The cryptocurrency landscape in Latin America is gaining momentum as major global players double down on regional expansion. Ripple, the company behind the third-largest digital asset by market capitalization, XRP, has led a strategic investment round in Bitso, Mexico’s first and largest cryptocurrency exchange. This move underscores growing confidence in emerging markets and highlights the pivotal role of blockchain technology in transforming financial inclusion across Spanish-speaking regions.
Joining Ripple in this latest funding round are prominent industry names, including Coinbase, Jump Capital, Digital Currency Group, and Pantera Capital—marking a strong endorsement of Bitso’s market position and long-term vision. While the exact investment amount remains undisclosed, the capital infusion is set to accelerate Bitso’s expansion into high-potential markets such as Argentina, Brazil, and other key Latin American economies.
👉 Discover how global crypto leaders are shaping the future of finance in emerging markets.
Bitso: A Pioneer in Latin American Crypto Adoption
Founded in 2014, Bitso has emerged as a trailblazer in the region’s digital finance revolution. As Mexico’s earliest licensed crypto exchange, it has built a robust platform that bridges traditional banking systems with decentralized financial services. Today, Bitso serves over 750,000 users, offering seamless access to cryptocurrency trading, secure custody solutions, and blockchain-based payments.
The exchange’s mission goes beyond speculation—it aims to provide accessible financial tools for both banked and unbanked populations. By leveraging blockchain technology, Bitso enables faster cross-border transactions, lower fees, and greater transparency, addressing longstanding inefficiencies in regional financial infrastructure.
Ripple emphasized its longstanding partnership with Bitso, which dates back to the early days of RippleNet—the company’s global payments network. Bitso has played a crucial role in facilitating liquidity on the U.S.-Mexico remittance corridor, one of the most active cross-border payment routes in the world.
Strengthening Cross-Border Payments with RippleNet and ODL
One of the most impactful collaborations between Ripple and Bitso centers around On-Demand Liquidity (ODL)—a groundbreaking solution that uses XRP to enable instant, low-cost international transfers. In early 2019, Ripple partnered with MoneyGram to launch ODL services in Mexico, with Bitso serving as the primary exchange partner on the ground.
This integration eliminated the need for pre-funded accounts, reducing operational costs and settlement times from days to seconds. For millions of migrant workers sending remittances home, this innovation meant faster access to funds and reduced dependency on traditional banking intermediaries.
Ripple noted that Bitso’s reliability and regulatory compliance made it an ideal partner for scaling ODL across Latin America—a region where remittances exceeded $130 billion in 2023 alone.
Regulatory Milestones and Global Compliance
Bitso’s commitment to合规 (compliance) is another factor attracting top-tier investors. In July 2019, the exchange announced that its operations would come under the supervision of the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC). Starting August of that year, GFSC began overseeing Bitso’s core services—including crypto trading, deposits, withdrawals, and custodial functions—under a specialized regulatory framework designed for distributed ledger technology (DLT) businesses.
This milestone not only reinforced Bitso’s credibility but also positioned it as a model for how crypto platforms can operate transparently within evolving legal environments. As regulators worldwide seek balanced approaches to digital asset oversight, Bitso’s proactive engagement sets a benchmark for compliance-driven growth.
👉 Learn how compliant crypto platforms are driving mainstream adoption worldwide.
Strategic Expansion Across Latin America
With new capital from Ripple, Coinbase, and other leading firms, Bitso is poised for aggressive regional expansion. The company plans to deepen its presence in Argentina and Brazil, two of the most dynamic crypto markets in South America.
In Argentina, where inflation has eroded trust in the national currency, cryptocurrencies have become a popular hedge against economic instability. Bitso aims to offer tailored products that meet local demand for dollar-denominated digital assets and stablecoins.
Similarly, in Brazil—where crypto adoption surged past 20 million users in 2024—Bitso sees opportunities to partner with fintechs and neobanks to integrate crypto services into everyday financial workflows.
This expansion aligns with broader trends: Latin America is now one of the fastest-growing regions for blockchain innovation, driven by high mobile penetration, youth-driven tech adoption, and increasing demand for alternative financial systems.
Why Top Investors Are Betting on Bitso
Several factors make Bitso an attractive investment target:
- First-mover advantage in Mexico’s regulated crypto space
- Proven track record in cross-border payments via RippleNet
- Strong user base and brand recognition across Spanish-speaking markets
- Commitment to regulatory compliance and institutional-grade security
- Strategic location at the heart of Latin America’s digital finance transformation
Coinbase’s participation signals growing interest from U.S.-based platforms in diversifying their influence beyond domestic borders. As global crypto markets mature, exchanges are increasingly looking to emerging economies for scalable growth opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Bitso?
A: Bitso is Mexico’s first licensed cryptocurrency exchange and one of the largest in the Spanish-speaking world. It offers crypto trading, wallet services, and blockchain-based payment solutions to over 750,000 users.
Q: Who invested in Bitso?
A: The latest investment round was led by Ripple, with participation from Coinbase, Jump Capital, Digital Currency Group, and Pantera Capital.
Q: How will the new funding be used?
A: The capital will support Bitso’s expansion into Argentina, Brazil, and other Latin American countries, enhancing product offerings and market reach.
Q: Is Bitso regulated?
A: Yes. Since 2019, Bitso has operated under the oversight of the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC), which regulates its custody, trading, and transaction services.
Q: What is On-Demand Liquidity (ODL)?
A: ODL is Ripple’s solution for real-time cross-border payments using XRP as a bridge currency. It reduces settlement time and eliminates pre-funding requirements.
Q: Why is Latin America important for crypto adoption?
A: High inflation, limited banking access, and strong remittance flows make the region ideal for blockchain-based financial solutions. Countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina are seeing rapid growth in crypto usage.
👉 See how next-generation payment networks are transforming global finance.
Final Thoughts: Building the Future of Finance in Emerging Markets
The investment by Ripple and Coinbase into Bitso reflects more than just financial backing—it represents a shared belief in the transformative power of blockchain technology in underserved economies. As digital assets continue to redefine how people save, spend, and send money, platforms like Bitso are at the forefront of building inclusive financial systems.
With strong partnerships, regulatory clarity, and a clear expansion roadmap, Bitso is well-positioned to lead Latin America’s next wave of fintech innovation. For global investors and users alike, this development highlights the growing importance of emerging markets in shaping the future of decentralized finance.
As adoption accelerates across borders, one thing is clear: the center of gravity in the crypto world is shifting southward—and smart investors are taking notice.