https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/03/brazils-government-run-payments-system-has-become-dominant The Economist The Economist Try for free --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Menu The Economist The Economist Skip to content Try for free --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Menu --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] --------------------------------------------------------------------- [20250123_drp045] The world in brief Catch up on global daily news [20250123_drp050] 1843 magazine Dive into compelling long reads [20250123_drp046] Podcasts Tune into captivating conversations [20250123_drp044] Video Watch engaging short films [20250123_drp048] Digital events Gain insights from experts [20250123_drp047] Newsletters Curated news, direct to your inbox Current topics * War in the Middle East * War in Ukraine * The World Ahead 2025 * Climate change * Geopolitics * The world economy * Artificial intelligence * Trump approval tracker Current topics * War in the Middle East * War in Ukraine * The World Ahead 2025 * Climate change * Geopolitics * The world economy * Artificial intelligence * Trump approval tracker World World * The world this week * China * United States * Europe * Britain * Middle East * Africa * Asia * The Americas * International Business & economics Business & economics * Finance & economics * Business * Big Mac index * Economic & financial indicators Opinion Opinion * Leaders * Letters to the editor * By Invitation In depth In depth * Science & technology * Briefing * Graphic detail * Interactives * The Economist explains * Special reports * Technology Quarterly * Essay * Schools brief Culture & society Culture & society * Culture * The Economist reads * Obituary Weekly edition Weekly edition * This week * Past editions Our A-to-Zs Our A-to-Zs * Economics * American politics * Military terms * International relations * Weekly edition * The world in brief * War in the Middle East * War in Ukraine * United States * The world economy * Business * Artificial intelligence * Archive 1945 * Mini crossword My Economist --------------------------------------------------------------------- Unlimited digital access to all reporting, podcasts, newsletters and events Try for free --------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS * Podcasts * Newsletters * Video * Live virtual events * The Economist app * Espresso app * Saved stories SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS * Podcasts * Newsletters * Video * Live virtual events * The Economist app * Espresso app * Saved stories --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Account * Log out * Account * Log out The Americas | Pix a winner Brazil's government-run payments system has become dominant Pix has spiced up Brazil's fusty banking sector, but it gives the central bank a worrying amount of power A pixel art illustration depicting a digital transaction in an urban setting. The central building appears to represent a financial institution. The image shows people using their phones, with digital coins.Illustration: eBoy Apr 3rd 2025|Sao Paulo Share In november 2020 the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) launched Pix, a digital payment system, into the teeth of the covid-19 pandemic. Avoiding physical contact at a time when that was much desired, instantaneous, free and easy-to-use, Pix took off. Users need the recipient's national ID number, phone number or a QR code to move money. By 2024 (see chart) it had become Brazil's most popular payment technology, displacing both cash and cards. The number of transactions increased from 9bn in 2021 to 63bn in 2024, moving 26trn reais ($4.5trn). No country has adopted such a system faster. Explore more WorldThe AmericasFinanceBrazil This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline "Pix perfect" --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Americas April 5th 2025 * -Brazil's government-run payments system has become dominant * -The Liberal Party's polling surge is Canada's largest ever * -Peruvians long for a Bukele-like strongman to beat crime * -Latin American migrants transfer money like never before [20250405_DE_US] From the April 5th 2025 edition Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents =Explore the edition Share Reuse this content --------------------------------------------------------------------- More from The Americas A demonstrator shouts slogans in front of a row of riot police officers Peruvians long for a Bukele-like strongman to beat crime Amid rife insecurity, people are despairing of their crooked politicians An employee at Presidente Check Cashing makes a transaction. Latin American migrants transfer money like never before Amidst Donald Trump's threats of mass deportation, migrants try to secure their cash --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Carney raises a pint. The Liberal Party's polling surge is Canada's largest ever Our forecast suggests Mark Carney has an 83% chance of winning. That is thanks to Trump --------------------------------------------------------------------- The strange revival of Liberal Canada Mark Carney hopes a strong stance against Donald Trump will give his party electoral victory One island, two worlds The vast difference between Haiti and the Dominican Republic A newly discovered killing site shocks Mexico Can outrage over the latest case force change? --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * * * * * Get The Economist app on iOS or Android --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Economist The Economist * About * Reuse our content * Subscribe * Economist Enterprise * SecureDrop The Economist Group The Economist Group * The Economist Group * Economist Intelligence * Economist Impact * Economist Impact Events * Economist Education Courses Contact Contact * Help and support * Advertise * Press centre Careers Careers * Working here * Executive Jobs --------------------------------------------------------------------- To enhance your experience and ensure our website runs smoothly, we use cookies and similar technologies. 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