Brazil’s Pix, the national instant payment platform, is set to transform e-commerce with the introduction of Pix Automatico in mid-June 2025. This new feature will allow Pix’s 150 million users to set up automatic debits for recurring payments like streaming services and utility bills. According to EBANX, a regional fintech firm, Pix Automatico could unlock $30 billion in e-commerce transactions.
Eduardo de Abreu, EBANX Vice President of Product, believes this feature will expand Pix’s reach, especially among the unbanked population who lack access to credit cards and other digital payment methods. Pix has seen rapid growth since its launch in 2020 by Brazil’s central bank. In 2024, Brazilians made 42 billion payments through Pix, a 74% increase from the previous year.
Pix transactions surpassed those made via credit and debit cards combined by 23%. However, credit cards still dominated online commerce payments in 2023, with over 50% of the market share, while Pix accounted for less than a third.
pix introduces automatic debits for payments
Merchants stand to benefit from the cost-saving aspect of Pix transactions. On average, Pix payments incur a transaction fee of 0.22%, significantly lower than the 1% fee for debit cards and up to 2.2% for credit cards, as reported by the Bank for International Settlements. The widespread use of Pix raises questions about the future of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in Brazil.
With over 150 million users, Brazil may not prioritize a CBDC for financial inclusion. However, the central bank is exploring expanding CBDC applications, including tokenization and decentralized finance integration. In a related development, Paraguayans traveling to Brazil will now be able to use Pix via QR codes directly from their preferred banking apps, thanks to a partnership between Bancard and PagBrasil.
This collaboration aims to simplify payments for Paraguayan tourists, as Brazil remains their top travel destination. Aníbal Corina, general manager of Bancard, stated, “We know that Brazil is the favorite destination for Paraguayans, and we are proud to partner with PagBrasil to offer a secure and convenient payment option for everyone.”
The ability to use Pix offers various benefits for Paraguayan tourists, including a safe and convenient alternative to cash, cost-effectiveness, and acceptance at a wide variety of establishments. Alex Hoffmann, CEO and co-founder of PagBrasil, believes this innovation will positively impact travelers and merchants, driving tourism and international trade.
