you keep it.

Here are a few tips:

  • Use strong passwords, and don’t share them with anyone else. Your digital wallet will only work if the password is correct!
  • Keep private information such as bank accounts or credit card numbers out of your digital wallet (unless stored on a device separate from your phone).
  • Make sure that if there’s an option for using two-factor authentication (wherein an extra piece of ID is required), then use it!

This helps prevent hackers from getting into your account by just guessing passwords.

Conclusion

Digital wallets are a convenient way to store and manage your money. But remember, convenience comes at a cost.

It could be stolen if you don’t take care of the information on your digital wallet. And if someone does steal it, what can you do?

You might be able to replace some of your funds but not all of them. So before storing important information in a digital wallet, ensure it’s backed up somewhere safe where no one except yourself has access!

 

LatAm Markets: Live Signals → — real-time movers, turnover leaders and FX across Latin America.

Read More from The Rio Times

The Rio Times · Power Map
See who really holds power in Latin America
Click to open the Power Map

Rotate for Best Experience

This report is optimized for landscape viewing. Rotate your phone for the full experience.