How stablecoins work for remittances
Stablecoins move dollars across borders in seconds, for a fraction of what banks and money transfer services charge. Here is how a remittance actually works.
What a stablecoin is
Why stablecoins beat the old way
- Bank wire (SWIFT): fixed fees, an FX spread, IOF, and one to five business days.
- Money transfer services: a headline rate plus a spread that is often hidden in the exchange rate.
- Stablecoins via Ruvo: dollars that settle in seconds, with 0% IOF and a transparent fee.
How a remittance works with Ruvo
- Hold or receive digital dollars in your wallet.
- Send them to any wallet abroad, or convert and pay out locally.
- To land money in Brazil, convert to reais and send via Pix, instantly, to any Pix key.
What it costs, line by line
Landing money in Brazil via Pix
Tax and IRPF on stablecoin remittances in Brazil
| Feature | Bank wire (SWIFT) | Stablecoin via Ruvo |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer time | 3–5 business days | Seconds, any time |
| Typical fee | ~$25–$50 + FX spread | 0.9% individual / 0.4% business |
| IOF | Varies by operation | 0% IOF |
| Pix payout in Brazil | Not available | Yes — any Pix key |
| Business hours required | Yes — weekdays only | No — 24/7 |
| Minimum amount | Often $1,000+ | No minimum |
A stablecoin transfer moves dollars directly on a public network, with no chain of correspondent banks each adding a fee, a spread and a day.
You convert dollars to reais and pay out via Pix to any Pix key in Brazil. The money arrives in seconds, any day of the week.
There is 0% IOF on the stablecoin transfer. You only pay Ruvo’s transparent fee, and the conversion fee if you cash out to reais.
The stablecoin transfer settles in seconds. If the recipient converts to reais and pays out via Pix, the reais land in seconds too — any time of day or week.
No. You receive and hold dollars in a non-custodial wallet, not a US bank account. Any person or business can receive digital dollars from anywhere in the world.
USDT and USDC are backed by dollar reserves and have maintained their pegs reliably. Both issuers publish regular reserve attestation reports you can verify publicly.
