Brazil Central Bank Bans the Use of Crypto Assets for Settlement in Regulated Cross-Border Payment Channels

Odaily Planet Daily News The Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) has issued Resolution No. 561, prohibiting the use of virtual assets for settlement in regulated eFX international payment and transfer services. The resolution stipulates that payments and receipts between eFX service providers and their overseas counterparties must only be conducted through foreign exchange transactions or non-resident Brazilian Real accounts, and the use of virtual assets is strictly prohibited.

This regulation also applies to eFX providers that are in a transitional period and have not yet been included in the approved category. If these companies wish to continue providing services, they must apply for authorization from the central bank by May 31, 2027. This move does not constitute a blanket ban on crypto asset transfers within Brazil, but rather aims to limit cross-border payment flows to the regulated foreign exchange track.

The Central Bank of Brazil stated that this action is due to the surge in the use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, which has raised concerns about money laundering, taxation, and monetary sovereignty. (Cointelegraph)