{"id":392916,"date":"2022-01-12T12:47:51","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T09:47:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/mercado-bitcoin-operator-acquires-portuguese-crypto-exchange\/"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:47:51","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T09:47:51","slug":"mercado-bitcoin-operator-acquires-portuguese-crypto-exchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mercado-bitcoin-operator-acquires-portuguese-crypto-exchange\/","title":{"rendered":"# Mercado Bitcoin operator acquires Portuguese crypto exchange"},"content":{"rendered":"

“# Mercado Bitcoin operator acquires Portuguese crypto exchange <\/strong>”
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Brazilian 2TM Group, the operator of Latin America\u2019s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Mercado Bitcoin, is moving to expand its global footprint with a strategic acquisition in Portugal.<\/p>\n

The company officially announced<\/a> Wednesday the acquisition of a controlling stake in CriptoLoja, a Lisbon-based crypto exchange licensed<\/a> by the Portuguese central bank.<\/p>\n

Subject to app<\/a>roval by Banco de Portugal, the new deal intends to help 2TM start its expansion into Europe with over-the-counter exchange services. The company also plans to offer the services of Mercado Bitcoin to retail and institutional investors in Portugal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will access the European market using the clear synergies with our presence in Latin America, as we share the same language, a recognized brand, and cross-sell opportunities for customers. There are many Brazilians living in Portugal who would love to invest through our platform,\u201d 2TM CEO Roberto Dagnoni said.<\/p>\n

Dagnoni said that the new acquisition became possible after several major funding rounds in 2021, in which 2TM raised over $250 million from investors like the Japanese financial giant SoftBank, bringing its valuation to more than $2 billion by November.<\/p>\n

\u201cCrypto is a global business. Portugal is a strategic market for us because it requires a specific license, is becoming an important hub for crypto in Europe and opens a gateway into the larger European market,\u201d Dagnoni noted.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/em><\/strong>Tribal Credit raises $40M in \u2018hybrid\u2019 debt round funded by dollars and stablecoins<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the announcement, CriptoLoja founders, Luis Gomes and Pedro Borges, will remain co-heads of the business while assisting 2TM\u2019s expansion in Europe. \u201cCryptocurrencies are still an emerging topic in the country. All the virtual assets such as Bitcoin and Ether are generating a revolution and considerable demand,\u201d Borges stated.<\/p>\n

Portugal has been hailed as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction as its authorities have\u00a0pushed for technological free zones for fintech development and innovation in the country. Last year, the central bank of Portugal licensed<\/a> three crypto exchange businesses: CriptoLoja, Luso Digital Assets and Mind The Coin.<\/p>\n