The Brazilian Parliament is set to review a bill that would allow local workers to receive a portion of their salary in virtual assets. The exchange rate will be regulated by the country’s central bank.
Bill PL 957/2025 was introduced in the Brazilian National Congress by Federal Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança. The proposal seeks to legally establish the option for partial wage payments in virtual assets.
According to the document, virtual assets are defined as digital representations of value that can be used for payments and investments.
The bill outlines several conditions that must be met for salaries to be paid in virtual assets:
- written consent from the employee is required;
- at least 50% of the salary must be paid in Brazilian reals, with exceptions for expats and self-employed individuals;
- the exchange rate will be determined by an institution authorized by Banco Central do Brasil;
- employers must provide detailed payment breakdowns.
Additionally, employers offering salary payments in virtual assets will be required to provide free financial education programs for employees who opt for this payment method. These programs must cover key topics related to virtual assets, including:
- risks and volatility;
- rights and obligations associated with their use;
- security measures for transactions;
- practical aspects of conversion into fiat.
The bill also mandates that employee training programs include fundamental concepts of blockchain technology and crypto-assets, implying that cryptocurrencies fall under the category of virtual assets.
Furthermore, all tax and pension contributions must be calculated based on the amount in the national currency, regardless of the payment method.
The bill’s author believes its adoption would strengthen Brazil’s position in the digital assets sector and attract foreign investment. He emphasizes that the initiative aims to expand the freedom of choice for both workers and employers in labor relations while maintaining key financial protections.
Before becoming law, the bill must be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and then by the Brazilian Senate. If passed, Brazil would join the ranks of a few countries where salary payments in crypto are legally recognized.
In 2022, cryptocurrency payments accounted for approximately 5% of all global payroll transactions.
