Brazil's Pix payment system expands to eight countries

Brazil's instant payment system Pix is now accepted for purchases in eight foreign markets – Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, the United States, Portugal, Spain and France. Travelers can scan a QR code with their Brazilian bank app, see the amount converted to reais including fees and taxes, and confirm the payment, a process that often costs less than using an international credit card.

The service is provided by authorized payment firms that handle the currency conversion; it is not an official Banco Central system operating abroad. Availability varies by bank and merchant, and the list of participating countries may grow as more operators join.

The expansion has sparked political debate. In the United States, former President Donald Trump’s administration cited Pix in a trade investigation, claiming it disadvantages American payment firms. Economist Paul Krugman publicly defended Pix, arguing that a more efficient, low‑cost public payment system should not be penalised. In Brazil, right‑wing politician Flávio Bolsonaro has also criticised the system, while President Lula’s camp defends it as a tool for financial inclusion and competition.