Frequently Asked Questions About International Investing from Latin America
Today you can buy shares of companies like Apple, Google, Nvidia, or MercadoLibre directly from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, or Brazil. You just need to open an account with an international investment platform that accepts residents from your country. The process usually takes less than 10 minutes and only requires your government ID or passport.
Many platforms accept local bank transfers, and you don’t need a US bank account or a visa to invest.
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a fund that bundles multiple stocks or assets into a single investment. For example, the SPY ETF tracks the S&P 500 index, giving you exposure to the 500 largest US companies with a single purchase.
For Latin American investors, ETFs are popular because they offer instant diversification, low costs, and exposure to international markets. ETFs like EWZ (Brazil) and EWW (Mexico) also let you invest in regional markets just as easily.
When you buy stocks or ETFs denominated in US dollars or another hard currency, your investment is tied to that currency. If your local currency devalues against the dollar, the value of your portfolio in local currency is preserved or even increases.
For example, if the Mexican peso depreciates 10% against the dollar, your USD investments are automatically worth 10% more in pesos—even if the asset price hasn’t changed. This is one of the main reasons investors in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and other countries in the region diversify into international assets.
Stocks represent ownership in a real company with revenue, employees, and assets. Cryptocurrencies are digital assets whose value depends on supply, demand, and technology adoption.
• Stocks trade during exchange hours (Monday to Friday); crypto trades 24/7.
• Stocks generally have lower volatility than cryptocurrencies.
• Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum can offer higher returns but carry significantly more risk.
• ETFs provide exposure to both markets with lower individual risk.
Many investors in Latin America combine both asset types to balance risk and opportunity.
Currency pairs like USD/MXN (dollar/Mexican peso) or USD/BRL (dollar/Brazilian real) indicate how many units of your local currency you need to buy one US dollar. When the number rises, your currency is weakening against the dollar.
Tracking these exchange rates is essential if you invest in international assets, receive income in dollars, plan to travel, or want to understand how your country’s monetary policy affects your purchasing power. Movements of just 1-2% can have a significant impact on the real value of your savings.
Yes. Fractional investing lets you buy a portion of a stock regardless of its price. If a share of Nvidia costs over $100 USD, you can invest as little as $1 or $5 and own a proportional fraction.
This makes high-priced stocks accessible to any budget and allows you to diversify even with small amounts. Most modern investment platforms available in Latin America offer this feature.
When investing in US assets, a 30% withholding tax on dividends generally applies (this may be reduced to 10-15% if a tax treaty exists between your country and the US). Capital gains from selling stocks are typically not subject to US withholding, but may be taxed in your country of residence under local law.
It’s important to consult a tax advisor in your jurisdiction, as rules vary between Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. Some countries offer exemptions or tax credits to avoid double taxation.
Today you can start investing from as little as $1 USD thanks to fractional investing. You don’t need thousands of dollars to access global markets.
Many platforms available in Latin America charge no commission per trade and let you fund your account via local bank transfer. What matters most isn’t the initial amount but consistency: investing small amounts regularly can produce significant results over time thanks to compound interest.