Mercado Bitcoin Launches Crypto-Backed Loan Product for All Users

Brazilian cryptocurrency exchange Mercado Bitcoin (MB) has made its CriptoCrédito loan product available to all account holders, allowing them to obtain loans in Brazilian reais by pledging Bitcoin or Ethereum as collateral. Previously offered only to select clients through advisors, the product is now open to the platform's entire user base, with plans to add more crypto assets in the future.

The launch taps into Brazil's growing crypto adoption — the country now ranks fifth globally in crypto adoption, according to the Geography of Cryptoeconomy report, with over 25 million people having invested in digital assets. The product addresses a common investor challenge: accessing liquidity without selling long-term holdings at potentially unfavorable prices, which can trigger taxes and fees.

During the loan period, the pledged crypto remains locked as collateral but continues to be exposed to market price movements. If the collateral value drops significantly, clients receive alerts to add more assets, reduce the loan balance, or prepay without liquidating the collateral. If no action is taken and depreciation continues, the platform may automatically sell a portion of the crypto — only enough to cover the outstanding amount, with client authorization.

The entire process is digital via MB's app, with funds credited in reais within up to five minutes after confirmation. Loans start at R$200 and offer flexible terms up to 12 months, with early repayment possible through the app. According to the company, last year the available credit volume was expanded fivefold, and after opening the product to all users, MB expects to reach R$100 million in total credit granted by year-end.

Lucas Lopes, president of Mercado Bitcoin in Brazil, said in a statement that initiatives like CriptoCrédito broaden Brazilian access to digital assets and bring crypto closer to everyday use. He added that the product demonstrates the sector's potential to improve on traditional financial models by offering more flexibility and autonomy for users. The move comes amid high personal loan rates in Brazil — the average monthly rate for personal loans reached 8.35% in December 2025, according to Procon-SP.