Brazil's central bank will hold up crypto transfers above $10,000 for as long as 24 hours once new anti-fraud rules take effect in 2027. The delay targets transfers to foreign virtual asset firms and self-custody wallets, giving compliance teams a window to catch stolen funds before they move further. It builds on a crypto oversight framework Brazil has been expanding since 2023.
Brazil's central bank will delay large cryptocurrency transfers by up to 24 hours starting in 2027, a measure meant to stop fraudsters from moving stolen funds out of reach. The rule applies to transfers above $10,000 sent to foreign virtual asset firms and self-custody wallets, and the threshold can be hit through a single transaction or the combined value of a customer's transfers in one day.
The central bank said the move reflects the growing use of virtual assets, including stablecoins, to quickly move funds obtained through financial scams. The extra hours are meant to let exchanges and financial institutions review suspicious transactions before funds can be moved further. A similar delay may also apply to other transfers flagged under risk-management checks.
Still, the central bank stressed the measure is not an asset freeze or a permanent block on transfers. Instead, it buys compliance teams more time to examine a transaction, and transfers below $10,000 won't automatically trigger the requirement. For example, a $15,000 crypto transfer to an overseas virtual asset company or self-custody wallet could take up to 24 hours to clear.
Brazilian crypto exchanges and virtual asset service providers will need to strengthen their monitoring systems before the rules take effect. Platforms will have to flag transfers above the threshold and track a customer's total daily transfer volume, rather than reviewing each transaction on its own.
Brazil has built out its digital asset framework gradually since 2023, when it first required crypto exchanges and service providers to register with the central bank. The 2027 timeline gives crypto businesses time to update their systems before the delay rule takes hold.
Source: Reuters
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