Pix, Brazil’s fast-growing real-time payment system, is entering the U.S. market — marking a milestone in its international expansion. Though currently limited to indirect integrations and currency conversion, Pix is now being used as a payment method on platforms serving Brazilian customers abroad, including online gambling operators.
Launched in 2020 by Brazil’s Central Bank, Pix has become the country’s dominant payment method. It now processes over 6 billion transactions per month and was responsible for more than 64 billion transactions in 2024, according to PYMNTS Intelligence. Its popularity has grown particularly strong in the iGaming sector, where users prioritize speed, simplicity, and security.
From National Success to Global Potential
During BiS SiGMA South America 2025, experts highlighted Pix’s rise in the panel “Payment Landscape in iGaming.” One Key Payment CEO César Garcia said, “If you look in the rear-view mirror, five years ago, Pix didn’t exist. Today, it’s become the standard.”
That standard is now being tested abroad. In a recent rollout, PagBrasil and Verifone introduced Pix at U.S. retail locations, allowing Brazilian tourists to pay in Reais while shopping in the U.S. “This is a game-changer for U.S. merchants in high-tourism markets like Florida and New York,” said Madhu Vasu, Verifone’s SVP of Global Product Management.
The iGaming industry is also taking notice. According to Pay4Fun CEO Leonardo Baptista, “Today, more than 90% of iGaming transactions in Brazil are processed through Pix.”
Benefits and Hurdles in Global Use
Pix’s real-time traceability is one of its strongest features. Each transaction is fully trackable—offering data on sender, recipient, time, and amount—making it useful for combating fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.
But international expansion also presents complications. Bruno Gonçalves, Sales Director at OKTO, warned, “Pix is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s free from compliance challenges.” He cited currency exchange, cross-border taxation, and traceability concerns as hurdles that must be addressed.
One key issue is the IOF (Tax on Financial Transactions), now set at 3.5% for international money transfers. Though Pix remains free for domestic person-to-person transfers, international usage—especially in gaming—can trigger IOF charges due to currency conversion.
Economic Power and Political Pushback
As Pix grows beyond Brazil, it’s also becoming a symbol of national innovation. In response to a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) investigation into Brazil’s digital services, the Brazilian government launched a campaign defending Pix, branding it with the slogan “PIXéNosso, My Friend.”
A government post said, “PIX is from Brazil and for Brazilians! It seems our PIX is causing quite a stir of jealousy out there, huh?” Although Pix wasn’t named directly in the USTR probe, digital payments were among the areas under review.
With demand for efficient cross-border payments rising, Pix’s U.S. debut could signal a broader trend. While Brazil continues to develop its regulatory framework for iGaming, its homegrown payment solution is already becoming a powerful economic export.
Source:
“Pix crosses borders: Brazil’s system reaches the US and eyes the online betting market”, sigma.world, Jul 30, 2025
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