TLDR
- Brazil’s new rules require independent certifications for crypto companies to start operations.
- New crypto rules demand clear separation of user funds from company assets in Brazil.
- Brazil’s crypto regulations require certifiers to verify compliance with anti-money laundering measures.
- Certification for crypto firms in Brazil will speed up bank entry into the market by 90 days.
On January 23, 2026, Brazil’s Central Bank (BCB) released new guidelines aimed at regulating cryptocurrency activities for financial institutions. The guidelines are set to take effect on February 2, 2026. Known as Instrução Normativa (IN) BCB No. 701, the new regulations outline the requirements for banks and securities firms seeking to provide crypto services such as trading and custody. This move comes as Brazil continues to integrate digital assets into its broader financial system.
The new framework is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that crypto businesses operate within a safe and regulated environment. Under these new rules, banks and brokers must submit independent certification from a qualified company to demonstrate their compliance with regulations for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The certification is essential for institutions aiming to handle crypto assets and ensures that their operations meet both legal and technical standards.
Certification and Compliance Requirements
According to the new rules, banks must maintain their registration with Brazil’s Unicad system, a national database for financial institutions. Before offering crypto-related services, banks must secure an independent certification.
The certifier will be responsible for verifying the institution’s compliance with BCB regulations regarding VASPs. Additionally, the certifier must sign a declaration confirming that there are no conflicts of interest with the bank undergoing certification.
Banks must also ensure the proper separation of customer funds from the institution’s assets. The certifier will need to check that all crypto assets held by customers are fully accounted for and that adequate reserves are in place. These safeguards are intended to prevent financial risks and ensure the protection of users’ assets.
Detailed Risk and Compliance Assessment
IN 701 further stipulates that certifiers must evaluate several operational controls commonly found in prudential frameworks. This includes assessing third-party services such as data processing and cloud computing providers. Certifiers will also need to ensure that key suppliers—both domestic and international—comply with relevant legal and technical standards.
In addition, the certification process will require an evaluation of the institution’s governance practices, internal controls, and cybersecurity measures. The Central Bank emphasizes the importance of incident response protocols, especially in the event of cyberattacks or other disruptions.
Moreover, certifiers are tasked with ensuring that crypto institutions comply with anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), and other financial crime prevention regulations.
Faster Path to Crypto Operations for Banks
One of the notable aspects of Brazil’s new crypto rules is the provision that allows banks to begin offering crypto services within 90 days after notifying the Central Bank. To take advantage of this faster timeline, institutions must present independent certification confirming their full regulatory compliance.
This approach simplifies the entry process for banks and brokerage firms that want to expand into the growing crypto market. However, banks must still meet all compliance requirements before officially launching their services.
The certification process and its associated checks are expected to speed up the integration of traditional financial institutions into the crypto ecosystem. While the regulations do not specify which companies will act as certifiers, experts believe that auditors with experience in crypto will be crucial in this process. These certifiers will play a key role in ensuring that banks and brokers adhere to the necessary standards set by the Central Bank.
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