Latin American developers choose Ethereum, Polygon over new chains

In Summary

  • Latin American developers prefer Ethereum and Polygon over new blockchains
  • Ethereum dominates with 75% of activity, Polygon rises to 20%
  • Ethereum core developers earn well below market rates
  • Crypto adoption grows with stablecoins, meme coins gaining traction


Catenaa, Monday, September 15, 2025- Developers in Latin America are increasingly building on established blockchains such as Ethereum and Polygon rather than launching new networks, according to a new report from consultancy Sherlock Communications.

The survey of 85 developers across Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil and Peru found that Ethereum accounted for more than 75% of regional blockchain transactions between June 2024 and June 2025.

Polygon’s share nearly doubled during the same period, climbing to 20%. Developers cited transparency, intuitive tools and regulatory alignment as key reasons for preferring established ecosystems.

Sherlock researcher Luiz Eduardo Abreu Hadad said the region’s developer community shows “strong technical maturity” and is focused on practical applications instead of speculative projects.

Local initiatives, such as Brazil’s Núclea Chain, also demonstrate potential for nationally significant platforms, though the bulk of innovation remains within Ethereum and Polygon.

The report highlighted challenges faced by Ethereum’s core contributors, who earn 50% to 60% less than comparable private sector roles despite their central role in maintaining the network. Median salaries were reported at around $140,000, far below the $359,000 average in similar technology jobs.

Crypto adoption in Latin America continues to accelerate. Bitso reported a 12% rise in users last year, with growing interest in stablecoins, meme tokens and diversified portfolios. Stablecoins now account for nearly 40% of purchases, while Bitcoin’s share slipped to 22%.

The findings underscore Latin America’s role as a growing hub for blockchain activity, where developers and investors alike are driving broader use of digital assets.

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