Bitso is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2014 in Mexico with an active presence in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and other Latin American markets. The platform has been operating for over a decade as one of the leading players in the region’s crypto sector and has gradually expanded its offerings beyond the basic buying and selling of digital assets.
Its current ecosystem includes trading in over 100 cryptocurrencies, a weekly yield product with no funds locked up (Bitso Earnings), investment in over 5,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs, international money transfers, an advanced trading platform (Bitso Alpha), and B2B solutions for businesses through Bitso Business. All of this is available through a single app for iOS and Android, with regulatory registration in the main jurisdictions where it operates. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Bitso Technical Sheet
What Bitso Offers: Its Comprehensive Ecosystem
Bitso structures its offerings around several clearly distinct segments. For the retail user, the platform offers cryptocurrency trading, automatic weekly returns, investment in the U.S. stock market, and international transfers. For the advanced user, it offers Bitso Alpha, a trading platform featuring order books, multiple trading pairs, and tools typical of a professional exchange. For businesses and institutions, Bitso Business offers infrastructure for cross-border payments, settlement with stablecoins, and access to crypto markets with institutional-grade trading volumes.
One of Bitso’s most distinctive features in 2026 is the integration of U.S. stocks and ETFs directly into the app, allowing users to invest in more than 5,000 U.S. securities from the same platform where they manage their crypto assets, in local currency and without the need to open an external brokerage account. This combination of crypto and equities in a single app is uncommon among exchanges in the Latin American market.
Unlike other more specialized platforms, Bitso caters to a broad range of users: from novice investors looking to buy Bitcoin for the first time to traders trading derivatives on Bitso Alpha, or businesses needing stablecoin liquidity for cross-border payments.
With over 10 years of experience and one of the largest crypto user bases in Latin America.
A comprehensive ecosystem featuring cryptocurrencies, stocks, yields, transfers, and advanced trading.
Monthly proof of solvency that can be publicly verified using zero-knowledge technology.
Product availability and terms vary by country in Latin America.
Retail fees in MXN may be higher than those on exchanges that are more geared toward trading.
It does not currently offer a crypto debit card for everyday payments.
Bitso Earnings: How It Works and Return Rates
Bitso Earnings is the platform’s product that allows users to automatically earn returns on certain crypto assets, with no funds locked up and no visible fees. The product is designed for users who want to earn interest on their assets without the need for active management or complex strategies.
It’s simple: users can enable earnings in the app’s markets section by tapping “Enable Earnings” on eligible assets. From that point on, interest is calculated on the eligible balance and paid out every Monday, with no fixed terms or early withdrawal penalties. Users can disable earnings and withdraw their funds at any time.
Assets compatible with Bitso Earnings (2026)
- USDC: up to 4% APR (rate shown in the app)
- USDT: rates vary based on market conditions
- ETH: up to 2.53% APR (rate shown in the app)
- ATOM: up to 10.5% APR (rate shown in the app)
- DOT, SOL: available with variable yields
The rates shown in the app are for informational purposes only and may vary depending on market conditions. Bitso does not guarantee fixed long-term returns.
Differences from other performance models
Unlike Earn products that involve fixed-term or locked-in funds, Bitso Earnings operates exclusively in a flexible mode: there is no option to lock up assets in exchange for higher rates. This simplifies the user experience and eliminates the risk of illiquidity, but it also means that rates are subject to greater volatility. The platform does not publicly disclose the internal mechanisms for generating returns or the underlying protocols or strategies used, resulting in a lower level of transparency compared to models that connect directly to verifiable DeFi protocols.
Automatic weekly returns with no locked-up funds or minimum commitment period.
Easy activation via the app, with no forms or complex settings.
There are no direct fees visible to the user on the interest earned.
Variable rates subject to market conditions and with no guaranteed return.
The generation of returns does not publicly disclose all of the underlying mechanisms.
It does not offer fixed-term deposit options for those seeking more predictable returns.
Is Bitso safe? Regulation, custody, and fund protection
Security is one of the areas in which Bitso has invested most consistently throughout its history. The platform combines international certifications, local regulation in each market, and transparency mechanisms such as the monthly Proof of Solvency, which is based on zero-knowledge technology.
Bitso: Origin, Regulation, and Structure
Bitso was founded in 2014 in Mexico and operates through various local legal entities under the group’s common name. The international entity is The Badger Technology Company Limited, which holds a DLT license issued by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC). In each market where it operates, Bitso has specific regulated entities for managing funds in local currency.
Among its most significant regulatory registrations are:
- Mexico: Nvio Pagos México, S.A.P.I. de C.V., IFPE, licensed under Mexico's Fintech Law and regulated by the Bank of Mexico and the CNBV.
- Brazil: Nvio Brasil Bitso Instituição de Pagamento Ltda., a payment service provider regulated by the Central Bank of Brazil.
- Argentina: Nvio Pagos Argentina S.A.U., a payment account provider (PSPCP) regulated by the Central Bank of Argentina.
- Colombia: Nvio Pagos Colombia S.A.S., a payment service provider subject to AML/CFT and privacy oversight.
- Gibraltar (international): GFSC DLT license for the parent company Bitso International.
Fund and infrastructure security
Bitso keeps client funds separate from corporate capital, uses multi-signature wallets, and regularly subjects its systems to independent third-party audits. The platform publishes its Proof of Solvency monthly using zero-knowledge proof technology, which allows for cryptographic verification that user funds are fully backed without revealing private customer information.
The most notable safety measures include:
- ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification in information security management.
- Bug Bounty Program on Bugcrowd, where ethical researchers collaborate to identify vulnerabilities.
- Quetzal Internal Research Unit, dedicated to detecting emerging Web3 threats.
- 24/7 monitoring with proactive threat detection and real-time alerts.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA), session management, PIN, and Face ID are available to users.
- Machine learning models for detecting fraudulent activity.
- KYC and CDD (Customer Due Diligence) are required for all users.
- Marcos AML/CTF with real-time transaction monitoring and collaboration with authorities.
Bitso's stocks and ETFs account is insured for up to $500,000 per account.
Did you know? Bitso publishes its Proof of Solvency on a monthly basis using zero-knowledge proof technology, which allows any user to cryptographically verify that their funds are backed without the platform having to disclose sensitive information about other users.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification and a Gibraltar DLT license as an international regulatory benchmark.
Monthly solvency test with publicly verifiable zero-knowledge proofs.
Local entities regulated in each country and supervised by the relevant authorities.
A centralized model with delegated custody and no built-in native self-custody.
Product availability varies depending on the regulations in each jurisdiction.
The Gibraltar DLT license does not entail direct supervision by EU authorities.
Where is Bitso available?
Bitso operates primarily in Latin America, with an established presence in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, and more limited availability in other countries in the region. The platform has no direct regulatory presence in Spain or the European Union, so its use from Europe is subject to the terms and conditions of the international entity based in Gibraltar.
The app is available on iOS and Android. The registration and identity verification process is conducted entirely online and, in most cases, can be completed in just a few minutes, provided the user resides in a supported jurisdiction.
The availability of certain products, such as Bitso Earnings, investments in U.S. stocks, or certain trading pairs, may vary depending on the user’s country of residence and the local regulations applicable in each market.
Fees and Costs on Bitso
Bitso uses a volume-based tiered maker/taker fee structure , which varies by market (MXN, ARS, BRL, COP, USDC, USDT, BTC). Fees decrease as users increase their trading volume over the past 30 days, which benefits the most active traders but keeps fees for retail users at relatively high levels for local currency pairs.
| Trading Volume (MXN) (30 days) | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
| < 20,000 | 0,60% | 0,78% |
| > 100,000 | 0,57% | 0,74% |
| > 1,500,000 | 0,50% | 0,65% |
| > 50,000,000 | 0,20% | 0,26% |
| > 150,000,000 | 0,10% | 0,13% |
For pairs in USDC or USDT, the base fees are significantly lower: maker fees start at 0.30% and taker fees at 0.36% for low trading volumes, with a progressive reduction down to 0.04%/0.05% at the highest volume tiers.
Other costs to consider
- Trading on the retail app: spread included in the final price; no breakdown of maker/taker fees visible to standard users.
- Bitso Earnings: no visible direct fees; the mechanism for generating returns is not publicly disclosed.
- Stocks and ETFs: No stated trading fees for users; conditions subject to the terms of service in each jurisdiction.
- International transfers: costs vary depending on the broker and the local payment method used.
- Cryptocurrency Withdrawals: Only the network fee for the corresponding blockchain is charged.
Overall, Bitso’s cost structure is transparent on its trading platform (Alpha), with public and detailed tables, while the retail app uses an integrated spread, making it difficult to compare the actual cost of each trade with other platforms.
Transparent and detailed fees for Bitso Alpha.
Competitive rates for high-volume users trading USDC and USDT.
No declared trading commissions for stocks and ETFs.
Base rates in MXN may be high for users with low usage.
The retail app uses a built-in spread, which reduces transparency regarding the actual cost.
Some costs related to earnings and international transfers are not centralized.
Stocks and ETFs on Bitso: Crypto and the stock market in one app
One of Bitso’s most unique features in 2026 is the ability to invest in over 5,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs directly from the same app used to manage crypto assets. Users can buy fractional shares of companies like Apple, Tesla, or Microsoft starting at just 20 Mexican pesos, without needing to open an external brokerage account or perform manual currency conversions.
The service operates in 24/7 mode, allowing trades to be executed outside the regular trading hours of traditional stock markets. The stock trading account is insured for up to $500,000 per account, according to the terms of service.
This integration is particularly relevant for Latin American users looking to diversify their portfolios across digital assets and global equities from a single platform, without the usual hassle of using two different apps and going through two separate verification processes.
Important Note: The availability of the stock trading service, trading conditions, and insurance coverage may vary depending on the user’s country of residence and the terms applicable in each jurisdiction. The 24/7 service is subject to regulatory restrictions depending on the market.
Bitso User Experience: App and Interface
The Bitso user experience combines a retail app designed for simplicity with a separate advanced trading platform (Bitso Alpha) for more experienced users. The main app prioritizes guided workflows for common transactions such as buying, selling, earning rewards, investing in stocks, and sending money, while Bitso Alpha offers order books, multiple trading pairs, and analysis tools typical of a professional exchange.
Registration is done online with identity verification (KYC) and can be completed in just a few minutes. The platform includes real-time alerts, session and device management, and user-configurable security options such as 2FA, PIN, and Face ID. Bitso also maintains an educational blog with content in Spanish for various levels of expertise and a Help Center with detailed documentation.
The separation between the retail app and Bitso Alpha may be convenient for users with different profiles, but it also creates some fragmentation for those who want to combine basic operations and advanced trading within a single environment.
A simple app for basic transactions and Bitso Alpha for advanced trading.
Security with 2FA, real-time alerts, and device management.
Help Center and educational content in Spanish.
Separate App and Bitso Alpha apps, which is less convenient for users who use both.
Learning curve due to the breadth of the ecosystem.
Support availability varies by country.
Final assessment: Is Bitso worth it in 2026?
By 2026, Bitso has positioned itself as one of the exchanges with the deepest product offerings in the Latin American market. Its combination of over a decade of experience, local regulation in the region’s major jurisdictions, monthly solvency audits with zero-knowledge proofs, weekly payouts without locking funds, access to 5,000+ U.S. stocks, and a separate advanced trading platform make it one of the most comprehensive options within the crypto ecosystem in LATAM.
Its platform stands out for the breadth of its ecosystem and for integrating services such as trading, yield-generating features, and equity exposure into a single platform. The experience is tailored to different user profiles: the main app is designed for beginners with simplified workflows, Bitso Earnings offers yield-generating features, and Bitso Alpha provides more advanced trading tools.
The main limitations stem from its regional focus on Latin America, which reduces its competitiveness in Europe and other global markets. Additionally, fees for local currency pairs may be less competitive compared to exchanges focused exclusively on low-cost trading. Overall, it is a solid platform within its region, although it stands out less outside its core market and is less competitive in terms of fees compared to global exchanges.
This review is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrencies and stocks are assets that carry the risk of losing the capital invested.
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