Tether has announced a $20 million investment in a growth financing round for Mercado Bitcoin, Latin America’s provider of on-chain financial services. The move is intended to accelerate the development of blockchain-based financial infrastructure across the LatAm region, with Brazil positioned as a key hub for digital asset adoption, tokenization, and regulated blockchain services.
The funding will support Mercado Bitcoin’s expansion into several core areas.
‘These include scaling payment systems, growing tokenized investment products for both retail and institutional clients, expanding lending and credit offerings, advancing on-chain capital markets, and pursuing further international growth opportunities.
The capital is expected to help the company build practical, regulated tools that integrate blockchain technology more deeply into everyday financial activities.
Mercado Bitcoin began operations in 2013 as a cryptocurrency exchange.
Over the past decade, it has evolved into a full-stack on-chain financial platform offering trading infrastructure, tokenized assets, credit services, stablecoin-enabled payments, banking tools, and cross-border solutions.
The company currently serves approximately 4.5 million users and has issued more than R$2 billion in tokenized assets.
It operates under more than ten regulatory licenses in Brazil and Europe, including a Payment Institution license from Brazil’s central bank, as well as broker-dealer, securitization, and asset management authorizations.
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, said:
“Tether’s mission is to build open, accessible, and efficient financial infrastructure for the world. Mercado Bitcoin has built exactly that, a regulated, full-stack on-chain financial platform serving millions of users across one of the world’s most dynamic financial markets.”
Roberto Dagnoni, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mercado Bitcoin, noted:
“The discussion is no longer whether finance will move on-chain. That transition is already underway. The focus now is on building the infrastructure that will support tokenization, stablecoins, payments, and capital markets at scale, reshaping how money moves, investments are accessed, and capital is deployed.”
The investment reflects Tether’s ongoing strategy of backing companies that develop real-world applications for stablecoins, tokenization, and blockchain technology in high-growth markets.
In Brazil and across Latin America, strong digital adoption, large financial markets, and an evolving regulatory landscape have created favorable conditions for these innovations.
On-chain infrastructure is increasingly becoming part of the mainstream financial system, enabling faster transactions, more programmable money movement, and greater accessibility for users and institutions.
By partnering with Mercado Bitcoin, Tether aims to contribute to more efficient and globally connected financial services in the region.
The collaboration is expected to help bridge traditional finance with blockchain capabilities, supporting wider adoption of tokenized assets and stablecoin-powered solutions. As digital assets continue to integrate with regulated financial systems, this type of investment highlights growing momentum for practical blockchain infrastructure in emerging markets.