Five Years On, Pix Dominates Brazil’s Payments as Security Rules Tighten

Overview

• Roughly 90% of adults now use Pix regularly, with usage approaching 7 billion transactions per month, according to reporting and Central Bank data.
• Average behavior has shifted to about 39 instant transfers per person each month, while the average ticket fell from above R$500 at launch to roughly R$188–R$190.
• A study by Movimento Brasil Competitivo estimates fee savings of R$117 million over five years, including about R$38 billion through September 2025.
• Merchants increasingly steer payments to Pix with discounts and faster settlement, and informal entrepreneurs accept it via mobile apps without needing traditional card infrastructure.
• Following high‑profile fraud cases totaling about R$1 billion across participating institutions, the Central Bank accelerated licensing for fintechs to March 2026, set a R$15,000 cap on certain transactions, and is studying additional anti‑fraud measures such as retention windows and overnight limits.