Turning point for bitcoin: IMF forecasts 1,640% inflation for Venezuela

It’s a fact that many economies—even the most advanced ones—struggle to lift inflation, but that’s nothing compared to what Venezuela is going through.

The country is in the middle of the worst inflation period in history, with consumer price inflation hitting 480 percent this year. But that’s nothing, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) experts, who predicted the inflation rate will soar to 1,640 percent in 2017.

The situation is already affecting all aspects of daily living in the country, and the reports of food and medical supplies shortages, weak oil prices and rampant theft has forced the government to declare a state of economic emergency. Economists believe it’s only a matter of time before Venezuela turns to the IMF for a bailout.

There’s just one thing: the Hugo Chavez’s government severed ties with the IMF nearly a decade ago, and there are no indications that the current administration will try to restore relations with the world’s emergency lender.