The 10 Most Devalued Currencies on the Planet in 2025

Have you ever imagined receiving your salary today and, when you go shopping tomorrow, discovering that it buys only half of what it bought yesterday? This is the reality faced by the inhabitants of countries with the most devalued coins in the world.

Recently, a friend traveling in Lebanon sent me a photo via instant message. In the image, he was holding a stack of bills that looked like board game money - it was more than 50,000 Lebanese pounds, equivalent to about R$ 3.00.

This scene made me reflect: while in Brazil we lament the dollar at R$ 5.44 ( exchange rate for Sep/2025 according to UOL), there are nations where the population lives with coins that have simply melted away over time. The Brazilian real, in fact, ended 2024 as the worst performing currency among the majors, with a devaluation of 21.52%, but this is little compared to what we will see in this ranking.

In 2025, a global landscape marked by persistent inflation, political turmoil, and economic instability transformed some coins into true symbols of fragility. But after all, what causes a coin to lose so much value that it is considered "the most devalued in the world"?

In this article, I will present the coins that have truly hit rock bottom in terms of global value, explain the reasons behind this situation, and what it implies for those considering investing or even traveling to these destinations.

What Makes a Coin the Most Devalued in the World?

After years of following the financial market, it becomes evident that a weak coin is never a product of chance. It is always the result of an explosive combination of factors that undermine confidence. Let’s look at the main ones:

Out of control inflation: In Brazil, when inflation reached 7% per year, we were already concerned. It is worth remembering that we are in the range of 5% in 2025, according to data from Globo. Now imagine countries where prices double monthly. This is what we call hyperinflation, a phenomenon that literally devours economies and salaries.

Chronic political instability: coups, internal conflicts, governments changing annually. When there is no legal security, investors withdraw and the coin becomes mere colored paper, without real value.

Economic sanctions: When the international community shuts its doors on a country, it loses access to the global financial system. The result is predictable: the local coin becomes useless for international transactions. Currently, we have observed various controversies related to sanctions imposed by foreign governments. All these factors influence and can lead to the devaluation of a coin.

Low international reserves: It's like having little balance in a bank account. If the Central Bank does not have enough dollars to defend the coin, it collapses. In this scenario, even the value of gold may have an influence.

Capital flight: When even the citizens themselves prefer to keep foreign coins informally ( the famous "under the mattress" ) instead of the local currency, you know that the situation is critical, even if this type of investment is not the safest or most profitable.

Thus, we can affirm that a devalued coin is a symptom of a weakened economy. And it is in this context that the coins in the following ranking emerge.

Top 10 Most Depreciated Coins in the World in 2025

Based on updated exchange rate data and international economic reports, we present the coins that today have their value extremely reduced, compromising the purchasing power of their respective populations.

1. Lebanese Pound (LBP)

Current quotation: 1 million LBP = R$ 61.00 (set/2025)

The absolute champion in devaluation. Officially, the rate should be 1,507.5 pounds per dollar, but since the 2020 crisis, this quotation simply does not exist in practice. In the parallel market ( where transactions actually take place ), more than 90 thousand pounds are needed to acquire 1 dollar.

The situation is so critical that financial institutions are limiting withdrawals and many establishments only accept dollars. A journalist colleague told me that in Beirut, even ride-hailing drivers request payment in dollars because no one wants the Lebanese pound.

2. Iranian Rial (IRR)

Current exchange rate: 1 Brazilian real = 7,751.94 Iranian rials

International sanctions have turned the rial into an extremely weakened coin. To give you an idea: with R$ 100, you become a "millionaire" in rials. The Iranian government tries to control the exchange rate, but the reality on the streets is different, with various parallel quotations circulating.

The most interesting thing is that young Iranians are migrating en masse to digital assets. Cryptocurrencies have become a more reliable store of value than the national currency itself.

Investing in digital assets has become the solution for many people who wish to preserve and increase their capital.

3. Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Current exchange rate: Approximately 25,000 VND per dollar

This is a peculiar case. Vietnam has a growing economy, but the dong remains historically weak due to monetary policy issues. It is curious because you withdraw 1 million dongs from the ATM and receive an amount worthy of a bank robbery movie scene.

For tourists, it is advantageous, as with $50 you feel like a millionaire for a few days. But for the Vietnamese, it means that imports become expensive and international purchasing power is limited.

4. Kip Laosiano (LAK)

Current quote: About 21,000 LAK per dollar

Laos is facing a complicated situation: small economy, dependence on imports, and constant inflation. The kip is so weak that, at the border with Thailand, many merchants prefer to receive Thai baht.

5. Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

Current quote: Approximately 15,500 IDR per dollar

Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia, but the rupiah has never managed to strengthen. Historically, since 1998, it has ranked among the weakest currencies in the world.

Advantage for Brazilian travelers: Bali becomes extremely accessible. With R$ 200 per day, you can live very comfortably there.

6. Uzbek Sound (UZS)

Current exchange rate: About 12,800 UZS per dollar

Uzbekistan has implemented significant economic reforms in recent years, but the sound still reflects decades of a closed economy. The country seeks to attract investments, but the coin remains weak and devalued.

7. Guinean Franco (GNF)

Current quote: Approximately 8,600 GNF per dollar

A classic case of a resource-rich country but with a weak coin. Guinea has gold and bauxite; however, political instability and corruption prevent this wealth from translating into a strong coin.

8. Paraguayan Guarani (PYG)

Current quote: About 7.42 PYG per real.

Our Paraguayan neighbor has a relatively stable economy, but the guarani is traditionally weak. For us Brazilians, this means that Ciudad del Este continues to be an attractive shopping destination.

9. Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

Current quote: Approximately 4.500 MGA per dollar

Madagascar is one of the poorest nations in the world, and the ariary reflects this reality. Imports become extremely expensive, and the population has virtually no international purchasing power.

10. Burundi Franc (BIF)

Current exchange rate: About 550.06 BIF for each R$1.00 real.

Closing the ranking, we have a coin so weak that, for higher value purchases, people literally carry bags of money. The chronic political instability of Burundi is directly reflected in the national coin.

Final Reflections

The ranking of the 10 most devalued coins in the world in 2025 is not just a financial curiosity. It is a clear reflection of how politics, trust, and economic stability are intrinsically linked.

For the Brazilian investor, some lessons stand out and deserve attention:

1. Fragile economies present significant risks – devalued coins may seem like an opportunity, but the reality is that most of these countries face deep crises.

2. There are opportunities in the tourism and consumption sector – destinations with devalued coins can be financially advantageous for those arriving with dollars, euros, and in some cases, even reals.

3. Practical learning in macroeconomics – monitoring the devaluation of coins helps to understand the effects of inflation, corruption, and instability in people's daily lives.

Being aware of these factors is a way to understand the importance of trust, stability, and good governance for any economy, as well as your future as an investor. Investing is also a continuous process of economic and social learning.

One way to ensure the appreciation of your capital is to invest safely in assets that transcend borders and are not subject to local inflation. Check out the best assets currently available on Gate.

Do you want to stay informed about how money transforms into power or fragility around the globe? Follow our content here and discover not only the most devalued coins, but also which are the strongest, where the hidden opportunities lie, and how to prepare to take advantage of them. Investing intelligently is securing your financial future.