If you saved $100,000 pesos under the mattress in 2021, today that money is only enough to buy what previously cost $69,000. They didn't steal anything from you. You didn't lose your wallet. Simply put, the accumulated inflation in Mexico has been 31% in five years [1]. Your money is still there, but it's worth less. And this happens to everyone: you, your mother, your aunt who keeps her paycheck in the debit account "just in case."
This article is going to show you, with real numbers, how much you have stopped buying by not moving your savings. And in the end, what options do you have to stop this from happening.
What inflation does to your savings (explained without weird words)
Think of inflation as a tiny hole in your glass of water. You don't see it. You don't feel it at first. But every month, every year, there is a little less water in the glass.
In Mexico, annual inflation as of March 2026 was 4.63% [2]. That means that what costs $100 today will cost around $105 next year. The problem is that your money stored in a regular account or in your desk drawer is still worth the same $100.
Let's put it with a real example.
María has $100,000 pesos saved since 2021.He didn't touch them. He didn't move them. He left them in his savings account which gives him practically zero interest. This is what happened to that $100,000:
In 2021, $100,000 would buy a good refrigerator, a month of groceries for a family of 4, and still have enough left over for a couple of dinner outings. In 2026, that same $100,000 is no longer enough for that. The refrigerator went up in price. The super went up. Dining out went up. Everything went up. Not your money.
Maria didn't do anything wrong. Nobody simply explained to him that storing money without protecting it is like leaving ice outside the freezer. It melts by itself.
The "invisible tax" that you pay every year without knowing it
They call inflation "the invisible tax" because you don't get a receipt, they don't charge it at the ATM, it doesn't appear on your account statement. But it's there.
Every year that your savings don't grow at least at the rate of inflation, you are paying that tax. And the worst thing: those who have less pay more. Because someone with $5 million can put their money in instruments that generate something for them. But someone with $10,000 or $50,000 often just puts it away and waits.
It's not your fault. They don't teach us this in school. They don't tell you at work. And on the news they only talk about inflation when prices or gasoline go up, never when it eats up your savings in silence.
Year by year: what happened to $100,000 pesos since 2021
Here is the table that no traditional savings account shows you. We take $100,000 MXN saved in 2021 and calculate its real purchasing power each year.
Year | Annual inflation | What your $100,000 buys (real power) | Accumulated loss |
2022 | 7.82% [4] | $92,640 | -$7,360 |
2024 | 4.21% | $81,280 | -$18,720 |
2026 (March) | 4.63% [2] | ~$69,000 | -$31,000 |
Read that last row again.$31,000 pesos less in purchasing power.Not because you spent. Not because it went badly for you. Simply because money stored without protection loses value every day.
That $31,000 is a vacation. It's three months of tuition. They are the hook for something important. And they left without anyone telling you.
Do you want this to stop happening to your money? Create your free account on Bitsave →
"But the weight is heavy." Yes. And your savings continue to lose.
You've probably heard in the news that the Mexican peso is "strong" against the dollar. And it is true: as of April 2026, the exchange rate is around $17.80 per dollar [6]. Sounds good.
But here's the part they don't tell you: just because the peso is strong against the dollar doesn't mean that your money will buy more things in Mexico.
The exchange rate measures one thing. Inflation measures a completely different one.
So that you can see it clearly: in 2006, the dollar cost around $11 pesos [7]. Today it costs $17.80. That's an increase of more than 60% in the exchange rate in 20 years. But the accumulated inflation in that same period has been much higher. What you bought with $1,000 pesos in 2006, today you need almost three times as much to buy.
So yes, the peso may be "strong" compared to last year. But if you compare it with what you could buy 5, 10 or 20 years ago, the story is different. Your grandmother knows it perfectly: "it used to be that you could do the week's errand with $100."
What options do you have so that your money does not continue to lose?
Here are the most common options for people in Mexico who want to protect their savings. Without complicated language, with the good and the not so good of each one.
1. CETES (government debt)
CETES are like lending money to the Mexican government. They pay you interest. In April 2026, the 28-day CETES are giving 6.60% annually [8]. A year ago they gave around 9%. Rates continue to fall.
The good:It's safe. It's legal. You can start from $100 pesos incetesdirecto.com.
The not so good:After inflation (4.63%), the real profit is just ~2%. You barely match inflation, you don't earn it. And ISR withholding rose to 0.90% in 2026 [9], which further reduces your net return.
2. Digital dollars (USDC)
You can buy digital dollars, which are worth exactly $1 dollar always. It's like having dollars, but without going to the exchange house, without an account in the United States and without very high minimums.
The good:You protect your money against the loss of value of the peso against the dollar. You can buy and sell whenever you want. At Bitsave you can start from $250 MXN [10]. And with the strong peso (dollar at $17.80), today you buy more dollars for the same money.
The not so good:The dollar also has its own inflation (although historically lower than that of the peso). It does not generate interest on its own. But it does give you diversification.
3.Bitcoin
Bitcoin is another option to protect your savings in the long term. It's not for everyone. It is more volatile (it rises and falls in price more strongly). But over periods of 4 years or more, it has historically outpaced inflation by a wide margin [VERIFY: average Bitcoin performance in 4-year windows compared to MX inflation].
The good:It is scarce (there will only be 21 million), it is global, and no one can freeze it for you.
The not so good:If you need the money in 3 months, it is not ideal. It is for long-term savings. It requires patience.
4. Combine options (what makes the most sense)
The smartest choice for most people is not to choose just one thing. It is combining:
A portion in pesos for your monthly expenses and emergencies. A part in digital dollars to protect against inflation and the fall of the peso. A share in Bitcoin to grow in the long term.
With Bitsave you can do exactly that. From your cell phone. From $250 pesos. Without procedures, without paperwork, without intermediaries who keep huge commissions.
Start protecting your savings today. Create your free account on Bitsave →
The question that matters is not "how much do I have" but "how much can I buy?"
If today you have $50,000 pesos saved and you do nothing, in 5 years it will still be $50,000 pesos in your account. But they are going to buy what today costs $34,500. You lost $15,500 in purchasing power. Without spending a single peso.
If you have $200,000, the loss is $62,000. If you have $500,000, that's $155,000 that evaporates.
It's not about becoming an expert in finance. It's about understanding a very simple thing: money stored without protection shrinks. And the longer you leave it like that, the more it shrinks.
Frequently asked questions
Does inflation affect everyone equally?
No. It affects those who spend a higher percentage of their income on food, transportation and basic services more. These items tend to rise more than the average. In practice, the inflation felt by a lower-middle-income family can be higher than the official 4.63% [2].
Does my bank savings account protect me against inflation?
Hardly ever. Most savings accounts in Mexico pay between 0.5% and 3% annually. If inflation is 4.63%, you are losing between 1.6% and 4% each year, even with your money "saving" in the bank.
Is it safe to buy digital dollars?
It depends on where you buy them. The important thing is to use registered and reliable platforms. Bitsave allows you to buy digital dollars (USDC) from $250 MXN [10], with a simple process and from your cell phone. USDC is backed 1:1 by real dollars and US Treasuries, audited monthly by Deloitte [11].
Isn't Bitcoin very risky?
In the short term, it does have strong rises and falls. But if you look at it as long-term savings (3-5 years minimum), historically it has grown much more than inflation. The key is not to put money that you will need tomorrow.
How much do I need to start protecting my savings?
At Bitsave you can start from $250 MXN [10]. You don't need to be a millionaire to take care of your money. In fact, the less you have, the more important it is to protect each peso.
What happens if inflation goes down?
Even if inflation goes down, the damage of previous years has already been done. If prices rose 31% in 5 years [1], 3% inflation next year does not give you back what you lost. It just means you're going to lose a little less forward.
Your money is losing value as you read this.It doesn't have to be like this. With $250 pesos and 5 minutes you can start protecting what you have worked so hard to save.
Create your free account on Bitsave and stop losing against inflation →
References
[1]NNC.mx. "Five years of inflation: prices in Mexico rose 31% accumulated between 2021 and 2025."https://nnc.mx/articulo/cinco-anos-de-inflacion-los-precios-en-mexico-subieron-31-acumulado-entre-2021-y-2025
[2] El Financiero / INEGI. "Inflation in Mexico March 2026: 4.63% annual."https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/2026/03/24/inflacion-en-mexico-marzo-2026-que-subio-que-bajo-y-como-impacta-tu-bolsillo/
[3] INEGI. "National Consumer Price Index, closing 2021: 7.36%."https://www.inegi.org.mx/temas/inpc/
[4] INEGI. "Annual inflation at the end of 2022: 7.82%."https://www.inegi.org.mx/temas/inpc/
[5] INEGI. "Annual inflation at the end of 2023: 4.66%."https://www.inegi.org.mx/temas/inpc/
[6] The Financier. "USD/MXN exchange rate April 2026: ~$17.80."https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/mercados/2026/04/06/peso-dolar-tipo-de-cambio-hoy-6-de-abril-de-2026/
[7] MoneyInTime. "Historical USD/MXN exchange rate 2006: ~$11."https://www.dineroeneltiempo.com/divisas/usd-mxn/historico/2006
[8] Money in Image. "CETES rate 28 days, first week of April 2026: 6.60%."https://www.dineroenimagen.com/tu-dinero/cetes-tasas-rendimientos-primera-semana-abril-2026
[9]Cetes.app. "ISR CETES 2026 withholding: 0.90%."https://cetes.app/educacion/aumenta-retencion-isr-cetes-2026
[10] Bitsave. Minimum purchase amount: $250 MXN.https://bitsaveapp.com
[11] Circle. Transparency and support of USDC reserves.https://www.circle.com/transparency
This article is informational and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Virtual assets are not legal tender in Mexico and are not backed by the Federal Government. Before making financial decisions, consult a certified professional."