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Criptala

“Can a Uruguayan crypto exchange become the trusted, all-in-one digital asset platform for retail and business users in Latin America by combining simple onboarding, local payment methods, and regulated compliance?”

Founded2020
HQMontevideo, Uruguay
FoundersMarcelo Tracogna, Martin Becerra, Juan Becerra, Nicolás Barbani
IndustryFintech / Crypto
The story

Founded in 2020 as a peer-assisted crypto buy/sell service operating via WhatsApp and Telegram in Uruguay, Criptala evolved into a self-service exchange platform (exchange.criptala.io) by 2022. The company broadened its offering to include investment products (Bitcoin savings plans, Interactive Brokers fund routing, and diversified crypto portfolios) and a tiered loyalty program. Uruguay's 2024 PSAV regulation positioned Criptala to formalize its status under BCU supervision, marking a shift from informal OTC operator to regulated virtual asset service provider.

Last 12 months
2024-09
2024-01
Product timeline
2016
Founders begin researching and investing in cryptocurrencies, laying the groundwork for the future company.· pivot
2020
Criptala formally founded by Marcelo Tracogna, Martin Becerra, Juan Becerra, and Nicolás Barbani as a crypto buy/sell platform for the Uruguayan market.· banking
2022
Launched self-service exchange platform at exchange.criptala.io, moving beyond WhatsApp/Telegram/in-person service model.· pivot
2024
Uruguay passed PSAV regulation establishing BCU as official regulator of virtual asset service providers; Criptala positioned for licensing.· banking
2024
Launched Criptala Club, a tiered loyalty/rewards program for active traders across Standard, Gold, Platinum, Black, and Diamond levels.· pivot
Regulated entities
1
regulatory licence held by Criptala
Licence types, jurisdictions and registered entities are in the Embedded Finance Index report.
The stack
1 layer disclosed in Criptala’s embedded-finance stack
Investing
Interactive Brokers
Accounting gap: minor