Understand how João’s journey from military law to crypto compliance is shaping Bit2Me’s role as a trusted leader in Europe’s regulated crypto market.
João, I’d be really interested to learn about your professional journey—what key experiences, roles, or decisions have shaped your path so far?
My journey began in a very structured environment: I spent part of my career as a legal advisor in the Brazilian Air Force. But my role there was dual. I wasn’t only advising on legal matters. I was also deeply involved in internal controls and military investigations. That experience shaped my professional DNA, because from the very start I was combining the rigor of law with the investigative mindset of Compliance.
A turning point was my decision to study law outside Brazil. I was looking for a broader perspective and the chance to dive deeper academically. Pursuing a master’s and PhD in Spain and Germany opened doors that simply didn’t exist back home and allowed me to specialize in areas I am passionate about: criminal law, constitutional law, and public security. This academic background became the perfect bridge between my military experience and the corporate world.
It was this combination of hands-on investigative work and strong foundations in criminal law and technology that enabled me to transition into the financial sector — first in banking, and later into the fast-paced world of FinTech. I joined Bit2Me in 2020, when the company was much smaller and the team was just a handful of people. That gave me an incredible opportunity: instead of stepping into an already established Compliance department, I had the challenge and privilege of helping to build it from the ground up. I was able to implement my vision of proactive Compliance one that acts not as a brake, but as a strategic partner for sustainable business growth.
Bit2Me is where all the pieces of my career came together: the discipline and risk-focused mindset from the military, the expertise in criminal law to fight fraud, and my specialization in technology. Leading the process that brought us triple Compliance certification and, more recently, securing the first MiCA license in Spain, has been the culmination of that journey. Every decision, from leaving Brazil to study abroad, to joining a small but visionary team in 2020, has been a cornerstone in building this path.
What does Bit2Me’s authorization under the EU’s MiCA regulation entail for the company’s operations and compliance posture?
Obtaining the MiCA license is without doubt the most important milestone in our history, and it marks the beginning of a new era for both Bit2Me and the crypto ecosystem in Europe.
From an operational standpoint, MiCA grants us the “European passport.” This means we leave behind the complex model of securing licenses country by country. Now, with a single authorization supervised by the CNMV in Spain, we can expand our services in a regulated way across all 27 EU countries. Operationally, this is an unprecedented accelerator, allowing us to scale much faster, more efficiently, and more solidly.
From a compliance perspective, the transformation is complete. We move from being a registered entity to a fully regulated crypto-asset service provider, with a level of supervision comparable to traditional banking. This requires us to meet the highest standards in critical areas such as: Financial solvency, through strict capital requirements; Investor protection, ensuring full segregation of client funds and applying rules against market abuse; and Robust corporate governance, subject to audits and ongoing supervision.
In short, for our operations, MiCA is the key to the European single market. For our compliance, it is the seal that guarantees our users they are operating on one of the safest, most transparent, and most reliable platforms in the world.
How does MiCA authorization position Bit2Me compared to other crypto service providers in the European market?
The MiCA authorization draws a clear line in the European market: on one side, regulated and supervised providers like us, and on the other, everyone else. It gives us a fundamental competitive advantage in three key areas.
First, Trust and Legitimacy. For our clients, there is no ambiguity. Choosing Bit2Me means choosing an entity that operates under the same level of supervision, investor protection, and fund security as a traditional financial institution. While others operate in gray areas, we offer regulatory certainty, a decisive factor for the growing number of users who prioritize safety above all.
Second, Speed and Market Access. MiCA grants us the European passport, allowing us to expand across the continent quickly and under a single, unified license. This enables us to scale faster and more efficiently.
Third, Bridging with Traditional Finance. Banks, investment funds, and large institutions need a regulated partner to enter the crypto ecosystem. The MiCA license positions us as that trusted partner, opening doors to institutional partnerships and markets that remain closed to unregulated providers.
In short, while competitors focus on trying to get regulated, we can devote that time to growing, innovating, and consolidating our leadership in Europe.
What are Bit2Me’s key expansion plans in Europe following the MiCA license approval?
Our expansion plan is structured around three strategic phases, executed simultaneously.
First, Immediate Entry into Key Markets. Thanks to the passport rights granted by the MiCA license, regulatory barriers are no longer an obstacle. Our immediate priority is to activate our services in the main EU economies with high demand, such as France, Italy, and Portugal.
Second, Deep Localization of Products and Services. We understand that you cannot win Europe with a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why we are investing heavily in adapting our platform to each market. This includes integrating popular local payment methods, offering customer support in native languages, and expanding Bit2Me Academy content tailored to each region. We want a user in Rome or Paris to feel that Bit2Me is a local platform, not just a translation.
Third, Establishing Bit2Me as the Leading Regulated Crypto-Asset Hub in Europe for both retail and institutional clients. With the MiCA license, we become a trusted partner for large corporations. We will actively enhance our institutional services and forge strategic alliances with local banks and fintechs to integrate into the financial fabric of each country.
In short, our plan is not just to be present in Europe and it is to lead it, building the safest bridge between traditional finance and the new digital economy across the continent.
Which European markets or customer segments is Bit2Me prioritizing as part of its post-MiCA growth strategy?
Our post-MiCA growth strategy focuses on specific markets and segments where our value proposition: built on regulation and trust, resonates most strongly. Our initial expansion targets three key European markets: France, Italy, and Portugal.
These countries were chosen based on a combination of strategic factors: their large market size, high digital adoption, and growing interest in digital assets, areas that, until now, lacked a fully regulated local offering under a unified European framework. Their cultural and geographical proximity to Spain also allows us to deploy marketing and support operations more efficiently in this first phase.
Alongside geographic expansion, we are prioritizing two types of clients: the informed retail investor and the institutional client. The informed retail investor seeks a robust and reliable platform to diversify their portfolio, while the institutional client needs a trusted “crypto-as-a-service” provider. The MiCA license positions us as the partner these clients can rely on, enabling us to deliver tailored services to meet their needs.
How will the Tether investment round support Bit2Me’s efforts to scale its services across Europe?
For us, the value of this investment goes far beyond the purely financial. The fact that a major industry player like Tether has chosen to invest in us is, above all, a vote of confidence and a strong endorsement of the work the Bit2Me team has been carrying out for years. It shows that the leading actors in the ecosystem are actively seeking to engage with what is becoming the benchmark exchange for Compliance in Europe.
That said, this strategic support is the decisive boost that allows us to execute our global expansion plan across our two priority fronts: Europe and Latin America. It provides the financial muscle to accelerate our entry into key European markets and consolidate our leadership in Latin America.
At the same time, the investment funds product improvements, which are crucial for success in such diverse geographies, from integrating popular local payment methods to offering customer support in native languages. Most importantly, a key portion of the funds is dedicated to strengthening our technological and compliance infrastructure, ensuring that no matter how fast we grow, we do so safely and fully in line with regulatory obligations.
What strategic advantages does Tether bring to Bit2Me beyond financial backing?
As we know, the MiCA framework is very clear, and our collaboration with Tether fully respects this new regulatory reality. The value of our partnership doesn’t lie in a specific product or asset, but in a global alliance of knowledge and strategy.
The main advantage for us is the transfer of operational and business know-how. Tether is not just an asset issuer; it is one of the largest organizations in the world in crypto-asset management. This alliance gives us direct access to that expertise and helps us evolve into a world-class exchange.
Second, the partnership is a cornerstone of our global expansion, with a special focus on Latin America. While in Europe our path is guided by MiCA, in LATAM the Tether brand and the utility of its products represent an immense growth driver. The partnership gives us unmatched credibility and positioning to consolidate our leadership in the region.
Finally, this investment validates our role as leaders in the emerging regulated ecosystem. The fact that the industry’s largest player invests in us is a clear statement of intent: Tether is investing in a strategic partner to understand and navigate the world’s most important regulated market. It positions us as the compliance bridge and reference point for global players looking to understand the future MiCA is shaping.
In short, this is not an agreement centered on a specific product for Europe, it is a long-term strategic alliance. Tether invests in Bit2Me’s knowledge and regulated leadership, and we leverage their global expertise to strengthen our operations and accelerate expansion beyond the EU.
How will MiCA compliance and the Tether investment together impact user trust, adoption, and accessibility?
On one hand, MiCA builds trust from the structure itself, through regulation. It is the institutional guarantee that tells both the general public and businesses: “This market is no longer the Wild West; it now operates with the same protections as traditional banking.” This regulatory seal of approval opens the door to millions of people who had been waiting for security to take their first step.
On the other hand, Tether’s investment builds trust through market validation. It is the industry leader’s vote of confidence, signaling to the world that our regulated model is the future. Crucially, it provides us with the resources to walk through the door that MiCA has opened. It allows us to scale our educational efforts, enhance the platform, and reach this new audience on a massive scale.
Together, the impact is total. Trust soars because you have both the regulator’s guarantee and the industry leader’s endorsement. Adoption accelerates because there is finally a safe, recognized entry ramp for the average user. And accessibility improves because, as a regulated entity, our integration with the banking system is smoother, making buying and selling crypto assets easier and more reliable than ever.
We are entering a new era of legitimacy, and this combination of regulation and market backing is what makes it possible.
What role does Bit2Me aim to play in shaping the future of a regulated crypto ecosystem in Europe?
Our goal has never been simply to participate in the market; we aspire to be leaders and guarantors of trust in Europe’s new regulated financial ecosystem. We have already played a pioneering role, setting the path with the first MiCA license in Spain and certifications that raise industry standards.
This leadership role also involves active and transparent collaboration with regulators, such as the CNMV and SEPBLAC, as well as with law enforcement agencies, to help build a crypto ecosystem that is safe and free from illicit activity. This position of trust, built on rigor and collaboration, allows us to act as the bridge that traditional finance needs to enter this new era safely, working with banks and institutions to create hybrid, regulated products.
To make this ecosystem sustainable, we also embrace our role as a major market educator. Through Bit2Me Academy, we will continue our mission to train the next generation of users and investors, promoting responsible and secure adoption.
In short, the future we are helping to build is one in which digital assets are an integral and transparent part of the European financial system.
What advice would you give to other crypto companies looking to navigate regulation and scale sustainably in the evolving European market?
My main advice is a fundamental mindset shift for crypto exchanges: stop seeing regulation as an obstacle and start seeing it as a tremendous opportunity. The market has matured. Trust is now the most valuable asset, and the only way to build it sustainably is through regulatory and ethical compliance.
Don’t treat compliance as a cost to minimize; treat it as a strategic investment. Integrate a compliance culture into the very DNA of your company. It is far more efficient to build on a solid foundation than to retrofit a product later.
Invest in a professional, well-resourced compliance team; your compliance team is just as important as your engineering team because without them, there is no long-term business.
Finally, maintain a proactive and transparent dialogue with regulators. Don’t wait for them to call you. Participate in public consultations, raise your questions, and show that you want to be part of the solution for building a safe ecosystem. A regulator is not an adversary; they are a key partner for the viability of your project.
Companies that understand this will not only survive in the MiCA era, they will lead the next decade of digital finance in Europe. The future no longer belongs solely to the most disruptive, it belongs to the most reliable.
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