Brazil is one of the fastest-growing digital economies, with a thriving e-commerce market and a high adoption rate of digital payments. However, for international businesses and crypto users, navigating local payment methods and converting funds into USD or cryptocurrency can be a challenge.
Why Accept Local Payments in Brazil?
Brazil has a rapidly expanding e-commerce, SaaS, and freelance market, making it an attractive destination for global businesses. However, most Brazilian customers prefer local payment methods, and credit card penetration is relatively low.
Key Benefits of Accepting Local Payments in Brazil
✅ Reach More Customers – Many Brazilians prefer PIX, Boleto Bancário, and local credit cards.
✅ Reduce Payment Failures – Some international payment methods get rejected due to bank restrictions.
✅ Lower Transaction Fees – Local payments often have lower processing fees compared to international wire transfers.
✅ Increase Trust & Sales – Offering familiar payment options makes customers feel secure when making purchases.
Best Ways to Accept Local Payments in Brazil
To accept Brazilian Real (BRL) payments from customers, you need a local payment gateway, bank, or crypto-friendly solution. Here’s how:
1. Accept Payments via Brazil’s PIX System
📌 What is PIX?
PIX is Brazil’s instant payment system, allowing customers to pay businesses in seconds via QR codes, mobile banking apps, or unique payment IDs.
📌 Why Use PIX?
✅ Zero or Low Fees – PIX transactions are often free or have minimal fees.
✅ Instant Settlement – Payments are processed within seconds, 24/7.
✅ Wide Adoption – Used by millions of Brazilians and businesses.
📌 How to Accept PIX Payments?
🔹 Open a local business bank account in Brazil.
🔹 Use PIX-enabled payment providers (PagSeguro, Mercado Pago, or Stripe).
🔹 Generate a PIX QR Code for customers to scan and pay.
If you don’t have a Brazilian bank account, use a third-party payment processor that supports PIX withdrawals to USD or crypto.
2. Accept Payments via Boleto Bancário
📌 What is Boleto Bancário?
Boleto is a cash-based payment method where customers generate a payment slip (Boleto) and pay it at a bank, ATM, or convenience store.
📌 Why Use Boleto?
✅ Accessible to All Customers – No bank account or credit card is needed.
✅ Popular for E-Commerce – Many online shoppers prefer Boleto over credit cards.
✅ Higher Approval Rates – No chargebacks or declined payments.
📌 How to Accept Boleto Payments?
🔹 Use a Brazilian payment processor like PagSeguro, Ebanx, or Mercado Pago.
🔹 Customers receive a payment slip, which they can pay online or at a local bank.
🔹 Once the payment clears (1-3 days), funds are credited to your account.
Boleto takes longer to process than PIX, but it captures more customers who don’t have bank accounts.
3. Accept Local Credit and Debit Cards
📌 Why Use Local Cards?
✅ Many Brazilians use national cards that don’t work for international payments.
✅ Local card processing has lower fees than foreign card transactions.
📌 Best Payment Gateways for Local Cards
Ebanx – Specializes in cross-border payments for international businesses.
PagSeguro – Popular in Brazilian e-commerce and online businesses.
Mercado Pago – Widely used for freelancers and small businesses.
Many international businesses struggle with rejected payments because Brazilian credit cards often block foreign transactions. A local processor solves this issue.
How to Convert BRL to USD or Cryptocurrency?
After accepting local payments in BRL, businesses need to convert funds into USD or crypto for international use.
1. Convert BRL to USD via a Multi-Currency Bank Account
If you have a Brazilian or international bank account, you can use multi-currency banking solutions to convert BRL into USD. Make sure that you have access to low-fee currency exchange and ability to send and receive USD payments.
It is possible to avoid high FX fees by using fintech banks instead of traditional banks. If you would like to get an up to date list of best fintech providers for BRL to USD, EUR or GBP conversions, fill out our contact form with your details and we will send it to you by email.
2. Convert BRL to Crypto (USDT, BTC, ETH)
For businesses that prefer crypto over USD, you can convert BRL directly to USDT, Bitcoin, or Ethereum using crypto exchanges.
Best Crypto Exchanges for BRL-to-Crypto Conversions:
Binance Brazil – Supports PIX deposits & BRL-to-USDT conversions.
Coinbase – Offers direct BRL-to-crypto trading.
Mercado Bitcoin – A Brazilian crypto exchange for local traders.
📌 How It Works:
🔹 Deposit BRL via PIX or Boleto to a crypto exchange.
🔹 Trade BRL for USDT, BTC, or ETH.
🔹 Withdraw crypto to your wallet or convert back to USD.
Moreover, some fintech banks (discussed previously) have integrated crypto capabilities and allow customers to exchange BRL directly to popular crypto currencies (USDT, BTC, ETH, etc). If you would like to get a list of crypto-integrated fintech banks, contact us here.
3. Use P2P Trading for Instant BRL-to-USD or Crypto Conversions
P2P (peer-to-peer) platforms let businesses buy or sell USDT/Bitcoin in exchange for BRL with local buyers.
Best P2P Platforms for BRL Transactions:
🔹 Binance P2P – Buy/sell USDT and BTC with local Brazilian traders.
🔹 Paxful – Trade crypto for BRL via bank transfers or PIX.
🔹 LocalBitcoins – Find buyers willing to exchange BRL for Bitcoin.
Always verify P2P buyers to avoid scams and fraud.
Compliance & Regulations for Crypto and Fiat Conversions in Brazil
Brazil has strict financial regulations, and businesses must comply with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and tax reporting requirements.
Key Compliance Rules for BRL-to-USD or Crypto Transactions:
✔ KYC (Know Your Customer) Requirements – Most exchanges require ID verification.
✔ Tax Reporting – Profits from crypto transactions may be subject to taxes.
✔ Banking Restrictions – Some Brazilian banks restrict crypto-related transactions.
It is smart to work with a local accountant or compliance expert to ensure your business meets regulatory requirements.
Conclusion: Accept & Convert Brazilian Payments Efficiently
Businesses expanding into Brazil can boost sales and reach more customers by accepting local payment methods like PIX, Boleto, and local cards. To maximize earnings, companies can convert BRL to USD or crypto using multi-currency banking solutions, crypto exchanges, or P2P platforms.