Mercado Bitcoin, with a minimum deposit of R$1, initial 0.3% maker and 0.7% taker fees, and a staking service, offers 330+ coins/tokens for trading. The exchange accepts BRL as its only fiat deposit on the platform.
Mercado Bitcoin Information + Regulation
Mercado Bitcoin was founded on June 12, 2013, by brothers "Gustavo Chamati" and "Mauricio Chamati". The exchange operates under the legal name Mercado Bitcoin Serviços Digitais Ltda. and is based in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
The company's registered address is Alameda Mamoré 687, Suite 303, Room 03, Alphaville Industrial, Barueri, SP, Brazil.
While the exchange supports fiat trading in Brazilian Real (BRL) and offers basic services such as staking for passive income, it lacks advanced investment options, including futures markets, options, NFT marketplaces, and copy trading capabilities.
This makes it better suited for users seeking straightforward spot trading rather than comprehensive digital asset management.
Mercado Bitcoin Exchange Summary of Specifications
Mercado Bitcoin offers a range of features based on certain parameters as a crypto exchange:
Exchange | Mercado Bitcoin |
Launch Date | June 12, 2013 |
Levels | Unverified, Verified |
Trading Fees | 0.3% Maker Fee, 0.7% Taker Fee (Lower Cost on Higher Volumes) |
Restricted Countries | Iran, United States, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria |
Supported Coins | 330+ |
Futures Trading | None |
Minimum Deposit | R$1 |
Deposit Methods | Bank Transfers, Crypto Transactions |
Withdrawal Methods | Bank Transfers, Crypto Transactions |
Maximum Leverage | 1x |
Minimum Trade Amount | $1 |
Security Factors | 2FA, Asset Segregation, Cybersecurity Team, Data Reports to ANPD, Annual Audits since 2018 (by EY since 2022) |
Services | Staking, Fixed/Variable Digital Income, Loan |
Customer Support Ways | Email, Ticket |
Customer Support Hours | 24/7 |
Fiat Deposit | BRL |
Affiliate Program | None |
Orders Execution | N/A |
Native Token | MBRL |
Notable Pros and Cons
Like any exchange, Mercado Bitcoin has its strengths and weaknesses. This section puts these advantages and disadvantages side-by-side:
Pros | Cons |
Wide Variety of Cryptocurrencies | Limited Fiat Currency Support |
Strong Security Measures | Primarily Portuguese Interface |
24/7 Support | - |
User Levels and Limitations Structure
MB has taken a straightforward model for its limitations based on the account's level of verification. The table below discusses the structure:
Account Verification Status | Unverified | Verified |
Deposit Limit | R$50,000 in A Year | None |
Withdrawal Limit | R$1,000 in 24 Hours | R$50,000 in 24 Hours |
MB Commissions and Spreads
Mercado Bitcoin applies default maker/taker fees of 0.3%/0.7% on spot trades, which places its pricing slightly above the industry average.
The exchange's trading fee structure is relatively straightforward with discounts for high-volume traders. Here's a breakdown of the main fees:
Level | 30-Day Trading Volume | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
1 | 0 to R$ 10,000 | 0.30% | 0.70% |
2 | R$10,000 to R$50,000 | 0.27% | 0.70% |
3 | R$50,000 to R$100,000 | 0.24% | 0.70% |
4 | R$100,000 to R$200,000 | 0.21% | 0.70% |
5 | R$200,000 to R$500,000 | 0.18% | 0.70% |
6 | R$500,000 to R$1,000,000 | 0.15% | 0.60% |
7 | R$1,000,000 to R$5,000,000 | 0.12% | 0.60% |
8 | R$5,000,000 to R$10,000,000 | 0.09% | 0.60% |
9 | R$10,000,000 to R$20,000,000 | 0.07% | 0.50% |
10 | R$20,000,000 to R$50,000,000 | 0.05% | 0.45% |
11 | R$50,000,000 to R$100,000,000 | 0.03% | 0.40% |
12 | R$100,000,000 to R$200,000,000 | 0.02% | 0.30% |
13 | above R$ 200,000,000 | 0.015% | 0.25% |
Note that there is no cost for crypto-to-crypto trading on this exchange. Also, no other fees/commissions are charged.
The minimum deposit on Mercado Bitcoin is set at R$1, with trading starting from as low as 1 USD.
Note that crypto withdrawals may incur blockchain network costs.
Mercado Available Cryptocurrencies
This exchange offers an impressive selection of over 330 cryptocurrencies for trading. This diverse range includes:
- Bitcoin [BTC]
- Ethereum [ETH]
- Cardano [ADA]
- Coti [COTI]
- Dogecoin [DOGE]
- Fantom [FTM]
- Litecoin [LTC]
- Optimism [OP]
- And so on
Does Mercado Bitcoin Exchange Offer Futures or Margin Trading?
At the time of writing this article, Mercado Bitcoin does not offer futures or margin trading options. The exchange focuses primarily on spot trading and other investment products like staking and fixed-income offerings.
Account Opening and Verification on MB
Creating an account on this crypto exchange involves a few simple steps, ending with identity verification to unlock full access and trading capabilities.
#1 Start the Registration Process
Visit the exchange’s official website and click on “Create Account” to begin.
#2 Enter Email and Country
Provide a valid email address and select your country of residence from the dropdown list.
#3 Complete Personal Details
Add required information, including:
- Date of birth
- CPF
- Account password
#4 Verify Your Email
Check your inbox and click the confirmation link to activate your account.
#5 Complete the KYC Procedure
To complete your registration, upload the required documents, including:
- Proof of Identity: Passport or ID card
- Proof of Residence: Utility bill or Bank statement
Once verified, you’ll be able to access all platform features.
Trading Platform Applications
Mercado Bitcoin offers a proprietary trading platform accessible via web browsers and mobile applications for both Android and iOS devices. These apps include all necessary options and trading tools for buying/selling cryptocurrencies. Download Links:
While the apps are stable and support core trading functions, they lack advanced features like Face ID login and integration with TradingView. The platform does support API access and basic advanced orders, but does not allow automated trading via bots.
Security tools such as two-factor authentication and cold wallet storage are in place, offering moderate protection for user accounts.
MB Security Measures
While the exchange has not experienced any known security breaches, its lack of government regulation and absence of investor protection mechanisms may raise concerns for risk-averse traders. Mercado Bitcoin safety measures:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): More security for users' accounts
- Asset Segregation: User funds are kept separate from operational funds
- Dedicated Cybersecurity Team: Constantly monitoring and improving platform security
- Data Protection: Compliant with Brazilian data protection laws, with regular reports to the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD)
- Annual Audits: Independent audits conducted since 2018, with EY taking over in 2022
The platform implements basic security practices like two-factor authentication and cold wallet storage, but does not offer biometric security (e.g., facial recognition) or a regulatory safety net. As such, users should exercise standard caution while trading.
Mercado Bitcoin Exchange Funding Options
The exchange supports 2 main payment methods for deposits and withdrawals:
- Bank Transfers: Pix, TED, and other options
- Cryptocurrency Transactions: Direct deposits and withdrawals via blockchain
Note that only the Brazilian Real is supported for fiat deposits on the platform.
MB Trust Ratings
Mercado Bitcoin CoinGecko and other sources show generally positive evaluations. Here's an overview:
- Trustpilot: 2.2/5 (based on 10+ reviews)
- ScamAdviser: 86/100 Trustscore
- CoinGecko: 6/10
User scores on Trustpilot are not reliable since the number is too low.
Mercado Bitcoin Products
While the exchange provides services, such as staking, liquidity pool, and fixed-income products, it doesn't offer a copy trading feature.
Staking | Yes |
Yield Farming | No |
Social Trading | No |
Liquidity Pool | Yes |
Crypto Cards | Yes |
Mercado Bitcoin Exchange Support
This exchange offers customer assistance services through the following channels:
- Email: imprensa@mercadobitcoin.com.br
- Ticket System: On the website
We couldn't find a live chat option or any related information provided on the website during our investigation. The support department is available 24/7.
Copy Trading and Other Investment Options
Mercado Bitcoin allows users to participate in crypto staking, enabling passive income through supported coins. However, it does not offer yield farming or copy trading features.
- Staking: Users can stake certain cryptocurrencies [ETH, SOL, CHZ] to earn rewards, with yields up to 21% APY;
- Fixed/Variable-Income Products: The platform offers digital asset-based investments with varying terms and returns;
- Crypto-Backed Lending: Users can use their crypto assets as collateral to borrow funds.
This positions the exchange as a viable option for users interested in basic long-term earning tools but not for those seeking diversified passive income strategies.
List of Countries Restricted by Mercado Bitcoin
Per our investigations of the website and its registration process, this exchange requires traders to have a CPF (Physical Persons Register) in Brazil, which is attributed to Brazilians and residents in the country.
Therefore, only traders resident in Brazil are eligible to open an account with the exchange.
Comparison of Mercado Bitcoin with Other Exchanges
Let's check Mercado Bitcoin's standing in the crypto trading world in comparison with other platforms:
Features | Mercado Bitcoin Exchange | Binance Exchange | Bybit Exchange | OKX Exchange |
Number of Assets | 330+ | 400+ | 1300+ | 7800+ |
Maximum Leverage | 1:1 | 1:125 | 1:100 | 1:12 |
Minimum Deposit | R$1 | $1 | Varies by Cryptocurrency | N/A |
Spot Maker Fee | 0.015% - 0.3% | 0.02% - 0.1% | 0.005% - 0.1% | -0.01% - 0.14% |
Spot Taker Fee | 0.25% - 0.7% | 0.04% - 0.1% | 0.015% - 0.1% | 0.03% - 0.23% |
Mandatory KYC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fiat Payment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Staking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Copy Trading | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Writer's Opinion And Conclusion
Mercado Bitcoin, going through annual audits and keeping user assets segregated from company's funds, provides its support services through 2 channels [ticket, email]. The ScamAdviser website has given a 86/100 Trustscore to the platform's website. "CoinGecko" evaluates the platform as a 6/10.