Nubank to Pilot Stablecoin integration for Brazilian Credit Cardholders
SÃO PAULO – Nubank, the largest digital bank in Brazil, is initiating a trial program to allow credit card users to pay wiht stablecoins, marking a significant step toward mainstream cryptocurrency adoption in Latin America. The program aims to bridge the gap between digital assets and everyday transactions,leveraging the growing demand for dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies as a hedge against volatile local currencies.
Latin America has emerged as a global hotspot for stablecoin usage, driven by economic instability. In Brazil, approximately 90% of all crypto activity involves stablecoins, according to the country’s Central Bank president. Argentina, grappling with inflation exceeding 100%, saw Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) account for 50% and 22% of crypto purchases in 2024, respectively. A Bitso report indicated stablecoins comprised 39% of all crypto purchases across the region in the same year.
The trend extends beyond Brazil and Argentina.In Venezuela, where inflation reached 229% in May 2025, stablecoins are routinely used for essential purchases like groceries and salary payments, representing 47% of all crypto transactions under $10,000, according to Chainalysis data. Even Bolivia,previously resistant to crypto,lifted a ban in June 2024,enabling banks to process Bitcoin and stablecoin payments. In July 2025, the Central Bank of Bolivia formalized a partnership with El Salvador to further promote crypto adoption.
Nubank’s trial faces hurdles including navigating regulatory and compliance issues surrounding stablecoin classification and taxation, managing liquidity and maintaining the stablecoin’s peg to the dollar, handling the operational complexities of converting stablecoins to fiat for merchant settlements, and ensuring robust consumer protection measures against fraud.
Nubank has not yet disclosed which specific stablecoins will be integrated into the trial or a firm launch date. The bank has also not confirmed plans to extend the initiative to othre Latin American markets, such as Mexico and Colombia.
