How to Buy Crypto with Pix
- Brazil now requires every crypto platform serving Brazilians to secure Central Bank authorization by October 30, 2026.
- Bybit is migrating Brazilian users to a new local entity and does not yet hold that authorization.
- Mercado Bitcoin already holds Central Bank authorization and supports Pix natively.
Every crypto platform serving Brazilian customers is now working against a hard deadline. Three Central Bank resolutions took effect on February 2, 2026, and any exchange handling BRL deposits, Bybit included, has until October 30 to secure formal authorization or lose access to the country’s banking rails. That timeline changes which platform belongs at the top of a Pix buying guide.
Bybit’s Compliance Scramble
Bybit has spent the past few months restructuring its Brazilian operations to fit the new rules. The exchange is migrating eligible residents to a locally incorporated entity, with the transition landing on September 24, 2026.
Individual users faced an August 11 deadline to submit updated identity documents, and business accounts face one on August 21. Starting September 21, Bybit will begin closing out derivatives, margin, and lending positions that no longer fit what the local entity is permitted to offer.
None of this means Bybit is shutting down in Brazil. It means the platform is racing toward the same October 30 authorization deadline as everyone else, and as of this writing it has not yet secured formal recognition as a Prestadora de Serviços de Ativos Virtuais, the license category the Central Bank now requires.
A Platform That Already Qualifies
Mercado Bitcoin holds a different position. The exchange already carries Central Bank authorization as a Payment Institution, has operated in Brazil since 2013, and lists more than 150 cryptocurrencies traded directly against the real. It settles Pix deposits and withdrawals natively, without the currency conversion steps some international platforms require.
That combination, an established domestic exchange with existing regulatory standing, makes it a steadier choice heading into the October deadline than a platform still finishing its paperwork.
Can You Buy Crypto With Pix?
Yes. Banco do Brasil does not sell cryptocurrency directly, and nothing about the new rules changes that. What the bank does support is Pix itself, which functions as the transfer rail between a checking account and any licensed exchange. Customers link their Banco do Brasil account to an exchange and move funds in seconds, the same as they would for any other Pix transfer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buy Crypto With Pix
Register an account on Mercado Bitcoin.
Sign up with an email address and complete the initial account setup on the exchange’s site or app.
Complete identity verification.
Submit a CPF and government-issued ID to meet Brazil’s KYC requirements. Approval is typically quick for individual accounts.
Link Pix as a deposit method.
In the deposit section, select ‘PIX’ and follow the prompts to connect a Brasil account or alternatively, generate a QR code for the transfer.
Send the transfer.
Pix deposits usually reflect within minutes. Before funding a larger amount for the first time, it’s worth comparing current exchange sign-up offers across platforms.
Buy the asset.
Select a trading pair such as BTC/BRL, enter the amount, and confirm.
About Banco do Brasil
Banco do Brasil is one of the country’s largest financial institutions, serving tens of millions of customers through an extensive branch and digital network. It does not run a crypto desk of its own, but as one of the founding participants in the Pix system, it processes an enormous share of the transfers that feed Brazil’s exchanges. Pix as a whole moved R$35.36 trillion across 79.8 billion transactions in 2025, according to Central Bank data, a 34 percent jump in value over the prior year.
Where Banco do Brasil Stands on Crypto
Banco do Brasil has no partnership with any exchange and offers no crypto products of its own. Its role in this guide begins and ends with Pix, the payment rail that gets money from a checking account into a licensed platform. That has not changed under the new framework, and there is no indication Banco do Brasil plans to enter crypto services directly. Anyone buying with Pix should still confirm a platform’s authorization status directly, since that is the detail actually shifting this year.
Conclusion
A Pix transfer to a crypto exchange works the same way it always has. What changed is which exchanges deserve the recommendation. Mercado Bitcoin’s existing authorization puts it ahead of platforms still working through the October deadline, Bybit included, and that gap is worth knowing before moving a large balance through either one.
FAQs
Can I still use Bybit to buy crypto with Pix?
For now, yes, though the platform is mid-transition to a local entity and has not yet secured formal Central Bank authorization. Expect document requests and product restrictions through September 2026.
What happens if an exchange misses the October 30 deadline?
Licensed Brazilian banks and payment providers will no longer be permitted to deal with unauthorized platforms after that date, which effectively cuts them off from Pix and other domestic rails.
Is Mercado Bitcoin regulated?
Yes. It holds Central Bank authorization as a Payment Institution and has operated in Brazil since 2013, longer than most international exchanges serving the market.
Does Banco do Brasil charge fees for Pix transfers to an exchange?
No. Pix transfers are free for individuals under standard Central Bank rules, regardless of the receiving exchange.
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