Nubank pioneers digital dollar access in Brazil with USDC
Stablecoins are a strategic entry point into the crypto world, especially for those seeking a simple and cost-effective way to dollarize their assets. That’s why we have always believed in them—particularly USDC—as a key component of Nubank’s crypto ecosystem.”
Bridging the gap to dollar access in a dynamic economy
For a rising generation in Brazil, the idea of being financially anchored to one country no longer fits the way they live, work, or earn. Millions of Brazilians now shop with overseas merchants, freelance for international clients, travel more often, and save toward goals that extend beyond national borders. This growing internationalization of personal finances has kindled demand for simple, cost-effective access to a world‑standard currency—the US dollar—without the paperwork, minimum balances, or FX spreads traditionally imposed by legacy banks.
Before Nubank listed USDC, digital access to dollars in Brazil was slow, expensive, and fragmented. Credit‑card FX mark‑ups, international wire fees, and bureau‑de‑change spreads made small‑value payments impractical, while traditional investment accounts required high minimums and lengthy onboarding. For everyday Brazilians looking to diversify, hedge, or pay globally, the experience was anything but seamless.
True to its mission of democratizing finance, Nubank saw an opportunity to wrap a user‑friendly interface around USDC so customers could hold and move digital dollars as easily as sending a Pix transfer.
A partnership to enable dollar access
Nubank harbored a long-standing belief in the importance of stablecoins, viewing them as both a cornerstone of the crypto ecosystem and a means to challenge existing financial norms.
Assessing the market opportunity for stablecoins as significantly larger than solely the crypto market, potentially by an order of magnitude, Nubank recognized that integrating digital assets at the infrastructure level would improve access to critical financial services for the Brazilian population and foster innovation in its burgeoning tech sector. Circle's USDC was positioned to capitalize on this market opportunity, owing to its established credibility, reliable asset backing, extensive distribution, transparent regulatory compliance in key global markets, and growing network effects, which dovetailed perfectly with Brazilians’ existing demand for dollar denominated financial products and services.
From a technical and operational perspective, Circle's proven experience working with institutional partners, coupled with their comprehensive suite of tools, sound governance practices, reliable SLAs, and dedicated support team, further solidified Nubank's confidence in a smooth integration process.
Following a comprehensive review of Circle and USDC's operational framework, the decision was made to list USDC, prioritizing both safety for customers and utility within the broader ecosystem to enable the use of funds beyond mere storage.
Our goal is to provide Nubank’s crypto customers with an increasingly comprehensive, secure, and accessible experience. Circle's solid regulatory-first posture has reinforced that confidence.”
Nubank’s go-to-market strategy leveraged its vast Brazilian customer base—100+ million users, more than half of the country’s adult population—through owned channels that amplified its reputation for widening financial access. Crucially, the rollout spoke first to what previously unbanked or underbanked customers value most: affordable credit and everyday payments. By meeting this immediate demand and building trust, Nubank creates a pathway for customers to explore additional services—such as diversifying savings with digital dollars—once their foundational credit needs are met.
Access to reliable digital assets, designed to maintain stable value, is foundational to unlocking financial inclusion and opportunity. By partnering with Nubank, we’re helping millions of Brazilians seamlessly integrate digital dollars into their daily lives, creating a more open and resilient financial future across Latin America.”
Laying the groundwork for crypto-powered growth
The partnership between Circle and Nubank has achieved significant positive outcomes, most notably in democratizing access to digital dollars for the Brazilian populace. Customer response to the USDC offering on Nubank Cripto has been markedly positive, as evidenced by feedback through support channels, social media, user research, and data – 25% of beginners on Nubank choose USDC as their first crypto purchase. Customers actively engage with USDC and have been benefiting from its availability since its launch over a year ago.
USDC adoption on the Nubank platform has been broad, spanning all customer segments. This widespread adoption validates Nubank's core belief that access to dollar diversification is a fundamental benefit that should be available to everyone.
The partnership between Circle and Nubank exemplifies a successful strategy for bringing digital dollars to a mass market. By addressing the existing limitations in accessing dollars, leveraging technology to create a seamless user experience, and forming a strategic partnership with a trusted stablecoin provider, Nubank has positioned itself for significant future growth and innovation. Nubank’s partnership with Circle is a blueprint for other financial institutions seeking to navigate the evolving digital currency landscape and enhance financial opportunities for their customers.
1. Press Release, Nubank, One in four new Nubank Cripto investors chooses Digital Dollar (USDC), July 17, 2025, https://international.nubank.com.br/consumers/1-in-4-new-nubank-cripto-investors-chooses-digital-dollar-usdc/.
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Dólares digitales totalmente respaldados
Creado para pagos rápidos y globales, y mercados financieros las 24 horas, todos los días, el USDC es una moneda digital regulada que puede intercambiar 1 a 1 por dólares estadounidenses.