Nanu Exchange Crypto Exchange Review: What Happened and Why It Shut Down
Crypto Exchange Risk Calculator
Evaluate Exchange Safety
Use this tool to assess the risk level of cryptocurrency exchanges based on key factors discussed in the Nanu Exchange review.
Back in 2017, Nanu Exchange launched as a Brazilian-focused cryptocurrency trading platform, promising easy access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major coins for local users. It wasn’t Binance. It wasn’t Coinbase. But for a while, it seemed like a solid option for Brazilians looking to trade crypto without jumping through international hoops. Then, in November 2020, it just… disappeared.
What Nanu Exchange Actually Offered
When it was running, Nanu Exchange let users trade Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), XRP, Tron (TRX), and Dogecoin (DOGE). It supported direct deposits and withdrawals in Brazilian reais (BRL), which was a big deal at the time. Most international exchanges didn’t offer that, so local users appreciated not having to use third-party payment processors. Fees were standard for a mid-tier exchange: 0.25% for takers, 0.15% for makers. Bitcoin withdrawals cost exactly 0.0008 BTC - right in line with the global average. That’s not bad. But here’s the catch: volume was tiny. At its peak, Nanu Exchange handled just 0.98 BTC in daily trading volume. Compare that to Binance, which moves over 100,000 BTC daily. Nanu Exchange wasn’t just small - it was barely on the radar. Its top trading pairs were BTC (47.17%), XRP (25.86%), and ETH (18.95%). That means most of its users were buying and selling Bitcoin, with XRP and Ethereum trailing behind. The rest of the altcoins barely moved. Low volume meant wide spreads and slippage. If you tried to trade more than a few hundred dollars’ worth of crypto, you’d quickly realize prices didn’t match what you saw on larger exchanges.Why Users Lost Trust
The biggest complaints from users weren’t about fees. They were about reliability. Multiple reports on Revain describe logging in to find a blank page or a message that simply said “Taboo.” That’s not a glitch - that’s a shutdown. Users couldn’t access their accounts. Withdrawals stopped. Customer support vanished. One user wrote: “Not very many, right around not many” positive things. They pointed to three major problems: low liquidity (hard to buy or sell without moving the price), no helpful guides (no tutorials, no FAQs), and a terrible interface (“uteiti interface” - likely a typo for “ugly interface”). There was no official announcement. No email. No social media post. Just silence. By July 2021, the website was dead. No one ever explained why.Trust Score: One of the Lowest in the Industry
BeInCrypto gave Nanu Exchange a trust score of just 3 out of 10. That’s lower than most exchanges you’ve never heard of. At one point, it ranked #596 in trustworthiness. By the time it shut down, it had dropped to #764. That’s not a fluke. That’s a pattern. Unlike Binance or Kraken, Nanu Exchange had no regulatory oversight. No license. No audit reports. No public proof of reserves. That’s not unusual for small exchanges - but it’s dangerous. When things go wrong, users have zero legal recourse. And in Nanu’s case, they got nothing. CoinMarketCap labeled it an “Untracked Listing.” That means even the data on its trading volume couldn’t be verified. If you can’t trust the numbers, why trust the platform?Why It Failed When Brazil Was Booming
Here’s the irony: Nanu Exchange shut down right as Brazil’s crypto market was exploding. In 2020, Brazil had one of the highest rates of crypto adoption in Latin America. People were buying Bitcoin to protect savings from inflation. Mercado Bitcoin and Foxbit were growing fast. International platforms like Binance and Coinbase were expanding into Brazil. Nanu Exchange didn’t adapt. It didn’t improve its app. It didn’t add more coins or better security. It didn’t hire support staff. It didn’t even update its website. Meanwhile, competitors offered mobile apps, 24/7 customer service, and educational content. Nanu stayed stuck in 2017.
What Happened After the Shutdown
There’s no record of Nanu Exchange ever reopening. No new domain. No social media revival. No announcement from former staff. The domain likely expired. The servers were turned off. Users who had funds on the platform lost them. No refunds. No compensation. No legal action that made headlines. Today, former users have moved to Mercado Bitcoin, Foxbit, or international platforms like Binance and Kraken - all of which support BRL deposits and have strong security and customer support. Some even use peer-to-peer platforms like Paxful or LocalBitcoins to buy directly from other Brazilians.What You Can Learn From Nanu Exchange
Nanu Exchange isn’t just a footnote in crypto history. It’s a warning. Small exchanges can disappear overnight - and you might lose everything. Even if a platform looks legit, if it’s not regulated, has low volume, and doesn’t communicate with users, it’s a ticking time bomb. Always check:- Is the exchange regulated or licensed anywhere?
- What’s its daily trading volume? (Look at CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap)
- Are there recent user reviews? Or are all the reviews from 2020?
- Does it have a working support system? Try contacting them before depositing.
Is Nanu Exchange Still Operating?
No. Not even close. The website is offline. The domain is inactive. No one is answering emails. No one is responding on Twitter or Telegram. The exchange shut down permanently in November 2020. Any site claiming to be Nanu Exchange today is either a scam or a copycat.
Alternatives to Nanu Exchange for Brazilian Users
If you’re looking for a reliable exchange in Brazil, here are three solid options:| Exchange | Supported Fiat | Trading Pairs | Regulated? | Mobile App | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercado Bitcoin | BRL | BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, DOGE, and more | Yes (Central Bank of Brazil) | Yes | 24/7 live chat and email |
| Foxbit | BRL | BTC, ETH, XRP, BCH, and 10+ others | Yes (AML/KYC compliant) | Yes | Email and ticket system |
| Binance (Brazil) | BRL | 200+ crypto pairs | No (global platform, not locally licensed) | Yes | 24/7 support, multilingual |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Nanu Exchange a scam?
There’s no proof Nanu Exchange was a deliberate scam. It operated legally for a few years and processed real trades. But it was poorly managed, lacked transparency, and failed to respond to user concerns. That’s not necessarily fraud - but it’s still dangerous. Many users lost access to their funds with no recourse, which is just as bad.
Can I recover my funds from Nanu Exchange?
No. The exchange shut down in November 2020. Its servers are offline, and there’s no company or team left to handle withdrawals. If you had funds on Nanu Exchange, they are gone. This is why it’s critical to only use exchanges with strong track records and clear regulatory status.
Why did Nanu Exchange shut down?
No official reason was ever given. Experts believe it failed due to low trading volume, poor user experience, lack of investment, and inability to compete with larger platforms. Brazil’s crypto market was growing fast, but Nanu Exchange didn’t grow with it. It was outpaced and eventually abandoned.
Is there a new version of Nanu Exchange?
No. Any website or app claiming to be Nanu Exchange today is fake. The original platform ceased operations permanently. Be careful of phishing sites or copycat apps trying to steal your login details or crypto.
Should I avoid Brazilian crypto exchanges?
No. Brazil has some of the most active crypto users in Latin America - and some of the best local exchanges. Mercado Bitcoin and Foxbit are safe, regulated, and reliable. The problem wasn’t that Nanu Exchange was Brazilian. The problem was that it was small, unregulated, and poorly run. Always choose exchanges with transparency, liquidity, and support.
