Brazil's crypto market reaches $98.7 billion in 2025, with banks expanding client services while holding zero proprietary positions

Odaily News: Brazil's cryptocurrency market recorded a trading volume of 505.5 billion reais in 2025, approximately $98.7 billion, representing a more than fivefold increase from 94.9 billion reais in 2020. Corporate-related transactions totaled 497 billion reais, accounting for 98.3% of the total tracked by Brazil's Federal Revenue Service, with individual investors accounting for the remainder.

Itaú, Brazil's largest bank by assets under management, now offers 15 crypto assets through its investment app, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the USD-pegged stablecoin USDC. Fintech company Nubank lists 28 crypto assets, while Banco do Brasil has seen trading volume exceed 11 million reais since opening direct trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum in January.

Filings with the Central Bank of Brazil through March 2026 show that Brazilian banks hold no proprietary virtual asset positions, but may custody and process crypto assets on behalf of clients. Since 2025, Itaú, Bradesco, Santander, Banco do Brasil, and Nubank have all expanded their crypto asset service offerings.

Brazil passed the Virtual Asset Legal Framework in 2022 and issued three regulatory resolutions in November 2025, requiring institutions providing crypto asset trading, custody, or transfer services to obtain licenses, meet minimum capital requirements, and maintain segregated client accounts, with a compliance deadline of October 30, 2026. Banco Safra issued the USD-pegged stablecoin Safra Dólar in September 2025, with the bank providing self-custody. (Decrypt)