Latin American Crypto Exchange Bitso Hires New Brazil Chief

The executive once had leadership roles at Citibank and HSBC.

AccessTimeIconApr 18, 2022 at 8:45 p.m. UTC
Updated May 11, 2023 at 4:07 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Latin American crypto exchange Bitso has named Thales Araújo de Freitas country manager of its Brazil operation, the company announced Monday.

  • Before joining Bitso, Araujo de Freitas served as Brazil country manager at Global66, a Chile-based international money transfer platform. He previously held leadership roles at Citibank and HSBC.
  • Bitso wants to become the largest crypto exchange in Brazil by the end of 2022, the company told CoinDesk recently. That would put it in competition with current leader Mercado Bitcoin, which has more than 3.2 million users and is in talks for a sale to crypto exchange Coinbase Global (COIN).
  • In the last six months, Bitso has doubled its user base in Brazil, Araújo de Freitas told CoinDesk in a written statement.
  • Bitso plans to hire more people in Brazil and enable the purchase of soccer tickets with crypto there, Araújo de Freitas said.
  • The company also offers Bitso Alpha, a professional trading platform, and Bitso Business for corporate users.
  • The exchange has more than 4 million users in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, the company said.
  • In August, Bitso hired Facebook veteran Vaughan Smith as its first chief operating officer to boost the company’s expansion in Brazil.
  • Understanding the Success of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in Brazil
    06:12
    Understanding the Success of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in Brazil
  • Understanding the Success of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in Brazil
    06:12
    Understanding the Success of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in Brazil
  • Hashdex CEO Discusses Brazil's 'Sophisticated' Market for Crypto
    01:15
    Hashdex CEO Discusses Brazil's 'Sophisticated' Market for Crypto
  • Mastercard's Crypto Card Partnership With Binance Is Ending
    05:50
    Mastercard's Crypto Card Partnership With Binance Is Ending
  • Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Andrés Engler

    Andrés Engler was a CoinDesk editor based in Argentina, where he covers the Latin American crypto ecosystem. He holds BTC and ETH.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.