Brazil Mandates 24-Hour Delay on Crypto Transfers Over $10,000

Brazil's central bank has announced a new regulation that will impose a mandatory delay of up to 24 hours on certain cryptocurrency transfers exceeding $10,000. The move is designed to combat financial scams and money laundering through digital assets.

The rule targets transfers sent to overseas virtual asset service providers and self-custody wallets, with the threshold applying to both individual transactions and the cumulative daily volume moved by a single customer. This means that any transfer above $10,000 will be subject to a temporary hold for scrutiny, not a permanent asset freeze or block on transfers.

The central bank emphasized that this measure is necessary due to the growing use of stablecoins, which allow users to shift large sums across borders almost instantaneously and with a degree of anonymity. Stablecoins have drawn particular attention from regulators in Brazil and globally, who view them as a tool for quickly moving illicit funds.

The regulation will take effect in 2027, giving financial institutions and crypto platforms time to adjust their monitoring systems and implement automated tools capable of flagging suspect transfers. This may also influence policy across Latin America, with neighboring countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico watching Brazil's approach closely.