- 1. Key Takeaways
- 2. Mercado Bitcoin at a Glance (October 2026)
- 3. What Is Mercado Bitcoin?
- 4. Is Mercado Bitcoin Regulated in Brazil?
- 5. Mercado Bitcoin Fees in 2026
- 6. Supported Assets and Liquidity
- 7. Mercado Bitcoin Security
- 8. Who Is Mercado Bitcoin For?
- 9. Mercado Bitcoin: Pros and Cons
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 29, 2026
Quick Answer: Mercado Bitcoin is a São Paulo crypto exchange founded in 2013 that says it serves more than 4.5 million clients and offers over 600 digital assets. Under Brazil’s crypto rules, which Banco Central do Brasil put into force on February 2, 2026, its crypto entity, Mercado Bitcoin PSAV, states on its website that it is “in the process of authorization” as a virtual asset brokerage, and its website does not state that this authorization has been granted. Trading fees start at 0.30% for makers and 0.70% for takers and fall with monthly volume, while deposits and withdrawals in reais are free.
Mercado Bitcoin, often called MB, is one of the oldest and best-known crypto platforms in Brazil. This 2026 review covers how Brazil now regulates exchanges, where Mercado Bitcoin stands in that process, its full fee schedule, the assets it supports, what it says about security and the main pros and cons for Brazilian users.
Key Takeaways
- Mercado Bitcoin was founded in 2013 and calls itself Brazil’s first crypto brokerage; it says it has more than 4.5 million clients
- Brazil’s central bank rules for virtual asset providers, Resolutions BCB 519, 520 and 521, took effect on February 2, 2026, and firms already operating had until October 30, 2026 to file the first phase of their authorization request
- Mercado Bitcoin’s website says its crypto entity is “in the process of authorization” as a virtual asset brokerage, and it continues to operate while that process runs
- Standard fees are 0.30% maker and 0.70% taker, falling to 0.015% and 0.25% above R$200 million in 30-day volume; crypto-to-crypto pairs and BRL deposits and withdrawals are free
- CoinGecko lists 269 coins and 271 trading pairs, with about 64% of 24-hour volume in the USDT/BRL and USDC/BRL stablecoin pairs
- The company describes 2FA, KYC and transaction monitoring and annual audited financial statements, but its security page publishes no proof of reserves, cold storage figures or insurance
Mercado Bitcoin at a Glance (October 2026)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | São Paulo, Brazil (European operations through a base in Portugal, according to the company) |
| Group entities named on its site | Mercado Bitcoin PSAV, Mercado Bitcoin CTVM, Mercado Bitcoin IP |
| Clients | 4.5 million+ (company figure) |
| Assets | 600+ digital assets (company figure); 269 coins and 271 pairs on CoinGecko |
| Regulatory status | Crypto entity in the authorization process with Banco Central do Brasil (company disclosure) |
| Maker / taker fees | 0.30% / 0.70% standard; 0.015% / 0.25% at the top tier |
| BRL deposits and withdrawals | Free, R$1.00 minimum |
| 24h volume (CoinGecko) | About $8.4 million |
| CoinGecko Trust Score | 3/10 |
Sources: Mercado Bitcoin official website and fee page, CoinGecko, October 29, 2026. Company figures are not independently audited by us. The website also cites “+800 ativos” in one section and more than 330 crypto options in another.
What Is Mercado Bitcoin?
Mercado Bitcoin started in 2013 and describes itself as “the first cryptocurrency brokerage in Brazil.” It operates from São Paulo and runs its European business through a base in Portugal, according to its “Quem somos” page. Besides spot crypto trading in Brazilian reais, the company offers:
- Renda Fixa Digital, tokenized fixed income products; MB calls itself the country’s largest tokenizer of digital assets
- Renda Passiva, which pays yield on some crypto holdings
- CriptoCrédito, loans backed by crypto
- MB One, a service with a dedicated relationship manager, and MB Asset, which offers wealth planning and management
- Utility, fan and DeFi tokens alongside major coins
In October 2024, Ripple named Mercado Bitcoin the first customer of Ripple Payments in Brazil, with a focus on transfers between Brazil and Portugal, as we reported at the time.
Is Mercado Bitcoin Regulated in Brazil?
Brazil’s new rules for crypto exchanges
Brazil’s crypto law, Law 14.478 of 2022, named the central bank as the supervisor of virtual asset service providers. On November 10, 2025, Banco Central do Brasil issued three resolutions that set the detailed rules:
- Resolution BCB 519 covers authorization procedures
- Resolution BCB 520 creates virtual asset service companies (sociedades prestadoras de serviços de ativos virtuais, or SPSAVs) and sets how they are formed and run, including rules on governance, segregation of client assets and proof of reserves
- Resolution BCB 521 brings certain virtual asset operations, such as international transfers with crypto and some transfers to or from self-custody wallets, into the foreign exchange framework, with reporting duties from May 4, 2026
Resolutions 519 and 520 took effect on February 2, 2026. Companies that were already providing crypto services on that date go through a two-phase authorization review, and Instrução Normativa BCB 704 set October 30, 2026 as the deadline for them to file the first phase of their request. Resolution 520 gives banks and other already authorized institutions that offer crypto services 270 days from its entry into force to notify the central bank. From November 6, 2026, Resolution BCB 589 bars authorized financial and payment institutions from dealing with virtual asset providers that are not authorized, except in cases the rules allow.
Mercado Bitcoin’s authorization status
Mercado Bitcoin’s website says it operates under Law 14.478/2022 and Resolutions BCB 520 and 521. Its legal disclaimer states, in our translation, that its crypto entity “is in the process of authorization to operate as a virtual asset brokerage” (corretora de ativos virtuais) with Banco Central do Brasil. As of October 29, 2026, its website does not state that SPSAV authorization has been granted.
The group’s website also names a payment institution entity, Mercado Bitcoin IP, and a securities brokerage, Mercado Bitcoin CTVM, as part of its prudential conglomerate. One section of the company’s “Quem somos” page describes MB as regulated by the central bank and Brazil’s securities regulator, the CVM, while the legal disclaimer on the same page uses the “in the process of authorization” wording for the crypto business. Users can confirm the status of any institution through Banco Central do Brasil’s official registers at bcb.gov.br.
Mercado Bitcoin Fees in 2026
Trading fees (Classic and PRO)
Mercado Bitcoin charges maker and taker fees based on 30-day trading volume in reais. Tiers update daily at 02:00 Brasília time, and zero-fee trades do not count toward volume.
| 30-day volume (R$) | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10,000 | 0.30% | 0.70% |
| 10,000 to 50,000 | 0.27% | 0.70% |
| 50,000 to 100,000 | 0.24% | 0.70% |
| 100,000 to 200,000 | 0.21% | 0.70% |
| 200,000 to 500,000 | 0.18% | 0.70% |
| 500,000 to 1 million | 0.15% | 0.60% |
| 1 million to 5 million | 0.12% | 0.60% |
| 5 million to 10 million | 0.09% | 0.60% |
| 10 million to 20 million | 0.07% | 0.50% |
| 20 million to 50 million | 0.05% | 0.45% |
| 50 million to 100 million | 0.03% | 0.40% |
| 100 million to 200 million | 0.02% | 0.30% |
| Above 200 million | 0.015% | 0.25% |
For a new user, a R$1,000 market buy at the 0.70% taker rate costs R$7 in fees, while a R$1,000 limit order that rests on the book at the 0.30% maker rate costs R$3. Crypto-to-crypto pairs, such as BTC/USDT, have no trading fee, and Renda Fixa Digital trades are fee-free on the PRO experience.
Quick Trade fees
The simpler “Negociação Rápida” (Quick Trade) option charges by order size: up to 3% for trades up to R$100, 1% to 2% from R$100 to R$1,000, below 1% from R$1,000 to R$10,000 and 0.7% above R$10,000. MB says the price may also include a spread of up to 2%, so the order book is usually cheaper for regular buyers.
Deposits, withdrawals and other charges
| Item | Fee or limit |
|---|---|
| BRL deposits and withdrawals | Free, R$1.00 minimum |
| BRL withdrawals, verified account | Up to R$50,000 per 24 hours; more by contacting support |
| Crypto withdrawals | Vary by asset, shown in the MB app |
| Inactivity fee | R$3.90 per month only if the balance is under R$50 and there is no activity for 12 months |
Source: Mercado Bitcoin “Taxas, contas e limites” page, read October 29, 2026.
Supported Assets and Liquidity
Mercado Bitcoin lists major coins such as Bitcoin, Ether and Solana alongside stablecoins and a long tail of smaller tokens and tokenized products. CoinGecko tracks 269 coins and 271 trading pairs on the exchange, almost all quoted in reais.
Liquidity is concentrated in a few markets. On October 29, CoinGecko showed about $8.4 million in 24-hour volume, with USDT/BRL at about 35%, USDC/BRL at about 29% and BTC/BRL at about 21% of the total. Stablecoin pairs alone made up about 64%, which reflects how many Brazilians use the exchange to move between reais and dollar-linked tokens. CoinGecko gives Mercado Bitcoin a Trust Score of 3 out of 10, a rating based on its own liquidity, scale and data criteria. Bitcoin’s live price is on our Bitcoin price page.
Mercado Bitcoin Security
According to its security page, Mercado Bitcoin:
- Offers two-factor authentication (2FA) for account access
- Runs “strict KYC and KYT processes” to prevent money laundering and fraud and monitors all transactions
- Has its financial statements audited every year by an independent auditor since 2018, by EY since 2022, according to its security page; its homepage says it is audited by KPMG, and the two pages did not match when we checked on October 29, 2026
- Says it does not use customer funds to leverage its operations
- Takes part in the “Fintech Segura” program of the Brazilian Fintech Association (ABFintechs)
The page does not publish a proof of reserves, the share of assets in cold storage or details of any insurance. It commits to reporting security incidents that pose risks to users and to Brazil’s data protection authority, the ANPD, but lists no past incidents.
Security history. In our searches of Brazilian and international coverage, we found no reports of a platform-wide hack of Mercado Bitcoin’s exchange. That is not a guarantee: individual account takeovers through phishing or stolen passwords affect users of every exchange, so enabling 2FA and using a unique password remain essential. For long-term holdings, a self-custody option from our crypto wallets guide removes exchange risk altogether.
Who Is Mercado Bitcoin For?
Mercado Bitcoin suits Brazilian residents who want to buy and sell crypto in reais with free BRL deposits and withdrawals, a Portuguese-language app and products such as tokenized fixed income. Active traders can reach low fees at high volumes, but the starting 0.70% taker fee is higher than on several large global exchanges, and the order books are thinner. Traders who mainly want a large selection of pairs, derivatives or deep liquidity often compare it with global platforms; see our Binance review, our other exchange reviews and our list of the best crypto exchanges.
Mercado Bitcoin: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Operating since 2013, with 4.5 million+ clients (company figure) | Website does not state that central bank authorization has been granted |
| Free BRL deposits and withdrawals | 0.70% starting taker fee is high for small traders |
| Zero fees on crypto-to-crypto pairs | Quick Trade can cost up to 3% plus a spread of up to 2% |
| Tokenized fixed income and other local products | No published proof of reserves or cold storage figures |
| Annual audited financial statements, 2FA and KYT monitoring | Thin liquidity outside stablecoin and BTC pairs; CoinGecko Trust Score 3/10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mercado Bitcoin?
Mercado Bitcoin is a Brazilian cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2013 and based in São Paulo. It lets users buy, sell and hold crypto in Brazilian reais and offers products such as tokenized fixed income, crypto-backed loans and yield on some assets. The company says it has more than 4.5 million clients and over 600 digital assets available on its platform.
Is Mercado Bitcoin regulated?
Mercado Bitcoin says it operates under Brazil’s crypto law and central bank Resolutions 520 and 521. Its website states that its crypto entity is in the process of authorization with Banco Central do Brasil as a virtual asset brokerage. Brazilian firms already operating had until October 30, 2026 to file the first phase of their authorization request with the central bank.
Is Mercado Bitcoin safe?
Mercado Bitcoin offers two-factor authentication, KYC and transaction monitoring, and says its financial statements are audited every year. We found no reports of a platform-wide hack. However, it publishes no proof of reserves, and its website does not state that central bank authorization has been granted. Users should enable 2FA, use a unique password and keep long-term holdings in a wallet they control.
What are Mercado Bitcoin’s fees?
Standard trading fees are 0.30% for makers and 0.70% for takers, falling to 0.015% and 0.25% for accounts trading over R$200 million in 30 days. Crypto-to-crypto pairs have no trading fee. Deposits and withdrawals in reais are free, crypto withdrawal fees vary by asset and the Quick Trade option charges up to 3% on small orders.
How do I buy Bitcoin on Mercado Bitcoin?
Create an account on the official Mercado Bitcoin website or app, complete identity verification and enable two-factor authentication. Deposit Brazilian reais, then buy Bitcoin through the order book, where a limit order pays the lower maker fee, or through Quick Trade, which is simpler but more expensive. You can then hold BTC on the platform or withdraw it to your own wallet.
Can I use Mercado Bitcoin outside Brazil?
Mercado Bitcoin is built mainly for Brazilian customers, with accounts, deposits and fees in reais and a Portuguese-language app. The company says it runs its European operations through a base in Portugal. Eligibility depends on your residence and the company’s terms of use, so check its official website before opening an account from another country.
How is Mercado Bitcoin different from Binance?
Mercado Bitcoin is a Brazilian exchange focused on trading in reais, with local products such as tokenized fixed income and free BRL transfers. Binance is a global exchange with far more trading pairs, derivatives and deeper liquidity, and generally lower starting fees. Both operate in Brazil, where crypto firms now need central bank authorization under the rules in force since February 2026.
Data sources: Mercado Bitcoin official website (homepage, “Quem somos,” “Segurança” and “Taxas, contas e limites” pages, read October 29, 2026); Banco Central do Brasil, Resolutions BCB 519, 520, 521 and 589 and Instrução Normativa BCB 704; CoinGecko.
