Pix transactions have grown fivefold since its launch

Launched in November 2020, Pix soon became the leading payment method in Brazil. In 2021, in its first year of operation with 12 consecutive months, it handled R$5.21 trillion. In 2022, it rose to R$10.89 trillion. It rose to R$17.12 trillion in 2023. And it reached R$26.46 trillion in 2024, according to the Central Bank (BC).

By 2025, the system is expected to evolve even further with the introduction of new methods, such as Pix by proximity, which has been in place since February. This allows users to make payments both with a financial institution's app and with a digital wallet.

According to the Central Bank, all the customer has to do is bring their cell phone close to the payee's device (the machine) so that the transaction can be carried out via Pix, as is already the case with payment cards, using NFC (near field communication) technology. It is expected that this tool will also be available offline by 2026.

"With Pix by approximation, the average transaction time drops by around 50%. This allows the merchant to be more productive at the checkout at busy times and also makes life easier for the end customer," says Cesar Searlini, technology director at Acqio, the acquiring company of the Entre Group, headed by businessman Antonio Carlos Freixo Junior. In his opinion, Pix, which was already cheaper for shopkeepers, has now become as practical as payment by card swipe.

"Pix's expansion promises to further strengthen financial inclusion in the country. It's a clear example of how simple and accessible solutions can revolutionize the way we deal with money, democratizing financial services on an unprecedented scale," observes Leo Monte, president of CashWay, a banking as a service (BaaS) technology startup.

The CashWay executive emphasizes that Pix's agility and practicality will continue to attract millions of new users, even in areas previously unserved by the traditional banking system.

Lígia Lopes, partner and operations director at Teros, a company specializing in intelligent process automation, adds that Brazil is leading a movement that goes beyond technological transformation.

"We are setting new standards for financial inclusion," proclaims Lígia. "The impact of these tools, when used well, goes far beyond the big cities, reaching communities where basic financial services are still inaccessible."

_{Photo: Marcello Casal Jr/Agência Brasil}