Cambio SIR
Cambio SIR is a Uruguay-licensed currency exchange house (Riocenter S.A.) operating Casa Central plus 10 branches and a correspondent network across Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, and Soriano, serving individual consumers and businesses with FX, remittances, collections, ticketing, and prepaid card services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersMontevideo, Uruguay
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Cambio SIR does
Cambio SIR is a Uruguay-based financial services firm operating as an authorized currency exchange house (casa de cambio) under the regulatory oversight of the Banco Central del Uruguay. Founded in 1999 and legally constituted as Riocenter S.A., the company is headquartered in Montevideo (Zabala 1441) and operates Casa Central plus ten branches across strategic locations in Montevideo and Canelones, supplemented by a correspondent network spanning four departments (Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, Soriano). Its core offering is the buying and selling of foreign currency, delivered both through in-branch teller services with preferential service windows and through remote banking modalities (transfers, checks, cash deposits).
The company's underlying technology is modest: a mobile application enables remote currency exchange transactions, and the website integrates with the Banco Central del Uruguay's official statistics portal for historical exchange rates and arbitrage data. The firm is subject to mandatory AML/CTF compliance under BCU Circular 1978 and maintains a GDPR-aligned privacy policy. Beyond FX, Cambio SIR has built an ecosystem of partner-integrated services: collections and payments via the Red Pagos network, domestic transfers via Red Pagos, international remittances through MoneyGram and More Money Transfers, entertainment ticketing through RED UTS/REDTICKETS/TICKANTEL, and the proprietary MiDinero international prepaid card. Third-party advertising integrations (MoPub, Exponential Interactive, Google AdWords) support customer acquisition.
Cambio SIR's revenue model is transaction-fee-based across all five streams (FX spreads, transfer commissions, collection fees, ticketing commissions, MiDinero card fees). Its go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through the owned branch network and correspondent agents. The primary customer segment is the general public (individual consumers needing FX, remittance, and bill payment services), with a secondary business customer segment for larger transactions. Marketing channels are limited to the company website plus organic Facebook and Instagram presence. The firm employs 51-100 people and is privately held with no disclosed investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity.
Cambio SIR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cambio SIR
- Legal name
- Riocenter S.A.
- Website
- https://cambiosir.com.uy
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Cambio SIR is a Uruguay-licensed currency exchange house (Riocenter S.A.) operating Casa Central plus 10 branches and a correspondent network across Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, and Soriano, serving individual consumers and businesses with FX, remittances, collections, ticketing, and prepaid card services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cambio SIR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Currency Exchange Services
- NAICS
- Nondepository Credit Intermediation (5222)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Remittances & Retail FX (Consumer Cross-Border) (FSABAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services (FSAMAIAG), Cross-Border Payments & FX (multi-currency wallets, DCC, remittance) (THALAHAE)
Keywords
Where Cambio SIR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montevideo
- HQ country
- Uruguay
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices19 records
Markets served
Cambio SIR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Currency Exchange: Buy and sell foreign currency at exchange rates that may vary during the day. Revenue generated through exchange rate spreads.
- Money Transfers: Domestic money transfers through Red Pagos network and international transfers via More Money Transfers and Money Gram services. Commission-based revenue from transfer fees.
- Collections and Payments: Collections and payments services through Red Pagos network, generating revenue from transaction fees.
- Ticket Sales: Sale of tickets for RED UTS, REDTICKETS, and TICKANTEL events.
- MiDinero Card Services: Issuance and management of MiDinero international prepaid cards with associated fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard currency exchange services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
Cambio SIR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cambio SIR operates a licensed currency exchange house (casa de cambio) in Uruguay, buying and selling foreign currency at branches with preferential teller windows and via banking modalities (transfers, checks, cash deposits). The company complements core FX with collections and payments via the Red Pagos network, domestic and international money transfers through MoneyGram and More Money Transfers, MiDinero international prepaid card issuance, and entertainment ticket sales (RED UTS, REDTICKETS, TICKANTEL), served through 11 branches and a national correspondent network.
Product overview
Cambio SIR operates as a financial services company specializing in currency exchange. The company offers a unified service platform comprising core currency exchange operations (buying and selling foreign currencies at physical branches), supplemented by integrated modules including the MiDinero international prepaid card, collections and payments via Red Pagos network, domestic and international money transfers (through MoneyGram and More Money Transfers), and entertainment ticket sales. The company operates from a central headquarters and 10 branches across Montevideo and Canelones, with correspondent locations in Montevideo, Maldonado, Canelones, and Soriano departments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Currency Exchange Services Buying and selling of foreign currencies at Cambio SIR branches, available through teller services with preferential boxes or via banking modalities (transfers, checks, cash deposits) for remote transactions without visiting a branch. Available to Uruguayan individual consumers and businesses.
- MiDinero International Card International prepaid card product offered by Cambio SIR for international transactions and money management. Customers can request and obtain the card through Cambio SIR branches and website.
- Red Pagos Collections and Payments Collections and bill payment services operated through the Red Pagos network, enabling customers to pay bills and make collections at Red Pagos locations throughout Uruguay.
- Money Transfer Services Domestic money transfers via the Red Pagos network and international transfers through More Money Transfers and MoneyGram partnerships, available to Uruguayan customers at Cambio SIR branches.
- Entertainment Ticket Sales Sale of entertainment event tickets through RED UTS, REDTICKETS, and TICKANTEL ticket distribution systems at Cambio SIR branches.
Quantifiable outcome
- Service coverage across multiple departments (Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, Soriano)
Companies that use Cambio SIR
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cambio SIR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
Cambio SIR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Red PagoscoreRed Pagos is a major Uruguayan payment network providing collections and payment services. Cambio SIR offers all services associated with collections through Red Pagos network, enabling customers to make payments and collections at Red Pagos locations throughout Uruguay.
- More Money TransferscoreMore Money Transfers is an international money transfer service. Cambio SIR offers money transfers to international destinations through More Money Transfers services, providing customers with global remittance capabilities.
- Money GramcoreMoney Gram is a global money transfer company. Cambio SIR offers international money transfers through Money Gram services, enabling customers to send funds internationally through a well-established global network.
- MiDinerocoreMiDinero is an international prepaid card service that Cambio SIR issues and manages. Customers can request and obtain MiDinero international prepaid cards through Cambio SIR branches and website.
- Banco Central del Uruguay (BCU)coreThe Banco Central del Uruguay is the regulatory authority governing Cambio SIR's operations. The company operates under BCU authorization and compliance requirements, including Circular 1978 for AML/CTF prevention.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cambio SIR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MoneyGram: Global money transfer company that competes with Western Union and is also a strategic partner of Cambio SIR for international remittances. Provides the rails Cambio SIR depends on for cross-border transfers.
- Banco República Oriental del Uruguay (BROU): Uruguay's largest state-owned commercial bank with nationwide branch network offering FX, remittances, and collections bundled with deposit accounts. The dominant incumbent that competes with Cambio SIR on FX and payments.
- Western Union: Global leader in consumer cross-border money transfers with extensive agent network across Latin America. Competitor in the international remittance segment that Cambio SIR accesses indirectly via its MoneyGram partnership.
- Banco Santander Uruguay: Major Uruguayan commercial bank offering FX, international transfers, and payment services as part of a broader retail and corporate banking franchise. Competes with Cambio SIR for both consumer and SME FX/remittance customers.
Direct peers
- Cambio Gales: One of the longest-established currency exchange houses (casas de cambio) in Uruguay, operating multiple branches in Montevideo. Direct competitor to Cambio SIR in retail FX, money transfers, and correspondent banking services for Uruguayan consumers.
- Cambio Visión: Uruguayan currency exchange house operating multiple branches in Montevideo. Direct competitor to Cambio SIR in retail foreign currency exchange and remittance services within the Uruguayan market.
- Global Exchange: Spanish-headquartered currency exchange company specializing in FX services at airports and tourist locations worldwide. Direct peer in the consumer FX segment and a relevant comparable given Uruguay's tourism corridor (Punta del Este, Carrasco).
Others
- Red Pagos: Uruguay's dominant bill payment and collections network. Cambio SIR is both a Red Pagos channel partner (offering collections/payments through the Red Pagos network) and competes with Red Pagos' own agent locations for foot-traffic-driven FX and payment services.
Emerging players
- Remitly: Digital remittance platform with strong Latin America corridor focus. Competes with Cambio SIR's international money transfer services for Uruguayan customers sending and receiving cross-border payments.
- Wise: Digital-first cross-border money transfer platform offering mid-market FX rates via a mobile/web app. Emerging competitive threat to traditional casas de cambio in Uruguay as smartphone-based remittance adoption grows.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cambio SIR social profiles
Digital presenceCambio SIR compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Cambio SIR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cambio SIR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cambio SIR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cambio SIR M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cambio SIR
What does Cambio SIR do?
Cambio SIR operates a licensed currency exchange house (casa de cambio) in Uruguay, buying and selling foreign currency at branches with preferential teller windows and via banking modalities (transfers, checks, cash deposits). The company complements core FX with collections and payments via the Red Pagos network, domestic and international money transfers through MoneyGram and More Money Transfers, MiDinero international prepaid card issuance, and entertainment ticket sales (RED UTS, REDTICKETS, TICKANTEL), served through 11 branches and a national correspondent network.
Is Cambio SIR a public or private company?
Cambio SIR is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Cambio SIR founded?
Cambio SIR was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Cambio SIR based?
Cambio SIR is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, in the Latin America region.
How does Cambio SIR make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Currency Exchange is the primary driver. The others are money Transfers, collections and Payments, ticket Sales and miDinero Card Services.
Who are Cambio SIR's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are MoneyGram, Banco República Oriental del Uruguay (BROU), Western Union and Banco Santander Uruguay. Direct peers are Cambio Gales, Cambio Visión and Global Exchange. Red Pagos is listed as an others. Emerging players are Remitly and Wise.
Does Cambio SIR have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cambio SIR.
What industry is Cambio SIR in?
Cambio SIR's product category is Currency Exchange Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABAAAK, Remittances & Retail FX (Consumer Cross-Border), with a secondary code of FSAMAIAG, Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services. Its NAICS code is 5222.