Receiving PIX in crypto is legal in Brazil. But how do you report it correctly without trouble with the tax authority? Complete guide to Law 14.478/2022 + Decree 11.563/2023 + RFB Normative 2.291/2025 — explained for people who aren't lawyers or accountants. No tax-evasion myths, no technical fluff. Just what matters to MEI (micro-entrepreneurs), small business owners, holders and regular payers.
- Receiving PIX, converting to DePix/USDT and holding in self-custody is 100% legal in Brazil — Law 14.478/2022 + Decree 11.563/2023
- MEI/individual receiving via PixGo reports normal operational revenue (service invoice); doesn't open crypto CNAE
- Holder/investor reports crypto in "Assets and Rights" group 08 if value > R$5,000 on Dec 31 OR monthly sales > R$35,000
- Capital-gains exemption up to R$35,000 in sales/month; above that, 15% to 22.5% by bracket
- Buying DePix 1:1 with Real does not trigger capital gains (no price variation); it's just Real that became crypto
- Eulen (the DePix issuer in Brazil) and licensed PSAVs report to the tax authority; you file as usual
Is using PIX + crypto legal in Brazil?
Yes. Not a gray area. Brazil consolidated its crypto regulatory framework with 3 legal instruments you need to know by name:
| Rule | What it establishes |
|---|---|
| Law 14.478/2022 | Brazilian crypto-asset framework law. Defines crypto as a financial asset, creates the PSAV category (Virtual Asset Service Provider), requires regulator authorization to operate as exchange/custodian. |
| Decree 11.563/2023 | Designates the Brazilian Central Bank as the sole regulator of PSAVs in Brazil. Defines how BCB authorizes, supervises and penalizes these companies. |
| RFB Normative 1.888/2019 | Requires PSAVs (exchanges) to report crypto transactions monthly to tax authority. Individuals file if exceeding R$30k/month on a non-Brazilian PSAV. |
| RFB Normative 2.291/2025 | Recent update. Reinforces crypto reporting obligations in income tax, standardizes "Assets and Rights" group 08 codes. |
The 3 actors: who does what
To grasp compliance, separate the roles. In the PIX → DePix → wallet flow via PixGo, 3 distinct entities have different obligations:
| Actor | Role | Reports to tax authority? |
|---|---|---|
| PixGo | Tech intermediary — PIX billing UI, integration with DePix-issuing PSAV. Doesn't issue stablecoin; after the D+1 delivery, DePix sits in the seller's own wallet. | No. PixGo is not a PSAV regulated by BCB. |
| Eulen | Authorized PSAV, official DePix issuer in Brazil. Does KYC, AML, follows BCB rules. | Yes, fully. Complies with RFB Normative 1.888/2019. |
| Merchant / seller | MEI, individual or company receiving PIX via PixGo and seeing the value become DePix in their wallet. | Yes — files operational revenue (normal invoice) and crypto in Assets and Rights if above threshold. |
| Payer (customer) | Whoever pays the PIX from their bank app. | If individual, the "Crypto-asset Acquisition (DePix)" entry appears in their tax return, not yours. Eulen reports their tax ID. |
For SELLERS — MEI or individual receiving PIX in crypto
This is the most common case: barber, private tutor, dropshipper, freelancer, professional. You issue a R$50, R$200 or R$1,000 QR via PixGo, customer pays PIX, and you see DePix arrive in your PixGo Wallet.
You file the same way you always did: normal operational revenue
Receiving DePix instead of Real in your bank account does not change the tax nature of the service rendered. You:
- Issue a service invoice normally (NFS-e from municipality — if MEI, generates via MEI portal)
- Report the amount as operational revenue under the CNAE you already have (hairdresser, teacher, etc.)
- Don't need a crypto CNAE. You're not selling crypto — you're providing a service and being paid in crypto.
- The sale amount is the PIX received in Real (DePix is 1:1 with Real, so same thing)
Real example: Barber João
João is MEI, barber, makes R$8,000/month. Uses PixGo to charge for haircuts (R$50) via printed QR Code in the salon. Customer pays PIX, DePix lands in João's self-custody wallet.
| Item | What João does |
|---|---|
| Monthly revenue | R$8,000 (records on DASN-SIMEI as always) |
| Invoice | NFS-e per service rendered (as always) |
| CNAE | Same as before — 9602-5/01 (Hairdressers). No change. |
| Assets and Rights (crypto) | If DePix balance on Dec 31 > R$5k, declares in group 08. Otherwise not required. |
| Additional crypto tax | None. DePix received 1:1 with Real has no capital gain (no price variation between Real and DePix). |
For HOLDERS — keeping crypto as investment
If you're not a seller — you use PixGo only to buy crypto and hold (DePix, USDT, BTC, L-BTC) — your obligation is different. You're an individual investor and report crypto in income tax as "Assets and Rights".
When you're required to file
If any of these conditions are met, mandatory:
- Total crypto value in your possession on December 31 over R$5,000
- Crypto sales in a month > R$35,000 (even with zero profit — volume alone triggers)
- Transactions on non-Brazilian PSAV (Binance, KuCoin, etc.) > R$30,000/month — RFB 1.888/2019
Where to file — Assets and Rights group 08
In your annual return, go to "Assets and Rights" and use group 08 (Crypto-assets). Important subgroups:
| Code | Asset | How to declare |
|---|---|---|
| 08.01 | Bitcoin (BTC) | Quantity + acquisition cost in Real (price paid), not market value on Dec 31 |
| 08.02 | Stablecoins (USDT, USDC, DePix, BUSD) | Quantity + acquisition cost. DePix received as payment: sale value (original Real) |
| 08.99 | Other cryptos (L-BTC, ETH, SOL, altcoins) | Acquisition cost in Real |
Profit exemption: R$35,000/month in sales
Law 14.478/2022 + RFB 1.888/2019: capital gain on crypto sale is exempt up to R$35,000 sold in the month. Above that? Pay tax on PROFIT (not on total sold), by bracket:
| Monthly profit | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to R$5,000,000 | 15% |
| R$5M to R$10M | 17.5% |
| R$10M to R$30M | 20% |
| Above R$30M | 22.5% |
Tax paid via DARF code 4600, by the last business day of the following month. Yes, minimum rate is 15% — significantly higher than stocks.
RFB 1.888/2019 — who reports what
This normative, still in force (updated by RFB 2.291/2025), defines distinct obligations for PSAVs and for you (individual). Don't confuse them:
| Who reports | When |
|---|---|
| Brazilian PSAV (Eulen, Mercado Bitcoin, Binance Brasil, etc.) | Monthly, ALL their clients' transactions, no minimum threshold. Identifies user CPF, amounts, counterparty. |
| Foreign PSAV (Binance global, Bitfinex, Kraken) | Doesn't report to BR tax authority. YOU report if operating > R$30k/month. |
| Individual | Only if operating on non-Brazilian PSAV > R$30k/month OR direct P2P operations (no exchange). Private self-custody wallet doesn't report — you declare in annual return. |
Translation: when you buy DePix via PixGo, Eulen reports the acquisition to tax authority automatically. When you hold in self-custody, no one reports that balance — you declare on annual return under Assets and Rights.
PixGo vs e-Financeira — why this matters
The e-Financeira is the automatic report Brazilian banks send monthly to tax authority about client transactions. Includes:
- PIX received > R$5,000 (individual) or > R$15,000 (company)
- Wire transfers, cash deposits
- Average monthly balance above threshold
Every PIX you receive directly in the bank account enters your CPF/CNPJ's e-Financeira. Nothing wrong with that, but it's automatic.
When you receive via PixGo → DePix → self-custody wallet, what appears on the bank's e-Financeira is zero (no PIX hit that account). Everything still declared on income tax via invoice, but:
- Less bank movement, with revenue declared normally
- Bank balance separate from operation — you build USDT/BTC reserves without inflating bank account
- Those receivables do not pass through your bank account (but remain visible to the tax authority)
Common filing mistakes — checklist of what NOT to do
| Mistake | Correct approach |
|---|---|
| Not declaring crypto because "no one will see" | Eulen reports. Tax authority cross-references. Buy peace of mind: declare. |
| Thinking receiving in DePix is a "taxable crypto transaction" | It is not. You provided service, received payment. Declare as normal revenue. |
| Declaring DePix at Dec 31 market value | No. Always acquisition value (cost). DePix is 1:1 with Real, so original sale value. |
| Ignoring R$35k/month exemption when selling | Sum all monthly sales (BTC + USDT + DePix). Not per asset, but total. |
| Not paying DARF 4600 when due | Fine + monthly interest. Pay by last business day of the following month. |
| Trying to "hide" private wallet hoping tax authority won't see | Eulen reports acquisitions. If you don't declare, tax authority sees the gap. Huge risk. |
| MEI exceeding R$81k/year limit thinking crypto "doesn't count" | It counts. It's revenue. If you cross the cap, you become ME (Microempresa) the next year. |
2027 fiscal calendar (filing of 2026 base-year)
For 2026 base year, return filed in 2027:
- March/April 2027: standard IRPF filing period (dates confirmed by tax authority)
- Last business day of each month: DARF 4600 deadline on crypto profit sold the previous month (if applicable)
- May 2027: MEI's DASN-SIMEI (annual return for 2026 base year)
- Last Thursday of each month: DECRED/IN 1.888 deadline if trading on foreign PSAV > R$30k
FAQ — real questions we receive
Will I go to jail for receiving PIX in crypto?
No. Receiving PIX and converting to crypto is legal (Law 14.478/2022). What's problematic is not declaring the service revenue, or hiding crypto from tax authority. Declare as you always did and keep going.
Can I be MEI and own crypto?
Yes. MEI is a simplified tax regime for operational activity. Holding crypto as personal reserve (individual) doesn't conflict. You just need to: (1) declare operational revenue on DASN-SIMEI and (2) declare crypto on annual return if exceeding R$5k on Dec 31 or sale > R$35k month.
When do I need to declare crypto?
In any of these: (a) Dec 31 total balance > R$5,000 — file in Assets and Rights. (b) Sold > R$35,000 in some month — file and may pay tax. (c) Traded on foreign exchange > R$30,000 in some month — submit DECRED. Otherwise, declaring is good practice but not required.
Does Eulen report my CPF?
Yes, as a client. But that's normal and good: it means your acquisition is already documented before the tax authority. You just need to declare consistently with what Eulen reported. When there's a mismatch (Eulen reports X, you declare Y), that's when audits happen.
And if I don't declare?
Real risk: fine up to 150% of tax due + SELIC interest + possible tax-evasion prosecution (Law 8.137/1990) in severe cases. Tax authority cross-references Eulen data with your annual return automatically. The gap gets detected.
How does tax authority discover undeclared crypto?
Multiple ways: (1) Monthly reporting from Brazilian PSAVs — includes Eulen, Mercado Bitcoin, Binance Brasil, all of them. (2) Bank movement and e-Financeira cross-referenced with your spending pattern. (3) International reporting via OECD/CRS. (4) Whistleblowers. It's not "if" — it's "when".
Does PixGo send my tax info?
No. PixGo is a tech intermediary — not a PSAV, not a financial institution, no direct reporting obligation. Reporting is done by Eulen (DePix-issuing PSAV) and you (annual return). PixGo just offers UI and integration.
Can I operate in USDT/BTC to dodge tax?
No. All cryptos follow the same rule: exemption up to R$35k sales/month, then 15-22.5% rate on profit. Swapping between cryptos (DePix↔USDT swap) is considered barter, a taxable event — difference between acquisition cost and swap value.
Practical summary
- PIX → DePix → self-custody wallet model is supported by Law 14.478/2022, Decree 11.563/2023, RFB 2.291/2025
- You (MEI/individual seller) declare normal operational revenue via invoice, don't become "crypto company"
- Holder declares crypto in Assets and Rights group 08 if > R$5k on Dec 31 OR sales > R$35k/month
- Profit tax exemption up to R$35k sold/month; above that, 15-22.5% on profit
- DePix 1:1 with Real generates no capital gain — no price variation
- Eulen reports acquisitions to tax authority; PixGo is not a PSAV; e-Financeira doesn't cover private wallets
- Less bank movement, and none of this is invisible to the tax authority
- Self-custody ("your keys, your money") + identity verification on every PIX = best of both worlds
Related reading: How to report DEPIX on Brazilian income tax (IN 1888/2019) · MEI: receive PIX in crypto without becoming a crypto company · Can I use PixGo with a CNPJ or MEI? · Receive PIX in Real and hold in Dollar (USDT)
Ready to start with self-custody backed by clear legal framework? Open your wallet at wallet.pixgo.org in 1 minute, streamlined process.
