Hola amig@s fintech,

Get ready for two TWIF events at the beginning of June! Start planning to join us either at the RiskCon São Paulo (by Oscilar, TWIF & Decidir) or at The Future of AI & Fintech in Mexico City (by pygmy & TWIF), both on June 9. 

And now, here is the LatAm fintech news of the week!

🩵 Until next weekend. Até a próxima!

• Lorena

🌐 TWIF Community

🗓️ Events

🗣️ Channels

📊 Stat of the Week 

🇧🇷 Pix, Brazil's instant payment system, has revolutionized daily transactions with over 42 billion payments made in 2023, up from 6 billion in 2021. While the average Pix transaction is just $76, compared to $9.6k for traditional e-transfers, its widespread adoption—from street vendors to government services—highlights its impact on financial inclusion and convenience (Source).

📖  Read of the Week

The "Financial Inclusion Report 2025" of the Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) highlights the progress made in financial inclusion during 2024. As of June 2024, the number of people with accounts at financial institutions and payment service providers reached 36.8 million. Access to credit also continued to grow, with a net increase of 200,000 people (1%) since December 2023.

🎙️ Podcast of the Week

💸 Venture Financing

💸 Equity

🇨🇱 VMetrix, the Chilean SaaS platform for investment, risk, and treasury management, raised a $3.2 million Seed round led by Kayyak Ventures, with participation from Nazca. The funds will support expansion into Colombia and Peru, team growth, and the integration of AI into processes such as regulatory reporting and asset valuation. 

🇺🇾 SkyBlue Analytics, the Uruguayan financial data analytics company, secured a $350k  investment from Draper House Angel Club. SkyBlue Analytics aims to enhance financial decision-making through advanced analytics. 

💵 Debt 

🇧🇷 Makasí, the Brazilian credit and financial tools for construction companies company, raised $21 million in a debt round with undisclosed investors.

📺 Sponsored Content

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☯️ Exits

🤝 M&A 

🇦🇷 Mountain Protocol, the Argentinian company behind the yield-bearing stablecoin USDM, was acquired by Anchorage Digital Bank, the only federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S. The acquisition aims to develop a new institutional platform for tokenization and stablecoins. 

🇧🇷 Munddi, the Brazilian B2B SaaS platform that connects brands, suppliers, and retailers, was acquired by Nuvini Group (Nasdaq: NVNI). The acquisition is part of Nuvini's 2025 strategy to integrate Munddi with its existing portfolio - including Onclick, Leadlovers, and Mercos - to strengthen its ecosystem in retail and supply chain solutions.

🚀 Product Launches & Partnerships

💻 Fintech

🇧🇷 iFood Pago, the Brazilian digital bank for restaurants and delivery partners, announced it will launch a credit card exclusively for restaurants. The company has over 175,000 active restaurant accounts and the platform combines credit, CRM tools, and proprietary hardware like the “maquinona.”

🇨🇱 ProntoPaga, the Chilean B2B payments processor, launched Yol1, a neobank focusing on the digital demand of new generations in the region.   

🏦 Financial Services & Banking 

🌎Mercado Libre announced it has expanded its crypto strategy by adding 157.7 BTC to its treasury, bringing its total holdings to over 570 BTC. The move aims to reflect the company’s continued confidence in Bitcoin as part of its financial strategy. Mercado Libre began accumulating crypto assets in 2024 and has steadily increased its exposure since.

📜 Policy

🇧🇷 Brazilian firm Grupo Foxbit was authorized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) to operate as a crowdfunding investment company.

🇧🇷 The Central Bank of Brazil will release next week a new timeline outlining priority agendas for Open Finance through the end of 2025 and into 2026. The plan is expected to be presented during a May 22 meeting of the ecosystem’s Steering Committee with the regulator.

🇧🇷 Brazilian digital bank NG.Cash received authorization from the Central Bank to operate as a regulated Payment Institution. The license allows the company to issue electronic money and manage prepaid payment accounts.

🇧🇷 Brazilian platform Méliuz became the first publicly listed Bitcoin Treasury Company in Brazil, according to CEO Israel Salmen.

📰 Other News 

🇧🇷 Jorg Friedemann was named Chief Executive Officer at MagaluPay.

🇧🇷 Ricardo Amaral was named Country Manager at Wise Brazil.

🌎 MercadoLibre is intensifying its mission to digitize the region. In 2025, the company plans to invest $5.8 billion in Brazil and $3.4 billion in Mexico, focusing on enhancing logistics, technology, and financial services. This expansion aims to create thousands of jobs and strengthen its ecosystem across LatAm. 

🇧🇷 Brazilian digital banks, including Magie, Jota, and PicPay, are leveraging AI to integrate financial services into WhatsApp. These institutions are developing intelligent assistants that allow users to perform transactions like Pix payments and account inquiries directly within the messaging app, enhancing user engagement and accessibility. 

🌎 Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has divested its entire stake in Nubank, selling over 40 million shares in the first quarter of 2025. Despite Nubank reporting a 74% year-over-year increase in net income to $557 million, Berkshire's exit reflects a strategic shift towards consumer and industrial sectors.

📚 Deeper Reads

The Challenge of Working with Corporates as a Startup

Blockchain: The machine that automates trust in modernity (ES)

Bitcoin has surpassed Amazon's market cap. Who are the next "rivals"? (ES)

How this VC spots the global game changers

📣 LatAm startup alumni who have been impacted by layoffs and recruiters looking for top talent, check out the Startups Alumni and Layoffs Brasil databases.  

If you’re looking to hire from a group of 10,000+ smart, motivated fintech professionals, come pick up a Collective Pass and post a job here.  If you’re looking for your next adventure at one of the best fintech companies, check out the open roles here!

Made in LatAm with 🩵by 

Elena, Digital Innovation Manager at Banco Azteca

Daniela, Investment Associate at Cultivo

Carlos, Senior Associate at Emant Consultants

Lorena, Head of Policy for Spanish-speaking LatAm at Tools for Humanity

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