Colombia’s second-largest pension manager, AFP Protección, has introduced a new investment fund offering controlled Bitcoin exposure to eligible clients, signaling a cautious but pivotal shift toward digital assets in retirement planning.
Key Takeaways
- AFP Protección is launching a Bitcoin exposure fund aimed at long-term diversification, not short-term speculation.
- Only clients who pass a personalized advisory and risk assessment can access the product.
- The move comes amid new crypto regulations in Colombia and follows a similar launch by Skandia in 2025.
- This marks a major step in bringing institutional digital asset adoption into mainstream pension portfolios in Latin America.
What Happened?
AFP Protección announced on January 25, 2026, that it will offer select clients access to a new investment fund featuring Bitcoin exposure. The product is designed as an optional diversification tool, not a replacement for traditional pension assets, and will be available only to clients who meet specific eligibility criteria through a one-on-one advisory process.
LATEST: 💰 AFP Protección, Colombia’s second-largest pension fund, is preparing to launch a Bitcoin investment fund for qualified investors focused on expanding long-term portfolio diversification. pic.twitter.com/k41MoHWJny
— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) January 26, 2026
A New Chapter for Colombian Retirement Investment
AFP Protección, which manages over 220 trillion Colombian pesos (around 55 billion dollars) for more than 8.5 million clients, is taking a significant step by allowing Bitcoin exposure in its investment offerings. The fund reflects a shift in how institutional investors view digital assets, particularly as part of a diversified portfolio designed to hedge against inflation and geopolitical risk.
- The new Bitcoin fund will remain outside the core pension products, with no changes to the traditional strategy centered on bonds and equities.
- Only clients who pass a detailed financial risk profile assessment through a personalized advisory session will qualify.
- The fund aims to provide secure, regulated exposure to Bitcoin, addressing long-standing concerns around volatility and custody in digital assets.
Regulatory Backdrop Encourages Institutional Moves
This move follows a wave of regulatory clarity in Colombia. In January, the DIAN, Colombia’s national tax authority, rolled out mandatory crypto reporting rules for exchanges and other service providers. These align with the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and mandate that providers report user data, transactions, and valuations.
- The new regulations are seen as key enablers for pension funds like AFP Protección to participate in the crypto space with greater confidence.
- These rules are expected to improve transparency, reduce tax evasion, and ensure international compliance.
Joining a Regional Trend Toward Crypto
AFP Protección is not the first to make this move. In September 2025, Skandia introduced Bitcoin exposure in one of its portfolios. Together, these initiatives mark a regional trend as institutional players in Latin America increasingly view Bitcoin as a “reserve-style” macro asset.
- Neighboring countries like Venezuela and Brazil have also seen rising adoption of digital assets, often driven by economic instability and inflation.
- Analysts at 21Shares described this trend as a “graduation” for Bitcoin, moving from speculative hedge to mainstream financial instrument.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience covering digital finance, this is a game-changing move. Pension funds are among the most conservative institutions in the financial world, so for AFP Protección to offer regulated Bitcoin access, even in a limited capacity, tells us the digital asset space is finally being taken seriously at the highest levels. I found the personalized advisory process especially smart. It keeps investor protection front and center. This isn’t crypto mania, it’s crypto maturity. And that’s exactly what the industry needs to scale responsibly.
