Self-custody crypto wallets are removing a major barrier to stablecoin adoption across Latin America by integrating directly with local banking systems, allowing users to fund digital dollar accounts through familiar payment methods like Pix and SPEI without opening a separate exchange account. Bitget Wallet, a self-custodial platform for everyday finance, has partnered with alfred, a Latin America-focused payments infrastructure company, to launch a bank transfer-based on-ramp across Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.

Why Are Latin American Users Turning to Stablecoins?

The demand for stablecoins in Latin America is driven by persistent economic pressures that traditional banking cannot easily address. Inflation, currency volatility, and capital controls have pushed households and businesses toward dollar-denominated digital assets for savings, remittances, and commerce. In 2025, stablecoin transaction volume across the region reached $324 billion, representing an 89% year-over-year increase, according to data cited in the announcement. This trajectory reflects both the scale of unmet demand and the speed at which the region is building alternatives to traditional financial infrastructure.

However, the path to accessing stablecoins has historically been cumbersome. Users needed to open a separate cryptocurrency exchange account, navigate peer-to-peer trading, or possess a credit card. Each step added friction for newcomers unfamiliar with crypto platforms. The new integration addresses this friction by allowing users to stay within their existing banking ecosystem.

How Does the Bank Transfer On-Ramp Work?

The integration leverages local payment systems that users already understand and use daily. In Brazil, users initiate transfers through Pix, the country's instant payment system. In Argentina, they use CVU (Código Virtual Único). In Mexico, the SPEI (Sistema de Pagos Electrónicos Interbancarios) network handles the transfers. Users receive dollar-pegged stablecoins, including USDC and USDT, directly in their Bitget Wallet account without requiring a card or third-party application.

Once funds are in the wallet, users gain access to a broader ecosystem of financial services. The integration strengthens Bitget Wallet's Onchain Payments Matrix, a global payment infrastructure that powers stablecoin transactions across both blockchain and traditional financial systems. This means a user can fund a stablecoin account via domestic bank transfer, hold or earn yield on the balance, spend through the Bitget Wallet Card globally, pay at local merchants, or send funds cross-border through the app's remittance infrastructure.

"The on-ramp layer has been the most under-served part of the stablecoin experience in Latin America. For many users in the region, a local bank transfer is the most accessible way to move money. This integration means that's now enough to fund a stablecoin account directly," said Luis Miller, Head of Partnerships at alfred.

Luis Miller, Head of Partnerships at alfred

What Makes Self-Custody Wallets Different From Traditional Exchanges?

Self-custody wallets give users direct control over their private keys, meaning they own and manage their assets without relying on a centralized exchange to hold funds on their behalf. This distinction matters significantly in regions where banking access is limited or unreliable. With a self-custody wallet, users maintain ownership regardless of what happens to any single platform or institution.

Bitget Wallet, which has served over 100 million users worldwide since 2018, supports more than 1 million tokens across 130 blockchains and 100 fiat currencies. The platform's security is backed by industry-standard key encryption, a real-time risk engine, independent audits, and a $300 million user protection fund. For Latin American users, this infrastructure means they can hold stablecoins with the same security assurances as institutional-grade custody, but with the accessibility of a mobile app.

Steps to Fund a Stablecoin Account via Bank Transfer in Latin America

• Download and set up: Install Bitget Wallet on your mobile device and create your self-custody account, which generates your private keys that only you control.
• Initiate a bank transfer: Use your local banking app to send funds via Pix (Brazil), CVU (Argentina), SPEI (Mexico), or the equivalent local payment system in your country.
• Receive stablecoins: Dollar-pegged stablecoins like USDC or USDT arrive directly in your Bitget Wallet account within minutes, ready to hold, spend, or send cross-border.
• Access additional services: Once funded, you can earn yield on your stablecoin balance, apply for a Bitget Wallet Card for global spending, or use the remittance infrastructure to send money across borders.

"The stablecoin market in Latin America is real and growing fast, but it has largely been built for people who are already in crypto. This integration is about the next wave, users who understand the value of holding dollars digitally but haven't had a simple way in. A bank transfer they already use is the right starting point," explained Alvin Kan, Chief Operating Officer of Bitget Wallet.

Alvin Kan, Chief Operating Officer of Bitget Wallet

What Does This Mean for the Broader Custody Landscape?

This integration signals a shift in how custody and access to digital assets are being reimagined in emerging markets. Rather than forcing users to choose between traditional banking and crypto infrastructure, the partnership creates a bridge that leverages both. Alfred, which has processed nearly four million transactions and serves more than 2.5 million users across Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, operates around the clock and already partners with established players like Fireblocks and Circle.

The expansion to additional Latin American markets is planned, though specific timelines have not been announced. For users in regions where currency instability is a daily concern, the ability to convert local currency into stablecoins through a familiar banking interface represents a meaningful step toward financial resilience and cross-border economic participation.