Itaú Unibanco, the largest private bank in Brazil, has officially registered its cryptocurrency trading and custody services in compliance with new Central Bank regulations. The bank submitted the required notification to the regulator on October 27, allowing it to continue operations without obtaining a separate license.
The bank launched its crypto services in December 2023. Initially supporting only Bitcoin and Ethereum, the platform has since expanded its offerings to include 15 digital assets, such as Solana, XRP, USDC, and Chainlink. Transactions are processed via the bank's mobile application, with the institution managing asset custody internally.
The minimum purchase threshold for clients is set at 10 Brazilian reals, approximately $2. While the bank has not disclosed specific user numbers or trading volumes, it remains a key player in the region. Brazil currently ranks first in Latin America for crypto adoption, with $318.8 billion in digital assets received between July 2024 and June 2025.
The regulatory framework, established by Resolution 520, mandates that financial institutions notify the Central Bank of their digital asset activities by October 30. Specialized crypto firms must apply for a formal license by the same deadline. Failure to comply will result in a 30-day window to cease operations.
