Nubank Cofounder Cristina Junqueira Prepares U.S. Launch

The billionaire executive has moved to Miami to build the digital bank's next frontier: the U.S. market.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Thirteen years after cofounding Nubank and five years after its IPO, billionaire executive Cristina Junqueira has moved to Miami to lead the digital bank's expansion into the U.S. market. Nubank, the world's largest digital bank, has over 120 million customers, mostly in Brazil, with fast-growing businesses in Mexico and Colombia. The company recently won preliminary approval for a national bank license in the U.S. and expects to launch within 18 months.

Why it matters

Nubank's move into the U.S. market represents a significant milestone for the Brazilian fintech, as it seeks to replicate its success in Latin America in the world's largest economy. Junqueira's relocation to Miami signals the company's commitment to the U.S. expansion and her role in leading the brand-building and customer acquisition efforts in this new market.

The details

Junqueira, who co-founded Nubank in 2013 and owns a 3% stake in the company, has been the driving force behind the company's brand-building in Brazil, where it has become the most valuable and loved brand. In her new role leading the U.S. expansion, Junqueira will focus on building Nubank's brand presence and connecting with customers, particularly those who have immigrated from Latin America or travel back and forth frequently. The company has identified this segment as a key initial target market, estimated to be between 800,000 to 5 million customers. Longer-term, Junqueira aims to build Nubank as a brand for the 'average American'.

  • Junqueira made the move from São Paulo to Miami last year with her husband and four young kids.
  • Nubank won preliminary approval for a national bank license in the U.S. and expects to launch within 18 months.

The players

Cristina Junqueira

The co-founder of Nubank, the world's largest digital bank, who has moved to Miami to lead the company's expansion into the U.S. market.

David Vélez

The co-founder and CEO of Nubank.

Nubank

A Brazilian fintech startup that is the world's largest digital bank, with over 120 million customers, mostly in Brazil, and fast-growing businesses in Mexico and Colombia.

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What they’re saying

“At least couple times a month there are dolphins swimming in the water in front of my house.”

— Cristina Junqueira, Co-founder, Nubank (Fortune)

“We want to build for the average American, whoever that is.”

— Cristina Junqueira, Co-founder, Nubank (Fortune)

“The biggest thing in the U.S. will be building the brand—cutting through the noise and connecting with customers, building that emotional connection. That's something that I was the one leading for a very long time.”

— Cristina Junqueira, Co-founder, Nubank (Fortune)

What’s next

Nubank expects to launch its U.S. operations within the next 18 months after receiving preliminary approval for a national bank license.

The takeaway

Cristina Junqueira's relocation to Miami to lead Nubank's expansion into the U.S. market underscores the company's ambition to replicate its success in Latin America in the world's largest economy. The move represents a significant milestone for the Brazilian fintech, as it seeks to build a strong brand presence and connect with a broader customer base beyond its traditional Latin American clientele.