Costa Rica's Banco Nacional to Launch First Bitcoin ETF, Expanding Cryptocurrency Investment Opportunities

February 21, 2025
Costa Rica's Banco Nacional to Launch First Bitcoin ETF, Expanding Cryptocurrency Investment Opportunities
  • Investments in these funds will be accepted in U.S. dollars, broadening accessibility for Costa Rican investors.

  • Alongside the Bitcoin ETF, BN Fondos is also launching the BN ETF 500, which focuses on the S&P 500, marking a significant development in Central America's financial landscape.

  • Banco Nacional, the largest commercial bank in Costa Rica with over $7 billion in assets, is introducing this spot Bitcoin ETF through its investment arm, BN Fondos.

  • Despite the absence of specific regulations for cryptocurrencies in Costa Rica, existing laws permit Bitcoin investments through authorized investment vehicles.

  • While a proposed Crypto Asset Market Law introduced in 2022 aimed to regulate cryptocurrency use, it remains stalled, leaving a regulatory gap in the market.

  • The BN ETF 500 allows investors to access a diversified portfolio without the need to manage individual stocks, and it features no exit fees for flexible investment management.

  • These new funds provide opportunities for investors to diversify their portfolios with exposure to global markets through exchange-traded funds.

  • Costa Rica is set to launch its first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) through Banco Nacional (BN), enabling citizens to invest in cryptocurrency via the banking system.

  • Both the Bitcoin ETF and the S&P 500 ETF require a minimum investment of $100 in U.S. dollars, making them accessible to a broad range of investors.

  • Pablo Montes de Oca, general manager of BN Fondos, stated that these funds represent a crucial step toward digitalization and aim to inspire new generations to invest.

  • Banco Nacional serves over 2.1 million customers, representing more than 40% of Costa Rica's population, positioning it well to lead in this new investment landscape.

  • The introduction of these funds aims to bridge traditional finance and digital assets, enhancing the accessibility of innovative investment products in Costa Rica.

Summary based on 4 sources


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