Early Riders has announced a $10 million Bitcoin investment in Aureo, a Latin America-focused Bitcoin financial services platform, to support its expansion across Mexico and El Salvador.

Aureo, formerly known as Swapido, has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding from Early Riders to develop specialized Bitcoin services for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and companies in Latin America.

The funding will enable Aureo to build a comprehensive platform supporting web and mobile apps with wallet integration APIs, facilitating third-party access to savings and off-ramp features.

Led by CEO Gustavo Flores Echaiz, who has experience from Veriphi, Aureo aims to make Bitcoin the default savings technology in Latin America, emphasizing trustworthiness through Lightning and bank integrations.

The company plans to introduce features like a 'Buy' option and partner with Onramp Bitcoin to develop a multi-institution custody platform tailored to Latin American regulations.

Aureo will focus on creating a white-glove service centered on secure Bitcoin transactions, custody, and advisory, targeting institutional and long-term holders to build trust in the region.

The platform will support both web and mobile applications with wallet integration APIs, enabling third-party access to savings and off-ramp functionalities.

Aureo's executive team includes industry veterans from companies like Veriphi, Bull Bitcoin, Unchained Capital, Wasabi, Bitrefill, Bitcoin Well, and Zaprite, bringing extensive Bitcoin infrastructure expertise.

Aureo holds a Bitcoin Service Provider license from El Salvador and complies with Mexican regulations, emphasizing its commitment to security and regulatory adherence.

Rebranded from Swapido, Aureo now offers a suite of Bitcoin services including large-volume trading, custody solutions, inheritance planning, and local fiat integration, aiming to be a leading gateway for Bitcoin accumulation in Latin America.

The company's mission is to make Bitcoin the primary savings technology in Latin America, focusing on building trust through Lightning and bank integrations.

Launched in October 2024, Aureo initially facilitated Lightning Network-to-peso conversions and processed over 5 BTC in its first year, serving as Mexico’s straightforward off-ramp for Bitcoin.