Mexican Startup Aureo Secures Seed Funding to Build Bitcoin’s Wealth Gateway in Latin America

Aureo, a Mexico-based Bitcoin platform formerly known as Swapido, has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding from Early Riders to strengthen secure Bitcoin custody and investment services across Latin America. The announcement, made on October 20, 2025, marks a strategic step toward building a premium service tailored for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporations seeking trusted Bitcoin solutions in a region increasingly drawn to digital assets.

The new funding will fuel Aureo’s development of a “white-glove” Bitcoin service, emphasizing secure transactions, compliant custody, and institutional-grade advisory. The company aims to address the growing demand for reliable Bitcoin infrastructure in markets often challenged by inflation, regulatory uncertainty, and limited access to advanced custody tools. Positioned alongside U.S.-based firms like Onramp and River, Aureo is adapting similar business models to the Latin American context, focusing on privacy, compliance, and regional financial integration.

Founded by CEO Gustavo Flores Echaiz, Aureo began its journey as Swapido in October 2024, operating as a Lightning Network-to-peso conversion app. In its first year, the platform processed over 5 BTC for hundreds of active users, positioning itself as one of Mexico’s most straightforward Bitcoin off-ramps. The company’s recent rebrand signifies its expansion into comprehensive Bitcoin wealth management and secure multi-institution custody (MIC) advisory services.

Aureo holds a Bitcoin Service Provider (BSP) license from El Salvador and has confirmed full compliance with Mexico’s financial regulations. According to the company’s statement, “Bitcoin is transforming how investors and corporations manage their wealth by offering a neutral and secure store of value.” The firm sees substantial opportunity in channeling idle regional capital into Bitcoin, which could fuel the next phase of crypto adoption across Latin America.

Looking ahead, Aureo plans to introduce a “Buy” feature and establish a partnership with U.S.-based Onramp Bitcoin to develop a LatAm-specific MIC platform. This collaboration will leverage Onramp’s institutional-grade infrastructure while adapting it to local investor needs and regulatory frameworks.

The leadership team at Aureo brings deep Bitcoin expertise, including members from Veriphi—a Canadian Bitcoin services firm—and professionals with experience at Unchained Capital, Bull Bitcoin, Wasabi, Bitrefill, Bitcoin Well, and Zaprite. CEO Gustavo Flores Echaiz is joined by Nathaniel Kitzkte as fractional Chief Technology Officer, Tristan Borges Solari as Chief Product Officer, and Maciej Cepnik as Chief Marketing Officer.

As Bitcoin adoption accelerates across the region, Aureo aims to become a bridge between traditional finance and the emerging Bitcoin economy. With its new capital injection, regulatory backing, and focus on secure wealth solutions, the company seeks to position itself as the go-to Bitcoin custodian for Latin America’s growing investor base.