Brazilian Cryptocurrency Tax Rate: How 17.5% Capital Gains Tax Works in 2026

Since June 12, 2025, every crypto trade in Brazil - whether you sold Bitcoin for reais, swapped Ethereum for Solana, or earned staking rewards - is taxed at a flat 17.5%. No more exemptions. No more loopholes. If you made money, the Brazilian tax authority, Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB), wants its cut. This isn’t a suggestion. It’s the law.

What’s Actually Taxed Now?

The 17.5% rate applies to every single profit from cryptocurrency. That includes:

Selling crypto for Brazilian reais (BRL)
Trading one crypto for another (like BTC to ETH)
Earning staking rewards or yield from DeFi protocols
Receiving crypto as payment for goods or services
Mining income, if you’re running your own node

There’s no difference between holding Bitcoin for a week or a year. No tax-free allowance. No lower rate for long-term investors. Even if you made BRL 500 from swapping tokens on a decentralized exchange, you owe tax on that gain - as long as your total monthly activity crossed BRL 5,000 in value.

When Do You Need to Report?

You must report every transaction if your total crypto activity in a calendar month exceeds BRL 5,000. That’s not the profit - it’s the total value of all buys, sells, and trades combined. So if you bought BRL 3,000 worth of Bitcoin and sold BRL 2,500 worth of Ethereum in the same month, you’re over the threshold. You report.

The tax year runs January 1 to December 31. All reports are due by the last business day of April the following year. For the 2025 tax year, that deadline was April 30, 2026. Missing it means penalties - and they’re steep. The RFB doesn’t send reminders. They track exchange data, wallet addresses, and bank transfers. If you didn’t report, they’ll find you.

How to Report: The eCac Portal

All crypto tax reporting happens through the eCac portal, Brazil’s official online tax system. You need a digital certificate (e-CPF) to log in. If you don’t have one, you can’t file - and that’s a problem for many retail investors who never needed one before.

The portal doesn’t have a built-in crypto calculator. You’re expected to track every transaction yourself. That means:

Exporting trade history from every exchange (Binance, Mercado Bitcoin, Kraken, etc.)
Recording wallet-to-wallet transfers
Calculating cost basis for each asset
Tracking fair market value in BRL at the time of each sale or trade

Many users report the system is confusing. It accepts CSV uploads, but doesn’t auto-calculate gains. You need third-party tools like Koinly or CoinTracker to do the math and then manually enter the totals into eCac.

Split-screen: trader exporting data vs. government tracking crypto transactions

Why 17.5%? The Government’s Logic

Brazil’s crypto market exploded in 2023 and 2024. Between January and September 2024 alone, over $43.5 billion in crypto transactions occurred. That’s billions in untaxed gains. The government saw a revenue opportunity - and decided to treat crypto like stocks or real estate.

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad called it “tax equity.” If you make money from stocks, you pay tax. If you make money from crypto, you pay the same. No special treatment. The 17.5% rate was chosen to be simple - no brackets, no deductions, no complexity. It’s easier to enforce.

But here’s the catch: it’s also one of the most aggressive flat rates in Latin America. Compare that to Argentina, where crypto gains under $10,000 are tax-free, or Colombia, which taxes crypto at just 10% for individuals. Brazil didn’t just close the door on tax avoidance - it welded it shut.

Who’s Getting Hurt? Who’s Getting Help?

Retail investors are feeling the squeeze. A Reddit user in São Paulo posted: “I used to trade $500 worth of crypto every week. Now I have to track every swap, pay a tax accountant, and risk fines if I miss one. Is it worth it?”

For small traders, the compliance cost might outweigh the profit. A BRL 1,000 gain becomes BRL 825 after tax. Add BRL 200 in accounting fees? You’re left with BRL 625. Many are stepping back.

Institutional traders and high-volume investors are more neutral. The flat rate gives them predictability. No more worrying about whether a 6-month hold gets a lower rate. No more guessing if DeFi rewards are taxable. Everything’s clear - even if it’s expensive.

What Happens If You Don’t Report?

The RFB isn’t bluffing. They’ve started cross-referencing data from major exchanges with bank deposits and tax filings. If you sold crypto and deposited BRL 20,000 into your checking account in 2025 - and didn’t report it - you’ll get a letter. First, a notice. Then, a fine of up to 75% of the unpaid tax. Then, interest. Then, legal action.

Even if you used a non-Brazilian exchange like Binance or Coinbase, the RFB can still get your data. Brazil signed tax information exchange agreements with over 70 countries. If your exchange reports to the U.S. or EU, they’re legally required to share data with Brazil.

Scale balancing Bitcoin against taxed reais with staking and DeFi icons

How This Compares to Other Countries

Brazil’s 17.5% rate sits in the middle globally:

Comparison of Crypto Capital Gains Tax Rates (2026)
Country	Tax Rate	Exemptions	Holding Period Benefit
Brazil	17.5%	None (BRL 5,000/month reporting threshold)	No
Germany	0% (after 1 year)	€600 annual tax-free allowance	Yes
Portugal	28% (under 1 year)	None for residents	No
United Kingdom	10-20%	£3,000 annual allowance	Yes
United States	10-37%	$0 for individuals	Yes (long-term rates)

Brazil is stricter than Germany and the UK, but less punitive than Portugal. The big difference? Brazil has no holding period benefit. A 1-day trade and a 5-year hold are taxed the same. That’s unique among major economies.

What’s Next for Brazil’s Crypto Scene?

While the tax law tightened, the government also launched pilot programs for Drex - its own central bank digital currency. That’s no accident. Brazil isn’t trying to kill crypto. It’s trying to control it.

Expect more clarity soon. The RFB is working with exchanges to automate reporting. Some platforms now offer tax reports in Portuguese. The Central Bank is also drafting rules for DeFi lending and NFT trading - both still gray areas under current law.

The message is clear: if you want to trade crypto in Brazil, you play by the government’s rules. No exceptions. No grace period. No more hiding.

What Should You Do Right Now?

If you traded crypto in Brazil in 2025:

Export all transaction history from every exchange and wallet you used.
Use a crypto tax tool (Koinly, CoinTracker, or TaxBit) to calculate your gains in BRL.
Log into eCac with your e-CPF certificate.
Manually enter your totals under “Rendimentos de Capital” (Capital Income).
Pay the tax by April 30, 2026, or risk penalties.

If you’re just starting out:

Track every trade from day one.
Use a single exchange if possible - fewer records to manage.
Never ignore a BRL 5,000 monthly threshold. Even small traders get caught.

The days of free crypto trading in Brazil are over. The tax is here. The system is live. The question isn’t whether you owe - it’s whether you’ve paid.

Is crypto taxed in Brazil even if I don’t cash out to reais?

Yes. Trading one cryptocurrency for another - like Bitcoin for Ethereum - is considered a taxable event. The profit is calculated based on the value in Brazilian reais at the time of the trade. You don’t need to convert to cash to owe tax.

What if I lost money on crypto trades?

Losses can offset gains in the same tax year. If you lost BRL 10,000 and made BRL 6,000, you only pay tax on the net BRL 4,000 gain. But losses can’t be carried forward to future years. You lose them if you don’t use them in the same calendar year.

Do I need to report crypto I bought before June 2025?

Yes. The tax applies to all gains realized after June 12, 2025, regardless of when you bought the crypto. If you bought Bitcoin in 2021 and sold it in 2025 for a profit, you pay tax on that gain. Your original purchase price is your cost basis - keep those records.

Can I use a tax accountant to file for me?

Yes, and many investors do. Look for accountants who specialize in cryptocurrency or digital assets. They’ll help you calculate gains, prepare eCac filings, and avoid penalties. Fees range from BRL 500 to BRL 3,000 depending on complexity.

Are NFTs and DeFi rewards taxed the same way?

Yes. NFT sales are treated as capital gains. DeFi staking rewards, liquidity mining, and yield farming are treated as income at the time you receive them - valued in BRL. You pay 17.5% on the gain when you later sell them. Keep records of every reward received.

20 Comments

Caitlin Colwell
January 13, 2026 AT 06:38

This is insane. No holding period benefit? You're punishing people for moving money.
Jennah Grant
January 14, 2026 AT 16:30

The 17.5% flat rate is actually elegant from a compliance standpoint. No more gaming the system with holding periods. Just calculate gain, pay tax, move on. The real pain point is the eCac portal - no auto-calculation, no API, just CSV hell. You need Koinly or you’re doomed.
Dave Lite
January 14, 2026 AT 21:29

Bro if you're trading crypto in Brazil and not tracking every swap you're asking for trouble 😅 The RFB is watching every wallet address and bank deposit. I use CoinTracker + e-CPF and it’s a pain but way better than a 75% penalty. Also - DeFi rewards are income on receipt, not when you sell. Don’t forget that!
Becky Chenier
January 15, 2026 AT 20:54

I’m surprised they didn’t include a tax-free threshold for small traders. BRL 5,000 monthly is too low for anyone doing regular swaps. My cousin trades $100 a week - now he has to hire an accountant just to avoid a fine. That’s not tax policy. That’s harassment.
Denise Paiva
January 16, 2026 AT 17:36

Brazil is not trying to control crypto - they’re trying to kill it quietly. 17.5% flat? No deductions? No long-term relief? This isn’t taxation. This is economic warfare against innovation. Meanwhile Germany gives you 0% after a year and they’re still the tech hub of Europe. Who’s the idiot now?
Jon Martín
January 17, 2026 AT 07:30

YALL NEED TO STOP COMPLAINING AND START TRACKING YOUR TRANSACTIONS 🚨 This isn’t 2021 anymore. If you made a gain after June 12 2025 you owe tax. Period. Use Koinly. Export your history. Pay the tax. Life goes on. The RFB is not playing. They’ve got data from Binance, Kraken, Coinbase - even if you’re using a foreign exchange. They know. They’re coming. Don’t be the guy who gets audited for $800 in gains
Mujibur Rahman
January 18, 2026 AT 07:47

The UK has a £3,000 allowance. US has long-term rates. Brazil’s system is primitive. Flat tax without holding period benefit is a relic. It treats every trader like a day trader - even if you held Bitcoin for 5 years. This isn’t fairness. It’s laziness. The government didn’t build a system. They slapped on a 17.5% sticker and called it done.
Dennis Mbuthia
January 18, 2026 AT 09:05

You people are so soft. If you can’t handle paying 17.5% on crypto gains you shouldn’t have been trading in the first place. This isn’t a game. This is a country with a functional tax system. You want to gamble with digital assets? Then pay the tax like an adult. Stop whining about eCac - it’s not that hard. And if you don’t have an e-CPF? Get one. It’s not magic. It’s paperwork.
Staci Armezzani
January 19, 2026 AT 13:47

If you’re new to this - start tracking NOW. Even if you didn’t think you were over the BRL 5k threshold, you might’ve been. Use a free tool like Koinly. Export every wallet and exchange. Don’t wait until April. The deadline isn’t flexible. And if you lost money? Use those losses to offset gains - but only in the same year. Don’t assume they roll over. They don’t.
Tracey Grammer-Porter
January 19, 2026 AT 22:34

I used to think crypto was freedom. Now I realize it’s just another asset class with rules. The fact that Brazil treats BTC-to-ETH swaps as taxable events is actually… kind of fair? If you profit, you pay. But the execution? Terrible. No auto-reporting, no integration, just manual CSV hell. They made it hard on purpose.
jim carry
January 21, 2026 AT 05:12

I’ve been reading this whole thing and I’m just wondering… how many of you are actually paying your taxes? Or are you just here to vent because you’re scared the RFB is going to find your wallet? The truth is, if you didn’t report, you’re already in violation. And no, pretending you didn’t know doesn’t help. The law doesn’t care about your ignorance.
Don Grissett
January 23, 2026 AT 00:30

i dont even know why we are even talking about this like its a big deal its just 17.5% and if you cant handle it then maybe you shudnt have bought crypto in the first place i mean come on its not like they are taxing your breath
Katrina Recto
January 23, 2026 AT 09:01

The real issue isn’t the rate. It’s that they don’t allow loss carryforwards. You lose BRL 10k this year? Too bad. Next year you make BRL 10k? Pay full tax. That’s brutal. No country should treat losses like that. It punishes volatility - the exact thing crypto thrives on.
Veronica Mead
January 24, 2026 AT 10:25

It is deeply irresponsible to suggest that crypto trading should be treated as anything other than capital income. The moral hazard of tax avoidance in digital assets has reached unacceptable levels. Brazil’s enforcement is not only justified - it is ethically imperative. Those who evade are not innovators. They are parasites.
Mollie Williams
January 26, 2026 AT 04:30

There’s something poetic about taxing crypto at 17.5% - it’s the same rate as Brazil’s corporate income tax. It’s not about punishing traders. It’s about integrating crypto into the real economy. No longer is it a shadow system. Now it’s part of the ledger. That’s progress. The pain? It’s the cost of maturity.
Tre Smith
January 27, 2026 AT 15:00

Let’s be honest - the only people complaining are those who made under BRL 10k in gains and now realize they can’t afford the accounting fees. This isn’t a tax policy crisis. It’s a personal finance crisis. If you’re trading crypto and can’t afford a BRL 500 accountant, you shouldn’t be trading. Period.
Ritu Singh
January 27, 2026 AT 23:47

The RFB is working with the IMF and the Federal Reserve to track crypto wallets - they’re building a global surveillance network under the guise of taxation. This isn’t about revenue. It’s about control. The digital currency they’re launching - Drex - is the real endgame. You think you’re paying tax? You’re being prepped for a state-backed digital currency. Wake up.
kris serafin
January 29, 2026 AT 16:40

Just use Koinly + e-CPF 💪 You got this! I did it last year and it took me 3 hours. No big deal. The RFB isn’t your enemy - they’re just trying to make sure everyone plays fair. And if you lost money? That’s okay - just report it. Honesty is the best policy 😊
Jordan Leon
January 30, 2026 AT 17:21

The elegance of Brazil’s approach lies in its simplicity. No brackets. No deductions. No loopholes. The cost is high, but the predictability is invaluable. Institutional players thrive under these conditions. Retail investors? They’re collateral damage. But that’s the price of systemic clarity.
Rahul Sharma
January 30, 2026 AT 22:43

In India we have 30% tax on crypto. No exemptions. No holding period benefit. So 17.5% is actually very good. Brazil is being fair. The problem is not the tax. The problem is people don’t want to do paperwork. Just do it. Use free tools. It’s not hard.