Head to head

Wise vs Ruvo

WiseGlobal accountUSDIOF

Wise moves money across 40+ currencies. Ruvo is built for the dollar corridor between Brazil and the US, with 0% IOF and native crypto. Here is how the two compare on cost, speed, and what you can actually do with each.

Phone showing an international transfer

The IOF gap that changes the math

Wise's IOF is not always 3.5%. Converting reais to dollars, it ranges from 1.1% to 3.5% depending on the operation (Decree 12.499/2025); the other direction, dollars to reais, carries 0.38% IOF plus its conversion fee. Ruvo settles in dollar-backed stablecoins instead of running a traditional foreign-exchange operation, so it keeps 0% IOF on every operation, in both directions.

Converting reais to dollars: a worked example

Say you convert R$10,000 into dollars.
  • Ruvo: 0.5% at the commercial rate into a digital-dollar balance, no IOF, about R$50. Taking it all the way to fiat dollars (ACH or wire) is 0.5% more, 1% in total, still no IOF.
  • Wise: IOF of 1.1% to 3.5% depending on the operation, plus its conversion fee, so roughly R$150 to R$400 or more.
The other way, dollars to reais, Wise charges 0.38% IOF plus its conversion fee, while Ruvo charges 0.3% for businesses (0.5% for individuals) with no IOF, and receiving dollars is free. Comparing Brazilian options too? See Nomad vs Ruvo.

Monthly savings on US$7,500 a month

Say you invoice US$7,500 a month and convert it to reais.
  • Wise: dollars to reais carries 0.38% IOF plus its conversion fee, commonly around 0.9% all-in, roughly $65 to $70 a month ($780 to $840 a year).
  • Ruvo (business): 0.3% with no IOF, about $22.50 a month ($270 a year).
That is on the order of $500+ saved a year on conversion. And anything you spend in dollars on the Ruvo card is free (0% IOF, 0% spread), where a Brazilian card would add 3.5% IOF plus a 2% to 5% FX markup.

Receiving and holding dollars

With Ruvo you get a US account number and routing number that accepts ACH, RTP (instant) and wire. Receiving dollars is free, fiat or digital, with instant access.
  • Hold your balance in digital dollars (USDT/USDC) for as long as you want.
  • Spend it on an international card with 0% IOF and 0% spread (1% on non-dollar purchases).
  • Move in and out with instant Pix.
Wise also lets you hold a USD balance and gives you US account details, but converting dollars to reais carries 0.38% IOF plus its fee, and funding dollars from reais carries 1.1% to 3.5% IOF. Ruvo charges no IOF in either direction. For how to choose, see the best account to receive USD.

Crypto and digital dollars, any wallet

Ruvo runs on digital-dollar rails, so crypto is native rather than an add-on:
  • Receive digital dollars (USDT/USDC) from any external wallet.
  • Send to any wallet, on-chain, whenever you want.
  • Your balance is real, dollar-backed stablecoin that you hold and control.
Wise does not support crypto at all: you cannot receive or send digital dollars, or move funds to and from a self-custody wallet.

What else Ruvo does that Wise does not

  • Zero IOF on every operation, not just lower fees.
  • Free dollar spend: no spread and no IOF on the card when you spend your dollar balance.
  • Instant Pix in and out, so reais and dollars move in seconds.
  • Near-instant settlement, versus hours to a business day on Wise.

When Wise still makes sense

Wise is genuinely strong outside the dollar corridor:
  • Paying suppliers or contractors in euros, pounds and 40+ other currencies.
  • A long-established global network with local bank details in several countries.
  • One-off transfers to places where you don't need to hold dollars.
If your money lives between Brazil and the US, though, Ruvo's 0% IOF, native crypto and free dollar spend are hard to beat.

A note on fees

Third-party fees change often, and IOF rules for digital assets are still evolving in Brazil. The figures here reflect public data from mid-2026; always confirm current fees on each provider's official site before deciding.

Wise vs Ruvo, side by side

CriteriaRuvoWise
IOF0%1.1%–3.5% (reais to dollars)
Convert reais to dollars0.5% (1% to fiat)1.1%–3.5% IOF + fee
Convert dollars to reais0.3% business / 0.5% individual0.38% IOF + fee
Receiving dollarsFree, instantFree to receive
Hold dollarsDigital dollars (USDT/USDC)USD balance, no stablecoin
Crypto / walletsReceive & send, any walletNot supported
International card0% spread, 0% IOFYes; IOF when funded in reais
SettlementInstantHours to 1 business day
Currency coverageDollar corridor (BR/US)40+ currencies

Frequently asked questions

Wise vs Ruvo: what people ask most.

Talk to support
  • Yes, in both directions. Converting reais to dollars, Wise's IOF ranges from 1.1% to 3.5% depending on the operation (Decree 12.499/2025). Converting dollars back to reais carries 0.38% IOF plus a conversion fee. Ruvo keeps 0% IOF on every operation.

  • Ruvo, on balance. For reais to dollars, Wise carries 1.1% to 3.5% IOF plus a fee, versus Ruvo's 0.5% with no IOF. For dollars to reais, Wise charges 0.38% IOF plus its fee, versus Ruvo's 0.3% for businesses (0.5% for individuals) with no IOF, and receiving dollars is free. Confirm current fees before deciding.

  • Yes, especially for sending money in many currencies (40+), where Wise’s global coverage is strong.

  • Yes, in digital dollars (USDT/USDC). Holding is free, and you can spend that balance on an international card with no spread and no IOF.

  • No, Wise does not support crypto. Ruvo lets you receive digital dollars (USDT/USDC) from any wallet and send to any wallet, on-chain.

  • Wise does offer business accounts in Brazil, but IOF on international FX operations applies regardless of whether the account is personal or business. For a Brazilian PJ receiving and holding dollars, Ruvo charges 0% IOF and a flat 0.3% conversion fee, versus Wise's IOF of up to 3.5% plus a spread on each conversion.

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