Brazil crypto rules: central bank to require VASP authorization by February 2026

Brazil’s Central Bank has rolled out comprehensive regulations for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), mandating authorization, AML/CFT compliance, and treating fiat-pegged stablecoins as foreign-exchange operations, effective February 2026 with a nine-month transition.

Key Regulatory Changes for VASPs

Starting February 2, 2026, VASPs must secure prior authorization from the Central Bank of Brazil to operate legally. This builds on Law 14,478 (2022) and a 2023 decree, imposing stricter governance, internal controls, transparency, and customer protection standards. AML and CFT obligations are extended to combat illicit activities in the crypto sector.

Stablecoins Classified as FX Operations

A major shift: Transactions involving fiat-pegged stablecoins, like purchases, sales, exchanges, and cross-border transfers, will be treated as foreign-exchange operations. In Brazil’s booming crypto market, where stablecoins dominate flows, this could reshape exchanges and payment providers by adding oversight and limits, such as capping deals with unauthorized parties at $100,000.

Transition Period and Market Impact

Existing providers get a nine-month grace period until November 2026 to apply for authorization and comply, with a 30-day window post-deadline for asset transfers. This aligns Brazil with global standards like EU’s MiCA, potentially boosting stability but increasing costs in a key Latin American crypto hub.