BTG Pactual becomes first bank in Brazil to participate directly in the crypto market

Financial institutions have been increasingly keen on being part of the booming $2 trillion cryptocurrency market, with over 13 of the world’s largest banks pushing roughly $3 billion in funding so far, into cryptocurrency. The latest major news came from Brazil.

One of the leading Brazilian investment banks BTG Pactual has been trending within the crypto community. It launched a new platform enabling customers to make direct investments in cryptocurrencies. Ergo, making it the first major financial institution in Brazil to participate directly in the crypto market.

According to local news outlet, The Rio Times,

“…the launch of Mynt, a platform that allows BTG Pactual Digital and BTG+ clients to trade directly, cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether.”

Andre Porthilo, BTG Pactual’s head of digital assets, stated,

“At this first moment, we will have the two main assets of the market, but we will include other cryptos for trading over time. We will have a complete platform with blockchain-based assets.”

One thing that remained in common with different banks incorporating these tokens is the fact that they have been responding to “demand from our customers who wish to trade crypto.” This news is no different.

Plans

BTG Pactual CEO, Roberto Sallouti laid out his plan of action with this development. He opined, “As a new asset class, we will also have content to educate and inform our customers about these assets and the technology.”

Needless to say, Brazil has witnessed an immense amount of crypto traction. That said, regulators too have taken steps to curb illicit activities. As asserted by the CEO, the said bank will be regulated by both the Brazilian Securities Commission and the local central bank. Moreover,

“With the support of BTG Pactual, Mynt has fundamental differentials in security and credibility…”

Past

The said bank had previously incorporated digital assets in previous operations as well. In 2019, it launched its real estate-backed security token ReitBZ. This step was executed post-examining digital assets for a couple of years. Just recently, the bank announced collaboration with Gemini, the U.S.-based crypto exchange. Gemini provided custody services to the first Bitcoin fund issued by a Brazilian investment bank.