Itaú Invests $210M in Latin America's First Publicly Traded Bitcoin Reserve Company

Itaú, the largest commercial bank in Brazil, has announced a significant investment of $210 million to establish a Bitcoin reserve company named Oranje. This move marks a pioneering effort in Latin America, as Oranje is set to become the region's first publicly traded firm dedicated to Bitcoin. The company aims to bolster its capital through the issuance of bonds and stocks, with an ambitious target of achieving a 45% return on Bitcoin investments within its first year of operation.

Guilherme Gomes, a former executive at Swan Bitcoin, has been appointed as the CEO of Oranje. He will be joined by Guilherme Ferreira, who previously served as CFO at Bahema, taking on the role of CFO at Oranje. This strategic leadership team is supported by substantial institutional backing, including Itaú BBA and the prominent law firm Pinheiro Neto Advogados. The operational strategy of Oranje is modeled after the innovative approach pioneered by Michael Saylor, focusing on a resilient and forward-thinking business model within the dynamic crypto market.

This investment by Itaú underscores the growing acceptance and integration of Bitcoin within traditional financial institutions. By establishing Oranje, Itaú is not only diversifying its investment portfolio but also positioning itself at the forefront of the digital asset revolution. The creation of a publicly traded Bitcoin reserve company in Latin America is a significant milestone, reflecting the region's increasing interest and investment in cryptocurrencies. The ambitious return targets set by Oranje indicate a strong belief in the potential of Bitcoin to deliver substantial returns, further solidifying its position as a valuable asset in the financial landscape.