Nubank May Test USDT Credit Card Payments as Stablecoin Use Grows in Latin America

• Nubank to test stablecoin credit‑card payments

• Pilot will explore accepting tokenized deposits and issuing credit from stablecoin balances.

• Regional data: Bitso reports USDT = 50% and USDC = 22% of purchases in Argentina (2024).

Nubank stablecoin payments — Nubank will pilot dollar‑pegged stablecoin credit‑card payments; read how the bank plans tests and regional impact. Learn more.

Roberto Campos Neto, Nubank’s vice‑chairman and former governor of Brazil’s central bank, announced a pilot to test stablecoin credit‑card payments as part of efforts to connect tokenized assets to banking services.

Nubank, the largest digital bank in Latin America by customers, is preparing tests that pair dollar‑pegged stablecoins with credit‑card payment rails. The move is framed as a step to integrate tokenized deposits into mainstream banking and explore new credit issuance models backed by digital assets.

What will Nubank test with stablecoin credit‑card payments?

Nubank stablecoin payments will focus on testing dollar‑pegged stablecoin acceptance on credit cards, tokenized deposit custody, and mechanisms to convert tokenized assets into bank credit. The pilot aims to measure user behavior, settlement speed, and compliance controls.

How did Nubank announce the plan?

The plan was disclosed by vice‑chairman Roberto Campos Neto at the Meridian 2025 event. He emphasized blockchain’s role in connecting digital assets to banking rails and noted that most crypto purchases today are held as stores of value rather than used for payments.

Campos Neto said: “What the data shows is that people aren’t buying to transact, they’re buying as a store of value, and we need to understand why this is happening. I think it’s changing a bit, but we need to understand it.”

Why does Nubank see stablecoins as strategic in Latin America?

Stablecoins offer a dollar‑linked medium that can protect customers from local currency volatility. In high‑inflation economies, dollar‑pegged digital assets have emerged as practical tools for payments, savings and cross‑border remittance settlement.

What are recent adoption trends in the region?

Regional reports and on‑chain analyses show a marked rise in stablecoin use for transactions and savings. Bitso’s March 2025 findings (regional trading platform data) and Chainalysis figures indicate growing daily commerce use in multiple countries.

Founded in São Paulo in 2013, Nubank serves over 100 million customers across Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. The bank entered the crypto space in 2022, allocating a portion of assets to Bitcoin and later expanding retail crypto trading to include several major altcoins in 2025.

Purchasing behaviours across Latin America in 2024. Source: Bitso

How might banks accept tokenized deposits and issue credit?

Banks will need custody solutions, on‑chain to off‑chain liquidity rails, and compliance frameworks to accept tokenized deposits. Nubank’s tests aim to evaluate conversion processes, settlement times and risks associated with holding dollar‑pegged tokens on balance sheet.

What regulatory and operational challenges are noted?

Key challenges include KYC/AML controls, custody security, price stability risk, and integration of token settlement with existing banking ledgers. Regulators across Latin America are experimenting with frameworks; Bolivia and El Salvador are examples of bilateral moves toward crypto engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Nubank customers immediately be able to pay with stablecoins on cards?

Nubank plans a phased pilot; initial tests will be limited and focused on operational feasibility and compliance. Broad retail rollout would follow only after successful testing and regulatory alignment.

Are Nubank’s tests a sign of wider bank adoption?

The pilot reflects growing interest among financial institutions to explore tokenized assets for payments and deposits, particularly where local currency instability drives demand for dollar‑pegged alternatives.

Key Takeaways

• Pilot focus: Nubank will trial stablecoin credit‑card payments to connect tokenized deposits with banking services.
• Regional momentum: Bitso and Chainalysis data show strong stablecoin usage across Latin America, especially in Argentina and Venezuela.
• Next steps: Tests will evaluate custody, settlement, compliance and credit issuance models before any large‑scale rollout.

Conclusion

Testing stablecoin credit‑card payments places Nubank at the intersection of digital assets and retail banking in Latin America. The pilot will test operational, regulatory and customer‑behavior factors, and its results could influence how banks integrate tokenized dollars into mainstream financial services. Watch for pilot updates and regulatory guidance as the project advances.

Published: 2025-09-18 · Updated: 2025-09-18 · Author: COINOTAG

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