Banco Central updates Pix rules for security and new features

The Central Bank of Brazil has announced significant regulatory updates to the Pix instant payment system, focusing on security, new functionalities, and institutional participation rules.

Key upcoming features include the introduction of 'hybrid billing' in February 2027, which combines traditional bank slips (boletos) with Pix QR codes to prevent duplicate payments. Additionally, starting July 1, 2027, 'Pix Automático' will be authorized for use in salary accounts, allowing users to schedule recurring payments for essential services with prior authorization.

To enhance security, new rules address fraud detection. Financial institutions that flag suspicious activity in the DICT directory will be held responsible for those markings and must provide a channel for customers to contest them within seven days.

Regarding institutional participation, the Central Bank may exempt institutions with over 500,000 active accounts from mandatory Pix participation if their business model warrants it. Furthermore, the regulator has streamlined the removal of participants, allowing for the immediate suspension of institutions undergoing extrajudicial liquidation or those failing to meet minimum capital requirements.

Separately, a study by DominiPay indicates that Pix accounted for over 98% of analyzed corporate financial transactions in August, while stablecoins like USDT and USDC represent a growing but still small niche in specific operations.