As a response to the renewed U.S. sanctions, Venezuela has intensified the use of digital currencies in oil transactions. PDVSA, the state oil company of the country, has been integrating cryptocurrency into its payment options for crude oil and fuel exports more and more in recent years with the goal of avoiding the freezing of export proceeds due to trade sanctions. Subsequent to the non-renewal of a general license that enabled wider trade with Venezuela, the U.S. Treasury has given businesses until May 31 to reorient their transactions with PDVSA. These alterations are happening at a time when the U.S. has been pressing for electoral reforms in Venezuela that have not been implemented.