Brazil's Biggest Investment Firm To Launch OTC Crypto Exchange, Local Sources Say

Brazil's largest investment company XP Investimentos is allegedly seeking to launch an over-the-counter Bitcoin exchange, local news outlet Portal do Bitcoin revealed Tuesday, April 17.

Appearing to confirm documents filed with Brazil's Department of Federal Revenue, anonymous sources told Portal do Bitcoin that the company was specifically eyeing the OTC market.

The reported move is the first for XP, which first registered an outfit called XP COIN INTERMEDIACAO in August 2017, the publication reports.

Later that year, following a 5 mln reals capital injection, the company rebranded to become XDEX, according to data from the São Paulo State Board of Trade.

Since then the company has received another 20 mln reals.

While showing interest in Blockchain technology like many governments worldwide, Brazil has generally remained suspicious of interaction with Bitcoin.

In October 2017, Ilan Goldfajn, president of the country's central bank, likened Bitcoin to a "Pyramid scheme" and described it as "a financial asset with no ballast."

XP Investimentos' alleged entry into crypto is thus a conspicuous rebuttal of establishment suspicion, the giant boasting 3.2 bln reals in assets under management.

An official website for XDEX is already reserved but currently contains no information.