Bitinka

Bitinka was a cryptocurrency exchange and software wallet targeting Latin American markets, founded in Lima, Peru in 2013 by Roger Gabriel. The company was incorporated as Bitinka Limited in Hong Kong and grew to operate across more than 40 countries, with offices in Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Paraguay, and Mexico. It positioned itself as a bridge between local fiat currencies and international cryptocurrency markets, offering localized payment methods and banking integrations suited to individual Latin American countries.

The platform supported over 40 cryptocurrencies across more than 64 trading pairs. Users could fund accounts through local banking systems and access more than 200,000 top-up points spread across five continents. The minimum transaction size was 0.005 BTC, intended to lower the barrier to entry for users new to crypto. Bitinka also operated Inkapay, a blockchain-based payment gateway aimed at enabling low-cost international payments and remittances for individuals and small businesses across the region.

At its peak, Bitinka claimed over 500,000 verified users and processed approximately 15,000 transactions per day. The platform was accessible via a web wallet and mobile apps, with both custodial and non-custodial account options. Trading fees for makers and takers were 0.50%. No native exchange token was ever issued by Bitinka.

The platform accumulated a number of serious user complaints over its years of operation, including reports of withdrawal delays, inaccessible funds, and unresponsive support. Users in Argentina and Spain organized collective legal action citing significant losses, though no formal bankruptcy proceedings were publicly confirmed. Bitinka’s website went offline in December 2024 and has not been restored. Users who held accounts or funds on the platform at closure should consult consumer protection resources in their jurisdiction, as no official statement regarding the permanent closure has been located through publicly available sources.