Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has fully exited its position in Nubank, the Brazilian digital banking giant known for its crypto-friendly services, according to a report by Cointelegraph. The move marks the end of a high-profile investment in Latin America’s fintech sector.
Berkshire sold its remaining 40.2 million shares in Nubank by the end of the first quarter of 2025, securing an estimated $250 million profit on the position.
The Omaha-based conglomerate first invested in Nubank in June 2021, participating in a $500 million funding round ahead of the neobank’s IPO. At the time, the move surprised many observers, given Buffett’s historically cautious stance on cryptocurrency-related ventures. Nubank, one of Latin America’s largest digital banks, has actively embraced digital assets, including offering crypto trading to its customers.
The sale concludes a nearly four-year relationship between Berkshire and Nubank, during which the digital bank expanded aggressively across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, growing its user base to over 90 million customers by early 2025.
Strategic Portfolio Realignment
While Berkshire has not issued an official statement regarding the sale, analysts suggest the divestment aligns with Buffett’s broader strategy of rotating capital out of high-growth, high-risk sectors amid ongoing global economic volatility.
“It’s a classic Buffett move — invest early, ride the growth, exit profitably before market turbulence,” said Maria Alvez, a financial analyst at São Paulo-based Nova Markets. “Given Nubank’s crypto exposure and recent regulatory uncertainty in the region, the timing makes sense.”
Nubank’s stock price has seen significant volatility in recent months, reflecting broader concerns around fintech valuations, tightening monetary policy in emerging markets, and growing scrutiny of crypto-related services.
Despite Berkshire’s exit, Nubank continues to attract institutional interest and remains a key player in Latin America’s digital finance landscape. The company recently announced plans to expand its crypto offerings and explore tokenization products, even as regulatory frameworks evolve in Brazil and beyond.
A Measured Exit from a Bold Bet
Buffett’s bet on Nubank — despite his well-known skepticism toward cryptocurrencies — was seen as a signal of trust in the underlying fintech model rather than crypto itself. By exiting with a substantial return, Berkshire appears to have timed its investment cycle with typical precision.
The move also reflects a broader trend among institutional investors reassessing their positions in high-growth tech and fintech companies, especially those exposed to regulatory and macroeconomic headwinds.
As of Q1 2025, Berkshire Hathaway continues to favor traditional banking giants, industrials, and energy companies, consistent with Buffett’s long-standing value investing philosophy.
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