Key points:

• Thopen is exploring Bitcoin mining and data centers to convert Brazil’s surplus renewable energy into revenue and improve energy efficiency.
• The initiative positions Thopen at the intersection of clean energy and digital assets, potentially attracting investors interested in sustainable crypto operations.
• Challenges include regulatory approval, infrastructure costs, and energy price fluctuations, but success could set a blueprint for other Latin American energy firms.

According to a Q&A report by BN Americas, Thopen CEO Gustavo Ribeiro revealed that the company is evaluating a potential expansion into Bitcoin mining. Ribeiro explained that diversification, including ventures into digital asset infrastructure, is part of Thopen’s strategy to address Brazil’s growing energy surplus.

Ribeiro added that Thopen is assessing options such as developing data centers and establishing Bitcoin mining operations close to energy sources to utilize locally produced power. He noted that the initiative comes as Brazil grapples with an electricity surplus driven by the rapid expansion of its renewable energy sector.

According to an August Reuters report, Brazil’s government plans to launch two rounds of auctions in 2026 for hydroelectric and fossil-fuel thermal power plants to strengthen energy reliability and lessen dependence on variable sources like wind and solar.

As solar providers face growing curtailment restrictions that limit how much power they can feed into the grid, Ribeiro described the issue as “a challenge for the sector” and suggested that converting excess energy into value through Bitcoin mining could offer a viable solution.

Experts say Thopen’s exploration into Bitcoin mining could signal a broader trend in Latin America, where renewable energy producers are increasingly seeking innovative ways to monetize surplus electricity. 

By leveraging blockchain technology, companies can create new revenue streams while supporting grid stability and reducing wasted power. Analysts note that pairing decentralized finance applications with local energy markets may attract international investors interested in sustainable crypto operations.

While challenges remain, such as regulatory approval, infrastructure investment, and energy price volatility, early movers could gain a competitive edge in both the renewable and digital asset sectors. If successful, Thopen’s strategy may serve as a blueprint for other energy firms aiming to combine green initiatives with digital innovation, reshaping the way surplus renewable power is utilized across the region.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

The post Brazilian Solar Firm Eyes Bitcoin Mining to Tap Wasted Power first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2025/10/30/brazilian-solar-firm-eyes-bitcoin-mining-to-tap-wasted-power/. Content ID: SD30000T441aec79. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Itaú Unibanco, the largest bank in Brazil and Latin America, is actively considering the issuance of an in-house stablecoin as digital assets gain traction in the financial sector. 

The bank’s leadership has emphasized the growing importance of blockchain technology for transaction settlement and is assessing how stablecoins could integrate into its business model.

The potential for a stablecoin tied to the Brazilian real remains on the table, with Itaú Unibanco exploring whether such an asset would benefit its customers. 

The bank is also closely monitoring stablecoin developments at other financial institutions, as well as ongoing regulatory efforts in Brazil that will shape the future of these digital assets.

Stablecoins have emerged as a dominant force in global finance, playing a crucial role in U.S. and Brazilian markets by facilitating crypto transactions. With the U.S. government signaling a shift in its stance on crypto and the upcoming introduction of stablecoin legislation, financial institutions worldwide are reassessing their strategies.

In Brazil, regulators are considering restrictions on self-custody for stablecoins, a move aimed at preventing illicit activities. Itaú Unibanco supports a balanced approach. It suggests that a regulated list of approved self-custody wallets could offer oversight while preserving user autonomy.

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Vanessa has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Daily is an official media and publication of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

The post Itaú Unibanco Explores Stablecoin Launch Amid Brazil’s Regulatory Shifts first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2025/04/04/itau-unibanco-explores-stablecoin-launch-amid-brazils-regulatory-shifts/. Content ID: SD22917T9eb9f941. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

The project, launched in 2019, intends to expand the number of consortiums participating and receive more complex use cases than those tested in the first phase, such as loans secured by custodial assets or carbon credits.

For the new phase, 13 use cases are confirmed for testing. These include receivables assignment and credit collateralized by CDBs. Other cases involve loans backed by government bonds and international trade financing. The tests also cover foreign exchange market optimization and government bond liquidity pools. Transactions with CCBs, agribusiness assets, and assets on a public network are also part of the testing phase.

João Pedro Nascimento, president of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), said at an event in Rio de Janeiro that asset tokenization is a business model that is here to stay. Nascimento also emphasized that the crypto economy must be integrated into the financial system under proper regulation.

Institutional Crypto Activity Surges in Brazil

The Brazilian economy has been experiencing significant changes in recent years, driven by digitalization, globalization, and the rise of new business models. According to a report by Chainalysis, the monthly value of institutional-sized transactions (over $1 million) rose by about 29.2% between the last two quarters of 2023 and by 48.4% between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024.

André Portilho, Head of Digital Assets at investment bank BTG Pactual revealed various factors behind this rise. “One key factor is the diversification of portfolios, particularly as the market matures. Investors are increasingly integrating digital assets into their asset allocation strategies, viewing them as valuable alternative investments that offer the potential for enhanced returns. The consolidation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as established investment options has been crucial in this shift,” he explained.

“The notable recovery of institutional activity in crypto assets in Brazil can be partially attributed to regulatory evolution and the entry of American institutions into the cryptocurrency market, especially with the introduction of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs,” he added.

Aaron Stanley, founder of Brazil Crypto Report, revealed something similar. “The ecosystem has matured quite significantly. We’ve seen several TradFi banks launch crypto brokerage products (Itaú, the country’s largest bank, for example), and most of the other majors are actively building their own similar products. 

We saw major global exchanges, such as OKX and Coinbase, hard launch in the country, complete with local teams and entities. The Drex pilot program — a hybrid CBDC/smart contract platform being developed by Brazil’s central bank — has also prompted TradFi banks to be much more forward-thinking in their digital asset strategies.” he noted.

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The post Brazil’s Digital Currency Advances with Drex Consortium first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/10/15/brazils-digital-currency-advances-with-drex-consortium/. Content ID: SD15196Te2bbf236. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Roberto Campos Neto, the President of Banco Central do Brasil, discussed these advancements on October 3, 2024. He emphasized Brazil’s ambition for a multidimensional CBDC that addresses the complex challenges of decentralization, privacy, and programmability.

Financial Challenges

In his presentation, Neto highlighted that Drex is designed to confront a long-standing financial challenge known as the “trilemma” of decentralization, privacy, and programmability. He noted that a successful CBDC must effectively balance these three crucial elements to create a transformative digital currency that extends beyond the traditional use cases of CBDCs.

“We wanted to have three dimensions of benefits that you cannot get on just a normal CBDC,” Neto explained. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the utility of the digital currency for both consumers and businesses alike.

Integration of Tokenization on Drex

A key aspect of Drex is its potential to integrate tokenization directly into banks’ balance sheets. Tokenization allows for assets like government bonds and real estate to be traded, verified, and settled using blockchain technology. This capability not only streamlines transactions but also increases the efficiency and security of financial operations.

The Drex project aligns with Brazil’s Open Finance initiative, which aims to foster competition among financial service providers. Thie platform is expected to integrate seamlessly with the CBDC, offering a marketplace where users can choose from various financial institutions and payment methods. The long-term vision is to expedite the country’s transition toward a tokenized economy.

Testing and Real-World Applications

The CBDC pilot has already entered its second phase, focusing heavily on digital asset transactions and the exploration of DeFi integration. This phase is vital for testing liquidity pools for government bonds and mechanisms for international trade finance. According to Banco Central, the tests will extend into 2025 without a fixed deadline to allow the government to refine the system and address any challenges that arise.

The pilot’s first phase experimented with decentralized elements in Drex, while the second phase emphasizes real-world applications, including asset tokenization and DeFi liquidity mechanisms. Brazil is also prioritizing interoperability between Drex and various DeFi ecosystems. The goal is to bring DeFi principles under regulatory oversigh and enable DeFi markets to operate within a controlled environment that ensures consumer protection and financial stability.

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The post Brazil Adds DeFi Integration to Drex Digital Currency Project first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/10/07/brazil-adds-defi-integration-to-drex-digital-currency-project/. Content ID: SD14578Teeb6b563. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.