Top LATAM Crypto Neobanks in 2026: Nubank, Mercado Pago, PicPay, and More

Brazil alone runs on over 900 fintech startups, and the best crypto Neobanks in LATAM are no longer a curiosity for tech-savvy early adopters. They are the primary financial apps for hundreds of millions of people who skipped traditional banking entirely. 

In a region where 30 to 50 percent of adults lacked any banking product just a few years ago, digital wallets have become the first financial product many people ever hold.

What has shifted in 2026 is the crypto layer on top. Argentina and Venezuela have long been LATAM's largest crypto markets by adoption. 

But, in 2025 and 2026, more stable economies are joining the trend, with Brazil's new VASP licensing regime now placing crypto firms under Central Bank supervision, applying the same AML requirements as traditional banks. 

LATAM crypto adoption is no longer driven purely by necessity. Regulation is catching up, and the neobanks are moving accordingly.

Key Takeaways

• Nubank serves over 110 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia as of early 2026, making it the largest digital bank in the world outside China.
• Mercado Pago launched Meli Dólar in 2025 — a dollar-pegged stablecoin — cementing its shift from payment processor to full-stack crypto financial platform.
• PicPay, with 66 million users, is preparing a Nasdaq IPO in 2026 after its profit surged 136% in its most recent quarter.

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Nubank: The Giant That Moves Carefully on Crypto

In late 2025, Nubank won conditional U.S. charter approval, starting an 18-month race to become a fully licensed American bank. That regulatory context explains exactly why Nubank's crypto integration is deliberate rather than aggressive. 

The company posted a record $895 million quarterly profit in Q4 2025, with a market valuation of approximately $85 billion. With that much on the line, it does not take unnecessary compliance risks.

In practice, Nubank does not allow users to hold or trade crypto directly inside the app. What it does offer is a comprehensive suite of financial services — savings accounts, personal loans, insurance brokerage, and investments — with crypto access routed through fintech integrations and licensed exchange partners. 

Users who purchase Bitcoin through Nubank often discover that the bank retains custody of the assets, meaning customers do not directly control private keys — an important distinction for anyone who cares about self-custody. 

For LATAM's mass-market user, though, the tradeoff — simplicity in exchange for custody — is generally acceptable.

Mercado Pago and PicPay: Super Apps That Went Full Crypto

Mercado Pago processed nearly $200 billion in payments across the region in 2024, with over 60 million active monthly users. That infrastructure is now carrying crypto. 

The platform is now a marketplace, crypto wallet, credit facility, and subscription service in a single app — and in 2025, the company launched Meli Dólar, a dollar-pegged stablecoin for Brazilian users. 

Meli Dólar is not a gimmick — it is Mercado Pago's answer to currency volatility without forcing users to hold Bitcoin. 

For the Argentine market in particular, where 46 percent of all payments flow through digital wallets largely as a hedge against chronic inflation, a dollar stablecoin inside an app people already use daily is a significant product move.

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PicPay is the closest thing in LATAM to a crypto-native super app built on top of a payments foundation. The platform serves over 62 million people and combines P2P transfers, digital accounts, and loyalty programs inside one of Brazil's most influential fintech ecosystems. 

PicPay surged to 65.6 million customers, up nearly 6.9 million in a year, after decoupling from Banco Original through a corporate restructuring — giving it full operational independence to expand its crypto and investment features without legacy banking constraints. 

The planned 2026 Nasdaq IPO is the clearest signal that PicPay is no longer playing a regional game.

Inter & Co and PagBank: The Steady Challengers

Inter expanded its base by 18.1 percent to more than 40 million clients, bolstered by cross-selling within its digital ecosystem of retail, investments, and travel. 

Its crypto offering is more conservative than Mercado Pago's but more transparent than Nubank's: Banco Inter lets users make quick PIX payments and access crypto ETFs through partners, though flows related to exchanges are closely monitored and larger transfers may be subject to compliance checks. 

For users who want low-friction exposure to crypto price performance without managing wallets, the ETF route is a functional workaround. Inter's super app model also means crypto sits alongside travel bookings, marketplace shopping, and insurance — which normalizes it for users who might otherwise hesitate.

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PagBank, the digital banking arm of payments processor PagSeguro, has steadily gained ground, reporting a customer base of nearly 30 million in Brazil and positioning itself among the top five neobanks in Latin America based on customer numbers. 

PagBank was ranked the highlight of 2025 by analyst Rob Correa, with Nubank and PicPay practically tied in second — with the ranking factoring in not just customer count, but complaint ratios, customer service scores, and app ratings. 

Its CEO has publicly shifted strategy toward activation and profitability over raw user growth — a maturity signal that often precedes a deeper product buildout, including crypto features.

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Conclusion

The common thread across every top crypto neobank in LATAM is that crypto is never the product — it is a layer on top of a financial platform that people already depend on for rent, groceries, and salary. 

PicPay, NuPay, and Ualá are all following the same super-app trajectory, with crypto and stablecoins increasingly treated as infrastructure rather than speculation. 

The real question for 2026 is not which app supports crypto, but how deep the integration goes — and whether self-custody, real on-chain access, or compliant stablecoins end up defining the winner. 

Right now, Mercado Pago's Meli Dólar is the boldest bet. Nubank has the scale. PicPay has the momentum. The race is wide open.

FAQ

Which is the best crypto neobank in LATAM for 2026?

There is no single winner — it depends on use case. Mercado Pago leads in crypto infrastructure with its Meli Dólar stablecoin and 61 million active users, while Nubank leads in scale and regulatory positioning. PicPay is the most momentum-driven option heading into its Nasdaq IPO.

Does Nubank allow direct crypto purchases?

Not in the traditional self-custody sense. Nubank offers crypto access through partner integrations, but retains custody of assets — meaning users do not hold private keys directly. Users who want true ownership should pair Nubank with a self-custody wallet.

What is Meli Dólar and why does it matter?

Meli Dólar is a dollar-pegged stablecoin launched by Mercado Pago in 2025 for Brazilian users, designed to provide dollar-denominated value storage inside the app without converting to traditional foreign exchange. It is particularly relevant in Argentina, where inflation makes peso-denominated savings impractical.

Is PicPay going public in 2026?

Yes — PicPay's $434 million Nasdaq IPO has been positioned as one of the most significant Brazilian fintech listings since Nubank went public in 2021, with profit surging 136% in its most recent quarter ahead of the listing.

Can I use Inter & Co to access crypto ETFs?

Yes — Banco Inter offers access to crypto ETFs through partner platforms, making it one of the more regulated and accessible routes for Brazilian users who want crypto exposure without managing wallets or private keys.

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