What a stablecoin is
A stablecoin is a digital dollar. USDC and USDT are designed to be worth one US dollar each and are backed by reserves held by their issuers. You hold them in a non-custodial wallet you control, not in a bank. They move on public networks, around the clock, without going through a chain of correspondent banks. That is what makes them so good for sending money: the dollar travels directly, not through three intermediaries that each take a cut and add a day.
Why stablecoins beat the old way
- Bank Wire (SWIFT): fixed fees, an FX spread, IOF, and one to five business days.
- Money transfer services: a headline rate plus a spread that is often hidden in the exchange rate.
- Stablecoins via Ruvo: dollars that settle in seconds, with 0% IOF and a transparent fee.
How a remittance works with Ruvo
- Hold or receive digital dollars in your wallet.
- Send them to any wallet abroad, or convert and pay out locally.
- To land money in Brazil, convert to reais and send via Pix, instantly, to any Pix key.
What it costs, line by line
There are no surprises in the math. Receiving digital dollars is free. Sending to an external wallet is 0.9% for individuals and 0.4% for businesses. Converting dollars to reais for a Pix payout is 0.3% for businesses and 0.9% for individuals. Across the board there is 0% IOF, because stablecoin transfers are not a traditional FX operation.
Landing money in Brazil via Pix
The last step is where Ruvo stands out. Instead of a recipient waiting days for a Wire, you convert dollars to reais and pay out by Pix to any Pix key in Brazil, not only your own. The money arrives in seconds, any day of the week. That is the difference between a secure stablecoin balance you control and a transfer service you wait on.
Tax and IRPF on stablecoin remittances in Brazil
Receiving payment in USDC or USDT is not exempt from Brazilian income tax — the income is taxable whether it arrives as a Wire or a stablecoin. For individuals (PF), foreign income must be reported monthly via carnê-leão using the PTAX exchange rate on the payment date. For companies (PJ), the same income recognition rules of your tax regime apply. Holding the stablecoin after receipt and converting later can create a separate tax event if the reais value changes significantly. Converting promptly reduces this complexity and aligns the taxable amount with the rate at time of receipt.
| Feature | Bank Wire (SWIFT) | Stablecoin via Ruvo |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer time | 3–5 business days | Seconds, any time |
| Typical fee | ~$25–$50 + FX spread | 0.9% individual / 0.4% business |
| IOF | Varies by operation | 0% IOF |
| Pix payout in Brazil | Not available | Yes — any Pix key |
| Business hours required | Yes — weekdays only | No — 24/7 |
| Minimum amount | Often $1,000+ | No minimum |
Sources
- Remittance Prices Worldwide, global average cost (World Bank)
- Marco Legal das Criptomoedas — Lei 14.478/2022, Planalto
Updated on October 7, 2026
This content is for information only and is not financial or tax advice. How we write
