Itaú Unibanco has officially registered its cryptocurrency trading and custody operations with the Central Bank of Brazil. This move makes it the first financial institution to align its crypto services with the country's new regulatory framework for digital assets.
The bank submitted its formal notification on October 27, 2026, ahead of the October 30, 2026, deadline. By meeting this date, the institution utilized a simplified authorization process available to existing financial entities, avoiding the more comprehensive licensing required for standalone crypto firms.
The platform currently supports 15 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the USDC stablecoin. Itaú manages the custody of these assets internally, rather than relying on third-party providers. The bank first introduced these services in December 2023, but they previously operated outside the formal regulatory structure.
While the bank has not disclosed specific user numbers or trading volumes, it is responding to significant market demand. According to Brazilian tax authority data, local citizens transacted BRL 505,5 billion in digital assets during 2025. Other major competitors, such as Nubank, are also expanding their presence in the sector.
