Crypto Revolution 2025: Brazil’s Banking Giant Itaú Dives Deep Into Cryptocurrencies
- Why Is Itaú Unibanco Betting on Crypto in 2025?
- What Crypto Products Does Itaú Offer Now?
- How Big Is Itaú’s Crypto Footprint?
- Brazil: The Unlikely Crypto Paradise?
- What’s Next for Itaú and Brazil’s Crypto Market?
- FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
In a bold move that cements Brazil’s position as a crypto hotspot, Itaú Unibanco—the country’s largest private asset manager—has launched a dedicated cryptocurrency division under Itaú Asset Management. The bank is expanding its digital asset offerings, including Bitcoin ETFs, retirement plans, and direct trading, while eyeing derivatives and fixed-income crypto products. With $21.6B already managed across 15 trading desks and $152M in crypto AUM, Itaú is betting big on Brazil’s crypto boom, fueled by regulatory tailwinds and inflation-weary investors. Here’s the inside scoop.
Why Is Itaú Unibanco Betting on Crypto in 2025?
Itaú’s new crypto division isn’t just a side project—it’s a strategic play. Led by a former Hashdex executive, the team will integrate into the bank’s multidesk investment structure, which already handles equities, credit, and systematic strategies. This isn’t their first rodeo: since 2022, Itaú has offered a bitcoin ETF (BITI11), BTC-indexed retirement plans, and mobile app trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum. Now, they’re doubling down. "We’re seeing unprecedented demand," says João Marco Braga da Cunha in a Livecoins interview. "Clients want exposure beyond just BTC and ETH."
What Crypto Products Does Itaú Offer Now?
Think of Itaú as a crypto buffet. Their current menu includes:
- BITI11: A Bitcoin ETF launched in 2022 (now with ~$120M AUM per CoinMarketCap).
- BTC Retirement Plans: Because who wouldn’t want to retire on a Bitcoin beach?
- Direct Trading: Since June 2024, users can trade BTC/ETH via Itaú’s app—with custody handled in-house since 2023.
But wait, there’s more. The new division plans to roll out crypto derivatives and fixed-income products by Q4 2025, targeting both conservative investors and degens.
How Big Is Itaú’s Crypto Footprint?
Let’s talk numbers. Itaú’s multidesk system manages $21.6B across 15 trading teams. Their crypto-specific products hold $152M—small but growing fast. For context, Brazil’s crypto market surged 47% YoY in 2024 (TradingView data), and Itaú aims to capture 30% of institutional inflows. "We’re not just dipping toes; we’re diving in," an Itaú insider told me.
Brazil: The Unlikely Crypto Paradise?
While the U.S. grapples with SEC lawsuits, Brazil’s crypto scene is thriving. Inflation hit 5.2% in 2024, pushing investors toward Bitcoin. Regulatory clarity (thanks to 2023’s Crypto Asset Law) and innovations like PIX’s USDC integration have made Brazil a testing ground for crypto-bank fusion. "It’s like 2017’s ICO boom, but with actual banks," quipped a BTCC analyst.
What’s Next for Itaú and Brazil’s Crypto Market?
Expect three trends:
- More ETFs: Ethereum and DeFi ETFs are rumored for 2026.
- Banking Partnerships Itaú may collaborate with BTCC for liquidity.
- Regulatory Wins Brazil’s central bank is drafting stablecoin rules.
One thing’s clear: Itaú’s MOVE signals that crypto isn’t just for tech bros—it’s going mainstream.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Is Itaú’s crypto division safe for beginners?
Absolutely. With in-house custody and regulatory compliance, Itaú offers a safer entry point than unregulated exchanges.
Can I trade altcoins on Itaú’s platform?
Not yet—but Solana and cardano are reportedly under consideration for 2026.
How does Brazil’s inflation affect crypto adoption?
High inflation (5.2% in 2024) makes Bitcoin’s fixed supply appealing as a hedge, per TradingView’s inflation-crypto correlation studies.
