Bitso Appoints Barbara Espir as New Country Manager in Brazil

Bitso, —the leading financial services company powered by crypto  in Latin America— has appointed Bárbara Espir as the new Country Manager for Brazil. The  announcement comes at a time of growth for the company in the country, as well as in Latin America, and an expansion in B2B thanks to the Bitso Business arm, which offers payment infrastructure for  international companies seeking to operate in the Brazilian market in a regulated manner and with a  direct connection to PIX.

Bárbara Espir has built a distinguished career at Bitso, where she previously held the position of VP of  Legal for Latin America. Notably, she was the first Brazilian to join the company in 2019. Throughout  her tenure, Bitso launched operations in Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil, secured funding through  investment rounds, and forged several strategic alliances. Espir has also demonstrated strong  expertise in regulatory compliance, significantly contributing to the company’s success in the region.

“It is both a privilege and an honor to lead a company I deeply admire and have watched grow from its  inception,” said Bárbara Espir, known as Babi, the new Country Manager of Bitso in Brazil. “I am  immensely proud of the dedicated and talented team of bitsonauts we have assembled here in Brazil— professionals committed to Bitso’s mission of transforming the financial landscape for an increasing  number of people and aiding companies in expanding into new markets.”

In just three years, Bitso has secured a prominent position among the largest and most trusted  companies in the sector within Brazil. The company actively collaborates with local authorities to  promote market regulation, fostering a safer environment that enhances financial freedom for  individuals and businesses alike. Brazil has become the fastest-growing market in terms of Bitso user  base. In the first half of this year alone, client numbers surged by 18%, reaching 1.8 million. In the  business segment, Bitso Business is set to triple its institutional client base of 2023.

Brazil is currently leading in growth among Bitso users, with an annual increase of 18%—the highest in  the region, according to the latest Crypto Landscape in Latin America report. This surge has propelled  the user base to over 1.8 million in the country. Additionally, in the corporate segment, Bitso Business  has tripled its number of active institutional clients in 2023.

“Brazil is one of the largest cryptocurrency markets globally. Both individuals and businesses are  increasingly recognizing the benefits of using blockchain technology, stablecoins, and a modern,  secure payment infrastructure that boosts their financial and business operations. Today, Bitso stands  out for its comprehensive regulatory compliance, liquidity, security, and integration with local payment  systems across all operating countries,” added Barbara. 

The appointment of Barbara Espir marks a significant milestone in the market as she becomes the first  woman to lead a cryptocurrency company in Brazil, underscoring Bitso’s commitment to diversity and  inclusion within the digital finance sector.

“Being the first woman at the helm of a crypto company in Brazil fills me with pride, and I am delighted  to serve as a role model for the many talented women in our country. One of my key missions is to  inspire and demonstrate that growth is achievable through a culture of effort and empowerment, regardless of gender. Achieving equality is not just a privilege but a crucial step towards ensuring that  our financial products and decision-making processes are diverse and inclusive,” expressed Babi. 

Espir brings a wealth of global fintech experience to her role, having worked in Brazil, the United States,  and Mexico. She holds a Law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo and has  advanced degrees in financial and capital markets from Insper and Stanford Law School, specializing  in venture capital, blockchain, and renewable energy. Beyond her role at Bitso, she serves on the Vivalá  Advisory Council, contributing to the company’s strategic governance and mentoring women in  technology.