TLDR
- Brazil’s Central Bank issued Resolution No. 561/2026, assigning code “34045” to all international online betting transactions starting October 1, 2026
- eFX payments without e-commerce platform integration are now capped at $10,000 USD
- Virtual assets (crypto) are banned from use in eFX operator transactions with foreign counterparties
- Financial institutions must store transaction records for at least 10 years and submit monthly reports to the Central Bank
- eFX service providers must register by October 30, 2026, or obtain permits by May 2027 or shut down
Brazil’s Central Bank has released Resolution No. 561/2026, introducing new rules for international payment services known as eFX. The regulation includes a dedicated classification code for online gambling transactions and places fresh restrictions on how payments can be processed.
Starting October 1, 2026, all cross-border financial transactions tied to online betting must carry the code “34045.” The goal is to make it easier to track money flowing in and out of the country’s growing online gambling market.
The code applies specifically to international payments connected to betting activities. It updates Annex V of an earlier regulation, Resolution No. 277/2022.
New Payment Caps and Crypto Ban Hit eFX Operators
The resolution also sets a $10,000 USD cap on eFX payments made without integration with an e-commerce platform. The same $10,000 limit applies to payments tied to financial market operations.
One of the most direct moves in the regulation is the ban on virtual assets in eFX transactions. Operators cannot use crypto when settling with foreign counterparties.
Instead, payments between eFX operators and their foreign partners must be made through foreign currency operations or in Brazilian reais held in non-resident accounts. All transferred funds must come from verified user accounts.
The available payment instruments are also limited. Transfers can be made by boleto or through limited payment instruments capped at BRL 1,000. Reloading these instruments is not allowed.
The Central Bank is also prohibiting operators from offsetting incoming and outgoing payments against each other. Each transaction must be handled separately.
These rules add several layers of compliance for companies operating in the cross-border payments space. Operators that handle betting-related transactions will face the most scrutiny.
Registration Deadlines and Reporting Requirements Tighten the Timeline
eFX service providers must register this payment modality by October 30, 2026. Institutions that are not yet authorized to operate will need to obtain the proper permits by the end of May 2027.
Any institution that fails to meet these deadlines will be required to stop offering eFX services entirely. There is no grace period mentioned beyond these dates.
On the reporting side, financial institutions dealing in foreign currencies or managing client accounts must submit monthly transaction reports. These reports must be sent to the Central Bank before the 10th of the following month.
The resolution also requires institutions to keep full records of all transactions for a minimum of ten years. This is meant to support future auditing and enforcement actions.
The regulation defines specific roles within the payment chain, including “user sender,” “user recipient,” and “foreign counterparty.” These definitions are designed to clarify responsibilities across the transaction process.
All operators and their payment partners are expected to upgrade their reporting systems to comply with Brazil’s foreign exchange surveillance framework. The changes affect a wide range of companies, from banks to fintech firms.
The resolution comes as Brazil continues to build out its regulatory framework for online gambling. The country legalized regulated sports betting in 2024 and has been steadily tightening rules around payments and licensing since then.
Brazil’s online gambling market has grown rapidly, and regulators have been working to close gaps in financial oversight. The new eFX rules took effect with the publication of Resolution No. 561/2026 on May 5, 2026.
