Brazil Considers Paying Salaries With Bitcoin
Brazilian legislators are currently reviewing a new proposal that would make it legally possible for employers to pay workers partially in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Federal Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança has submitted a bill seeking to establish a legal framework for crypto-based payments of salaries, compensation, and employee benefits.
Submitted on March 12, the proposed legislation—Bill PL 957/2025—would permit salaries to be paid voluntarily and partially in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
However, it also mandates that a portion of the salary must be paid in Brazil’s official currency, the real.
Orleans-Bragança, a descendent of Brazil’s historical royal family, is currently in his second term as a federal deputy representing São Paulo and is known to support Truth Social, the social media platform owned by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The proposed law would restrict employers from paying 100% of a salary in cryptocurrency. Orleans-Bragança specifically includes a clause capping crypto payments at 50%.
“The payment of salaries exclusively in virtual assets is prohibited,” except for cases involving expatriate employees or foreign workers, under the terms of regulations by the Central Bank of Brazil.
Under the draft bill, independent contractors would be allowed to receive full payment in cryptocurrency, provided the terms are agreed upon contractually.
In all other situations, no less than 50% of the employee’s total salary must be paid in Brazilian reals.
The exchange rate used to convert fiat into cryptocurrency would be determined by an institution authorized by Brazil’s Central Bank.
Orleans-Bragança argues that allowing salaries to be partially paid in cryptocurrency could help stimulate Brazil’s fintech industry and bring more crypto investment into the national economy.
He also believes that the measure:
“reinforces the principle of autonomy of will, allowing workers and employers greater freedom to decide on their contractual relations, without prejudice to fundamental guarantees,” the bill reads.
The proposal draws inspiration from other countries that have already integrated crypto payments into their economies. Orleans-Bragança pointed to the examples of Switzerland, Japan, and Portugal, noting:
“In Japan, for example, legislation requires individual agreement between employer and employee, as well as specific guidelines for the conversion of the amounts paid. In Portugal, regulation brought flexibility and drove the adoption of virtual assets in the financial sector.”
While some countries permit Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in payment systems, others—such as Turkey and Russia—have placed outright bans on the use of crypto for any type of payment.
El Salvador, the first nation to declare Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, still allows voluntary crypto payments.
However, following an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, it no longer accepts tax payments or government fees in cryptocurrency.
In a separate development, Brazil’s government is also exploring blockchain and cryptocurrency use within the BRICS economic bloc, according to a March 12 report by Valor International.
Sources:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/brazil-bill-bitcoin-salary-regulation
https://www.camara.leg.br/proposicoesWeb/fichadetramitacao?idProposicao=2486744
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