A Guide to Understanding Brazil’s Payments Ecosystem

Understand Brazil’s payment preferences, regulatory frameworks and settlement rules to succeed in the region’s largest ecommerce market

Brazil enters 2025 as Latin America’s largest digital economy. With 76% of Brazilians now using instant payment rails and mobile transactions dominating consumer behaviour, Brazil offers extraordinary opportunities for businesses that understand its unique payment landscape.

This payment guide is meant to give you a concise, data-driven roadmap through Brazil’s payment ecosystem, regulatory rules and growth opportunities so you can navigate the market with confidence and capture its extraordinary momentum.

Brazil’s Key Facts, Figures and Market Snapshot

From 2000 to 2012, Brazil was one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world with an average annual GDP growth rate of over 5%. This is a market where 73% of shoppers buy on a smartphone and 94 million people shop online.

From above-referenced sources, here are the essential numbers at a glance:

• Population: 209.47 million
• GDP per capita: $8,921
• eCommerce market value: $23.8 billion
• Mobile commerce market value: $7.6 billion
• Percentage of population using the Internet: 67.47%
• Percentage of adults with a mobile phone: 85%
• Percentage of population with bank accounts: 70%
• Percentage of population that uses credit cards: 27%

Demographics and Digital Readiness

Brazil’s 213 million residents are mostly young and urban – a perfect combination for digital adoption. While São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte generate the most traffic, instant payment solutions and mobile wallets are quickly spreading to rural areas.

This mobile-first mindset shapes what Brazilians expect from payments. They want instant confirmation, QR codes and one-click checkout. If your checkout still forces desktop-centric forms or only accepts cards, you’ll lose buyers who prefer scanning a QR code and moving on with their day.

Ecommerce Landscape

At US$36.3 billion, Brazil’s digital commerce market already exceeds the rest of Spanish-speaking Latin America combined.

Here are some interesting ecommerce facts:

• Annual ecommerce Revenue: $15,279 million
• Average ecommerce revenue per user: $119.69
• Percentage of ecommerce purchases that are cross-border: 44%
• Percentage of population making online purchases: 60.5%
• Projected ecommerce growth: 2.5% annually to 2023

Regulations and Compliance Landscape

Brazil’s payments market demands preparation, not shortcuts. Multiple regulatory bodies monitor every aspect of operations—from customer onboarding to profit repatriation.

Come prepared and you’ll avoid licensing delays, blocked funds or reputation damage.

Key Regulatory Bodies

Banco Central do Brasil (BACEN) controls Brazil’s payment universe. It licenses acquirers, digital wallets and cross-border payment providers. Every product tested in its regulatory sandbox needs BACEN approval—giving you space to prove new concepts without full licensing requirements first. Capital level checks happen regularly.

The Council for Financial Activities Control (COAF) reviews suspicious activity reports. The National Monetary Council (CMN) sets macro-level policy, including interchange caps and instant-payment rules. CVM oversees securities-related fintechs. Receita Federal collects taxes on imports and financial operations.

However, foreign merchants face additional complexity. You must appoint a local representative or partner with a Merchant of Record.

Top Payment Methods and Consumer Preferences

Brazil’s payment scene changes faster than anywhere else in Latin America. Credit cards still matter but real-time and mobile-first solutions are just as important. PIX Instant payments handle three-quarters of the region’s real-time transactions with mobile purchases leading the way.

Your checkout should be optimized for mobile screens and should offer installment payment options (buy now, pay later). Brazilians routinely split even small purchases into instalments.

PIX – Brazil’s Real-Time Payment Rail

Pix launched in November 2020 and completely changed Brazil’s payment landscape. Created by the Central Bank, it operates 24/7, settles in seconds and costs consumers nothing. On its busiest day, users completed 227 million transfers—something unthinkable for cards or boletos just a few years ago.

Usage has reached 76% of the population, driving 63.4 billion transactions worth BRL 26.4 trillion in 2024. You benefit from fees that typically cost less than debit cards,while getting higher conversions.

New features arrive almost yearly:

• Pix Parcelado lets shoppers pay in instalments while you get funds upfront
• WhatsApp integration turns chats into checkouts
• Pix Automático handles recurring debits.

These improvements could add BRL 280.7 billion to the national GDP by 2028. For reach, speed and low cost combined, this instant payment system should not be overlooked.

Boleto Bancário

Before Pix, boleto slips were Brazil’s digital cash substitute. Shoppers still use them today—a barcode or QR code paid at a physical location, such as a convenience store. They appeal to unbanked and privacy-conscious consumers which is why they still handle up to 16% of ecommerce payments.

Recent updates include mobile scanning and automatic reconciliation in fintech apps.

However, boletos settle in batches without instant confirmation, creating friction when shoppers decide to buy. Many users switched to instant payments for speed. Think of boletos as extending your reach by bringing in cash-preferring consumers. 

Credit Cards

Cards still dominate higher-value online spending, handling roughly 40-41% of transactions, though their share dropped from 49% in 2023. Their lasting appeal? Instalment flexibility—Some cardholders split payments over several months. 

Brazil’s card ecosystem has several local players in addition to Visa and Mastercard. Elo holds 14% market share with Hipercard, Cabal, Sicredi and BNDES Card serving niche segments. Visa and Mastercard still dominate cross-border purchases.

Improving authorisation rates often requires local acquiring which merchants can access without creating a local business entity through Merchant of Record (MOR) solutions. 

Digital Wallets

Brazil’s mobile-first habits make digital wallets a natural fit. Nubank alone has over 100 million customers. Mercado Pago rides marketplace momentum while Apple Pay and Google Pay bring global familiarity to affluent consumers.

Features like NFC and stored credentials cut seconds from checkout—crucial when more than a third of shoppers want one-click payments. Integrating leading wallets reduces abandonment among younger users.

Currencies

Brazil’s foreign-exchange market operates under tight rules from the Central Bank. Every cross-border payment must go through an authorised provider. You also face the Tax on Financial Operations (IOF), a levy adding up to 3.95% to the cost of moving money out of the country.

The Brazilian Real (BRL) tendency for sudden swings means your settlement values can shift between authorisation and payout.

The Brazilian Real (BRL)

BRL brings both opportunities and challenges for international sellers. Periods of rapid appreciation make Brazilian buyers more willing to spend on imported goods. Sharp depreciations squeeze your margins overnight.

Inflation makes this risk worse because domestic prices adjust quickly, limiting your ability to absorb currency losses.

You can reduce the impact through local-currency pricing. Brazilians prefer seeing BRL totals at checkout and often abandon carts displaying USD. Offer real-denominated prices, then convert only at settlement.

This protects shoppers from exchange shocks. Show transparent FX rates on receipts and invoices so customers know exactly what they paid. This prevents chargeback disputes related to hidden conversion fees.

Stablecoin Adoption in Brazil

Stablecoins have become a major force in Brazil’s payment landscape. Central bank and tax data reveal that stablecoins now account for over 90% of all crypto flows in the country with consumer usage surging throughout 2024.

USDT and USDC dominate the market as Brazilians increasingly use these dollar-pegged tokens to protect against currency volatility and inflation. The Real’s tendency to depreciate suddenly makes holding USD-denominated assets attractive, even for everyday consumers.

Three primary use cases drive stablecoin adoption:

• Cross-border transfers: Stablecoins offer faster, lower-cost international payments compared to traditional banking rails, particularly valuable for remittances and freelancer payments.
• E-commerce and marketplace settlement: Merchants use stablecoins to receive payments and manage treasury operations without exposure to Real fluctuations, improving cash flow predictability.
• USD savings: Consumers treat stablecoins as accessible dollar accounts, protecting purchasing power during inflationary periods when the Real weakens.

For international merchants, accepting stablecoin payments opens access to digitally native Brazilian consumers while providing natural currency hedging. Settlement in stablecoins also bypasses traditional FX conversion costs and delays, though you’ll need to work with payment providers who handle the regulatory requirements properly.

Growth Drivers and Opportunities for Global Businesses

Brazil’s digital economy moves at breakneck speed. Online commerce revenue will rise from US$36.3 billion in 2025 to US$111.4 billion by 2027, creating massive opportunities for foreign brands that localise their offers.

Three forces drive this growth: a rising middle class shopping by phone, government-backed instant payments and a strong appetite for international products driving 7% of online orders. 

Digital Transformation and Mobile-First Consumers

Brazilian shoppers live on their phones. Nearly three-quarters complete purchases on mobile devices. They demand speed—more than a third already use one-click checkouts. They embrace new payment tools.

Instant payments integrate tightly with WhatsApp and messaging platforms, satisfying that demand for immediate gratification. Your customers can pay the moment they tap a QR code. This mobile urgency shapes everything from page design to payment flow.

Long, complex checkouts drive shoppers away. Concise flows featuring modern payment rails, cards and digital wallets keep them engaged and increase conversion rates. When you tailor promotions for push notifications, social feeds and live-commerce streams, you align with daily habits rather than forcing behaviour change.

Cross-Border Shopping Trends

Cross-border orders will account for 8% of Brazilian ecommerce in 2026 and they’re currently growing as consumers seek variety, exclusivity and better prices. 

The Programa Remessa Conforme (PRC) rewards registered sellers by cutting import duty on shipments worth up to US$50 to 20% and fixing ICMS at 17%. Pre-collecting these taxes during checkout eliminates delivery surprises that stop packages at customs. This improves conversion and keeps delivery promises.

Combine PRC registration with local payment options—instant transfers, Boleto and card instalments—to match buyer expectations. Use trusted marketplaces and local logistics contractors for fulfilment to avoid last-mile problems.

High-Growth Verticals and Opportunities

Fashion dominates Brazilian ecommerce, powered by young, social-media-savvy consumers discovering trends on Instagram and TikTok. International labels offering fresh collections or sustainable lines find eager audiences when they publish product pages in Portuguese and .

Electronics follow closely: demand remains high for smartphones, laptops and home tech. Buyers actively compare specs and prices. Supply latest-generation devices or hard-to-find accessories to gain an edge. Make landed costs and after-sales support clear upfront.

Across all categories, Brazilians often spread payments over instalments through cards or buy-now-pay-later instalment features. 

Best Practices for Accepting Payments in Brazil

Launching payment operations in Brazil requires more than technical integration. You need strategies that align with local consumer behaviour, regulatory expectations and operational realities. Follow these best practices to avoid common pitfalls.

Display Prices in BRL

Brazilian shoppers abandon checkouts when they see USD or EUR pricing. They want to know the exact cost in their currency before clicking purchase. Display all prices in Brazilian Real throughout your site and checkout flow.

Integrate Pix for Instant Confirmation and Lower Costs

Pix handles three-quarters of Latin America’s real-time payments and Brazilian consumers prefer it for speed and convenience.

Maintain Boleto Support for Unbanked Segments

While Pix dominates, Boleto still reaches consumers without bank accounts or those who prefer cash-like transactions. These customers generate real revenue you’ll miss without Boleto support.

The trade-off is settlement timing—Boletos clear in batches rather than instantly. 

Register for Programa Remessa Conforme (PRC) Early

Cross-border sellers benefit enormously from PRC registration. Under Brazil’s Conforming Shipment Program (CRP) for international e-commerce, purchases up to US$50 are subject to an import duty of 20%, plus ICMS at around 17%. For purchases above US$50, the import duty rises to 60% with ICMS still applied.

Registration requires documentation proving your business’s legitimacy and agreement to pre-collect duties. Start this process before you launch. Delays in PRC approval mean every early sale faces higher duties and longer delivery times, damaging your brand reputation in a market where you’re still unknown.

Build LGPD Compliance into Your Initial Integration

Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD) requires specific consent mechanisms for customer data collection and processing. Your payment operations touch multiple data points that trigger these requirements.

Before you launch, implement clear consent flows for marketing tracking and advertising practices. Brazilian shoppers must explicitly opt in to cookies, pixels and behavioural tracking. Pre-ticked boxes don’t satisfy LGPD requirements. 

Your checkout must separate transaction processing consent from marketing communications consent, giving customers granular control.

Chargeback and dispute management also creates its own data obligations. You’ll store transaction records, customer communications and supporting documentation for dispute resolution. 

This information must remain accessible only to authorised personnel with documented retention periods and deletion procedures. LGPD mandates that you keep dispute-related data only as long as legally required, then delete it systematically.

Work with payment providers who handle Brazilian data protection requirements within their infrastructure. This reduces your direct compliance burden while maintaining LGPD standards throughout the payment chain.

Work with a Local Card Acquirer for Superior Authorisation Rates

Card authorisation rates vary dramatically across Latin America depending on your payment provider. A transaction that clears smoothly through a local acquirer might decline when routed through an international processor unfamiliar with Brazilian issuing banks and spending patterns.

These differences aren’t marginal. In Brazil and across LATAM, authorisation rate gaps between providers can reach double digits, directly impacting your revenue and customer experience. False declines frustrate legitimate buyers, damage your brand reputation and waste your marketing investment.

Local acquiring relationships improve authorisation performance through better BIN recognition, regional fraud scoring and direct connections to Brazilian issuing banks. Your payment provider should maintain direct acquiring licences in Brazil rather than routing transactions through intermediaries.

Work with a leading global provider like Rapyd that combines local acquiring expertise with international reach. Direct Visa and Mastercard acquiring in LATAM delivers the authorisation rates your business needs to maximise revenue from Brazilian customers.