LUN 18 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2024 - 12:38hs.
Leonardo Chaves, Country Manager Brazil

“OKTO already has authorization from Bacen and will be the complete bank for 'Bets' in Brazil”

In an exclusive interview with GMB, Leonardo Chaves, OKTO’s country manager for Brazil, discussed the significant changes that the market will face with the migration of offshore operators to the country, and highlighted how the company is preparing to offer complete banking solutions regulated by the Central Bank. He also shared a positive balance for 2024 and OKTO’s plans to consolidate its position and expand its offerings in the regulated segment.


GMB - What new things did OKTO present for this edition of SBC Latinoamérica in Miami?
Leonardo Chaves
- We are experiencing a crucial moment of transition in the Brazilian market. As of January 1st, offshore operators will have to migrate to Brazil, which represents a major change and creates a lot of expectation in the sector.

At OKTO, we have been preparing for this transition for some time. We have extensive experience in regulated markets in other countries and we are applying this knowledge to ensure a smooth and secure migration for our customers.

Now, with our new identity as OKTO Bank, we offer a complete banking structure regulated by the Central Bank. Our proposal is to provide banking solutions that add more security to the migration process and make transactions simpler and safer, both for operators and end users.

We are also focused on solutions that automate the management of financial flows, facilitating the movement between transactional accounts and proprietary accounts, in addition to simplifying the deposit and withdrawal process, which currently faces several restrictions.

Was this the theme of your panel presented at SBC Miami?
Yes, the panel I participated in was called “The Betting Boom in Brazil - What’s Next for the Market”. Together with Alex Fonseca and moderated by Ângelo Alberoni, it was nice and we discussed the transformations that the Brazilian market is experiencing, especially with the growing number of license applications, which has already exceeded 200.

This is a clear indication that the market is exploding in terms of interest and investment. We addressed the prospects for this growth and the challenges that will arise with regulation, and the impact this will have on the coming year.

 



Will OKTO be the bank for bets in Brazil? What is your assessment of 2024?
2024 was an exceptional year for us, with exponential growth. In terms of volume, we are almost six times bigger than last year, and this growth trend should continue with the arrival of new clients who have recently started working with us.

The challenge now is to adapt our structure to offer more complete and integrated banking solutions, considering all the financial needs of operators. This includes credit when necessary and a more holistic approach to the market, combining technological and operational solutions for more complete service.

What are the plans for next year and beyond?
The year 2024 was one of great changes, and now, with the migration to the regulated market, 2025 will be a year of consolidation. The focus will be on structuring and offering new solutions so that we can keep up with market developments and continue to generate value for our customers. We will invest in innovation to ensure that our customers always have the best tools to operate efficiently and securely.

 



OKTO won the ‘Best Payment Solution’ award once again. What does this mean to you? 
Winning the ‘Best Payment Solution’ award once again is a great satisfaction. This recognition is the result of a lot of work and dedication. For us, the customer journey goes beyond a simple payment transaction.

We know that, in the payments sector, operational and regulatory support is crucial. When a customer encounters difficulties, whether in a payment process or a regulatory issue, we are there to help. This award reflects our commitment to excellence, and market recognition motivates us to continue investing in solutions that meet the needs of our customers.

Source: Exclusive GMB