Nu (NYSE: NU) launched its United States banking operations on September 10, 2026, introducing a multi-currency global account that allows U.S. customers to hold and trade digital assets including Bitcoin and Ethereum while earning yield on stablecoins.
The offering comes through a partner bank arrangement with Lead Bank, which holds customer deposits and provides FDIC insurance. Nu continues to pursue a direct national bank charter after receiving conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in January 2026.
Sign-ups for the U.S. rollout opened at nu.com on the launch date. The flagship Nu Account offers a 3.50% APY yield on deposits, paired with a metal debit card issued through an exclusive relationship with Mastercard. A separate credit card provides 1.5% cashback on purchases with no annual fee.
Under the Nu Global product, deposits can be converted into USDC, yielding 3.50% APY, or EURC, offering 2.20% APY. The platform also includes a virtual Mastercard for international spending and enables fee-free domestic and cross-border transfers. The multi-currency account is available across more than 35 countries.
The expansion extends Nu’s existing presence in Latin America, where it serves over 140 million customers across Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. In its most recent quarter, the company reported quarterly net income exceeding $1 billion and a return on equity above 32%.
BCG data shows the U.S. retail banking market generated approximately $1.2 trillion in revenue between 2019 and 2024. EY estimates that banks and financial institutions charge U.S. consumers roughly $82 billion annually in fees, a segment Nu’s fee-free transfer model targets directly.
