Bitcoin News Today: Invisible Blockchain Drives Mercado Bitcoin's Financial Expansion in Brazil

Mercado Bitcoin, Brazil's largest cryptocurrency exchange, is repositioning itself as a financial hub by expanding beyond crypto trading to offer a range of blockchain-powered financial services, including payments, tokenized investments, and remittances. The São Paulo-based firm, which has operated for 12 years, now emphasizes its role as a platform for managing "financial lives" through a blend of traditional finance and "invisible blockchain" technologyBrazilian crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin Bets on ‘Invisible Blockchain... - CoinDesk^[1]. This strategy involves tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) such as private credit and leveraging blockchain infrastructure without exposing users to technical jargon. For instance, the company replaced terms like "tokenization" with "digital fixed income" to simplify user experienceBrazilian crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin Bets on ‘Invisible Blockchain... - CoinDesk^[1].

The shift reflects a broader pivot in Mercado Bitcoin's revenue model. While trading previously accounted for 95% of its income, this now constitutes around 60%, with the remaining 40% derived from custody, tokenized investments, and services like asset management. The firm anticipates trading revenue will drop below 30% in the future as it scales tokenized credit issuance, aiming to exceed $563 million (R$3 billion) in tokenized credit by year-endBrazilian crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin Bets on ‘Invisible Blockchain... - CoinDesk^[1]. This growth is supported by a 20% increase in tokenized RWAs under custody on its platform, up from near-zero a few years agoBrazilian crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin Bets on ‘Invisible Blockchain... - CoinDesk^[1].

Geographically, Mercado Bitcoin has expanded operations to Portugal and is building institutional channels in the U.S., linking capital and investment opportunities across markets. The company's partnerships with blockchain infrastructure providers like Wormhole and Ripple underscore its focus on cross-chain interoperability and global liquidity. For example, the integration of Wormhole enables seamless cross-chain transfers, while Ripple's managed payments solution facilitates faster, cost-effective cross-border transactions between Brazil and PortugalMercado Bitcoin, Plume Network Tokenize $40M in Brazil^[7].

Brazil's crypto ecosystem is a key driver of Mercado Bitcoin's strategy. Chainalysis data reveals Brazil ranks as the fifth-largest global crypto market, with $1.7 trillion in crypto transactions between July 2024 and June 2025-a 109% year-over-year increase. Stablecoins dominate 90% of these transactions, reflecting their role in everyday financial activities like remittances and paymentsCrypto Market in Brazil: Key Trends and Future Outlook^[6]. Mercado Bitcoin's stablecoin-based remittance service addresses a critical pain point in Brazil, where traditional cross-border transfers are costly and slowBrazilian crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin Bets on ‘Invisible Blockchain... - CoinDesk^[1].

The firm's evolution aligns with broader regional trends. At the Digital Assets Conference Brazil 2025 (DAC 2025), Mercado Bitcoin hosted discussions with institutional leaders, regulators, and Web3 experts, highlighting Brazil's emergence as a crypto hub. The event, attended by entities like BlackRock, CME Group, and Galaxy Digital, emphasized topics such as tokenization, regulatory frameworks, and stablecoin adoptionBrazilian Crypto Exchange Mercado Bitcoin Integrates Wormhole^[4]. Brazil's institutional engagement is further evidenced by Itaú Unibanco's exploration of launching a stablecoin, signaling maturing market infrastructureBrazilian Crypto Exchange Mercado Bitcoin Integrates Wormhole^[4].

Mercado Bitcoin's strategy also involves democratizing access to financial tools. Through tokenized assets, the platform enables small and medium enterprises to tap into new funding sources while offering investors diversified opportunities in real estate and private credit. The company's collaboration with Plume Network to tokenize $40 million in Brazilian RWAs exemplifies this approach, unlocking yield opportunities for global investors.