As of February 2, 2026, the Brazilian financial market has been operating under a new paradigm. The regulatory framework of the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) for crypto assets and foreign exchange (Forex) operations is now in effect, consolidated by BCB Resolutions No. 519, 520, and 521/2025.
This shift is more than just bureaucratic; it represents the definitive integration of digital assets into the traditional financial ecosystem. For companies and investors, the lack of specific guidelines has given way to an environment of greater governance, predictability, and legal certainty.
Follow along as we break down the key points of this new regulation and how your business should prepare for this new market era.
What is the New Central Bank Regulation?
Published in late 2025, these resolutions establish the foundation for Brazil to become a Web3 innovation hub with institutional oversight. The BCB’s focus rests on three main pillars:
- Authorization: Disciplining the activities of brokers and custodians.
- Forex Parity: Classifying the use of stablecoins in international transfers as regulated exchange operations.
- Transparency: Requiring systematic data reporting to prevent financial crimes.
This move aligns Brazil with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) guidelines, elevating the country’s status on the global stage.
Key Changes Under the New Legislation
1. Stablecoins in the Forex Market Spotlight
The most significant change affects stablecoins (crypto assets pegged to fiat currencies, such as the US Dollar). Now, using these assets for international payments or remittances is formally treated as a foreign exchange operation.
This means international transfers with crypto assets now have clear registration rules and limits, eliminating the “gray area” that previously hindered compliance for large corporations.
2. The Rise of VASPs (Crypto as Financial Institutions)
Brokers and platforms are now officially designated as VASPs (Virtual Asset Service Providers). To operate in Brazil, they require:
- Prior authorization from the Central Bank.
- Asset Segregation: Customer funds must be kept separate from the broker’s corporate assets (a vital protection against insolvency).
- Compliance Frameworks: Rigorous implementation of KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) protocols.
3. Supervision Rules and Operational Limits
Beginning May 4, 2026, monitoring will be comprehensive. All transactions involving the conversion of virtual assets to fiat currency (and vice versa) must be reported.
Heads up: For operations where the counterparty is not an authorized institution, the limit for international transfers has been set at the equivalent of USD 100,000.
How Should the Market Adapt?
For companies operating in this sector, the keyword is technological readiness. Simply following the law isn’t enough; you need the infrastructure to support real-time reporting requirements.
Current priorities include:
- KYC Process Review: Implementing more robust identity verification.
- Transaction Monitoring: Automated systems to identify suspicious patterns.
- Strategic Partnerships: Aligning with tech partners born with a “compliance-first” mindset.
Why is This Positive for the Brazilian Ecosystem?
Regulation provides the maturity needed to attract institutional investors. With clear rules, systemic risk decreases and innovation gains momentum, allowing Brazil to lead the economy tokenization agenda and integration with Drex (the Digital Real).
Keeping up with Central Bank changes is a constant challenge, but your company doesn’t have to do it alone. At Evertec, we combine cutting-edge technology with regulatory expertise to ensure your operations are agile, secure, and fully compliant. Click here to learn about our solutions.
