Brazilian Lawmakers Propose Bill to Regulate Bitcoin Salary Payments
KEY FACTS: Brazilian federal deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança has introduced bill PL 957/2025, a proposal to regulate salary payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, allowing employers to pay up to 50% of wages in digital currencies with mutual consent, while mandating at least 50% remain in Brazilian real—except for freelancers, who could receive full crypto payments. Filed in São Paulo, the legislation aims to boost Brazil’s fintech sector, attract crypto investment, and reinforce contractual autonomy, building on the country’s 2023 recognition of cryptocurrencies as legal payment methods. Despite its potential to position Brazil as a global leader in digital finance, concerns linger about Bitcoin’s volatility, transparency, and regulatory oversight, as the bill awaits debate in Congress under President Lula’s administration.
Source: Brazil Flag, Bitcoin
Brazilian Lawmakers Propose Bill to Regulate Bitcoin Salary Payments
Brazilian federal deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança has introduced a pioneering bill to regulate salary payments in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. The proposed legislation, filed on March 12 as bill PL 957/2025, seeks to legalize voluntary and partial salary payments in digital currencies while ensuring a portion of workers’ wages remains anchored in the national currency, the Brazilian real. This development points to Brazil’s growing embrace of cryptocurrency as a legitimate financial tool and emphasizes its ambition to position itself as a leader in the global fintech revolution.
PORTUGUESE: Apresentação do PL n. 957/2025 (Projeto de Lei), pelo Deputado Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança (PL/SP), que "Dispõe sobre a regulamentação do pagamento de salários, remunerações e benefícios trabalhistas com a utilização de ativos virtuais, e dá outras providências".
ENGLISH: Presentation of Bill No. 957/2025 (Projeto de Lei), by Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança (PL/SP), which "Provides for the regulation of the payment of salaries, remuneration, and labor benefits using virtual assets, and other provisions."
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The bill, introduced by Orleans e Bragança—a second-term federal deputy from São Paulo and a descendant of Brazil’s former royal family—represents a significant step toward mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies in the workplace. If passed, it would allow employers to pay employees up to 50% of their salaries, wages, remunerations, and labor benefits in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), provided both parties mutually agree to the arrangement. However, to safeguard economic stability and comply with existing labor laws, the legislation mandates that at least 50% of an employee’s compensation must be paid in Brazilian real, except in the case of freelancers, who could potentially receive their full payment in crypto.
Orleans e Bragança, a vocal supporter of financial innovation and autonomy, argues that the measure could catalyze Brazil’s burgeoning financial technology sector. He stated in the bill’s explanatory text, thus:
“The introduction of crypto payment salaries in Brazil has the potential to boost the financial technology sector and attract crypto investment in the local economy,”
Orleans e Bragança further emphasized that the proposal “reinforces the principle of autonomy of will,” granting workers and employers greater freedom to negotiate their contractual relationships without compromising fundamental labor protections.
An excerpt from the proposed bill PL 957/2025 (translated via Google). Source: Camara.leg.br
The proposed legislation comes at a time when Brazil is increasingly positioning itself as a crypto-friendly nation. In December 2022, then-President Jair Bolsonaro signed a bill into law recognizing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as legal payment methods, a move that took effect in mid-2023. That earlier legislation laid the groundwork for broader acceptance of digital assets, but it left many regulatory details unresolved—particularly around practical applications like salary payments. Bill PL 957/2025 aims to fill this gap by establishing clear guidelines for employers and employees venturing into crypto-based compensation.
Under the terms of the bill, companies opting to pay salaries in cryptocurrency would be required to provide detailed statements outlining the crypto transactions, ensuring transparency and accountability. This provision is designed to protect workers from potential exploitation and to align with Brazil’s robust labor laws, which have historically prioritized employee rights. For freelancers, the bill offers greater flexibility, allowing them to negotiate full crypto payments if desired—a nod to the growing gig economy and the preferences of independent workers in the digital age.
Proponents of the bill see it as a game-changer for Brazil’s economy. By legitimizing crypto salaries, the country could attract foreign investment from blockchain and fintech companies, bolstering its reputation as a hub for digital innovation. Orleans e Bragança has pointed to the potential for job creation and economic growth, particularly in São Paulo, a financial powerhouse and home to a thriving tech ecosystem.
However, the proposal is not without its challenges. Critics warn that Bitcoin’s notorious volatility could pose risks to workers who opt for crypto payments. A sudden drop in value could erode purchasing power overnight, leaving employees vulnerable despite the mandatory 50% payment in Brazilian real. To mitigate this, some analysts suggest that employers might need to offer safeguards, such as price stabilization mechanisms or the option to convert crypto earnings back to fiat currency at a fixed rate. These details, however, remain absent from the current draft, leaving room for debate as the bill progresses through Brazil’s legislative process.
Orleans e Bragança’s sponsorship of the bill adds a layer of political intrigue to the debate. A conservative lawmaker with ties to Brazil’s historical monarchy, he has also voiced support for Truth Social, the social media platform owned by U.S. President Donald Trump. His advocacy for cryptocurrency aligns with an ideological push for decentralization and reduced government control over financial systems—a stance that resonates with libertarian-leaning crypto enthusiasts worldwide. Yet, his royal lineage and political affiliations may polarize opinions in Brazil, where economic policy debates often intersect with class and ideological divides.
Public reaction to the bill has been mixed but largely optimistic among the crypto community. On social media platforms like X, users have hailed the proposal as “bullish” for Bitcoin, predicting it could drive further adoption and price appreciation. Others, however, have raised concerns about implementation, pointing to the need for robust regulatory oversight to prevent tax evasion or money laundering—issues that have plagued crypto markets globally.
The bill’s journey through Brazil’s Congress is just beginning. After its filing on March 12, it must navigate committee reviews, public hearings, and votes in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate before reaching the desk of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose administration has yet to signal its stance on the proposal. Given Lula’s focus on economic inclusion and modernization, the bill could find favor if framed as a tool for innovation and job growth. However, his government’s emphasis on fiscal stability might prompt amendments to address volatility risks.
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