PIX

Pix is Brazil's instant payment system, created and operated by the Banco Central do Brasil (BCB), which also acts as its regulator. Since its launch on 16 November 2020 it has become the country's dominant way to move money: the BCB counted 79.8 billion Pix transactions worth R$35.3 trillion in 2025, and 148 million people, roughly 86% of adults, used it that year along with 12.8 million companies. Payments clear between accounts at more than 900 participating banks, fintechs and payment institutions in a few seconds, every day of the year.

At checkout the shopper usually scans a QR code, or pastes its text version into a banking app, and approves the transfer. Dynamic codes carry the amount and order data and are the norm online; static codes suit shop counters. Expiry is set per payment (Adyen defaults to 24 hours, EBANX to five hours). Pix Cobrança adds boleto-style charges with due dates, interest and discounts, and Pix Automático, live since June 2025, collects recurring bills under a one-off mandate.

Refunds go back over Pix, in full or in part, within 90 days. Card-style chargebacks do not exist, although the Special Return Mechanism (MED) lets victims of fraud or scams reclaim funds; commercial disputes fall outside its scope. Sending a Pix is free for individuals, while banks and PSPs set their own fees for businesses that receive payments.

Pix works only in reais from Brazilian accounts, and banks cap individuals' night-time transfers at R$1,000 by default. Foreign merchants therefore need a PSP with Brazilian coverage; Stripe, for example, offers Pix to accounts in 36 countries including the UK. It is also one of the few deposit routes allowed for licensed Brazilian betting operators, which are barred from taking credit cards and boletos.