Why more Brazilians are spending in dollars
In 2025, Brazilians spent US$ 21.7 billion abroad, the highest in 11 years, per the Central Bank. Two drivers: a strong economy and the dollar falling 11.18% against the real over the year, which cut the cost of hotels, flights and purchases. Card spending abroad grew 37%.
The problem with a Brazilian card abroad
Spending with a Brazilian credit card in the US adds 3.5% IOF (unified by Decree 12.499/2025) and the bank spread, which can reach 7% over the commercial dollar rate. In total, from 4% to over 10%. And you only learn the exact amount when the statement closes. See the full international card fees.
The "global account" doesn't escape the 3.5% IOF
Since mid-2025, funding a global account (Wise, Nomad) to spend abroad also pays 3.5% IOF, the same as the card. The saving is only the spread. Ruvo, on stablecoin rails, stays at 0% IOF, and dollar purchases have no spread. Compare the two travel cards in Ruvo vs Nomad for travel.
The advantage of spending in dollars with Ruvo
With Ruvo, the cost is clear: you convert reais to digital dollars for 0.5%, at the commercial rate (not the tourist rate), and spending that dollar balance on the card is free: 0% IOF and 0% spread. On a US$3,000 trip, that is about US$15 in cost, versus US$165 to US$315 on a Brazilian card. If you already earn in dollars, you spend with no conversion cost at all. Purchases in other currencies (euro, pound) have a 1% FX fee, and the card works with Apple Pay and Google Pay. You also know the amount up front, not only when the statement closes.
How to prepare for the trip
Before traveling, keep a dollar balance and top up the card. During the trip, spend directly in USD, and convert reais to dollars only for what is missing, at a better moment. Worth noting: the US and Canada account for ~46% of Brazilians’ in-person international card purchases.
Tips for spending in the US, and any country
- Pay in the local currency abroad. In the US, the Ruvo card is charged in dollars, which is the local currency, so there is nothing to choose. In other countries, when the terminal asks which currency, choose the local currency, not dollars: letting the terminal convert to dollars (dynamic currency conversion) applies its own markup, which can run 10% to 20% and which Ruvo does not control. Paying in local currency lets Ruvo convert instead (1% on non-dollar purchases). If there is no local-currency option, decline the conversion.
- Mind pre-authorization holds. Hotels, gas stations and car rentals often "hold" more than the purchase as a deposit. It is normal and released later, but keep enough balance to cover these temporary holds.
- Tipping. In the US, the tip (15% to 20%) is often added to the card afterward at restaurants and services, so the final amount can come in a bit above what you signed.
Physical card, contactless and in-app control
Contactless and Apple Pay / Google Pay are widely accepted in the US, and acceptance has improved a lot. For hotels and car rentals, it still helps to have the physical card on hand, Ruvo sends a physical card on request. In the app, you set spending limits and can lock or freeze the card instantly. And because Ruvo integrates with Pix, you can add reais and spend your digital dollars almost instantly.
Spending $3,000 in the US: the cost of each card
| Cost | Ruvo card | Brazilian card |
|---|---|---|
| IOF | 0% | 3.5% |
| Convert reais to dollars | 0.5% (commercial rate) | 3% to 7% (tourist rate) |
| Spend the dollar balance | Free | — |
| Total cost on US$3,000 | ~US$15 | ~US$165 to US$315 |
Sources
- Balance of Payments press release — international travel, Banco Central do Brasil
- Brazilians spent over US$ 8bn on cards abroad (Times Brasil / CNBC)
- IOF on international travel, what changed (CRCSP)
Updated on October 7, 2026
This content is for information only and is not financial or tax advice. How we write
