Nomad vs Ruvo
Two ways to hold dollars from Brazil. Nomad is a popular dollar account with investing; Ruvo is a global, self-custody account with 0% IOF, flat rates and an international card. Here is how they compare.
Two paths to dollars
IOF and FX, side by side
- Add funds, reais to digital dollars: 0.5%.
- Convert out, dollars to reais: 0.3% for businesses (0.5% for individuals).
- Receiving dollars is free, and every operation is 0% IOF.
You control your funds
Beyond conversion
Investing, yield, and your personal side
Where Nomad still appeals
Sending money and spending abroad
A note on fees
Nomad vs Ruvo, side by side
| Criteria | Ruvo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| IOF | 0% | 1.1%–3.5% in, 0.38% out |
| Add funds (reais to dollars) | 0.5% | 1%–2% FX + 1.1%–3.5% IOF |
| Convert out (dollars to reais) | 0.3% PJ / 0.5% PF | 1%–2% FX + 0.38% IOF |
| Best rate requires | Nothing (flat) | Tier 5 (~$20k invested) |
| Receiving dollars | Free, instant | Oriented to reais |
| Custody | Self-custody (you control funds) | Custodial |
| Hold dollars | Yes (USDT/USDC) | Limited |
| International card | 0% IOF, 0% spread | Yes |
| Investing | Yield + equities (being added) | Yes (established) |
Yes, IOF of about 1.1% to 3.5% converting reais to dollars and 0.38% converting back, plus a 1% to 2% FX spread by loyalty tier. Ruvo keeps 0% IOF: 0.5% to add funds, and 0.3% for businesses (0.5% for individuals) to convert out, from day one.
Generally yes, the best tier unlocks at roughly $20,000 invested. With Ruvo the rates are flat from day one, with no tiers.
With Ruvo, you do: it is a global, self-custody account, and your dollars sit in a wallet you control (USDT/USDC). Nomad is custodial, it holds your funds for you.
Nomad's investing is established. Ruvo is adding yield and equity investing, plus both personal (PF) and business (PJ) accounts with free transfers between them, all at 0% IOF.
Ruvo: it holds dollars, 0% IOF, an international card, self-custody, and converts at 0.3% for businesses, while Nomad tends to push balances back to reais and charges IOF plus tiered FX.
Yes, Nomad acquired Husky in late 2024 and Husky accounts are being migrated to Nomad. Both Nomad and Ruvo continue to operate independently. If you were a Husky user, check the Nomad vs Husky page for a direct comparison of how the two models differ.
