Unlocking the potential of B2B cross-border payments in Brazil

Brazil has become one of the leading markets, promising strong potential as a regional business hub. Largely driven by the increased adoption of digital payments, regulatory changes, and higher financial inclusion, the landscape in the country continues to evolve at a rapid pace revolutionizing the nature of money modern movement. Some specific trends are shaping Brazil´s payment ecosystem.

1 - A need for localization in payments. As digital payments and the SME sector expand, businesses need to move money in real time across various payment corridors that connect to local payment infrastructure. Localization ensures transparency in foreign exchange (FX) rates and enhances operational efficiency.

To address these trends, Nium has worked with leading institutions across LATAM to give access to a scalable payments solution for international businesses. With dedicated local support in Brazil, 20 offices worldwide, 11 global licenses, and approval for money movement, Nium brings extensive business knowledge alongside local and global expertise to cater to the evolving needs of the market.

2 - Real-time payments and growth in platform business models. The number of freelancers in the economy has grown rapidly. As more people adopt gig work, a range of payment options – from wallets to virtual cards– are needed. PIX has primarily driven Brazil’s transformation and shows how real-time payments can launch and scale. Currently, PIX accounts for over 70% of all transactions, and adoption is expected to grow further with the introduction of new features.

To support the on-demand economy, Nium, the leader in global real-time payments, has engineered the fastest network to collect, convert and disburse funds around the world to accounts, cards, and wallets. Through Nium, nearly 100% of all transactions are completed in less than 15 minutes.

3 - Fintechs are playing an increasingly significant role. The emergence of Brazil as a key area for payments has prompted market moves from local companies and international players keen to capitalize on its financial potential. Fintechs, especially, are playing a pivotal role, with financial institutions and large banks providing new rails to facilitate global outbound transactions through partnerships. This trend is driven by the market potential and Brazil´s efforts to promote financial inclusion.

4 - New regulatory framework. In 2020, Brazil introduced PIX, along with Open Banking initiatives, and the implementation of the new regulatory foreign exchange framework. These milestones have transformed the payment landscape in recent years.

Expanding opportunities in Brazil with Nium

Using a modular API suite, businesses can access fully compliant payment rails, enabling seamless payment acceptance regardless of geography. Companies that integrate with Nium can:

- Open global accounts and collect funds in a virtual wallet across 35 strategic markets, including Latin America, Southeast Asia, the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, India, and the U.S.

- Disburse funds in real-time to more than 100 countries in 100 local currencies

- Meet local regulatory and compliance requirements

- Perform seamless foreign exchange

- Access physical and virtual card issuance in 34 countries, including Europe (SEPA), the U.K., Australia, and Singapore