Mercado Bitcoin Review

As one of the biggest economic powerhouses in Latin America, Brazil is carving out its place in the digital finance world. Over the years, plenty of exchanges have stepped up to meet the country’s growing appetite for digital assets, but few have gained as much attention as the one I’m about to break down in this Mercado Bitcoin review.

With over a decade in the digital economy, Mercado Bitcoin claims to be one of the most secure and reliable crypto platforms in the region. It blends advanced technology with strong security, offering everything from crypto trading to fixed-income products and lending services to more than 3 million users

But is it the exchange you’re looking for? Or would you be better off with a global powerhouse like Uphold, Bybit, or Binance instead? Let’s walk through it!

Verdict at a Glance: Mercado Bitcoin is a user-friendly exchange designed specifically for Brazilian traders who want a straightforward way to trade hundreds of crypto assets in just a few clicks. While it offers convenience and accessibility, its high fees and local market focus make it less ideal for those seeking a more flexible, global, or cost-effective trading experience.

Mercado Bitcoin Review: Quick Overview

Before I start unpacking everything in this Mercado Bitcoin review, here's a handy cheat sheet of its features. It'll give you a quick rundown before we get into the details:

Table: Quick overview of Mercado Bitcoin

You can easily jump back to this overview anytime if you need a quick refresher while reading this article.

Mercado Bitcoin Alternatives

Mercado Bitcoin claims to be the biggest exchange in Latin America, boasting 200 crypto assets and a user base of over 3.8 million in the region. But when you stack it up against some of the more prominent names in the game, things start to look a little different:

• Binance needs no introduction. With over 250 million users worldwide, it’s a juggernaut offering everything from spot and margin trading to peer-to-peer, futures, options, and even automated trading bots.
• Uphold steps up with more than 300 crypto assets, plus unique offerings like Precious Metals and 27 fiat currencies—while Mercado Bitcoin only supports one (Brazilian real).
• Bybit throws down over 1,700 crypto assets, plus a massive selection of futures, perpetual contracts, and options. Compared to Mercado Bitcoin’s 200-asset lineup with no derivatives, it's not even close.

	UPHOLD	BINANCE	BYBIT
Overall Score	9.4	8.0	7.9
Best For	Wide Range of Assets	Advanced Users & Beginners	More Advanced Users
Operating Countries	United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, Mexico, France, +180 more	Turkey, Argentina, Vietnam, Ukraine, + 180 more	South Korea, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey, +160 more
Latest Coupons	$20 in BTC All Uphold Coupons	See All Coupons of Best Exchanges	See All Coupons of Best Exchanges
Verdict	A reliable multi-asset exchange for trading crypto, fiat, and precious metals.	One of the leading crypto exchange platforms in the industry.	A popular crypto derivatives exchange with some super-low trading fees.
	Visit site Read review	See TOP10 Brands Read review	See TOP10 Brands Read review

Table: Comparison of Bybit, Binance, and Uphold

If you’re looking for a deeper comparison, I’ll break down each of these exchanges later in this Mercado Bitcoin review, so stick around!

Did you know?

Compare Crypto Exchanges Side by Side With Others

All Crypto Exchanges may look similar to you but they're NOT all the same!

Yes! Show me the Comparison Chart

Who's Mercado Bitcoin for?

Whether you’re looking to stack some crypto and HODL or make a quick trade, Mercado Bitcoin might have something for you—well, as long as you’re Brazilian, that is. The platform is strictly for locals, and that’s clear from the start. When you sign up, you’ll need to provide official identification to prove you’re either an individual or a business based in Brazil.

So yeah, if you don’t fit into one of those categories, Mercado Bitcoin isn’t an option. But if you do, here’s who I think this platform is built for:

• Casual Users. Mercado Bitcoin keeps things simple with an easy-to-use interface that takes the complexity out of blockchain. Whether you’re a total beginner or just want a no-fuss way to buy and hold, it’s built to make things smooth.
• Active Traders. If you’re a Brazilian trader who needs deep liquidity and solid trading tools, Mercado Bitcoin delivers. While it’s not Binance-level when it comes to advanced trading, it still offers solid features for those who know their way around the markets.
• Businesses & Institutions. With API integrations, cloud solutions, corporate financing services, and portfolio management, plenty of enterprise-level options to help companies tap into the growing world of digital assets.

All in all, I think Mercado Bitcoin has a lot to offer for most crypto users in the Land of Samba.

Advantages

After digging deep into the platform, here are some of the strongest aspects I found:

• Decent selection of crypto assets;
• Various investment options;
• User-friendly interface;
• Well-regulated and licensed.

One of the platform's standout features is its diverse selection of over 330 crypto assets you can buy and sell. It’s not just the usual big altcoins like ETH (Ethereum) or ADA (Cardano), Mercado Bitcoin also supports DeFi, utility, and even fan tokens. This gives both casual holders and active traders plenty of options to explore.

For those who want to do more than just buy and hold, Mercado Bitcoin offers multiple ways to earn passive income. Staking rewards can go up to 21% APY, and the platform provides digital income products with fixed and variable returns. Whether you’re looking to earn a yield on stablecoins or diversify into alternative investments, there are options to explore.

I also appreciate how user-friendly the platform is. If you’re new to crypto, the clean and simple interface makes it easy to buy, sell, or convert assets in just a few clicks. And if you’re more experienced, you’ll still enjoy the smooth, well-designed trading platform—no unnecessary clutter, no overcomplications, just a straightforward experience that gets the job done.

To top it all off, Mercado Bitcoin is officially licensed by the Central Bank of Brazil as a payment institution, meaning it legally operates within the country’s financial system. This gives you the confidence to tap into its offerings, including crypto-backed loans, digital income investments, and other financial services, with peace of mind.

Limitations

Let’s be real—no exchange is perfect. If there was, I wouldn’t even be writing this Mercado Bitcoin review because we’d all just be using that one, right? But since we live in a world where trade-offs exist, here are the biggest weaknesses I found on this platform:

• High trading fees;
• Limited fiat support;
• Lack of full multilingual support.

Mercado Bitcoin fees for trading are on the higher side—0.30% for makers and 0.70% for takers. To put that in perspective, Binance charges just 0.10% for both on standard spot trades. Even if you go for the lowest maker fee of 0.25%, you’ll need to be trading over R$200 million, which isn’t exactly for the average user (and even then, the fee is still high!).

Fiat support is another thing worth considering. Since Mercado Bitcoin is a Brazil-focused exchange, it makes sense that it only supports BRL, but that can still be a drawback for some. Suppose you want to withdraw in USD—you’d need to sell your crypto for BRL first and then convert it through a bank or third-party service, adding extra fees and potential losses from exchange rates.

Another downside is that the platform interface is almost entirely in Portuguese. While it technically offers English and Spanish options, only a few pages are translated, while most of the core platform remains in Portuguese. So unless you’re fluent, you’ll probably end up relying on a translator or guessing your way through.

Fees and Limits

Let’s get straight to the big question on your mind—what are Mercado Bitcoin’s fees? I’ve already mentioned that the platform isn’t exactly the cheapest, but let’s break it all down to see what you’re really dealing with:

Table: Mercado Bitcoin fees

Now, let me get into more detail about the fees:

• Trading fees (0.30% maker / 0.70% taker). This is what most users will pay, but if you’re a high-volume trader, you can knock it down to as low as 0.015% maker / 0.25% taker. Discounts apply automatically based on trading volume, so the more you trade, the lower your fees.
• Withdrawals (Free). Mercado Bitcoin limits unverified users to R$1,000 daily, while verified accounts can withdraw up to R$50,000 every 24 hours. There’s no fee for withdrawals, but the restrictions might be a hassle if you need to move larger amounts of assets.
• Deposits (Free). Like withdrawals, depositing funds won’t cost you anything, but unverified accounts are capped at R$50,000 annually. Once you verify, the limits on moving your money are removed, giving you greater flexibility.

Oh, and if you’re looking to unlock higher deposit and withdrawal limits, the verification process is pretty easy. All it takes is submitting some additional personal documentation and a few clicks. If you want the full breakdown, I’ll cover the entire process later in this Mercado Bitcoin review.

Staking and Earning Rewards

If you have idle assets sitting in your wallet, Mercado Bitcoin lets you put them to work with its "Passive Income" feature. Despite the name, it’s basically a staking service where you can lock up your crypto and earn daily yields, giving you the opportunity for exponential returns over time.

As of now, these are the available staking options:

Table: Mercado Bitcoin staking options

Beyond these coins, the platform also plans to introduce stablecoins like USDT and USDC to its staking lineup. But as of writing this Mercado Bitcoin review, there’s still no confirmed launch date—just a “coming soon” tag.

And by the way, while the exchange promotes staking as a lower-risk way to earn passive income, it’s not completely risk-free. Market volatility, protocol failures, and smart contract vulnerabilities^[1] can still put your holdings at risk. On top of that, annual returns are just estimates—they can fluctuate, so there’s no guarantee you’ll always earn the advertised rates.

📚 Read Next: Best Crypto Staking Platform

Security

Security is always a key factor when evaluating a crypto exchange, and from what I’ve seen, Mercado Bitcoin has implemented a solid set of measures to keep users safe.

The first thing I noticed immediately was the mandatory use of 2FA for key transactions like withdrawals. While this is pretty standard in the industry, it’s still good to see it enforced as an extra layer of protection. If someone gets hold of your password, they won’t be able to move your funds without passing the second authentication step.^[2]

Another sign that Mercado Bitcoin takes security seriously is its strict identity verification requirements. To even create an account, Brazilian users must provide a CPF (for individuals) or CNPJ (for businesses). The process gets even stricter if you want to verify your account and unlock higher limits, as you’ll need to complete KYC by submitting additional personal information.

As for fund security, Mercado Bitcoin keeps user funds separate from its operational resources, ensuring that client assets aren’t used for company activities. On top of that, the platform claims to have a dedicated cybersecurity team that monitors transactions in real-time to detect and prevent suspicious activity.

All in all, security seems well-handled, but if you’re someone who doesn’t like being monitored or handing over personal data, you might be better off using a decentralized exchange (DEX) instead.

📚 Read More: Cryptocurrency Security Guide

Customer Support

Honestly, there’s not much I can say about Mercado Bitcoin’s customer support—it’s pretty standard all around.

The exchange has a "Contact Us" page that, like most websites, directs you to a ticket-based system, where you submit a request and wait for a response. It also provides social media channels and a WhatsApp number, which can be useful for quicker inquiries.

That said, I couldn’t find any live chat feature, and that’s kinda surprising. Real-time support is pretty much the norm these days, even if it’s just an automated chatbot. Outside the crypto space, it’s standard practice, so it’s a bit of a letdown that the exchange hasn’t implemented it.

There’s also a knowledge base section for those who prefer solving issues themselves before reaching out, but it’s not exactly packed with information. It covers important articles and guides on specific issues, but beyond that, there’s not much else to explore.

Localization and Regional Adaptability

Again, not much to say here as Mercado Bitcoin makes it clear from the get-go that it’s built for Brazilian crypto users and businesses—and it doesn’t seem to have any plans to expand beyond that.

This becomes obvious when you look at fiat support, which is limited to just one currency—the Brazilian real. Language support doesn’t do much to bridge the gap, either. While the platform technically has English and Spanish options, they only work on a handful of pages, leaving most of the core platform Portuguese-only.

Technically, non-Brazilian users can join, but the account requirements make it pretty restrictive:

• A valid CPF. Your Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) must be in good standing, with no pending issues with Brazil’s tax authority.
• A Brazilian address. You must provide a residential address within Brazil.
• Minimum age. You need to be at least 12 years old to open an account.

So yeah, besides the surprisingly low age requirement, it’s pretty clear that Mercado Bitcoin is designed for users within Brazil. Even though non-Brazilians technically aren’t completely excluded, the CPF and local address requirements make it nearly impossible for international users to sign up.

Trading Tools

Now, let’s get to the real meat of this Mercado Bitcoin review and break down its core trading features.

The flagship trading feature on the exchange is the "Negotiation" tool, which lets you buy, sell, or trade crypto in just a few clicks. It’s designed for both beginners looking for a simple trade and active traders needing a fast order execution method.

There are two order types available:

• Fast Order. Executes instantly at market price.
• Limit Order. Lets you set a specific price at which you want to buy or sell.

On top of that, Mercado Bitcoin offers spot trading, which is better suited for intermediate traders who want more control over their transactions instead of relying solely on instant orders. This allows for strategic entries and exits rather than simply executing a one-click buy.

Another interesting addition is the NFT marketplace, where users can explore, buy, and sell digital collectibles. While it’s not as extensive as dedicated NFT platforms, it still offers some unique collections that might be worth checking out.

For advanced traders and institutions, Mercado Bitcoin provides a comprehensive API designed to streamline automation, portfolio management, and real-time market analysis. Some of its key features include:

• Smart automation. Supports advanced trading strategies like arbitrage and scalping, allowing for 24/7 automated operations without manual intervention.
• Efficient portfolio management. Helps users track assets, adjust allocations, and maintain precise control over trading activities.
• Real-time analysis. Grants access to real-time market data for faster decision-making and immediate trade execution.

Overall, I think it’s a solid lineup of trading tools, especially for a platform that primarily caters to general crypto users. That said, I find the lack of derivatives trading a bit disappointing, especially since it’s such a common feature on major exchanges.

User Experience

User experience is always subjective since it depends on personal preferences, values, and goals. Putting myself in the shoes of a casual trader, here’s my take.

From the moment you land on Mercado Bitcoin’s website, you’re greeted with a standard crypto exchange layout. There’s a widget on the right displaying real-time cryptocurrency prices and market variations. It’s well-designed and functional, but on a personal note, I’m not a fan of the color combination of the UI.

The signup process follows a standard flow, with no unexpected hiccups during my experience. However, it’s a bit lengthier than usual, though that’s expected since Mercado Bitcoin is a well-regulated Brazilian exchange requiring extra verification steps.

Once my account was set up, the first feature I tested was the "Negotiation" tool, which made placing orders fast and straightforward. In my experience, it performed well—simple, intuitive, and efficient, making it easy for even beginner users to buy their first Bitcoin without confusion.

For experienced traders, the spot trading interface holds up well. It’s well-structured, offering a familiar layout that any seasoned user can navigate without needing time to adjust. Everything is intuitive and right where you’d expect it to be, which is always a plus in my book.

Overall, my experience using Mercado Bitcoin has been pretty solid. However, I do wish that switching the language to English or Spanish worked across the entire platform instead of a handful of pages.

How to Use Mercado Bitcoin

By this point in the Mercado Bitcoin review, you should have a pretty good idea of whether this exchange is worth checking out. If you’re interested, let me walk you through the process so you can get a closer look at how it works.

For this example, I’ll be using the web version, but if you prefer the mobile app, you can download it from Google Play or the iOS App Store. No worries—the steps are practically the same.

How to Create a Mercado Bitcoin Account

As I mentioned earlier, creating an account on Mercado Bitcoin requires a CPF or CNPJ number, and verification also calls for a Brazilian identity card(CNH or RG). Once you have those ready, just follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to Mercado Bitcoin. Visit the official Mercado Bitcoin website and click [Create an Account] in the top right corner.

Step 2: Enter your email and country. Provide your email address and select your country of residence, then click [Continue].

Step 3: Provide your CPF or CNPJ Number. If you’re an individual, enter your CPF. If you’re signing up as a company, provide your CNPJ. You’ll also need to enter your date of birth, then click [Continue].

Step 4: Enter your phone number and home address. Next, provide your mobile number and your residential address, then click [Continue].

Step 5: Verify your email. Check your inbox and click the verification link to confirm your email address.

Now that you’ve created your account, I’d recommend completing the verification process right away. To do that, simply log in, go to the "Check Account" option in the menu, and submit your identity document along with a facial biometric scan.

Once that’s done, you’re all set to start using the platform and exploring all its features!

How to Deposit on Mercado Bitcoin

Once your account is set up and verified, the next step is to deposit some BRL to start trading. Here’s how:

Step 1: Register Your Bank Account. Before making a deposit, you’ll need to link your bank to your Mercado Bitcoin account. Once that’s done, navigate to the [Deposit] section located in your account dashboard.

Step 2: Select Deposit Method. Choose your preferred payment method for transferring the money. Mercado Bitcoin supports popular options like PIX, TED, and DOC bank transfers.

Step 3: Enter the Amount. Specify the amount of BRL you want to deposit into your account.

Step 4: Complete the Transfer. Follow the instructions for the deposit method you selected. Once the transfer is complete, your funds should appear in your account shortly.

And that’s it! Now that you’ve deposited funds, you’re ready to start buying altcoins like SOL Solana or ADA Cardano. Mercado Bitcoin doesn’t fall short with its support for over 300 cryptocurrencies.

How to Withdraw From Mercado Bitcoin

You’ve locked in some gains from your trades, and now it’s time to cash out. The good news is that withdrawing is just as easy as depositing:

Step 1: Access the Withdrawal Section. Go to your Mercado Bitcoin account page and click the [Withdraw] button below your account balance.

Step 2: Select Destination. On the withdrawal page, choose the bank account where you want to receive the funds. Double-check that the account details are accurate and match your registered information to avoid any issues.

Step 3: Enter the Amount. Specify how much you want to withdraw in BRL.

Step 4: Submit the Request. After entering the amount, click [Request Withdrawal]. Your withdrawal status will be updated to "Requested".

Note that withdrawals typically take up to 1 business day to process. You can check your bank account after this time to confirm that the funds have been credited.

Comparison to Other Popular Exchanges

Mercado Bitcoin brings some interesting features to the Brazilian crypto market, but how does it really stack up against the big players? It’s time to put it side by side with Bybit, Binance, and Uphold to see where it shines and where it might fall short.

Mercado Bitcoin VS Binance

If someone asked me which exchange to use, Binance is often the first name that comes out of my mouth. It’s one of the biggest and most popular crypto exchanges in the world, trusted by over 250 million users globally. Compared to Mercado Bitcoin’s 4 million users, the difference in liquidity and active traders is substantial.

Beyond its size and reputation, Binance simply has much more to offer. It supports over 350 cryptocurrencies, 35 fiat currencies, 32 payment methods, and thousands of trading pairs. That alone makes it one of the most versatile platforms available.

The trading experience also goes beyond basic spot transactions, packing in features designed for different types of users:

• Margin trading with leverage up to 10x for those looking to amplify their positions;
• P2P trading with over 800 payment options, offering flexibility in how users transact;
• Derivatives trading, including hundreds of futures and options contracts, allows for more advanced market strategies.

When it comes to earning tools, Binance doesn’t fall short either. It offers Simple Earn, ideal for low-risk users looking for steady rewards on over 300 assets. On the other hand, Advanced Earn offers more lucrative opportunities, with some products boasting yields of up to 500%—though, naturally, that comes with increased risk.

Table: Mercado Bitcoin VS Binance

Fees are another area where Binance has the edge over Mercado Bitcoin. It starts with a competitive 0.10% trading fee, but you can bring it down even further by using BNB tokens or unlocking VIP perks through high trading volumes.

📚 Read More: Binance Review

Mercado Bitcoin VS Uphold

While Uphold isn’t as widely known as the previous two, it’s still a strong alternative, especially with its reputation as a multi-asset digital money platform. It supports over 300 cryptocurrencies, 27 national currencies, and even precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—something you won’t find on Mercado Bitcoin.

What really makes me like it, though, is its "Anything-to-Anything" feature. This setup lets you trade between any supported asset in a single step, making crypto trading simple and accessible for beginners. Mercado Bitcoin’s interface is beginner-friendly, too, but compared to Uphold, I’d say this one takes the lead in overall ease of use.

Another thing I like about Uphold is its staking opportunities. As of writing, you can stake 19 digital assets, including Cosmos, Polkadot, and Casper, with APYs reaching up to 13.8%—a much higher rate than what Mercado Bitcoin offers.

Security is also a big selling point for the multi-asset exchange. It follows a 100%+ reserve policy, meaning your money is always backed and never loaned out. This ensures that funds are always available when you need them, providing an extra layer of liquidity and peace of mind.

Table: Mercado Bitcoin VS Uphold

When it comes to fees, Uphold sits on the higher end compared to Mercado Bitcoin. Crypto trades range between 1.9% - 2.95%, depending on the liquidity of the asset. Newly supported or low-liquidity tokens usually come with higher fees, while more popular assets may have slightly lower rates. However, Mercado Bitcoin generally offers lower fees, especially for high-volume traders who qualify for its reduced rates.

📚 Read More: Uphold Review

Mercado Bitcoin VS Bybit

Right out of the gate, I can see why Bybit might be more appealing than Mercado Bitcoin, especially for intermediate and advanced traders. The sheer number of supported crypto assets is massive—over 1,700 coins and counting. This kind of variety creates more opportunities to diversify, spot emerging tokens early, and execute complex trading strategies.

That said, where it really pulls ahead for me is in crypto derivatives trading—something Mercado Bitcoin lacks. It goes beyond standard futures contracts, offering perpetual contracts and options trading, giving users much more flexibility in how they navigate the market.

And it doesn’t stop there. Bybit goes all out with features that elevate the trading experience, including P2P, copy, and even pre-market trading for those looking to stay ahead of the curve. It also provides a selection of customizable bots, letting you fine-tune strategies, execute trades seamlessly, and maximize returns—all at no extra cost.

Table: Mercado Bitcoin VS Bybit

When it comes to fees, Bybit offers a more competitive structure than Mercado Bitcoin. The standard trading rate is just 0.10% for both makers and takers, and high-volume traders can push it even lower with VIP perks and discounts.

📚 Read More: Bybit Review

Pros

• Secure and reliable
• Accepts fiat currencies
• Lots of trading options

Main Features

• Reputable exchange
• Accepts fiat currencies
• Offers various trading options

Visit Site

Pros

• Fiat currencies - accepted
• Simple to use
• Accepts only the most trustworthy cryptocurrencies

Main Features

• A leading cryptocurrency exchange platform
• Best for beginner investors
• Accepts fiat currencies

GET $200 REWARD

Pros

• Fully reserved and transparent
• Multiple tradable asset classes
• Over 300 supported cryptos

Main Features

• Over 300 cryptocurrencies
• Secure & transparent
• Fully reserved

$20 in BTC

Conclusions: Is Mercado Bitcoin Right for You?

Wrapping up this Mercado Bitcoin review, I’d say the platform does a solid job delivering on its promise as Brazil’s go-to crypto exchange. It offers a decent selection of crypto assets, and if you’re buying or selling using BRL, the process is straightforward and fast.

While it doesn’t have the widest selection, the staking and digital income products still provide meaningful passive income opportunities. I also find the interface—both on mobile and web—intuitive and well-designed, making crypto trading accessible to general users without unnecessary complexity.

But if you’re asking me, would I trade Mercado Bitcoin’s conveniences for platforms like Binance or Bybit? Considering the lower fees, better-earning potential, and a broader range of products on those platforms—I’d go with them instead without hesitation, as they offer more value for my trading needs.

The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.

Scientific References

1. Alexander C.: 'Leveraged restaking of leveraged staking: What are the risks?';

2. Berrios J., Mosher E., Benzo S., et al.: 'Factorizing 2FA: Forensic analysis of two-factor authentication applications'.