🌎 Top 10 companies to follow in LATAM

The great promises of LATAM

AuthorAuthor

Frontera EC & Abraham Rivv
January 17, 2025

👋 Hi welcome to Frontera, the newsletter dedicated to showcasing the reality of crypto in Latam. Join industry leaders from The Ethereum Foundation, Binance, Crypto.com, dYdX and others to understand how Latin America has become one of the most dynamic and promising markets in the crypto world and how you can address this market.

Frontera subs last edition: 116

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If you want to build products, invest, or grow in LATAM, this is your place. 

You can listen the full episode here.

This edition is presented by Bando

🚀 Unlock seamless Web3 spending with Bando: The On-chain Spending Protocol!

Easily integrate our fully customizable widget in minutes to enable your dApp, Wallet, or AI Agent to offer users the ability to spend tokens on gift cards, airtime, bills, in-game items, and more. 

Ready to bring this game-changing solution to your platform? 

🔟 Top 10 companies to follow in LATAM

In this newsletter we want to give you a list of the most interesting crypto startups in LATAM to follow in 2025.

Why? 

  • If you're a VC, these are startups to keep on your radar

  • If you are a protocol looking to expand, these are potential startups to engage with

  • If you are a founder, they are possible collaborators with whom to make alliances

Let’s start with the list 🫡

1/ Bando 

An onchain spending protocol, from crypto to checkout—no fiat involved. Enable your users to spend in over 100 countries and 6,000+ businesses. Supporting 17+ chains and 2,000+ tokens.

Bando has been one of the startups that was in the Outlier Ventures acceleration program and the BNB Chain MVB program.

Pay for your phone, electricity, gas and more with your favorite Crypto.

At Berry anyone can invest in US stocks, ETFs and more without bank accounts. Also Berry was in the Outlier Ventures acceleration program.

Seed round

The Stablecoins SuperApp for Latin America. Buy and sell Tether using Zinli balance, Wally, Mobile Payment, PayPal, Zelle and more. Publish your own P2P ads and start making money online.

5/ Capa

Capa connects your pesos to any crypto wallet. Making it easier to enter and exit the market and connecting you to global finance. Is one of the Top 100 Early Stage Startups in Mexico.

Series A+

Exchange pesos for Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies instantly. Invest in DeFi and order your VISA Lemon Card.

The first permissionless yield-bearing stablecoin.

With Félix you can send money home from the USA with just a WhatsApp message, without lines and without downloading applications.

BONUS:

Koywe is a financial infrastructure dedicated to payment processing in Latin America. They provide services specially designed to satisfy the cross-border needs of their clients.

Your global account in digital dollars (USDc). Pay, save and earn 8% annually. Also Kontigo was in the accelerator program of Y Combinator, the largest accelerator on the planet.

Frictionless global crypto payments. With Amplify, integrate crypto payments securely and receive the funds in your local currency.

A gift for you: “The builder list”, a list with more than 30 builders in LATAM to follow this 2025, check it out here.

📰 Latam Crypto News 📰

Key stories of crypto in LATAM this week

🔮 5 Bitso predictions that will define 2025 in the crypto industry:

  • Bitcoin in strategic reserves: G8 nations may add Bitcoin to reserves as crypto gains value.

  • Clearer U.S. regulation: U.S. regulatory clarity to inspire Latam countries, boosting investments.

  • Crypto & AI integration: Blockchain and AI convergence to enhance crypto solutions and trust.

  • Stablecoins in payments: The role of stablecoins in global transactions will double, boosting payment efficiency.

  • TradeFi-Crypto fusion: Traditional finance and crypto to merge, expanding market inclusion and accessibility.

💳 Nubank expands USDC rewards program to all users
Nubank now offers daily rewards for USDC holders with a 4% annual return, available to all Nubank Cripto users. Users can activate or deactivate anytime via the app. In 2024, USDC holdings grew 10x, now representing 30% of crypto users. The app also features a crypto swap tool and price alerts.

🏦 Trinidad and Tobago will consider launching a CBDC following India's example
Trinidad & Tobago plans a CBDC inspired by India’s model. With offline capabilities and programmability, it aims to modernize finance and enhance emergency response. 

🇸🇻 El Salvador

Tether relocated from the British Virgin Islands to El Salvador after obtaining a digital asset license. This move, influenced by El Salvador's pro-Bitcoin policies, highlights the nation's growing role in the crypto industry and Tether's commitment to emerging markets. 

El Salvador adds 11 BTC to its strategic reserve, now holding 6,022.18 BTC worth over $572M. The country continues to capitalize on Bitcoin dips, reinforcing its status as a top BTC holder. Also, Bitfinex Derivatives relocated its headquarters to El Salvador after obtaining a Digital Asset Service Provider license.

🇧🇷 Brazil

A bill in Belo Horizonte proposes using Bitcoin for municipal tax payments, aiming to boost local commerce and promote financial freedom through the "Bitcoin Livre" program.

🇧🇷 Brazil pop-up city: Building the future with Crypto & AI
Join us in Florianópolis to redesign cities and governments. Dive into blockchain finance, AI health solutions, sustainable tech, and future urban infrastructure. Let's innovate together!

🇧🇷 Mercado Bitcoin predicts BTC to surpass $150K by 2025
Mercado Bitcoin's VP sees BTC hitting $150K this year, citing a strong dollar and inflation. Experts warn of regulatory risks and market volatility.

🇧🇷 Central bank’s stablecoin proposal "Unfeasible," says expert
Crypto accountant criticizes Public Consultation 111, warning it may push investors out of regulated markets. Experts fear the proposal contradicts crypto principles and could stifle innovation.

🇺🇾 Uruguay

🇺🇾 Uruguay startup partners with AWS to boost blockchain adoption
ZirconTech teams up with AWS to expand blockchain, AI, and Web3 projects. As an AWS select partner, they aim to develop scalable cloud solutions and drive blockchain integration in businesses.