Oobit, the mobile payments app backed by stablecoin issuer Tether, has opened operations in Brazil, marking its first full-scale rollout in Latin America. The company has appointed fintech executive Eduardo Prota to lead regional operations and opened a local office as part of its expansion strategy. Oobit’s launch gives Brazilian users the ability to make tap-to-pay crypto transactions directly from their self-custody wallets without moving funds to centralized exchanges. Its new DePay feature mirrors Apple Pay’s experience, allowing crypto payments at the point of sale while keeping custody in users’ hands. The rollout follows a strong beta phase that onboarded more than 50,000 Brazilians. Transaction data from that period showed that 92.2% of all payments used stablecoins, and 86% were conducted in USDT. Across all users, 95.6% transacted with Tether’s token at least once, underscoring stablecoins’ dominance in Brazil’s retail crypto economy.
Geographic Reach and Transaction Examples
Usage spans the country, from major cities to smaller towns. São Paulo represents about 26% of Oobit’s Brazilian user base, while Belo Jardim in Pernambuco accounts for 2.6%. Purchases include everyday spending as well as larger items — transactions have ranged from grocery bills to an $836 flight ticket and a $764 clothing order.
“Global payments are being rewritten right now, and Brazil is the blueprint,” said Oobit co-founder and CEO Amram Adar. “We’re proving that people everywhere are ready to control and spend their own money without asking for permission.”
Regional head Prota added that the launch represents a turning point for consumer finance: “Just like mobile banking reshaped finance a decade ago, crypto payments will redefine how the world transacts. What’s happening in Brazil is not local — it’s global.”
Brazil as a Testing Ground for Crypto Payments
With 26 million Brazilians — roughly 12% of the population — holding crypto assets, Brazil ranks among the top countries for adoption. The country’s high inflation and expanding digital-payments infrastructure make it an ideal test case for crypto-based retail systems. Oobit’s self-custody approach contrasts with the custodial models used by most exchanges, giving users full control of their assets while merchants receive fiat through existing Visa and Mastercard rails.
“We see stablecoin payments not as speculation but as spending power,” Adar said in the company’s statement. “This is the beginning of a financial system where the user holds the keys, not the bank.”
Tether's Strategic Role in Oobit's Expansion
Tether, the issuer of USDT and the largest stablecoin in circulation, is the principal backer of Oobit. The company has sought to extend USDT’s use beyond exchanges into real-world payments. Its partnership with Oobit builds on earlier integrations with PayPal, Mercado Libre, and regional fintechs across Latin America. Tether has said its broader goal is to build financial and communication infrastructure that promotes inclusion and resilience. The company continues to dominate the stablecoin market, with USDT accounting for more than two-thirds of all dollar-pegged assets in circulation globally. For Oobit, the partnership offers both credibility and liquidity. Stablecoin transactions settled through Oobit’s platform are instantly converted for merchants, reducing volatility risks while maintaining crypto-native flexibility for users.
Oobit: A Mobile Payment Solution
Founded in 2017, Oobit operates on iOS and Android and allows users to pay with crypto while merchants receive fiat. The app integrates directly with card-payment infrastructure and supports stablecoins and major cryptocurrencies. The company said it is working with local partners to expand acceptance across supermarkets, fuel stations, and service providers throughout Brazil. Following the Brazil launch, Oobit plans to expand across Latin America in 2026, with Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina as potential next steps. The company said further announcements will depend on local licensing approvals and market readiness.