Nubank starts charging for Ultravioleta Protegido insurance, altering free benefits of the high-income card
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Nubank starts charging for Ultravioleta Protegido insurance, altering free benefits of the high-income card

Nubank customers faced a change that will impact their costs, as the institution began charging for the insurance previously offered free as part of the benefits of the high-income Ultravioleta card. This service, called Ultravioleta Protegido, will have a monthly cost of R$ 19.99, totaling an annual increase of R$ 239.88. The expectation was that all customers could subscribe to this new service by the following day, September 24th.

This modification generated several complaints online. Users argue that protection against fraud and transactions made under duress was already included in the Ultravioleta package, at no additional cost, under the name Digital Transaction Protection, and this was stated in the card's terms and conditions.

As of the writing, the reason for this change has not been clarified, and contact with Nubank has not received a response. However, the email communication details that Ultravioleta Protegido offers two distinct coverages. Subscription can be done directly through the Nubank app, while activating the insurance coverage must be done through Customer Service (SAC), also accessible via the app 24 hours a day. The bank assures that 98% of refunds are processed within five business days.

As an initial incentive, there is a limited-time offer: those who purchase the insurance will receive 50% of the value back as cashback during the first three months.

Renê Fraga, a customer, expressed his opinion on NuCommunity, acknowledging the new protections, such as coverage for bags, but criticizing the model, stating that 'something that was an advantage of Ultravioleta now has a separate price.' According to him, the bank is reducing benefits and turning free services into paid products, increasing the card maintenance cost.

This is not the first time similar changes have occurred. The free subscription to Rappi Pro was discontinued on December 31, 2024. Furthermore, in September 2025, Nubank ended the 200% CDI yield on cashback, which provoked many criticisms. In this same restructuring, the Ultravioleta monthly fee increased from R$ 49 to R$ 89, and the minimum spending for exemption rose from R$ 5 thousand to R$ 8 thousand monthly on credit, although customers with R$ 50 thousand saved or invested in the bank remain exempt.

There were also changes related to HBO Max. In April, Nubank announced the end of free access to the streaming service, but in July revised this decision: current Ultravioleta customers are entitled to 12 months of the Basic Plan with Ads free of charge, after which they will have to pay R$ 4.90 monthly, a low amount in the market.

At the time of the HBO Max change, the bank justified that the changes in benefits are aligned with market conditions and customer adoption levels.

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Nubank launches global account and begins operations in the United States market
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Nubank launches global account and begins operations in the United States market

Nubank, also known as Nu, has expanded its international presence by formally commencing operations in the United States. Concurrently, the company launched the Nu Global service, a digital account that enables fee-free financial transactions in over 35 nations.

Entry into the American territory allows the company to offer its services to residents of the country. The Nu Account provides an annual yield of 3.5% on every deposited dollar, with this operation conducted in collaboration with Lead Bank, a financial institution guaranteed by the FDIC, which functions as a United States Credit Guarantee Fund.

Additionally, the Nu Account offers features for bill payments, local money transfers, and a credit card. The latter operates under the Mastercard brand, has no annual fee, and grants 1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases. Nubank reported that customers will eventually be able to increase this cashback to 2% by meeting specific requirements, as well as raise the account yield to 4.5% per year upon achieving certain savings goals.

It is possible to make international transfers through the Nu Account without charges. However, currently, this functionality is limited to sending to Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, markets where Nubank is already established. The expansion of these transfers to other countries will be implemented in subsequent phases.

Users will have access to high returns on their accounts, a metallic credit card with unlimited cashback, in addition to fast domestic and international payments, all integrated into a single application with attractive design and recognized customer support.

Cristina Junqueira, co-founder and CEO of Nu US, represents the leadership of the American expansion. David Vélez, founder and CEO of Nu, explained that the concept of Nu Global arose from the need to simplify international financial management given the complexity of multiple applications, confusing exchange rates, and high fees faced by people with global lives.

It is important to note that the name 'Nubank' is not used in American operations, due to the absence of a full banking license in the US. Such a request was made in September 2025, receiving preliminary conditional approval in January 2026. Due to this status, the partnership with Lead Bank is necessary to operate.

With Nu Global, Nubank officially competes with services such as Nomad and Wise. Previously, the global account offering was limited to the Ultravioleta service package. The new service does not require the Ultravioleta account and differs by converting all deposits into digital dollars (USDC) or digital euros (EURC), offering yields of 3.5% and 2.2% per year, respectively.

Nu Global customers can also send or receive funds to more than 35 countries in Europe and Latin America. Nubank plans to directly integrate accounts in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and the United States in the coming months. Furthermore, Nu Global accounts will allow trading of digital assets, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and will grant a virtual Mastercard.

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