Methodology & Data Source
Transparent explanation of what the Bolivia blue dollar is, where our data comes from, how we calculate it, and how to cite it. For journalists, researchers and developers.
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Bolivia Blue publishes a P2P reference for Bolivia’s blue dollar, with periodic updates, a JSON API and methodology documentation.
Data Source
Collectors query public USDT/BOB data from Binance, El Dorado, OKX and Bybit. Only responding platforms are used; a reading may include one source. The P2P reference is not a cash-counter offer.
How the Rate is Calculated
Each update calculates a buy and sell reference per platform. Order books use their median; El Dorado contributes its public price. The final reference is the median of available platform values, with equal weight per platform.
- Buy rate: median of buy offers for USDT (in BOB per USDT).
- Sell rate: median of sell offers for USDT (in BOB per USDT).
- The "mid" (average) value we show is the midpoint between buy and sell.
Update Frequency
Automatic processes attempt periodic quote updates. Both collectors use the same USD/BOB calculation and save observations to the database. Always check the observation timestamp: external services and scheduling can be delayed.
The time of the last update is shown on the homepage and is available in the API response.
Blue Dollar vs Official Rate
The official exchange rate is set by the Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) and is used by banks for regulated operations. The blue dollar is the price in the parallel (P2P) market and is often different: it can be above or below depending on supply and demand.
On our platform we show both rates: the parallel market (blue, P2P reference) and the official rate (from the BCB or sources that reflect the official rate). We do not modify or mix these sources.
Compare with other sites →Historical Data and Downloads
We store a record of each update, which allows you to query historical series, charts and statistics. Historical data is available on the historical data page and via stable URLs in CSV and JSON.
Public export: CSV and JSON for 30d or a recent all sample, capped at 4,000 rows. Extended ranges belong to a separate service; availability, coverage and terms require manual review.
History and source limitations
Older rows without source_observation do not establish which platforms participated. New records can store a snapshot of sources, quotes, schema version and method identifier; it is published only when it matches the observation. Different methods operated in the past; we do not relabel those rows as a homogeneous series. When sources_used is empty, that observation’s source composition is unknown. Updating the collector does not correct or modify past observations.
Public downloads are capped at 4,000 recent rows. Check coverage dates and truncated in JSON or the CSV headers before citing a full period. The existing exclusion of rows identified as interpolation during a 2026 outage is preserved.
Observations from October 8, 2026 · Bolivia (UTC−04:00)
What changes when a P2P reference goes from three sources to two
11.88 → 11.82 BOB per USDT: −0.49% in the recorded sell reference.
The stored sell inputs from Binance and El Dorado did not change. Bybit appeared in the first record and not in the second. Applying the median to each recorded set reproduces the entire change.
| Source / result | ||
|---|---|---|
| Binance | 11.8800 | 11.8800 |
| El Dorado | 11.7630 | 11.7630 |
| Bybit | 11.8940 | Not recorded |
| Recorded sources | 3 | 2 |
| Median (sell) | 11.8800 | 11.8215 |
The calculation, step by step
- 15:14:34.043 · median(11.7630, 11.8800, 11.8940) = 11.8800
- 15:36:24.631 · median(11.7630, 11.8800) = (11.7630 + 11.8800) / 2 = 11.8215
- Change: 11.8215 − 11.8800 = −0.0585 BOB per USDT
- Percentage change: (−0.0585 / 11.8800) × 100 = −0.492424…% (−0.49% rounded)
This is an arithmetic effect of the recorded source composition. It does not establish a market-wide or cash-dollar decline, a Bybit outage or its later price. The missing value is neither carried forward nor replaced with zero.
Data and limits for reproduction
Two rows preserved from the public JSON generated on October 10, 2026 at 03:22:42.408 UTC. The download retains their original fields and values; the table displays only sell, to four decimals. This is not the full history export.
In that capture, 124 records included source breakdowns, covering 38 h 47 min. This example does not establish a weekly trend. Timestamps belong to the collector, not to each advertisement’s last update.
These are inputs recorded by BoliviaBlue, not an independent platform audit. The references are not executable offers comparable by amount, payment method, fees or counterparty.
Suggested citation
BoliviaBlue. “What changes when a P2P reference goes from three sources to two.” Observations: October 8, 2026, 15:14:34.043 and 15:36:24.631 (Bolivia, UTC−04:00). Sell field, BOB per USDT; a source-composition example, not a market decline. https://www.boliviablue.com/fuente-de-datos?lang=en#ejemplo-composicion-fuentes
API and Developer Use
We offer programmatic access to the current rate and historical data via REST endpoints. Data is served in JSON and updates at the same frequency as the website (as observations become available).
GET https://www.boliviablue.com/api/blue-rate
For current rate, history by range and full documentation:
View API documentationHow to Cite Bolivia Blue
When using our data in articles, reports or applications, include a clear attribution. Recommended format:
Source: Bolivia Blue, boliviablue.com, periodically updated.
Alternatives: "Bolivia Blue (boliviablue.com)" or "according to data from boliviablue.com".
Limitations and Transparency
Our data is based on public P2P information and represents an estimate of the parallel market in Bolivia. It does not constitute financial advice or an offer to buy or sell.
Users should verify current rates before making transactions. The actual price in a P2P transaction may vary depending on amount, payment method and counterparty.
If no platform returns a valid reference in a cycle, that update may be delayed until the next successful run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the blue dollar data come from?
Data comes from multiple P2P platforms (Binance, El Dorado, OKX and Bybit when available). Binance, OKX and Bybit provide ad medians; El Dorado provides its public quote. We calculate the median of the available platform references; the system attempts periodic updates.
How often is the rate updated?
The rate is refreshed periodically when collection succeeds. You can see the time of the last update on the homepage and in the API.
How does the blue dollar differ from the official rate?
The official rate is set by the Central Bank of Bolivia and used in banks. The blue dollar reflects the price in the parallel (P2P) market and is often different. We show both on our platform.
Can I use this data in articles or research?
Yes. You can cite our data by mentioning "Bolivia Blue" or "boliviablue.com" as the source. Historical data is available for download in CSV and JSON on the historical data page.