Itaú Unibanco Notifies Banco Central do Brasil of Crypto Brokerage and Custody Operations

Itaú Unibanco notified Banco Central do Brasil on October 27, 2026, of its existing virtual-asset intermediation and custody operations. The filing covers brokerage activities already offered through the bank’s íon platform since December 2023 and formalizes services under the new regulatory category of corretora.

The notification applies to more than 14 virtual assets, including BTC, ETH, USDC, and SOL, with in-house custody. Itaú did not release client numbers or trading volumes in the filing.

Regulatory Process Under BCB Resolution 520

BCB Resolution 520, effective February 2, 2026, allows already-authorized financial institutions to complete a simplified notification with independent technical certification rather than the full authorization required for dedicated virtual-asset service providers. Itaú completed the process three days before the October 30, 2026, deadline that applies to banks active in crypto during the 270-day transition window.

The central bank may request additional information or order a wind-down within 30 days of the filing. Failure to meet the deadline would have restricted continued operations to 30 days after October 30. Itaú is the first Brazilian bank to complete this formalization.

From November 6, 2026, banks are barred from crypto business with unauthorized providers. Additional reporting obligations for institutions active in virtual assets begin January 1, 2027.

Industry Context and Next Steps

The notification aligns with BCB efforts to integrate existing bank activities into the new virtual-asset framework while maintaining separate authorization tracks for specialized providers. Itaú’s superintendent of digital assets, Guto Antunes, stated that the bank has focused on client security and that clear rules with high governance standards support both the industry and consumers.

Dedicated virtual-asset service providers face the same October 30 deadline to submit full authorization applications. The BCB continues to review notifications and may impose additional conditions on approved activities.

Banks that complete the notification can maintain brokerage and custody services under the simplified regime, provided they meet ongoing compliance and reporting requirements set by the central bank.