How is crypto regulated in Brazil?

Crypto regulation in Brazil is run mainly by the Banco Central do Brasil, which published a full licensing and foreign exchange rulebook for crypto firms in November 2025. Decree 11.563 of June 2023 named the BCB as regulator under Law 14.478/2022, while the securities regulator, CVM, kept its powers over tokens that are securities, including their public offerings and secondary trading. The basic legal status and the 2022 law are explained in is crypto legal in Brazil; this guide covers what the central bank requires.

What are Brazil's central bank crypto rules?

On November 10, 2025, the BCB published three resolutions. Resolution 519 covers crypto service providers, Resolution 520 covers authorisation, and Resolution 521 covers crypto in the foreign exchange market and in international capital flows. The BCB says the framework draws on the EU's MiCA rules and FATF standards. Most rules took effect on February 2, 2026.

The rules create a new type of licensed company, the virtual asset service provider company (SPSAV), in three roles:

• Intermediary, for buying, selling and swapping crypto, portfolio management and staking for clients
• Custodian, for safekeeping assets and private keys
• Broker, which combines both

Banks, securities brokers and foreign exchange brokers can also be authorised for intermediary or custody services.

What does a Brazil crypto license require?

An SPSAV must be incorporated in Brazil, with its head office and management there, and have at least three directors answerable to the BCB. A single individual cannot be the sole shareholder. Minimum capital ranges from R$10.8 million to R$37.2 million depending on activities, well above the R$1 to 3 million proposed in consultation. Firms must segregate client assets, run cybersecurity and anti-money laundering controls, profile clients' risk before complex products, and guard against price manipulation and insider trading. Foreign firms have to move their Brazilian business into a local entity.

Existing providers could keep operating if they filed the first phase of their authorisation request by October 30, 2026. Resolution BCB 589 then barred authorised institutions from dealing with unauthorised providers after November 6, 2026, except where permitted.

How does Brazil treat stablecoins and self-custody?

Brazil folds them into foreign exchange rules. Buying, selling or swapping a crypto asset pegged to a fiat currency, such as a dollar stablecoin, counts as an FX operation. So do international payments in crypto and transfers to or from self-custody wallets. Only providers authorised for the FX market can handle these, and they must identify who is behind a self-custody wallet. Transfers to counterparties not authorised for FX are capped at US$100,000. Wallet types are compared in custodial vs non-custodial wallets.

Reporting was tightened too. Since May 2026 providers send monthly reports on FX-related crypto operations, and under Resolution BCB 588, transfers to or from self-custody wallets of US$10,000 or more must be reported to Coaf, Brazil's financial intelligence unit, from October 1, 2026. Tax reporting is separate, see how crypto is taxed in Brazil.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the official regulator or a qualified professional for your own situation.