VASP & Payment Institution Licensing in Brazil

Which authorisation does your business need?

A Brazil payment licence and a VASP authorisation are different regulatory routes. Payment institutions follow Lei 12.865/2013 and Resolucao BCB 80/2021; virtual asset providers follow Lei 14.478/2022 and Resolucoes BCB 519, 520 and 521. A combined business model may involve more than one authorisation.

DASP is a search term, not a Brazilian licence category: the framework uses PSAV and SPSAV. PSP and EMI describe international business models rather than stand-alone Brazilian licences.

We coordinate the Brazilian entity, governance, business plan and compliance documentation with legal counsel. Legal filings are handled by the company and its counsel; Banco Central decides on authorisation. Capital and timing depend on the modality and review.

Scope

• Regulatory mapping with Banco Central do Brasil and, where relevant, CVM.
• Licence route selection: payment institution, electronic money issuer, virtual asset service provider.
• Corporate, capital and governance requirements for the chosen route.
• Infrastructure, banking and processing partner selection; documentation for the filing.

Regulatory guide

• Brazil VASP and payment licence requirements

Contact

Arasari & Partners — Rodovia José Carlos Daux 4190, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Email: info@arasari.com.br. Working languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, Russian.

Engagements are non-discretionary advisory: we structure, coordinate licensed providers and track deadlines; decisions remain with the client.