Paying PIX with cryptocurrency is the process of converting digital assets such as USDC, USDT or SOL into Brazilian reais to settle an instant payment via PIX. The process works through off-ramp platforms that receive the cryptocurrency and execute the PIX to the recipient in seconds. This payment method has been growing in Brazil as more people hold crypto and seek practical ways to use it day-to-day, without first sending funds to a centralized exchange.
How it works technically
The technical flow of a crypto PIX payment involves several steps coordinated in real time. First, the user connects their wallet (digital wallet) to the payment platform - for example, Phantom for Solana or MetaMask for EVM networks. Then, they select PIX as the payment method and enter the recipient details. The platform queries liquidity aggregators to obtain the best conversion rate between the chosen crypto asset and the Brazilian real (BRL), already including the network fee (gas fee) and service fee. The user reviews the total amount and approves the transaction directly in their wallet. At that moment, the cryptocurrency is transferred from the user wallet to the platform smart contract or address. On the other end, the platform executes the PIX via APIs of financial institutions authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil. The entire process - from wallet approval to PIX settlement - takes between 10 and 60 seconds depending on the blockchain network used. On networks like Solana, which has fast finalization (400ms per slot), the experience is practically instant.
Step-by-step guide to pay PIX with crypto
- 1
Open the platform and connect your wallet
Open the PagFinance app and connect your preferred wallet (Phantom, MetaMask, Xaman, etc.).
- 2
Select PIX as payment method
On the main screen, choose PIX as the payment method for the transaction.
- 3
Enter the recipient PIX key
Enter the recipient PIX key (CPF, e-mail, phone or random key).
- 4
Enter the amount in BRL
Enter the amount in Brazilian reais you want to pay. The platform will automatically calculate the crypto equivalent.
- 5
Review the quote, fee and total in crypto
Check the updated quote, service fee and total amount that will be debited from your wallet.
- 6
Confirm the transaction in your wallet
Approve the transaction in your wallet. The PIX will be executed in seconds after on-chain confirmation.
Which cryptocurrencies can be used
PagFinance accepts over 46 digital assets across 9 blockchain networks for PIX payments. Among the main ones:
Stablecoin (USD) - Solana, Base, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism
Stablecoin (USD) - Solana, Polygon, Arbitrum, BNB Chain
Solana - native asset of the Solana network
Ethereum - Base, Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism
XRP Ledger - fast and low-cost payments
Polygon - native asset of the Polygon network
Arbitrum - Arbitrum governance token
BNB Chain - native asset of BNB Chain
Supported networks include Solana, Base, Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism, BNB Chain, XRPL, HyperEVM and Monad. Stablecoins like USDC and USDT are the most popular because their value is pegged to the dollar, reducing volatility risk during conversion. However, you can pay directly with volatile assets like SOL, ETH or XRP - the platform calculates the rate at the exact moment of the transaction.
Costs and fees
Conversion fees vary according to the user KYC (identity verification) level. Below are fee examples for different payment amounts:
| Amount (BRL) | Fee (KYC-1, 3.50%) | Fee (KYC-2, 2.75%) |
|---|---|---|
| R$ 50 | R$ 1,75 | R$ 1,38 |
| R$ 100 | R$ 3,50 | R$ 2,75 |
| R$ 500 | R$ 17,50 | R$ 13,75 |
| R$ 1.000 | R$ 35,00 | R$ 27,50 |
The service fee already includes all costs. The minimum floor is R$ 1.20 for PIX and R$ 2.50 for boleto. KYC-2 users have progressive fees: from 2.75% (up to R$ 5,000) to 1.75% (above R$ 100,000).
Limits and KYC
PagFinance allows payments without mandatory identity verification (KYC-1) up to R$ 650 per transaction, R$ 1,300 per day and R$ 20,000 per month, with a limit of 5 daily transactions. This level requires only email and wallet connection. For higher amounts, KYC-2 requires full registration (name, CPF, selfie and bank account) and allows up to R$ 70,000 per transaction, R$ 140,000 per day and R$ 500,000 per month. KYC-3 is aimed at high-volume users and offers limits up to R$ 200,000 per transaction and R$ 2,000,000 per month. Verification is done directly on the platform and the process takes just a few minutes.
Security: what is self-custody
On self-custody platforms like PagFinance, your private keys are never shared with the platform. The cryptocurrency remains in your wallet until the exact moment you approve the transaction. This means the platform has no access to your funds - unlike centralized exchanges where you deposit crypto and trust third-party custody. Each transaction requires your cryptographic signature in the wallet, ensuring that only you can authorize movements. Additionally, all transactions are recorded on public blockchain, allowing full auditability and transparency.
Learn more about crypto payment security →
Transparency: verifiable on-chain volume
The volume of PIX transactions processed via crypto by PagFinance is publicly verifiable on Dune Analytics. Each payment generates an on-chain record that can be audited by anyone, ensuring full transparency about the platform volume and activity.