Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the BCB authorisation and leads the file all the way to the compliant launch, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Brazil.
Brazil is the market play - Latin America's largest, and now a properly regulated one. Law 14.478/2022 set the framework, and the Central Bank's 2025 resolutions turned it into a real authorisation regime, in force from February 2026. VASPs must be authorised by the BCB, with governance, capital and Travel-Rule rules. We build the company and the authorisation end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Brazil in brief
The biggest market, now with real rules.
Brazil built its regime in two moves. Law No. 14.478/2022 - the Legal Framework for Virtual Assets - set the guidelines and named the Central Bank as regulator. Then, in November 2025, the Banco Central do Brasil published resolutions 519, 520 and 521, which turned the framework into a working authorisation regime. They came into force on 2 February 2026 with a transition period, so 2026 is the year Brazil moves from a stated framework to a supervised market. A virtual-asset service provider must now be authorised by the BCB before operating.
This is an onshore, market-access play, and we are plain about it: Brazil is not a low-tax jurisdiction, with combined corporate tax up to 34% and crypto taxed normally. What it offers is the largest crypto market in Latin America - tens of millions of users and some of the highest adoption anywhere - now behind a central-bank authorisation that gives real legitimacy. Authorisation turns on financial capacity, lawful sources of capital, governance, technological adequacy, capital and net-worth thresholds and management standards, with AML/CFT and the Travel Rule under Resolution 520. What you build is a Brazilian company, the BCB authorisation for the activity you carry on, and the compliance to match. We build both together.
The biggest LatAm market, now regulated: Law 14.478/2022 plus BCB resolutions in force from February 2026.
Not a tax play - up to 34% corporate tax. The value is scale and a real central-bank authorisation.
BCB authorisation
Authorised by the Central Bank, by activity.
Under the 2025 resolutions, a virtual-asset service provider applies to the BCB for authorisation before operating. We scope the authorisation to the activity and build the file the Central Bank expects.
VASPs must be authorised by the BCB before operating - by activity, inside the transition window.
01 - THE AUTHORISATION
In force from Feb 2026BCB authorisation to operate
Resolution 519 defines how a provider applies for BCB approval before offering virtual-asset services. No authorisation, no operating - the transition period is the window to get it right.
Resolution 519 defines how a provider applies for BCB approval before offering virtual-asset services. No authorisation, no operating - the transition period is the window to get it right.
- ✓Application for BCB approval
- ✓Financial capacity and lawful capital
- ✓Governance and management standards
02 - OPERATING RULES
How the provider operates
Resolution 520 governs how an authorised provider runs in the Brazilian market - the conduct, prudential and operating rules the BCB supervises against.
Financial capacity, governance, technology, capital thresholds; AML + Travel Rule (Res. 520, Art. 44).
- ✓Capital and net-worth thresholds
- ✓Technological adequacy
- ✓Segregation and client protection
03 - AML AND TRAVEL RULE
AML/CFT and transfers
Under Article 44 of Resolution 520, providers must meet AML/CFT duties and the Travel Rule - identifying information accompanying virtual-asset transfers.
Under Article 44 of Resolution 520, providers must meet AML/CFT duties and the Travel Rule - identifying information accompanying virtual-asset transfers.
- ✓AML/CFT programme and reporting
- ✓Travel Rule on transfers
- ✓Monitoring and controls
The BCB regime is new - in force from 2 February 2026 with a transition period for compliance and authorisation. That window is an advantage if you move early and a risk if you wait. Costs are confirmed for your case before any work begins.
Why Brazil
Scale and legitimacy, not a tax break.
This is the onshore market play - the price is real tax and a central-bank authorisation, and what you get is Latin America's biggest crypto market, served lawfully.
✓
Latin America's biggest market
Brazil has tens of millions of crypto users and some of the highest adoption in the world. A local authorisation lets you serve that market directly, not reach it grey-market from abroad.Tens of millions of users.
✓
Central-bank credibility
The BCB is a serious regulator, and its authorisation reads to banks, payment institutions and partners as real legitimacy - the opposite of an unregulated offshore shell in this market.BCB authorisation is real.
✓
First-mover timing
The regime only came into force in February 2026, with a transition period. Building now, inside that window, means being early and authorised rather than scrambling later.Move inside the transition.
✓
Real payments infrastructure
Brazil's instant-payments rails and fintech depth make it one of the most practical places to actually run a crypto-to-fiat business at scale.Deep fintech and instant rails.
✓
The honest trade-off
We say it plainly: combined corporate tax up to 34% and crypto taxed normally. You pay onshore tax for onshore access - the right call when the Brazilian market is the point.Up to 34% tax for access.
✓
The honest structure wins
The BCB authorises on financial capacity, governance and technology. We build the file to that standard, so the authorisation is granted rather than queried.Authorised on capacity + governance.
How it compares
How Brazil differs from other routes.
Brazil is an onshore, central-bank-authorised, market-access route - real tax for the region's biggest market. The honest comparison against offshore is below.
Brazil vs offshore jurisdictions
| Feature |  Brazil | Offshore jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Latin America's biggest market | Tax efficiency, no local market |
| Corporate tax | Up to 34% | 0% (offshore) |
| Regulator | Central Bank (BCB) | Financial-services commission |
| Regime age | Live from Feb 2026 | Established |
What you get
BrazilLatin America's biggest market
Offshore jurisdictionsTax efficiency, no local market
Corporate tax
BrazilUp to 34%
Offshore jurisdictions0% (offshore)
Regulator
BrazilCentral Bank (BCB)
Offshore jurisdictionsFinancial-services commission
Regime age
BrazilLive from Feb 2026
Offshore jurisdictionsEstablished
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | BCB authorisation (Law 14.478) | Up to 34% | Governance + capital, transition to 2026 |
 South Africa | CASP / FSP licence (FSCA) | 27% corporate | Fit-and-proper + operations, ~4-6 months |
 El Salvador | DASP registration (CNAD) | 0% on digital-asset gains | Registration, 2-4 months |
 Seychelles | VASP Act - four activities (FSA) | 1.5% local · territorial | Resident director + office, ~6 months |
BrazilLicense typeBCB authorisation (Law 14.478)
TaxationUp to 34%
RequirementsGovernance + capital, transition to 2026
South AfricaLicense typeCASP / FSP licence (FSCA)
Taxation27% corporate
RequirementsFit-and-proper + operations, ~4-6 months
El SalvadorLicense typeDASP registration (CNAD)
Taxation0% on digital-asset gains
RequirementsRegistration, 2-4 months
SeychellesLicense typeVASP Act - four activities (FSA)
Taxation1.5% local · territorial
RequirementsResident director + office, ~6 months
Doing it properly
What the BCB authorisation file contains.What the BCB file contains.
The Central Bank authorises on capacity, governance and technology. The checklist below is what we build and file, inside the transition window.
01
Brazilian company - a Ltda or SA, incorporated with clean governance and ownership to the UBOs.
02
A BCB authorisation application under Resolution 519 before any services are offered.
03
Demonstrated financial capacity and lawful sources of capital.
04
Governance and management standards, with fit-and-proper administrators.
05
Capital and net-worth thresholds appropriate to the activity.
06
Technological adequacy - systems, security and resilience the BCB can assess.
07
Client-asset protection and segregation where the activity holds client funds or assets.
08
An AML/CFT programme and the Travel Rule under Article 44 of Resolution 520.
09
A compliance function with reporting to the BCB and the financial-intelligence unit.
10
Ongoing supervision - authorisation is the start of a supervised relationship.
01
Brazilian Ltda or SA.
02
BCB authorisation (Res. 519).
03
Financial capacity, lawful capital.
04
Governance and management standards.
05
Capital and net-worth thresholds.
06
Technological adequacy.
07
Client-asset protection.
08
AML/CFT + Travel Rule (Res. 520).
09
Compliance function + reporting.
10
Ongoing BCB supervision.
Reflects Law 14.478/2022 and BCB Resolutions 519, 520 and 521, in force from 2 February 2026 with a transition period, as of 2026.Law 14.478/2022 + BCB Res. 519/520/521, from Feb 2026.
How it works
From first call to a BCB authorisation.
01
Strategy and timing
The activity, the transition window and the honest plan - fixed in writing before anything incorporates.Activity + transition window - in writing.
02
The Brazilian company
A Ltda or SA, incorporated with clean governance and ownership transparent to the UBOs.A Ltda or SA, clean governance.
03
The BCB file
The authorisation application - financial capacity, governance, technological adequacy and capital thresholds.Capacity, governance, technology.
04
AML and banking
The AML/CFT and Travel-Rule programme in place; local accounts and rails arranged on disclosure.Travel-Rule programme; accounts.
05
Authorisation and run
The BCB authorises the provider; ongoing supervision and reporting keep it clean.BCB authorises; supervision follows.
Quick facts
RegulatorBanco Central do Brasil
LawLaw 14.478/2022
RulesBCB Res. 519 / 520 / 521
In forceFrom 2 February 2026
VehicleLtda or SA
Corporate taxUp to 34%
AMLTravel Rule (Res. 520, Art. 44)
Why hereLargest LatAm market
Brazil's regime is brand new - the transition window rewards moving early. This is scale and legitimacy, not tax arbitrage.
On the ground for Brazil
Run from our international desks.
Prifinance - Brazil desk
Run from our Dubai office
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower, Dubai, UAE
01
Brazilian company
The Ltda or SA the authorisation sits on - incorporated clean, owned transparently to the UBOs.Ltda or SA, built clean.
02
The BCB authorisation
The application, the financial capacity, governance and technology, assembled the way the Central Bank expects to read them.Capacity, governance, technology.
03
AML and Travel Rule
The AML/CFT programme and the Travel Rule under Resolution 520 - built to the standard the BCB supervises against.Res. 520 programme.
04
Banking and rails
Local accounts and payment rails, arranged on full disclosure with a central-bank authorisation behind you.Arranged on full disclosure.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Brazil.
A normal onshore position - we set it out plainly, because the reason to be here is the market, not the rate.
Corporate tax up to 34%
Brazilian companies face combined corporate taxation up to about 34% on profit. There is no crypto carve-out - the digital-asset business is taxed like any other.Combined corporate tax.
Crypto is taxed
Gains and income from crypto are taxed under the general rules. There is no special exemption - the position is documented and planned, not avoided.General rules apply.
The trade-off is deliberate
You pay onshore tax for onshore access to the region's biggest market. When Brazil is the goal, that is the right trade - and we say so rather than dress it up.Onshore tax for access.
A large, complex system
Brazil's tax system is substantial and detailed - which is exactly why the structure and the modelling are worth doing properly from the start.Detailed - model it early.
No crypto-specific relief
There is no digital-asset tax break to plan around - crypto follows the general corporate and gains rules.No crypto carve-out.
Home-country tax still matters
Group and owner-level tax depends on where you sit. We model how a Brazilian entity fits a wider international structure.Group position modelled.
Tax summary
Corporate tax (combined)Up to ~34%
Crypto gainsTaxed - general rules
Crypto-specific reliefNone
Why hereMarket access, not tax
Regime statusNew - transition to 2026
SystemLarge and detailed
*As of 2026. Brazil is an access play - we model the tax honestly against the value of the market and the fit within your group.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the BCB file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: the Brazilian company, the BCB authorisation file, the governance and technology documentation and the AML/Travel-Rule programme. His document sets are the reason reviews finish cleanly.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a clean, authorised business.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Brazil · Law 14.478 + BCB
Launch your crypto project in Brazil with expert support.
Full-service setup - the company, the BCB authorisation and the AML programme, assembled as one.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Brazil the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: the BCB authorisation, jurisdiction or route that fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Brazil crypto regime, answered honestly.
Does Brazil regulate crypto now?+
Yes, and properly. Law 14.478/2022 set the framework and named the Central Bank as regulator; the BCB's 2025 resolutions (519, 520, 521) made it a real authorisation regime, in force from February 2026 with a transition period.
Do I need a licence?+
You need an authorisation from the Banco Central do Brasil before offering virtual-asset services. It turns on financial capacity, governance, technology and capital thresholds - a genuine central-bank authorisation, not a registration.
Why Brazil rather than offshore?+
For the market. Brazil is the largest crypto market in Latin America, with tens of millions of users. A local authorisation lets you serve it lawfully and credibly - offshore gives you tax, not local access.
How is it taxed?+
Normally - combined corporate tax up to about 34% and crypto taxed under the general rules. There is no special relief. You pay onshore tax for onshore access, and we plan it properly.
What is the transition period?+
The BCB rules came into force on 2 February 2026 with time to comply and get authorised. That window rewards moving early - being authorised before rivals rather than after.
What about AML and the Travel Rule?+
Article 44 of Resolution 520 requires AML/CFT compliance and the Travel Rule - identifying information travelling with transfers. We build that programme alongside the authorisation.
How long does it take?+
It depends on the activity and the file, and the regime is new - realistically several months of preparation and BCB review. A strong governance, capital and technology file is what keeps it moving.
Why Brazil with you?+
Because the BCB authorises on capacity, governance and technology. We build the file to that standard, inside the transition window, so the authorisation is granted rather than delayed.
Regulated now?+
Yes - BCB resolutions in force from Feb 2026.
A licence?+
BCB authorisation before operating.
Why not offshore?+
For the market, not tax.
Tax?+
Up to ~34%; crypto taxed normally.
Transition?+
Time to comply - reward for moving early.
AML?+
Travel Rule under Res. 520, Art. 44.
How long?+
Several months; regime is new.
Why with us?+
File to BCB standard, inside the window.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
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Google
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Google
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Google
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Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: the BCB authorisation, jurisdiction or route that fits your business.Free legal opinion: the Brazil BCB authorisation for your project, and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the authorisation path, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Banco Central do Brasil or the Government of Brazil. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authority.