- Itaú Unibanco has formalized its cryptocurrency trading and custody services with the Central Bank of Brazil under the country’s new digital asset regulations.
- The bank supports 15 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC, with customers able to begin trading for as little as R$10.
- Itaú submitted its regulatory notification on Oct. 27, ahead of the Oct. 30 compliance deadline, becoming the first financial institution to complete the process under the new framework.
Itaú Unibanco, Brazil’s largest private bank, has formally registered its cryptocurrency trading and custody operations with the Central Bank of Brazil.
The move makes Itaú the first financial institution to complete the notification process under the country’s updated digital asset regulatory framework.
The bank submitted its notification on Oct. 27, three days before the Oct. 30 compliance deadline for existing cryptocurrency service providers.
The registration brings Itaú’s existing crypto operations under Brazil’s new regulatory requirements, strengthening its position in the country’s growing digital asset market.
Itaú Completes Crypto Regulatory Registration
Itaú’s regulatory notification allows the bank to continue offering cryptocurrency services under rules established by the Central Bank of Brazil.
Because Itaú is already an authorized financial institution, it qualifies for a simplified regulatory process.
Under the framework, eligible banks can conduct certain cryptocurrency brokerage activities without obtaining the full authorization required for standalone virtual asset service providers.
This distinction gives established financial institutions a different regulatory pathway compared with dedicated cryptocurrency exchanges.
Itaú’s crypto business is not entirely new.
The bank originally introduced cryptocurrency trading services in December 2023, allowing customers to access digital assets through its existing banking platform.
The latest registration formalizes those operations under Brazil’s updated regulatory structure.
Itaú Offers 15 Cryptocurrencies With In-House Custody
Itaú currently supports trading in 15 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and the USDC stablecoin.
Customers can begin investing with as little as R$10, making the service accessible to users seeking smaller cryptocurrency positions.
Unlike platforms that rely on external custodians, Itaú manages cryptocurrency custody internally.
This means the bank directly handles the storage and protection of customer digital assets.
Itaú executive Guto Antunes has previously emphasized security as an important part of the bank’s cryptocurrency strategy.
The company has also highlighted the importance of developing reliable infrastructure as digital assets become more integrated with traditional financial services.
However, Itaú has not disclosed how many customers currently use its cryptocurrency platform or the total trading volume generated by the service.
Brazil Crypto Market Records R$505.5 Billion in Transactions
Itaú’s regulatory move comes as cryptocurrency adoption continues expanding across Brazil.
According to data from Brazil’s tax authority, digital asset transactions reached approximately R$505.5 billion during 2025.
The figure highlights the scale of cryptocurrency activity in one of Latin America’s largest financial markets.
Other major financial institutions are also expanding their digital asset offerings.
Nubank, one of Brazil’s leading digital banking platforms, has continued developing cryptocurrency services as customer interest grows.
The Central Bank of Brazil’s updated regulatory framework is expected to establish clearer operating requirements for both banks and dedicated cryptocurrency companies.
For Itaú, completing the registration process allows its existing crypto services to operate within the new framework while maintaining its focus on trading, custody and customer security.
