Brazil's Gen Z Drives Surge in Crypto Adoption

In Brazil, cryptocurrency adoption is being driven by younger, more cautious investors rather than traditional traders. According to a report from Mercado Bitcoin shared with CoinDesk, the fastest-growing cohort of investors this year is under 24, with participation in this age group increasing by 56% from the previous year.

Many of these young investors are opting for low-volatility assets such as stablecoins and digital fixed-income products, which are referred to as Renda Fixa Digital, translating to 'digital fixed income.' In 2025, RFD volume more than doubled, with Mercado Bitcoin distributing 1.8 billion reals, approximately 325 million dollars, to users, averaging 132% of Brazil's risk-free benchmark rate known as the Certificado de Deposito Interbancario.

The exchange reported a 43% year-over-year increase in overall crypto transaction volume, with Mondays emerging as the busiest day for new investors and trading activity. Moreover, investor strategies diverge by income bracket; middle-income users allocate up to 12% of their portfolios to stablecoins while lower-income investors place over 90% of their funds in traditional cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.

The recent introduction of new cryptocurrency regulations by Brazil's central bank, which mandates licensing for crypto service providers and establishes capital requirements, has further stimulated interest in digital assets, according to Fabricio Tota, VP of Crypto Business at Mercado Bitcoin.