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The regulation of virtual assets and cryptocurrencies in Brazil

January 13, 2026

Virtual assets, which include well-known cryptocurrencies, were recently regulated by the Central Bank of Brazil (BACEN – Banco Central do Brasil, or BCB) through Rules #519/2025, #520/2025, and #521/2025. This follows the enactment of Federal Statute #14,478/22 in 2022, which established “guidelines to be observed in the provision of virtual asset services and in the regulation of virtual asset service providers,” thereby inaugurating regulation on this matter in Brazil. The aforementioned law, however, was limited to establishing general guidelines and requiring prior authorization for companies to operate in the sector. It did not detail the procedure for obtaining this authorization or expressly designate the responsible regulatory body – though it was anticipated that this responsibility would fall to the BACEN.

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Requirements for Payment Institutions in Brazil Following the Recent Publications of BCB Rule #495/2025 and Joint Rule #14/2025

November 27, 2025

The Brazilian payments market has stood out for its intense innovation and growth, driven by the increasing digitalization of the economy and the demand for more agile and accessible financial solutions. The rise of new technologies, such as Pix , and the rise of a diverse ecosystem of payment institutions have radically transformed the country's financial landscape. In this dynamic context, the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) plays an essential role as the main regulator and supervisor, aiming to ensure the soundness, efficiency, security, and transparency of operations within the Brazilian Payment System (SPB) .

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Brazil’s Sports Betting Act: Statute #14,740/2023 and the new paradigm for regulating gambling and betting

October 10, 2025

One of the most discussed topics in Brazil in recent years has been the introduction and rapid expansion of the sports betting market. Fixed-odds betting has overwhelmingly dominated this sector, becoming the leading sponsor of Brazilian football teams.

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Typologies of money laundering and terrorist financing by COAF

September 25, 2025

Preventing money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) is a global priority due to the threat these crimes pose to the integrity of financial systems, national security, and the socioeconomic stability of nations. In Brazil, the fight against these crimes is a key focus, driven by international commitments, robust domestic legislation, and the work of specialized bodies such as the Council for Financial Activities Control (COAF – Conselho de Controle de Atividades Financeiras), which is now also known as Brazil’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and operates under the Ministry of Finance.

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ABOUT US

The Financial Regulation Blog, published by Licks Attorneys, offers regular, insightful updates on financial regulatory matters. All posts are authored by the firm’s team of seasoned legal professionals. Licks Attorneys is a top-tier Brazilian law firm, recognized for its expertise in handling complex and strategic legal matters nationwide.

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Licks Attorneys' COMPLIANCE Blog

The "Emprega + Mulheres" Program and the Impact on Employment Relationships

It is well-known that certain market sectors impose additional barriers when hiring women. This is often due to concerns that, during pregnancy, employees may need to take time off for childbirth, utilizing maternity leave. Complications during pregnancy can also arise, potentially weakening the workforce and prompting companies to hire temporary workers to cover the absence.

The "Emprega + Mulheres" Program and the Impact on Employment RelationshipsRead Full Article

The “Língua de Gato” case: trademark or synonym for product?

In recent weeks, the news about the loss of exclusivity of the “Língua de Gato” trademark has caused a great deal of buzz and raised many questions among chocolate lovers. After all, did Kopenhagen lose its rights to the “Língua de Gato” trademark?

The “Língua de Gato” case: trademark or synonym for product?Read Full Article

Deadlines and Deliveries — Logistical Challenges in Pharmaceutical Industry Contracts

In the pharmaceutical industry, strict compliance with delivery deadlines is essential. In commercial contracts between pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers, clarity and precision in stipulating delivery deadlines, as well as defining the consequences for non-compliance with these deadlines, are crucial to avoid disputes and ensure continuous supply to the market. Delays in the delivery of essential inputs can cause serious impacts, such as interruptions in medicaments production, compromises of research projects and even risks to public health. In this context, logistics plays a critical role that is amplified by the need for transportation and storage products under specific temperature and humidity conditions, in addition to complying with the regulatory standards of each country. The contracts signed between the parties must reflect this importance, establishing clauses that address the specific challenges of this area.

Deadlines and Deliveries — Logistical Challenges in Pharmaceutical Industry ContractsRead Full Article

Updated Mapping of Personal Data Protection Around the World

There is a growing global concern regarding the protection of personal data for individuals, given the rapid technological advances that geographically universalize information and could have considerable impacts on citizens' lives. Brazil, following the global trend, enacted its General Data Protection Act (LGPD) in August 2018, which came into force in September 2020, except for its penalties, which only came into force in August 2021.

Updated Mapping of Personal Data Protection Around the WorldRead Full Article

“Big Mac” vs. “Supermac's” and the Risk of Abandonment for Trademark Registration Owners

In a case involving the dispute between the trademarks “Big Mac” and “Supermac's” in the European Union, the Irish company Supermac's (Holdings) Ltd. applied in 2017 for the abandonment of registration #626381,  for the trademark “Big Mac”, owned by McDonald's International Property Co. Ltd, on the grounds of non-use.

“Big Mac” vs. “Supermac's” and the Risk of Abandonment for Trademark Registration OwnersRead Full Article

The Activities and Duties of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) are Finally Regulated

The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) published Resolution CD/ANPD #18/2024, dated July 16, 2024, which sought to fill an important gap in detailing the activities of the Data Protection Officer and the responsibilities of data processing agents that support their activities.

The Activities and Duties of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) are Finally RegulatedRead Full Article

Legal Business in Brazil

The legal business is a kind of legal act that arises from the manifestation of a person's will, aiming to produce effects in the legal sphere of another. Therefore, a legal relationship arises between the parties, respecting the requirements established by law for its validity and effectiveness factors that will impact its production of effects.

Legal Business in BrazilRead Full Article

New Regulatory Framework for Clinical Research in Brazil

Law #14.874 was enacted on May 28, 2024, providing guidelines for research involving human subjects and establishing the National System of Ethics in research involving human subjects. This statutory framework is of utmost importance as it defines the rights of volunteers and outlines the responsibilities for researchers and sponsors of clinical research.

New Regulatory Framework for Clinical Research in BrazilRead Full Article

ANVISA Approves the Regulation of Biosimilars

The Brazilian FDA, ANVISA, approved Rule RDC #875 of May 28, 2024, which provided, in an ancillary manner, for the registration of biosimilars through the comparability development route, aiming to guarantee the quality, safety, and efficacy of these products.

ANVISA Approves the Regulation of BiosimilarsRead Full Article

European Council Approves Legislation on Artificial Intelligence

In contrast to Mercosur, which struggles to evolve from an economic bloc to a political and monetary union due to challenges in socio-political integration caused by alternating conservative and progressive governments, the European Union continues to demonstrate efficiency in integrating its member countries. Despite the United Kingdom's departure, the EU remains committed to regulating fundamental issues related to the incorporation of new technologies, which will significantly impact personal, educational, and professional relationships. We are specifically discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI).

European Council Approves Legislation on Artificial IntelligenceRead Full Article

ANPD Approves Regulation on Security Incident Reporting

The Brazilian Data Protection Authority (ANPD), a public entity created by the General Data Protection Act (LGPD), responsible for regulating, supervising, guiding, educating, and acting on security incidents involving personal data, as well as for cooperating with other similar international entities, published CD/ANPD’s Rule #15, dated April 24, 2024, in the Federal Register on April 26, 2024. Taking advantage of the last public consultation on the topic, the Rule approved the Regulation on Security Incident Reporting.

ANPD Approves Regulation on Security Incident ReportingRead Full Article

India’s Anti-Corruption Act

While Brazil adopted its Anti-Corruption Act aimed at companies only on August 1, 2013, with Law #12,846, India adopted an Anti-Corruption Act known as “The Prevention of Corruption Act” on September 9, 1988, which typifies and penalizes bribery offenses involving both individuals (natural persons) and companies (legal entities). Now, let’s delve into the main points of this act below.

India’s Anti-Corruption ActRead Full Article

The Balancing Test in Personal Data Protection

There are numerous situations in a business that result in a company having to deal with personal data, and obtaining the data subject's consent is not always possible or even viable. Bearing this in mind the legislator made 9 other legal bases available in the Brazilian General Data Protection Act (LGPD) so that companies, controllers or operators of such personal data can use them to classify the processing of the respective data.

The Balancing Test in Personal Data ProtectionRead Full Article

The Importance and Use of the Limitation of Liability Clause

Initially, it is important to highlight that a company's ability to carry out an economic operation is intrinsically linked to the analysis of several stages, with risk assessment being one of its crucial factors. After the decision to proceed with the operation, a new phase emerges: the negotiation of contractual terms. It is clear that consideration of costs, including possible compensation, is a key element in decision-making in order to avoid compromising the operations.

The Importance and Use of the Limitation of Liability ClauseRead Full Article

The Legitimate Interest in the Processing of Personal Data

Since the creation of the Brazilian General Data Protection Act (LGPD) on August 14, 2018, the comparison with the European GDPR was inevitable, after all, the Brazilian LGPD was greatly influenced by the similar law published just over two years earlier in Europe. While the LGPD had ten legal bases to support the processing of personal data, the GDPR had only six legal bases.

The Legitimate Interest in the Processing of Personal DataRead Full Article