{{short description|Brazilian instant payment ecosystem}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox software | name = Pix | title = Pix | logo = [[File:Pix (Brazil) logo.svg|250px]] | screenshot = | screenshot size = | caption = "Pix" logo created by the Central Bank in 2020 | collapsible = | developer = [[Central Bank of Brazil]] | released = {{Start date and age|2020|10|5|df=yes}} | ver layout = simple | repo = {{URL|https://github.com/bacen/pix-api}} | programming language = | platform = | language count = | language footnote = | language = [[Brazilian Portuguese]] | genre = [[E-commerce payment system]] | license = [[Apache License]] | website = {{URL|https://www.bcb.gov.br/en/financialstability/pix_en}} }}
'''Pix''' ({{IPA|pt|ˈpiks}}) is an [[instant payment]] platform created and managed by the monetary authority of [[Brazil]], the [[Central Bank of Brazil]] (BCB).<ref name="pix-faq">{{cite web|url=https://www.bcb.gov.br/en/financialstability/pixfaqen|title=Pix frequently asked questions|website=[[Central Bank of Brazil]]|date=May 2024|access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> It enables instant transfers between individuals in [[Brazilian real]] 24 hours a day and without interruptions, even outside banking hours, during holidays or weekends, with no fees. Payments made and received by legal entities may be subject to fees.<ref name="pix-faq"/><ref name="reuters-2020">{{cite news|last1=McGeever|first1=Jamie|last2=Ayres|first2=Marcela|last3=Mandl|first3=Carolina|title=Brazil launches 'Pix' instant payments system, Whatsapp to enter 'soon'|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-banks-payment-platform/brazil-launches-pix-instant-payments-system-whatsapp-to-enter-soon-idUSKBN27W25C|access-date=23 July 2025|work=[[Reuters]]|date=16 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="wise">{{cite web|url=https://wise.com/us/blog/what-is-pix-payment|title=What is Pix payment? How does it work? Your full guide|first=Gabriela|last=Peratello|website=[[Wise (company)|Wise]]|date=6 March 2023|access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>
Pix was announced in February 2019 and became fully operational on 16 November 2020.<ref name="reuters-2020"/><ref name="wise"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Heun|first1=David|title=Brazil prepares for launch of instant payments|url=https://www.americanbanker.com/payments/news/brazil-prepares-for-launch-of-instant-payments|access-date=7 October 2021|work=[[American Banker]]|date=24 February 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bcb.gov.br/en/pressdetail/2361/nota|title=Agenda BC# – Pix starts its full operation with 734 institutions on November 16, 2020|website=[[Central Bank of Brazil]]|date=16 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="agencia-brasil">{{cite web|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/economia/noticia/2022-11/pix-consolidates-itself-most-used-means-payment-country|title=Pix becomes most used instant payment system in Brazil|translator-first=Mário|translator-last=Nunes|editor-first=Nádia|editor-last=Franco|website=[[Agência Brasil]]|location=[[São Paulo]]|date=16 November 2022|access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> It rapidly became the main payment system in the country;<ref name="agencia-brasil"/> by July 2024, Pix transactions had reached almost R$2.5 trillion per month, with more than 70% of the country (over 150 million people) actively using it.<ref name="sarkisyan2024">{{cite journal|url=https://ssrn.com/abstract=4176990|title=Instant Payment Systems and Competition for Deposits|first=Sergey|last=Sarkisyan|date=12 June 2024|doi=10.2139/ssrn.4176990|journal=Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research Paper}}</ref>
The "Pix" brand name and logo were created in-house by the [[Central Bank of Brazil]] in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bcb.gov.br/detalhenoticia/16982/nota|title=Agenda BC#: BC lança o PIX, marca do pagamento instantâneo no Brasil|language=pt|website=[[Central Bank of Brazil]]|date=19 February 2020|access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bcb.gov.br/content/estabilidadefinanceira/pix/Regulamento_Pix/I_manual_uso_marca_pix.pdf|title=Manual de Uso da Marca v.1.6|language=pt|website=[[Central Bank of Brazil]]|date=14 May 2025|access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>
== Etymology == {{Wiktionary|Pix}}
Pix is not an [[acronym]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=6 November 2011|title=Tudo sobre Pix: entenda como funciona o sistema de pagamentos do Banco Central|trans-title=All about Pix: understand how the Central Bank's payment system works|url=https://www.infomoney.com.br/guias/pix/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223030720/https://www.infomoney.com.br/guias/pix/|archive-date=23 December 2024|work=InfoMoney|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Cataldo|first=Diego|date=13 October 2024|title=O que significa Pix? 7 perguntas e respostas inusitadas sobre o serviço|trans-title=What does Pix mean? 7 unusual questions and answers about the service|url=https://www.techtudo.com.br/listas/2024/10/o-que-significa-pix-7-perguntas-e-respostas-inusitadas-sobre-o-servico-edapps.ghtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727023453/https://www.techtudo.com.br/listas/2024/10/o-que-significa-pix-7-perguntas-e-respostas-inusitadas-sobre-o-servico-edapps.ghtml|archive-date=27 July 2025|work=[[TechTudo]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The goal of the [[Central Bank of Brazil|Central Bank]] at the time of its implementation was to associate the system with technology.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":3"/><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Ferrari|first=Hamilton|date=21 December 2023|title=Saiba a origem do nome Pix|trans-title=Learn the origin of the name Pix|url=https://www.poder360.com.br/poder-flash/saiba-a-origem-do-nome-pix/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111150539/https://www.poder360.com.br/poder-flash/saiba-a-origem-do-nome-pix/|archive-date=11 January 2024|work={{interlanguage link|Poder360|pt}}|language=Portuguese}}</ref> One suggested name was "Pi" (for "{{lang|pt|Pagamentos Instantâneos|italic=no}}", {{lit|Instant Payments}}), and another was "Tix" (for "{{lang|pt|Transações instantâneas X|italic=no}}", {{lit|Instant Transactions}}); the chosen solution was to [[Blend word|blend]] the two proposals, which led to the creation of "Pix".<ref name=":4"/> The [[x]] in the name is meant to represent [[multiplication]]<ref name=":4"/> or a [[Variable (mathematics)|mathematical variable]], symbolizing the "various possible uses" of Pix, such as payments between individuals, businesses, and the government, among others.<ref name=":2"/> Some sources also relate the name Pix to the concept of a [[pixel]],<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":3"/> which is said to be reflected in the logo design.<ref name=":3"/>
== History and usage == {{multiple image | total_width = 300 | image1 = Ilan Goldfajn.jpg | image2 = Michel Temer (foto oficial).jpg | footer = [[Ilan Goldfajn]] (left) was the president of the autonomous<ref name=":5"/> [[Central Bank of Brazil|Central Bank]] when research began on what would later become Pix, during the administration of [[Michel Temer]] (right). }}
Members of the team responsible for Pix state that the system had already existed "in concept" since 2016; in December of that year, the then-president of the [[Central Bank of Brazil|Central Bank]], [[Ilan Goldfajn]], signaled that the institution was preparing to launch a tool inspired by [[Zelle]], which had been announced shortly before in the United States. Still that year, Central Bank staff had produced a report titled "Fast payments – Enhancing the speed and availability of retail payments"<ref>{{Cite book|last=Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures|url=https://www.bis.org/cpmi/publ/d154.pdf|title=Fast payments – Enhancing the speed and availability of retail payments|date=November 2016|publisher=[[Bank for International Settlements]]|isbn=978-92-9259-003-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704013826/https://www.bis.org/cpmi/publ/d154.pdf|archive-date=4 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> on the benefits and design of instant payment systems. The Central Bank's technical team concluded that implementing such an instant payment system would be "excellent" policy; the proposal was submitted to the [[board of directors]] for review and was eventually approved.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Ribeiro|first=Weudson|date=10 May 2022|title='Pai' ou padrasto? Lançado sob Bolsonaro, Pix foi planejado na gestão Temer|trans-title='Father' or stepfather? Launched under Bolsonaro, Pix was planned during Temer's administration|url=https://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2022/05/10/pix-banco-central-bolsonaro-eleicoes-2022.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714194756/https://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2022/05/10/pix-banco-central-bolsonaro-eleicoes-2022.htm|archive-date=14 July 2025|work=[[Universo Online|UOL Economia]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref> In May 2018, during [[Michel Temer]]'s administration, Goldfajn created an internal working group called "{{lang|pt|Pagamentos Instantâneos|italic=no}}" to develop the basic specifications of what would later become Pix. The project was carried forward by [[Roberto Campos Neto]] during [[Jair Bolsonaro]]'s administration. In November 2020, the system was finally launched.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Zanobia|first=Luana|date=23 July 2025|title=Afinal, quem é o verdadeiro pai do Pix?|trans-title=After all, who is the true father of Pix?|url=https://veja.abril.com.br/economia/quem-foi-o-verdadeiro-pai-do-pix|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727000343/https://veja.abril.com.br/economia/quem-foi-o-verdadeiro-pai-do-pix|archive-date=27 July 2025|work=[[VEJA|Veja Negócios]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref name=":0"/>
The Central Bank of Brazil launched Pix in part to spur competition in the country's banking industry.<ref name="reuters-2020"/> [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] referred to the system as "ubiquitous" in Brazil in October 2021, a year after Pix's release.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Capurro|first1=Maria Eloisa|title=Brazil's Central Bank Built a Mobile Payment System With 110 Million Users|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-06/pix-mobile-payment-how-brazil-s-central-bank-launched-platform?srnd=premium&sref=CIpmV6x8|access-date=7 October 2021|work=Bloomberg.com|date=6 October 2021|language=en}}</ref> In November 2021, it was reported that the system had already made more than 6 billion transactions, totaling an amount of [[Brazilian real|R$]]3.75 trillion (about US$682 billion). In 2023, Pix was the main payment system in Brazil, totaling 42 billion transactions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Almeida|first1=Daniela|title=Pix foi o meio de pagamento mais popular do Brasil em 2023|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/economia/noticia/2024-03/pix-foi-o-meio-de-pagamento-mais-popular-do-brasil-em-2023|work=Agência Brasil|date=12 March 2024|language=pt}}</ref> <!-- we could use with a graph of usage growth here, instead of just periodically adding a sentence to say it's even larger -->
{{as of|2024|02|post=,}} Italy was considering a bilateral agreement with Brazil to implement the mechanism.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 February 2024|title=Brazil's Wildly Popular Instant-Payment System Is Going Global|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-27/brazil-takes-its-central-bank-digital-payments-app-pix-across-borders|access-date=27 February 2024|work=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=July 2025}}
{{as of|2025|05|post=,}} Pix had accumulated over 175 million users, of which 160 million were individuals and the remainder were businesses.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ribeiro|first=Cristiane|date=10 June 2025|title=Pix bate recorde e registra quase 280 milhões de transações em um dia|trans-title=Pix breaks record and registers nearly 280 million transactions in a single day|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/radioagencia-nacional/economia/audio/2025-06/pix-bate-recorde-e-registra-quase-280-milhoes-de-transacoes-em-um-dia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624015544/https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/radioagencia-nacional/economia/audio/2025-06/pix-bate-recorde-e-registra-quase-280-milhoes-de-transacoes-em-um-dia|archive-date=24 June 2025|work=[[Agência Brasil|Radioagência Nacional]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Pix is credited with the decline in the use of physical [[banknote]]s and [[coin]]s in Brazil; in 2019, 43% of the population used cash, compared to just 6% in 2024, according to a [[Google]] survey. Pix is used by 93% of the Brazilian adult population, with 62% using it as their most frequent payment method, and it already accounted for 47% of financial transactions in Brazil by the end of 2024. Its adoption is widespread across all age groups, [[social class]]es, and regions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Scognamiglio|first=Heloísa|date=21 July 2025|title=Pix cresce enquanto uso de dinheiro físico encolhe no Brasil, aponta estudo do Google|trans-title=Pix grows while the use of physical cash shrinks in Brazil, says Google study|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/economia/pix-cresce-uso-dinheiro-fisico-em-especie-encolhe-brasil-pesquisa-google-nprei/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725170114/https://www.estadao.com.br/economia/pix-cresce-uso-dinheiro-fisico-em-especie-encolhe-brasil-pesquisa-google-nprei/|archive-date=25 July 2025|work=[[Estadão]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Godinho|first=Lais|date=15 July 2025|title=Pix faz uso de dinheiro físico encolher no Brasil, mostra pesquisa do Google|trans-title=Pix causes the use of physical cash to shrink in Brazil, shows Google survey|url=https://valor.globo.com/financas/noticia/2025/07/15/pix-faz-uso-de-dinheiro-fsico-encolher-para-6-pontos-percentuais-no-brasil-mostra-pesquisa-do-google.ghtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717074302/https://valor.globo.com/financas/noticia/2025/07/15/pix-faz-uso-de-dinheiro-fsico-encolher-para-6-pontos-percentuais-no-brasil-mostra-pesquisa-do-google.ghtml|archive-date=17 July 2025|work=[[Valor Econômico]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The transaction cost is free for individuals, and 0.33% for businesses and merchants, compared to 1.13% for [[debit card]]s and 2.34% for [[credit card]]s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=22 July 2025|title=Pix pode ser começo do dinheiro do futuro, diz Nobel de Economia|trans-title=Pix could be the beginning of the money of the future, says Nobel laureate in Economics|url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/clima/pix-pode-ser-comeco-do-dinheiro-do-futuro-diz-nobel-de-economia/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727011459/https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/clima/pix-pode-ser-comeco-do-dinheiro-do-futuro-diz-nobel-de-economia/|archive-date=27 July 2025|work=[[CNN Brasil]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
In July 2025, the system was affected by a cyberattack on the software company C&M, which resulted in the theft of more than R$540 million (US$100 million).<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 July 2025|title=Police in Brazil arrest suspect over $100M banking hack|url=https://apnews.com/article/brazil-hack-cyberattack-bank-5e39633b2ce3a662b90978dcf4647510|access-date=4 July 2025|work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>
In July 2025, [[Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences|Nobel Prize]]–winning economist [[Paul Krugman]] praised Pix and suggested that with it, Brazil may have invented the "future of money" and that the Brazilian payment system is "actually achieving what [[cryptocurrency]] boosters claimed, falsely, to be able to deliver".<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 July 2025|title=Brasil pode ter inventado o futuro do dinheiro com o Pix, diz prêmio Nobel de Economia|trans-title=Brazil may have invented the future of money with Pix, says Nobel Prize winner in Economics|url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/cpwqg440d7lo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250722172604/https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/cpwqg440d7lo|archive-date=22 July 2025|work=[[BBC News Brasil]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref name=":1"/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Krugman|first=Paul|author-link=Paul Krugman|date=22 July 2025|title=Has Brazil Invented the Future of Money?|url=https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/has-brazil-invented-the-future-of|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726225405/https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/has-brazil-invented-the-future-of|archive-date=26 July 2025|work=[[Substack]]}}</ref>
[[Colombian President]] [[Gustavo Petro]] has urged the expansion of Brazil’s Pix instant payment system to Colombia,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colombia's Petro calls for Pix payment system expansion in Brazil |url=https://news.az/news/colombia-s-petro-calls-for-pix-payment-system-expansion-in-brazil |website=News.az |language=en}}</ref> framing it as a tool for financial inclusion and regional integration while reducing dependence on U.S.-controlled mechanisms like the [[OFAC]] list.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-04 |title=Presidente Petro pide a su homólogo Lula da Silva que sistema PIX llegue a Colombia |url=https://www.larepublica.co/economia/presidente-petro-pide-a-su-homologo-lula-da-silva-que-sistema-pix-llegue-a-colombia-4363856 |website=Diario La República |language=es}}</ref> He argued that Pix’s efficiency and accessibility could strengthen Latin American autonomy, while also criticizing the use of financial sanctions as instruments of political pressure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-06 |title=Após relatório dos EUA, Petro pede que Brasil estenda Pix para Colômbia |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/economia/macroeconomia/apos-relatorio-dos-eua-petro-pede-que-brasil-estenda-pix-para-colombia/ |website=CNN Brasil |language=pt-BR}}</ref>
=== United States government investigation === {{Main|2025 Brazil–United States diplomatic dispute}} In July 2025, the [[Office of the United States Trade Representative]] launched an investigation into unfair trading practices by Brazil, focusing on electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, and anti-corruption interference. Among the reasons for the investigation, potential unfair advantaging of Brazilian payment services over US competitors was cited. This appeared to target Pix.<ref>{{cite news|first=John|last=Liu|date=2025-07-17|title=US launches probe into Brazil's trade practices|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/16/business/us-probe-brazils-trade-practices|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Initiation of Section 301 Investigation: Brazil's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Digital Trade and Electronic Payment Services; Unfair, Preferential Tariffs; Anti-Corruption Enforcement; Intellectual Property Protection; Ethanol Market Access; and Illegal Deforestation; Hearing; and Request for Public Comments |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-18/pdf/2025-13498.pdf| publisher=Office of the United States Trade Representative}}</ref> Brazilian President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] has accused US president [[Donald Trump]] of being "bothered by Pix" because it "will put an end to credit cards". Lula da Silva's administration has planned to launch a "massive" media campaign in defense of Pix, with the slogan "{{lang|pt|O Pix é do Brasil|italic=no}}" [The Pix is Brazil's], in an effort to associate the system with [[Nation state|national sovereignty]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bergamo|first=Mônica|author-link=Mônica Bergamo|date=25 July 2025|title=Governo Lula lançará campanha em defesa do Pix como reação a ameaças de Trump|trans-title=Lula government will launch campaign in defense of Pix as reaction to Trump's threats|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/colunas/monicabergamo/2025/07/governo-lula-lancara-campanha-em-defesa-do-pix-como-reacao-a-ameacas-de-trump.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726232822/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/colunas/monicabergamo/2025/07/governo-lula-lancara-campanha-em-defesa-do-pix-como-reacao-a-ameacas-de-trump.shtml|archive-date=26 July 2025|work=[[Folha de S.Paulo]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Members of the Brazilian government accuse the investigation of being born of [[lobbying]] by US [[Payment card industry|credit card companies]] and [[Big Tech|big tech firms]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Santos|first=José Matheus|date=17 July 2025|title=Trump está incomodado porque o Pix vai acabar com o cartão de crédito, diz Lula|trans-title=Trump is bothered because Pix is going to put an end to the credit card, says Lula|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2025/07/trump-esta-incomodado-porque-o-pix-vai-acabar-com-o-cartao-de-credito-diz-lula.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726232214/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2025/07/trump-esta-incomodado-porque-o-pix-vai-acabar-com-o-cartao-de-credito-diz-lula.shtml|archive-date=26 July 2025|work=[[Folha de S.Paulo]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Economist [[Paul Krugman]] accused the US of being pressured by the financial sector into the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 July 2025|title=Krugman elogia o Pix e explica por que ele assusta tanto Trump e os bancos americanos|trans-title=Krugman praises Pix and explains why it scares Trump and American banks so much|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/noticia/2025/07/22/krugman-elogia-o-pix-e-explica-por-que-ele-assusta-tanto-trump-e-os-bancos-americanos.ghtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726221640/https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/noticia/2025/07/22/krugman-elogia-o-pix-e-explica-por-que-ele-assusta-tanto-trump-e-os-bancos-americanos.ghtml|archive-date=26 July 2025|work=[[O GLOBO]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref> [[Fundação Getulio Vargas]] Finance professor Fabio Gallo, regarding this investigation, stated that Pix is inspiring other countries to develop their own solutions, thereby weakening [[United States dollar|the dollar]]. According to him, [[Donald Trump]] does not fear Pix itself, but what it represents: the "end of the Western financial monopoly", in which the U.S. is no longer able to track, tax, or block transactions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gallo|first=Fabio|date=25 July 2025|title=Trump tem medo do Pix|trans-title=Trump is afraid of Pix|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/economia/fabio-gallo/trump-medo-pix/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726145013/https://www.estadao.com.br/economia/fabio-gallo/trump-medo-pix/|archive-date=26 July 2025|work=[[Estadão]]|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
== Features == The Brazilian instant payment ecosystem (Pix) was created with the aim of reducing cash transactions and offering an alternative to existing payment instruments, such as bank slip or [[boleto]] and [[Cash machine|ATM]], as well as being faster and more affordable. The main advantages of Pix are its full-time availability, the speed of transactions using the system, low-cost functionality, convenience, versatility, open environment, and safety.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Banco Central do Brasil |url=https://www.bcb.gov.br/en/financialstability/pix_en |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=www.bcb.gov.br |language=pt-br}}</ref>
=== Aliases === Pix allows instant payment between individuals and among individuals, companies, and government (P2P, P2B, B2B, P2G, and B2G). To perform an instant transfer or payment, the payer will need the receiver's Pix alias, or key – the "nickname" used to identify the receiver's transactional account.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
For individuals, the aliases can be personal data – such as their [[CPF number]], e-mail address or cell phone number – or, alternatively, a random key (a [[UUID]]). These can be turned into a QR code (static or dynamic) for ease of use. Companies use their [[CNPJ|CNPJ number]].<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Brazilian Finance |date=2026-04-17 |title=How to Create a Brazilian PIX Account |url=https://brazilianfinance.com/guides/how-to-create-pix |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Brazilian Finance |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pix: Instant Payment for E-Commerce |url=https://www.pagbrasil.com/payment-methods/pix/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=[[PagBrasil]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Individuals can create up to five keys for each account they own, while companies can create up to twenty keys; each Pix alias must be associated with only one transactional account; and to pay with Pix it is not necessary to register a Pix alias/key, using the same information that is required to transfer money through other systems of the {{ill|Brazilian Payment System|pt|Sistema de Pagamentos Brasileiro}} (TED and DOC).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dá para mandar e receber dinheiro se alguma das pessoas não tiver o Pix?|url=https://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2020/11/18/pix-sem-usar-a-chave-e-possivel-mas-da-mais-trabalho.htm|access-date=16 November 2021|website=[[Universo Online|UOL]]|language=pt}}</ref>
== Ecosystem == Pix is a structured ecosystem that allows carrying out financial payments and transfers instantly. The BCB is responsible for the management and operation of Pix's operational frameworks: the instant payment System (SPI), which is the only infrastructure for instant payments settlement; as well as the "Transaction Accounts Identifier Directory" (DICT), the database linking Pix keys/aliases and the users' transactional account information.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
== See also == *{{slink|Instant payment#Notable instant payment systems by country}} *{{anl|BRICS Pay}}
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
== Further reading == {{refbegin}} * {{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/brazils-pix-payments-are-killing-cash-are-credit-cards-next-2024-04-02/|title=Brazil's Pix payments are killing cash. Are credit cards next?|first=Marcela|last=Ayres|editor1-first=Brad|editor1-last=Haynes|editor2-first=Nick|editor2-last=Zieminski|website=[[Reuters]]|date=2024-04-02|access-date=2025-07-23}} {{refend}}
== External links == {{Commons category-inline}}
{{digital payment providers}}
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