Brazil to Enhance Scrutiny on Foreign Crypto Exchanges
Brazil’s Receita Federal is set to intensify oversight of foreign digital asset exchanges operating within the country, aiming to strengthen regulation and transparency in this rapidly growing sector. The national tax authority plans to collect operational data from platforms such as Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, despite the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in Brazil.
Tightened Oversight on Foreign Crypto Exchanges
As digital asset popularity surges in Brazil, the government is taking steps to understand and regulate the activities of international cryptocurrency exchanges. A mandate, expected to be issued this week, will require these platforms to disclose their operational methodologies and customer service practices within the region. The focus of Brazilian tax authorities is to ensure compliance with local tax laws and anti-money laundering regulations.
Surge in Digital Asset Usage
The decision comes amidst a significant increase in digital asset usage in Brazil, with reported crypto holdings by Brazilians reaching 133.6 billion reais ($24.6 billion) from January to July 2023—a 36.6% increase from the previous year. This heightened scrutiny is vital as the government pushes for greater transparency while still developing a concrete regulatory framework, expected to be proposed by the end of 2024.
Receita Federal to Audit International Crypto Platforms
Andrea Chaves, Deputy Secretary of Inspection at the Receita Federal, emphasized the importance of this initiative. The government aims to ensure that these exchanges comply with tax obligations and do not engage in illegal activities. Additionally, they seek to confirm that services offered to Brazilian customers are fully legal, addressing concerns that some platforms might bypass local regulations, leading to unreported revenue and facilitating illicit financial flows.
Wagner Lima, a risk management coordinator at the Revenue Service, highlighted the need to examine partnerships between foreign exchanges and local service providers. This scrutiny ensures adherence to a 2019 regulation mandating information sharing, crucial for maintaining the integrity of Brazil’s financial systems.
Upcoming Ordinance Requirements
The forthcoming ordinance will require exchanges to provide detailed information about their operations, excluding customer-specific data and transactional details to comply with current Brazilian laws. The 51.2% increase in declared holdings through foreign exchanges from the previous year underscores the growing importance of these platforms in the local market.
Source: coingape.com
