Brazil Proposes Ban on Stablecoin Withdrawals to Self-Custodial Wallets

A Milestone Regulation for Stablecoin Transfers Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) has released a draft of a proposed rule to ban the transfer of stablecoins into self-custodial wallets, such as MetaMask. This may reshape Brazil’s stance on cryptocurrencies as Brazil’s real is falling drastically. Proposed Ban in Focus The draft, published on Nov. 29, bars VASPs from transferring stablecoins denominated in foreign currencies to self-custodial wallets. The consultation period runs up until Feb. 28, 2025. “The provider of virtual asset services shall not transfer virtual assets denominated in foreign currency to a self-custodial portfolio,” the document reads. Stricter Oversight in the Cryptocurrency Space The central bank’s proposal comes in line with the government’s broader push to increase oversight of the foreign exchange market and track Brazilian capital abroad. Such measures follow 2022 regulations that targeted virtual asset service providers. Key components of the proposal include: The expansion of foreign exchange rules to cover crypto payments, custody, and transactions. VASPs will be compelled to provide the central bank with comprehensive client information and data on transfers. Why Target Self-Custodial Wallets? Self-custodial wallets allow users to manage their assets independently, without any third-party interference. This makes them, by nature, censorship-resistant. According to proponents, though regulations can hamper its use, an outright ban on self-custodial wallets is all but impossible. “They’re closing the exits while BRL is collapsing,” said Carol Souza, co-founder of Area Bitcoin. Economic and Market Implications The proposal comes as the Brazilian real suffered a dramatic decline, falling 23% against the US dollar in 2023 and reaching an all-time low of 6.09 reals per dollar. This has driven many Brazilians toward stablecoins like Tether (USDt) to hedge against currency devaluation. Brazil’s Key Role in Global Stablecoin Markets Brazil is the second-biggest market for stablecoin transactions, as 59.8% of its crypto market is covered by stablecoins. Over the past year, the country has recorded $90 billion in crypto inflows, just behind Argentina’s $91 billion.