Tether invested $20 million in Mercado Bitcoin to expand blockchain finance in Brazil. The July 7, 2026, announcement supports tokenized assets, payments, lending, and on-chain capital markets. Mercado Bitcoin is one of Latin America’s largest digital asset platforms by users served.
The investment is part of a strategic growth financing round for Mercado Bitcoin. The company said the capital will support its expansion. It plans to build services for retail and institutional clients.
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What Makes Mercado Bitcoin a Strategic Fit
Tether said the deal fits its focus on regulated companies with large blockchain infrastructure. The stablecoin issuer pointed to a growing demand for tokenized financial services in the area. It also mentioned the approvals and operating scale of Mercado Bitcoin.
Mercado Bitcoin was founded in 2013 as a cryptocurrency exchange. It later grew into trading infrastructure, tokenized investment products, credit, lending, stablecoin payments, and banking systems. The company also offers cross-border financial services.
According to the announcement, Mercado Bitcoin serves 4.5 million users. It has issued more than R$2 billion in tokenized assets. The firm also has over 10 licenses in Brazil and Europe.
New funds will be used for payments infrastructure and tokenized investment products. It will also increase lending, credit activity, and on-chain capital markets. According to Mercado Bitcoin, the funding will support its international development.
CEOs See Growth in On-Chain Finance
According to the CEO of Tether, Paolo Ardoino, the company is a “regulated on-chain finance platform.” He said Mercado Bitcoin serves millions of users in a dynamic financial market. Ardoino added that its licensing and tokenization systems stand out in the region.
Roberto Dagnoni, chairman and CEO of Mercado Bitcoin, said financial services are moving onto blockchain networks. He said tokenization, stablecoins, payments, and capital markets are the next phase of industry evolution. Dagnoni said the investment would speed growth in Brazil and overseas markets.
Why Brazil Matters to Tether’s Strategy
Brazil was also described as a significant market for blockchain finance. Tether attributed digital adoption, regulatory developments, and Pix as major reasons. Pix is the instant payment network developed by Brazil’s central bank.
Those conditions have contributed to faster adoption of blockchain-based financial products, the company said. More banks and consumers are also making use of blockchain-based payment systems. Mercado Bitcoin is looking to expand in that evolving financial landscape.
The deal follows other recent moves by the stablecoin issuer. In June, Tether announced plans to lead a funding round of up to $1.4 billion for German robotics company NEURA Robotics. It also signed an agreement with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.
The deal was about tokenization projects and blockchain training. Following the evaluation of demand and usage, the issuer has announced that it will phase out the Alloy and aUSDT tokens. The steps coincided with the company’s review of certain products and support of strategic areas.
Tether’s announcement did not disclose Mercado Bitcoin’s valuation. It also did not disclose the total financing round size. The company said it had joined the marketplace as an investment to aid the development of blockchain finance at Mercado Bitcoin.
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